Here are some of the key differences between the girls and boys games as referenced in the article.
Boys Rules
Players must wear a hard-shell helmet with face guard.
Stick-to-body contact is integral to the game.
Checking is permitted anywhere on the stick.
Pockets in sticks are allowed because of the checking.
The length of the stick is different for different positions.
Played with 10 members on each team: a goalie, three defenders, three midfielders and three attackmen.
At least four players must remain on the defensive side of the field and three on the offensive side at all times.
Players may shoot at anytime.
Girls Rules
Players must wear a mouthpiece and protective goggles. They may wear a soft padded helmet but not hard-shell headgear.
Checking is permitted on the head of the lacrosse stick only.
No deep pocket in the stick is allowed. No mesh pockets.
Length of stick is the same for all field players (typically 42 inches).
Played with 12 members on each team: a goalie, five defensive players and six attack players.
At least five players must remain on the defensive side of the field and four on the offensive side at all times.
Shooting is permitted only when pathway to goal is clear.
Defenders cannot block an attacker's pathway to shoot on goal unless they are within one stick-length of the attacker.
Cannot shoot a loose, uncontrolled ball; cannot hit another player with the ball; cannot hit the goalie in the head with the ball.
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