Women’s lacrosse is a non-contact sport played by 10 players: a goalkeeper, 3 attackers, 3 mid-fielders and 3 defenders. The object of the game is to shoot the ball into the opponent's goal. The team scoring the most goals wins. The game is 60 minutes long, four 15 minute quarters.

The game begins with a draw, which is taken by one of the mid-fielders in the centre of the pitch. The ball is placed between two horizontal crosses (sticks), one from each team. At the sound of the whistle, the ball is flung into the air as the crosses are pulled up and away. A draw is used to start each quarter and after each goal.

Players may pass, catch or run with the ball in their crosse. A player may gain possession of the ball by dislodging it from an opponent's crosse with a check. A check is a controlled tap with a crosse on an opponent's crosse in an attempt to knock the ball free. Rough checks, and contact to the body with the crosse or body, are not allowed.

Players movement on the pitch is limited by the "restraining line" located 30 yards from each goal line, which creates an area where only a maximum of six offensive players and seven defensive players (including the goalkeeper) are allowed. There is a 12-meter fan, which officials use to position players after fouls; and an arc in front of each goal, considered the critical scoring area, where defenders must be at least within a stick's-length of their attacker.

When the whistle blows, all players must stop in place. With the exception of the player who has been fouled on who can do a self-start and continue to play when both her feet are stationary and the ball is in her crosse without waiting for a restart whistle.

When the ball is ruled out of play, the player closest to the ball gets possession when play is resumed. Loss of possession may occur if a player deliberately runs or throws the ball out of play. When a shot is taken on goal but is missed and the ball goes off the field, the possession goes to the closest player to the ball.