Women's lacrosse is a sport that promotes speed, strategy, and fair play. One of the key rules to ensure safety on the field is the "charging" rule, which penalizes illegal contact between players.
The charging rule states that an offensive player cannot attack with her body or run directly into a defender without attempting to evade her. This type of contact is considered illegal and can result in a major foul, as it puts both players' physical integrity at risk.
The purpose of this rule is to ensure cleaner play and prevent dangerous collisions on the field, encouraging players to use technical and tactical skills to get past a defender rather than relying on physical contact.
When a player commits a charging violation, the defending team gains possession of the ball at the point where the foul occurred. Depending on the severity of the action, penalties may include: