Intercrosse No-Contact Game with the Five-Second Rule
An intercrosse game, the school-friendly no-contact version of lacrosse, where no one may hold the ball in the stick for more than five seconds. Students work on stick passing and catching, constant movement off the ball, and team play without contact.
How to play
- Set up two 30 x 20 m fields with a goal at each end and a 3 m (10 ft) crease in front of each; make teams of 6 (2 min).
- Partner review 6-8 m apart: overhand pass and soft-hands catch with the stick; 3 minutes on the dominant side and 3 on the other side (6 min).
- 4-on-2 keep-away with a 5-second rule counted out loud by the defender (4 min).
- 5-on-5 with goalies: no one enters the crease; if a carrier goes over 5 seconds, the ball goes to the other team; line changes every 3 minutes (11 min).
- Reflection: what did you do off the ball to help the carrier before 5 seconds? (2 min).
Rules
- No contact: no stick checks, no body contact, and no blocking an opponent.
- Possession changes only on an interception or a ground ball.
- Sticks never go above another player's shoulders.
- After a goal, the goalie restarts from the crease and the defense retreats to its half.
Variations
Easier
Carriers get 8 seconds, and a stopped ball may be picked up by hand.
Standard
5-second rule, crease, and no contact.
Harder
3-second rule, and a goal counts only if every field player has touched the ball.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: play goalie or a neutral player in a side zone with 3 m passes.
- Visual impairment: use a brightly colored ball and call the student's name before each pass.
- Fitness level: subs every 2 minutes and a neutral attacker spot for students who need it.
Learning goals
- Pass and catch accurately with the stick on the move.
- Get open to offer quick passing lanes.
- Play with intensity while respecting the no-contact rule.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soft lacrosse sticks: 25
- soft balls: 10
- goals: 4
- cones: 20
- pinnies: 12
Teacher tip
At first the ball hits the ground a lot; reward quick passes over perfect catches. Mark the crease clearly with cones to avoid collisions.
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