Understanding Shooting Space in Women’s Lacrosse when coaching defense

In women’s lacrosse, one of the most important and often misunderstood rules for defenders is Shooting Space. This rule is all about keeping your players safe while ensuring they play smart, aggressive defense without risking penalties.

What Is Shooting Space?

Shooting space comes into play when a defender steps into the path between the attacker with the ball and the goal. If your player isn’t within a stick’s length of the attacker, this puts them in a dangerous position. The result? A penalty, and the attacker gets an 8-meter free shot while your defender is forced 4 meters behind.

Key Areas to Watch for Shooting Space

This rule is heavily enforced in the Critical Scoring Area (CSA)—specifically the 8-meter arc and 12-meter fan. Inside these zones, your defenders need to be extremely mindful of positioning and must avoid stepping into the lane between the attacker and the goal.

When Shooting Space Applies

As a coach, you need to remind your defenders that shooting space violations occur when:

1. The attacker is in the Critical Scoring Area.

2. The attacker is clearly looking to shoot.

3. The defender is in the shooting lane and not within a stick’s length of the attacker.

How to Teach Defenders to Avoid Violations

To keep your team out of trouble with shooting space calls, make sure they follow these guidelines:

• Approach the Attacker Directly: Teach your defenders to avoid stepping into the shooting lane and to go directly toward the attacker they’re marking.

• Stay Within a Stick’s Length: This is key. Being within a stick’s length allows them to defend aggressively without risking a penalty.

• Always Be Aware of Positioning: Defenders should constantly check their position relative to the goal and the ball to avoid accidentally stepping into shooting space.

When It’s Not a Violation

• If a defender is within a stick’s length, no violation will be called.

• If an attacker pulls a defender through the shooting lane while being actively marked, that’s not shooting space.

• Shooting space doesn’t apply if the attacker is below the goal line extended and not in a shooting position.

Why This Rule Matters

The shooting space rule is crucial for player safety. Without it, defenders would be at serious risk of injury from fast, hard shots. As a coach, it’s your job to make sure your players understand this rule and can play aggressive, smart defense while keeping the game safe for everyone.