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Brush up on your lax terminology - check out the glossary of lacrosse terms.
A
Around The World - A trick shot or pass in which the head of the stick wraps around the front of the player's body, then the back of the player's body before releasing the ball. For a right-handed player, the shot will release on the player's
right side.
Assist - Pretty much the same thing as every other sport that awards assist. If you throw it to someone who scores, you get an assist, as long as the scoring player does not have to dodge a defender. In field lacrosse, only one assist can be awarded per goal. But in box lacrosse, two assists can be awarded per goal, like in hockey.
Attackman - One of three players designated to remain on the offensive side of the field at all times. Attackmen generally possess the best stick-handling skills on the field and play close to the goal or behind the goal.
B
Backbreaker - A trick shot where a player quickly moves his stick up and over his head and essentially slaps himself in the butt with his own stick, shooting the ball between his legs.
Back Door - An offensive player cuts behind his or her defender to receive a pass near the goal.
Back up the goal - When a shot misses the goal in the outdoor game, whoever is closest to the ball when it goes out of bounds gets possession. So, you're likely to hear coaches yelling for their players to "back up the goal" from time to time.
Ball - The little round thing the players toss around. Men's college, high school and NLL players use white ones. Women's college players use yellow ones. And MLL players use orange ones. The balls are always rubber, between 7 3/4 and 8 inches in circumference and weigh between 5 and 5 1/4 ounces.
Ball Stop - A small piece of foam rubber stuck inside the throat of the stick to cushion the stick against impact from the ball.
Behind-the-back - The most commonly used trick shot or pass by players, it involves throwing the ball behind your head rather than forward. Also commonly referred to as a BTB.
Body Check - When one player hits another player with his body. This is legal, as long as the player being hit has the ball or is within five yards of a looseball. The contact must be made below the shoulders and above the waist from the front side of the player being hit, and the player doing the hitting must have both hands on his stick.
Bull Dodge - Like a fullback plowing over a linebacker, the ball carrier runs full steam into a defender in an attempt to "bull" him over.
Butt end - The end of the stick opposite the head. The butt end is required by the rules to be covered with a cap or tape to prevent using it as a weapon, but it can still hurt quite a bit.
C
Check - Whacking another player with your stick in an attempt to dislodge the ball. Or, for the pro players, the payment you receive for playing.
Check-up – When the goalie will shout to have each player on his team find the player they are supposed to be guarding and call out the opposing players number.
Clamp - A face-off move where the player pushes his stick down on top of the ball to gain control.
Clear - Moving the ball from the defensive end to the offensive end of the field.
Cradle - Rocking the stick back and forth in your hands to create centrifugal force that keeps the ball in the pocket.
Crank - A hard shot taken by a stationary player who has time and room to wind up and fire it.
Crease - The circle surrounding the goal. In the men's game it's radius is 9 feet and in the women's game it's 8.5 feet.
Cross Check - A painful move when one player hits another with his stick, striking the player with the part of the shaft between his hands. In field lacrosse, this draws a one-minute penalty.
Cutting – This is when an attacking player who does not have the ball “cuts” around a defender in order to get a pass from one of his teammates to take a shot on goal.
D
Defenseman - One of three players designated to remain on the defensive side of the field at all times. Generally, defensemen use sticks that are six-feet long to aid with checking attackmen.
Deputy – This is a defensive player who may go into and stay in the goal circle when 1) the defense is in possession of the ball and 2) the goalkeeper is outside of the crease.
Dip and dunk - When a shooter is alone on the crease and has time and room to fake low, forcing the goalie to drop down, then shoot high over the goalie's head.
Dive shot - When a player dives into the crease, scoring a goal before he makes contact with the ground. In the MLL, this spectacular play is allowed, but it has been banned in college and high school, mainly to protect goalies from injury. The only time a player may land in the crease after scoring is when the referee rules he was pushed in.
Dodge - Any evasive move by an offensive player trying to get past a defensive player.
Dye job - For those concerned with looking good, there are plenty of people out there who take pride in the appearance of their sticks. With some dye and a few other materials, players can create multicolored, ornately designed heads.
E
EMO - Means "extra-man offense" and refers to the unit of six offensive players who play while their team has a man advantage due to a penalty.
F
Five hole - Between the goalie's legs.
Face off - At the beginning of each quarter and after each goal, two players battle for possession of the ball. With their sticks running parallel to the midline and the ball between the heads of their sticks, they wait for the whistle and then battle for control while their teammates on the wing run in to help.
Face Dodge - A basic dodge where a player runs at a defenseman then pulls the stick across his body without changing hands and moves past the defender.
Fast Break - When a midfielder breaks ahead of the rest of the middies and brings the ball downfield to the attack. The result is a 4-on-3 advantage for the offense that usually creates a good shot.
Feed - Basically a pass, but more specifically a pass inside to an offensive player right in front of the goal, or on the crease.
Free Position – After a foul the player who has been fouled is allowed to position themselves anywhere they wish 8 meters from the crease. If the foul was a major foul all of the other players must stand at least 4 meters behind the player taking the free position. On a minor foul they are allowed to stand four meters to the side. A referee puts the ball in the head of the stick of the player taking the free position who then can pass, shoot, or run with the ball.
Finalizer - A move behind the goal when an offensive player changes direction quickly, forcing the defender marking him to jump over the back of the net and therefore fall behind.
Flag down - You'll hear this a lot after a ref has thrown a penalty flag. Once a flag is down, if the team that was fouled has possession of the ball, they keep playing until the ball goes out of bounds, hits the ground outside of the offensive box or changes possession inside the offensive box.
FOGO - A term for a player who takes face-offs but then runs off the field as soon as possible afterwards. It stands for Face-Off, Get Off."
Foul Out - It doesn't happen often, but if a player picks up five personal fouls in a game, he's done.
G
GLE - Stands for "Goal line extended" which just means if you drew an imaginary line extending the goal line from sideline to sideline. Used mainly by coaches to discuss positioning on the field, e.g. "Don't throw an over-the-head check on the GLE."
Garbage Goal - Scooping up a looseball in front of the goal and scoring.
Gilman - Refers to a defensive player randomly chucking the ball to the offensive end of the field rather than passing the ball to a teammate.
Goal - In field lacrosse for both men and women, the goal is a 6-by-6 square.
Goal Line - A line drawn on the field between the two vertical pipes of the goal. The ball must completely cross the goal line to count as a goal.
Goal Keeper - The last line of defense, the goalie has a larger stick head (roughly 16.5 inches across) to help stop shots from the opposing team.
Ground Ball - Quite simply, a ball that's on the ground. Like rebounding in basketball, winning the groundball wars can be a key to victory.
H
Hanging your stick - When a player is carrying the ball, he or she leaves part of the stick unprotected behind them, either the head or the butt end. A good defender will notice this and check the stick to create a turnover.
Head - The plastic part of the stick that holds the ball. In college and high school, the head must be 6 1/2 inches across, measured at its widest point. But in the pro leagues, they're allowed to be a little skinnier.
Head on a swivel - For defensive players, refers to the constant back and forth motion of your neck as you follow the movement of the ball and the player you're covering.
Hole - The area right in front of the goal. Because an open offensive player in front of the goal is more dangerous than an open offensive player somewhere else, defensive players are told to "get in the hole", meaning they should run to the goal then find the player they need to cover.
Hook - Also known as whip, refers to how much the ball catches under the shooting strings when throwing the ball. For example, a player who's not used to much hook would throw the ball too low when they use a stick with more hook.
I
Indian Pick-up - A slang term for a method used to pick up groundballs with one hand by swatting the ball and flipping it into the stick.
Indirect Free Position – When a minor field foul is committed by the defense inside the 12 meter fan the offense is given an Indirect Free Position. The player who takes the free position is allowed to pass or run with the ball but they are not allowed to shoot the ball at the goal until another player has handled or touched the ball. The ball is also considered to have been played if the crosse of the player who is taking the Indirect Free Position is checked crosse-to-crosse by a defender. The ball does not have to come out of the head to have been considered played.
Inside Roll - When dodging from behind the goal, a player drives up to the side of the goal, plants their front/inside foot and swings their back foot around the defender to position themselves between the defender and the goal.
L
LSM - Short for longstick midfielder. In most versions of men's field lacrosse-excluding Major League Lacrosse-teams are allowed to use four longstick defensive players. Aside from the three close defensemen who stay on defense, the LSM covers the opponent's top offensive middie and should have the speed and stick skills to bring the ball upfield in transition.
Lax Rat - Like a gym rat or skate rat, this is someone who can't get enough lax.
Leather - Refers to the strands of leather in the pocket of a stick. Most players use mesh these days, so leather gets less and less usage.
Line Drill - The staple of every practice and pregame warmup. Two lines of players face each other about 30 yards apart and the first player in one line throws it to the first player in the other line then runs to the back of the opposite line. Line drills have many variations, including groundballs and over the shoulder passes.
Longpole - Either refers to a player using a 6-foot stick to play defense or the stick itself.
Low to high - Flashy but not always the most effective, low to high shots are when a player dips his stick low to the ground but shoots for the top of the goal.
M
Major League Lacrosse (MLL) - The first and only professional outdoor lacrosse league was founded in 2001 by Jake Steinfeld and Warrior Lacrosse. Originally with franchises in six cities (Baltimore, Boston, Bridgeport, Long Island, New Jersey, Rochester), the league now has 10 teams, including four teams in a Western Division that formed in 2006. In an attempt to promote fast-paced offense, the league includes a 2-point line and a shot clock and allows only three longsticks on the field at once.
Man Down - Refers to the unit of players with the task of stopping the opposing team's man-up or power-play unit. A standard man-down unit is five guys plus the goalie battling six offensive players. But, if there are multiple penalties, the unit can be two or more players short.
Man Up - Refers to the unit of players or the situation when the team has at least one extra offensive player due to a penalty.
Mesh - A piece of woven nylon used as a pocket in lacrosse sticks. The majority of male players use mesh in today's game.
Midfielder - One of three players on the field at any given time that runs up and down the field, playing both offense and defense.
Midfield Line - The line that runs right across the middle of the field.
N
National Lacrosse League (NLL) - The professional version of box (indoor) lacrosse, the league consists dominantly of Canadian players who grew up playing the vastly different style of the sport. With teams in 12 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada for the '06-'07 season, the league is growing and thriving in many unique markets, including Denver, Portland and Toronto. The style is similar to hockey with five players and a goalie playing on an artificial floor the size of a hockey rink
O
Offsides - In men's field lacrosse, teams must always have three players on the offensive side of the midfield line and four players on the defensive side of the midfield line. If not, they're offsides.
On the Fly - Like a hockey team substituting players during the flow of the game, lacrosse players in both men's field lacrosse may substitute through the substitution box at midfield as the game is being played. This is known as subbing "on the fly".
Over-The-Head - A defensive check where the defender reaches their stick up and over the offensive player's head to check their stick. It's an aggressive play that can result in a penalty or a loss of good defensive position, but many defensive players determine it's worth the risk.
P
Pick – When a player, either defense or offense, who does not have the ball blocks the path of an opposing player forcing them to change directions. A pick is only legal if the player setting the pick can be seen to be setting the pick by the opposing player and gives the opposing player enough time and room to change the direction they are moving or stop altogether.
Play On - There are two kinds of "play on" situations in lacrosse. First, when a team has possession of the ball and a penalty is committed, the team plays on until they score, the ball goes out of bounds, changes possession, or hits the ground outside of the team's offensive box. When there is a looseball, a looseball foul results in a play on situation when the ref lets the play go to see if the offended team gains possession. If not, he stops the play and awards it to the offended team.
Pocket - The net part of the stick that holds the ball.
Poke Check - The first and arguably only check a defensive player needs to learn. Conservative defenders can throw nothing but poke checks and do quite well. In a nutshell, it's exactly like it sounds. Take your stick, and like you're playing a very aggressive game of pool, use your back hand to poke the opponent.
Point - On a fast break, both the offensive and defensive player farthest from the goal are "on point" or have "got point." The defensive player's responsibility is to stop the ball carrier. The offensive player provides an outlet for the ball carrier and should have an open teammate to pass to near the goal.
Power Play - See Man-Up.
Q
Quickstick - Like a touch pass in basketball, a quickstick means the player cushions and redirects the ball for a shot or pass without cradling.
R
Raking – This happens during a face-off when one player who is trying to get the ball attempts to sweep it away from the other player.
Red Card – A Red Card will be given out to any player that acts in an unsafe or un-sportsman like manner. Any player who receives a Red Card must leave the game and not return.
Release – When a player has been sent to the penalty box this it the term used by an official to tell the player their time is up and they can get back in the game.
Restraining Box - The box formed by the restraining line, which is the line across the field 20 yards in front of the goal in men's lacrosse and 30 yards in front of the goal in women's lacrosse.
Ride - Like a full court press in basketball or forechecking in hockey, this is just one team trying to stop another from moving the ball out of their defensive zone.
Roll Dodge - Basically a spin move. By rolling your body around a defender, you keep your body between the defender and your stick.
Rusty Gate - A ridiculous but spectacular check that's rarely used and even more rarely used successfully. Basically, when a defender is running shoulder to shoulder with a ball carrier, the defender puts the stick in their outside hand and wraps the stick behind their back hoping to check the stick of the ball carrier behind the ball carrier's back.
S
Save - When a goalie stop the ball from going in the goal.
Scooping – The way a player will try and pick up a ball that is loose on the ground. They will try and get the pocket underneath the ball and scoop it into the mesh.
Screen - When an offensive player stands directly in front of the goalie to block the goalie's view of a shot.
Shaft - The metal handle of the stick.
Sidewall - Can refer to either the two vertical sides of the stick head, or the string that attaches the pocket to the sides of the stick.
Slap Check - When a defensive player uses a slapping or chopping motion to hit an offensive player's stick, arms, hands or other body parts to either dislodge the ball or cause a little pain. Hopefully both.
Slashing – When one player swings their stick at an opponent’s body or stick. This swinging is done with intentional brutality and/or carelessness, which could in the referee’s opinion result in injury. Even if no contact takes place a referee can still rule that slashing has occurred and a foul committed.
Slide – When an offensive player who has the ball is able to get by the defender who is guarding them. Then another defender will change their position, they will “slide” over to guard the ball carrier.
Specialization - Whether it's a good thing or a bad thing is up for debate, but specialization means using specific players for specific things. For instance, midfielders used to be responsible for offense and defense, but with specialization, certain middies focus on defense and then sub out for the offensive specialists when they regain the ball.
Split Dodge - The most commonly used dodge in the game. With the stick in your right hand, give a hesitation to the right side then quickly pull the stick across your face, switch hands and direction to the left. It's just like a crossover dribble in basketball.
Swim Move - Very similar to the split dodge, but instead of bringing the stick across your face, swing it with one hand up and over the head of the defensive player trying to stop you. It's a little risky but fun to watch.
T
Tewaaraton Trophy - The Heisman Trophy of college lacrosse. It's presented to the top men's and women's college player each year by the University Club in Washington D.C.
Throat - The part of the stick head that attaches to the shaft.
Toeing The Line – When a player has their foot close to but not on the center line.
Traditional - A style of pocket that's becoming less and less common with the increasing popularity of mesh. Using four leather strands running vertically up and down the head, laces connect the leathers to form a pocket. Some of the older wooden styles of sticks used by Native Americans use a similar stringing style.
W
Wall Ball - The best way to improve your stick handling ability. Find a wall with nobody needing peace and quiet on the other side and bounce the ball off it repeatedly until catching and throwing becomes second nature.
Ward - When cradling with one hand on your stick, you can't use your free arm to swat the stick of the defender covering you. If you do, you'll get called for a ward, or warding off.
Whip - See Hook. It's the same thing with a different name.
Withholding - Intentionally withholding the ball from play. This can be done by sticking your thumb or one of your fingers on the ball while it's in your stick, pressing your stick against your chest to trap the ball in it, or clamping the ball down on the ground with your stick.
Wrap Check - A one-handed defensive check where the defensive player wraps his stick around the offensive player in order to dislodge the ball.
X
X - The point of the field directly behind the goal. On clears or man-up plays, it's a good idea to get it to the player at X because it's an ideal position to pass to open players in front of the goal.
Y
Yellow Card – A Yellow Card is given to a player who commits a foul, usually a personal foul, and in if they commit another fould they will be given a red card and suspended from the game.
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