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Lacrosse is a sport that is growing in popularity all the time. More and more people are picking up a lacrosse stick every year, and the number of teams continues to grow. But how many players are on all lacrosse teams combined?
Generally speaking, most average-sized lacrosse teams have anywhere between 22 and 28 players. This number can vary depending on the level of play, with higher levels having more players and lower levels having fewer. However, each level has a total of 10 players on the field at a time.
In this article, I will dive into the numbers to see how many players are on all lacrosse teams combined.
How Many Players Total On A Lacrosse Team?
The total number of players in a lacrosse team will depend on various factors such as the level of play, age group, and gender.
At the lower levels of play (recreational, youth), there are usually around 22-25 players on a team. For example, a National League team might have 28 players, while a recreational team might only have 22.
At the higher levels of play (college, club), teams will have more players because of the skill level required. For example, a college team might have up to 30 players, while a club team might have 40.
Recreational/Youth Lacrosse | National League Lacrosse | College/Club Lacrosse |
22-25 players | 28 players | 30-40 players |
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The age group of the lacrosse players also affects the number of players on a team.
For example, youth teams will generally have fewer players than adult teams because younger children can’t play as long and need more breaks.
Finally, the gender of the lacrosse players also has an impact on the number of players per team. For example, since women’s college lacrosse teams field 12 players in a match, they will generally have more players on the team overall.
Here’s a quick overview of how many players are on all lacrosse teams combined:
Goalies
Most teams have 2 goalies, but some teams will only have one. This is because some teams want to have a backup goalie ready to step in just in case anything happens with the first.
Defensemen
Defensemen are the players who stay back and defend the goal. There are usually between 5 and 6 defensemen on a team.
Midfielders
Midfielders are the players who play in the middle of the field. They are often responsible for both offense and defense. There are usually between 8 and 10 midfielders on a team.
Attackmen
Attackmen are the players who stay up near the opposing team’s goal. Their job is to score goals. There are usually between 5 and 6 attackmen on a team.
So, in total, there are usually between 20 and 28 players on a lacrosse team. However, only 10 players are on the field at a time. So in a match, there are a total of 20 players fielded at once.
How Big Is a Lacrosse Roster?
The size of a lacrosse roster is will depend on the level of play of the team. A college and professional men’s lacrosse team will have a roster of 35-45 players. But, only ten of those players will be on the field during a game. However, each level has a total of 10 players on the field at a time.
On a gameday roster, an official roster may have anywhere between 17 and 20 players depending on the team.
A college women’s team roster will have 23-27 players with 12 of those players being on the field during a game. For an official gameday roster, there may be 15-18 players depending on the team.
At the high school level, rosters will have anywhere from 25 to 40 players. The number of players on the field during a game will depend on the level of play and the age group.
A youth lacrosse team’s roster may have 16-20 players with 10 of those players being on the field during a game.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about If It Is Possible To Play Lacrosse In The Rain. In this article, I break down everything you need to know about playing lacrosse in the rain so that you can have a successful game no matter what the weather is. You can check out this article here!
How Many Players Are On a Women’s Lacrosse Team?
Depending on the level, a women’s lacrosse team will have anywhere between 18-35 players. For instance, a college team will have 23-30 players with 12 of those players being on the field during a game. However, each level has a total of 10 players on the field at a time.
A high school team roster may have 18 to 27 players and a youth lacrosse team’s roster may have 16-20 players.
It is important to note that only ten players are on the field at one time for both men’s and women’s lacrosse. So, in a match, there are a total of 20 players fielded.
However, college lacrosse fields 12 players on the field for women while men still field ten. So, in a college women’s match, there are a total of 24 players fielded.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article breaking down All The Similarities and Differences Between Men’s & Women’s Lacrosse. This article goes in-depth about the real difference between the two sports and explains the rules for each. You can check out this article here!
Why Do Lacrosse Teams Have So Many Players?
Lacrosse teams need to have as many players as possible to be able to rotate them since it is a very demanding sport that requires a lot of running, sprinting, and quick changes in direction. Frequently swapping players will ensure a higher chance of scoring since the players are fully energized.
Also, since a lacrosse match needs 10 players on the field, and there can only be six attackmen or defensemen, it is necessary to have a larger roster to allow for substitutions.
In addition, having a large roster gives the team more depth and options. For example, if one player gets injured, there are other players who can step in and take their place.
Overall, having a large roster is beneficial for lacrosse teams because it allows them to have more options and flexibility.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about What Combination Of Sports Is Lacrosse Made From. These 4 sports contributed to the creation of the lacrosse that we know today. You can check out this article here!
FAQs
How many players are on a high school lacrosse team?
Generally speaking, a full-strength high school lacrosse team typically consists of between 23 and 27 players. This, however, may vary depending on the school’s district and league rules. Each lacrosse team has 10 active lacrosse players on the field at a time.
How many players are on a college lacrosse team?
Generally speaking, college lacrosse teams typically have between 35 and 45 players. The size of the roster may be dictated by various factors such as the conference or division in which the team competes. Each lacrosse team has 10 active lacrosse players on the field at a time.
Do all lacrosse teams have the same number of players?
As a general rule, all lacrosse teams do not have the same number of players. The size of the roster will depend on factors such as the level of play and the age group. Each lacrosse team has 10 active lacrosse players on the field at a time.
Final Thoughts
The number of players on a lacrosse team will vary depending on the level of play. However, all lacrosse teams must have at least ten players on the field during a game. Hopefully, I have given you a better understanding of how many players are on a lacrosse team.