The Comprehensive Lacrosse Glossary

The rhythmic motion of twisting the stick to keep the ball securely in the pocket while moving. It uses centrifugal force to prevent the ball from falling out during play.

The act of picking up a ground ball by placing the head of the stick flat on the turf and pulling the ball into the pocket in one fluid motion.

The process of receiving a passed ball, involving 'softening' the hands to absorb the ball's impact and securing it within the pocket.

The act of passing the ball to a teammate. Power comes from the rotation of the torso and the snap of the wrist, not just the arms.

Any ball that is on the turf. 'Winning the ground ball' (GB) is one of the most critical aspects of lacrosse, as it determines possession.

A style of lacrosse played indoors in a hockey-style rink with boards, 6 players per side (including goalie). It emphasizes tighter spaces, quicker hands, and more frequent physical contact than field lacrosse. Popular in Canada and growing internationally.

The process of moving the ball from the defensive half of the field to the offensive half after a save or a turnover.

The phase of the game where a team moves from defense to offense (or vice versa). Fast-break transition goals are often the most efficient scores in a game.

A high-efficiency move where a player picks up a ground ball and immediately accelerates toward the goal without stopping to cradle first.

Using your body to legally shield an opponent from the ball, typically during a ground ball battle, to ensure your teammate can scoop it.

An individual player's offensive statistic equal to one goal plus one assist. In the PLL, a 2-point arc shot counts as two scoreboard points, but still registers as one individual goal in stat tracking. The 'point leader' is the player with the most goals + assists combined.

A ball that crosses the goal line into the net, scored by a single player. The 'goal leader' is the player who has scored the most goals, regardless of whether the goals were worth one or two points on the scoreboard.

An aggressive move used to beat a defender and create a lane to the goal. Dodges can be based on speed, strength, or deceptive footwork.

A sharp, sudden change of direction by an offensive player to get open for a pass or to create space for a teammate.

A legal play where an offensive player stands in the path of a defender to block them, allowing a teammate to beat their defender.

A move where the player 'rolls' their body across the defender's face, using the defender's momentum to spin away toward the goal.

A rapid switch of the stick from one hand to the other to 'split' the defender's reach and accelerate past them.

The area behind the goal (known as 'X') where attackmen operate to distribute the ball or initiate a dodge from a low angle.

A precise pass delivered to a teammate in a high-scoring position, often referred to as 'feeding the crease.'

A basic but effective two-man game where a player passes to a teammate and immediately cuts toward the goal to receive the ball back.

An aggressive scoring move where a player leaps from the edge of the crease to shoot while in the air. Legal at the NCAA/pro level if the player does not land in the crease or contact the goalie, but typically prohibited at youth and high school levels.

A shot taken while stepping down from an elevated position (typically above goal line extended) toward the goal, using the downward momentum to generate power and create a better shooting angle. One of the most common and effective outside shots in lacrosse.

A legal strike of the stick against an opponent's stick or gloved hands on the stick to dislodge the ball or force a turnover. Illegal checks (slashing, cross-checking) result in penalties.

The coordinated movement of a second defender toward the ball-carrier after the primary defender has been beaten.

When two defenders swarm a single offensive player to force a bad pass or a turnover.

Slang for a long-stick defender. Long poles have a reach advantage that allows them to check attackers from a distance.

A lacrosse stick with a total length of 52–72 inches (compared to 40–42 inches for short sticks), used primarily by defensemen and LSMs. The extra reach provides an advantage in poke checks and slap checks.

The action of a defender quickly returning to their assigned mark after a slide or a dodge has occurred.

The intentional space a defender maintains between themselves and the ball-carrier to prevent being beaten by a quick dodge.

The defensive goal of keeping the offensive player in front of you and preventing them from driving toward the goal.

The art of positioning your hips and shoulders to dictate where the offensive player can move and to shield the goal.

The specific patterns of stepping and sliding (e.g., drop-stepping) that allow a defender to stay square and agile.

The top of the stick that holds the mesh pocket, typically made of plastic (though wood is permitted per NCAA rules). Key dimensions: 6–10 inches wide at the scoop, minimum 10 inches long, and 3.5 inches wide at the midpoint. The shape and width affect catching, passing, and shooting.

The long handle of the stick, usually made of aluminum, scandium, titanium, or carbon fiber. Short stick shafts contribute to a 40–42 inch total stick length; long pole shafts to 52–72 inches. Per NCAA/NFHS rules, shafts must have a solid end cap (not just tape) at the butt end.

The area inside the head where the ball sits. The depth and 'channel' of the pocket determine how easily the ball releases.

The synthetic webbing used to create the pocket. Modern mesh is designed to be weather-resistant and provide a consistent release.

The process of weaving mesh and strings into the head to create a customized pocket based on the player's preference.

A thin string placed across the top of the pocket to help grip the ball during a shot, adding spin and stability. Per NCAA/NFHS rules, shooting strings must be within 4 inches of the scoop. U-shaped and V-shaped shooting string configurations are illegal.

The hand lowest on the shaft. This hand is responsible for generating the majority of the power and 'pulling' the stick through the shot.

The hand closest to the head. The top hand guides the direction of the shot and controls the stick's angle.

The rubberized or tape wrapping on the shaft that prevents the hands from slipping during play, especially in wet conditions.

The middle portion of the stick. Players often adjust their hand placement here to change the balance between power and control.

Players who must stay on the offensive half of the field per offsides rules (3 must remain on offense at all times). They are the primary scorers and distributors, often operating from behind the goal at "X."

The 'engine' of the team. Midfielders play both offense and defense, requiring high endurance and versatility in their skill set.

Players who must stay on the defensive half of the field per offsides rules (3 must remain on defense at all times, plus the goalie). They use long poles (52–72") to disrupt passes and prevent shots on goal.

The final line of defense. Goalies use a larger head to block shots and are responsible for initiating the clearing process.

Long Stick Midfielder. A hybrid position using a long pole (52–72") who plays primarily on the defensive midfield, takes face-offs, and transitions into offense. Typically only one LSM is on the field at a time at the midfield position.

Short Stick Defensive Midfielder. A midfielder who uses a short stick (40-42") to specialize in man-to-man defense against the opposing team's offensive midfielders. The trade-off: less reach than an LSM but faster transitions to offense and quicker ground ball pickups.

Face-Off Get-Off. A specialist midfielder whose primary role is to win the face-off and then typically exit the field for a teammate. While FOGOs usually leave after winning the draw, they are allowed to stay on the field by rule — it's a coaching strategy, not a requirement.

An attackman who plays primarily behind the goal at 'X', acting as the quarterback for the offense.

The defenders who play closest to the goal, primarily tasked with stopping the attackmen from getting high-percentage shots.

A general term for a defensive midfielder, covering both LSMs (long stick) and SSDMs (short stick). D-middies specialize in shutting down the opposing team's midfield and transitioning the ball to offense.

A penalty called when a team has too many players on one half of the field. In men's field lacrosse, teams must keep at least 4 players (including the goalie) on the defensive half and at least 3 on the offensive half at all times. This means a maximum of 6 players on offense and 7 on defense (including the goalie).

Swinging the stick at an opponent's stick or body with deliberate viciousness or reckless abandon, whether or not contact is made. The penalty is determined by the swing itself — not by whether it lands. A personal foul resulting in a 1-3 minute penalty (releasable or non-releasable depending on severity).

The illegal act of a player in possession using their free hand or arm to hold, push, or control the movement of an opponent's stick or body. Keeping both hands on the stick and making legal body contact is not warding. Called as a technical foul.

When an offensive player steps into or lands inside the crease (the circular area surrounding the goal), or makes contact with the goalie while they are in the crease. Offensive players cannot enter the crease at any time during live play. Goals are disallowed if the scorer lands in the crease or contacts the goalie. At the NCAA/pro level, crease dives are legal if the player does not land in the crease; at youth levels, they are typically prohibited.

An illegal push of an opponent with the stick, elbow, or body. Legal pushing is limited to pushing with the gloved hands on the stick or with the forearm when both hands are on the stick. Called as a technical foul.

A penalty called when a stick's pocket is too deep, the shaft doesn't meet regulation standards, or equipment is missing (mouthguard, end cap, etc.). Stick checks can occur before or during the game. An illegal crosse results in a 1–3 minute non-releasable penalty.

The method used to start a game or restart play after a goal. Two players compete to gain possession of the ball.

The area on either side of the face-off circle where wing players wait to battle for the ball once it is released.

The official's signal that the ball is live and in play, typically after a face-off, dead-ball stoppage, or penalty. Marked by a whistle or verbal command from the official.

When the ball crosses the perimeter line of the field. If a player carrying the ball steps out, possession goes to the opposing team. For a loose ball or shot that goes out, possession is awarded to the team whose player is closest to the ball where it crossed the line.

The gold standard of lacrosse training. Passing a ball against a wall repeatedly to build hand-eye coordination and muscle memory.

Specific exercises designed to improve a player's ability to scoop balls quickly and under pressure.

Practicing shots while maintaining speed, simulating game situations where a player must fire before the defense closes in.

Short for repetitions. The total number of times a specific move is practiced. High volume reps are the only way to build permanent skill.

The subconscious ability of the body to perform a movement without conscious thought, achieved through thousands of reps.

The hand a player is less comfortable using (usually the non-dominant hand). Training the weak hand makes a player exponentially more dangerous.

The speed and rhythm of a player's movements. Mastering tempo allows a player to lull a defender to sleep before exploding into a dodge.

Exercises like ladder drills or cone work that improve a player's agility, balance, and explosion.

The physical training required to maintain high-intensity effort over the course of a full game, including agility and cardio.

Shooting at specific corners of the goal to improve accuracy and precision, rather than just hitting the net.

A rule in Sixes that requires the offense to take a shot within 30 seconds, drastically increasing the pace of the game.

In Sixes lacrosse, a draw occurs only at the start of each quarter — not after goals. After each goal, the goalkeeper retrieves the ball and restarts play within 5 seconds. This eliminates the FOGO specialist role and keeps the game flowing at a rapid pace.

A common misconception is that Sixes uses smaller goals. In fact, Olympic Sixes lacrosse uses the same standard 6ft × 6ft goal as field lacrosse, per World Lacrosse rules. The smaller field size (70×36m) creates the illusion of a larger goal relative to the playing area.

A rapid offensive transition where a team attempts to score before the defense can set up, highly prevalent in the Sixes format.

A situation where the offense has a numerical advantage due to a defender being penalized.

A defensive situation where the team is short-handed due to a penalty, requiring tighter containment and faster slides.

The ultra-fast shift from defense to offense in the 6v6 format, where every player is expected to be a threat in transition.

In Sixes, players are often 'hybrids,' capable of playing both defensive and offensive roles seamlessly without substitutions.

The overall tempo of the game. Sixes drastically increases this, demanding faster decision-making and quicker releases.

The standard Olympic format: six players per side (including the goalie), played on a smaller field with a shot clock.