Lacrosse is a fast-paced, high-intensity sport that requires strength, speed, and agility. It's played with a stick, a ball, and a lot of determination. Whether you're new to the sport or a seasoned veteran, understanding the common terms and slang used in lacrosse is essential to fully appreciate the game. From offensive and defensive strategies to stick-handling techniques and penalty calls, this glossary of lacrosse terms A to Z will provide a comprehensive overview of the language used in the sport.

By mastering these terms, you can enhance your understanding of the game and fully appreciate the athleticism and strategy involved in playing lacrosse. Whether you're a seasoned lacrosse player or a newcomer to the sport, this glossary is an excellent resource for deepening your knowledge and improving your performance on the field.

Lacrosse Positions

Attack

Attack refers to players responsible for initiating offensive plays and scoring goals. The attackers work in coordination with midfielders and other offensive players to put the ball in the net and score. Attackers are typically the smallest and most agile players on the field, and their quickness and agility enable them to make quick cuts and evade defenders. They need to have excellent stick-handling and shooting skills.

Attackers generally operate in the offensive third of the field and focus on working around the crease, behind the goal, and in front of the net. They’re responsible for reading the defense and making quick decisions to create scoring opportunities for themselves and their teammates. The attack position requires excellent communication and teamwork skills, as attackers need to work closely with their teammates to execute plays and score goals. Effective communication ensures the players are on the same page so the team can quickly adjust to the opposition’s defensive strategies.

Defense

Defense refers to players responsible for preventing the opposing team from scoring goals. Defense players operate in the defensive third of the field and work to neutralize the offensive threats of the opposition. Defensive players are typically bigger and stronger than their offensive counterparts. They need to be physically imposing to disrupt the attacking players' rhythm. They also require excellent footwork, speed, and agility to keep up with their opponents and prevent them from getting open shots on goal.

The defensive unit typically includes three close defenders who guard the opposing team's Attackers and a goalie who protects the goal. The defenders need to work together and communicate effectively to switch assignments and cover for each other when necessary.

Midfielders

Midfielders are arguably the most versatile players on the lacrosse field, playing both offense and defense. They’re responsible for controlling the ball and initiating the offense while also supporting the defense. One of the primary responsibilities of midfielders is to win faceoffs, which are critical in determining possession of the ball. Midfielders must also be able to run quickly for long periods, as they need to cover a lot of ground on the field.

On the offensive side, midfielders are responsible for dodging defenders and creating scoring opportunities. They also need to have strong stick skills and be able to make accurate passes to their teammates. In addition, midfielders must be able to play in transition, moving quickly between offense and defense to help their team maintain possession. On the defensive side, midfielders must be able to slide and help their teammates defend against opposing players. They also need to be able to cover their assigned player and prevent them from scoring.

Lacrosse Words & Slang

Alligator Arms: When a player holds their arms close to their body when receiving a pass or trying to catch the ball. This makes it difficult for the player to make a clean catch and can result in turnovers.

Attack: The offensive position in lacrosse. It consists of three players who are responsible for scoring goals. Attackers typically have good stick skills and can create scoring opportunities for themselves and their teammates.

Attack Area: The area of the field in front of the goal where the attacking team is allowed to operate. It's a 30-foot arc in front of the goal, which extends to the sidelines. It also includes the crease area where the goal is, which is the one part of the attack area which attackers may not enter.

Ball Hog: A player who tries to do too much on their own and doesn't pass the ball to their teammates. This drags the team down and can lead to turnovers and missed opportunities. Also called a “black hole.”

Ball Hunt: A defensive tactic in which a team attempts to regain the ball from the opposing goalie by having the attackers and middies gang up and overwhelm them. Ideally, this will result in the attackers regaining the ball, but it can also delay the goalie’s efforts to transition it downfield to their own attackers. This is a type of ride defense.

Black Hole: A player who tends to hold onto the ball for too long and not pass it to their teammates. This can disrupt the flow of the offense and make it difficult for the team to score goals. Also called a “ball hog.”

Body: A player's physical presence on the field. Players need to be able to use their bodies to shield the ball, create space, and make plays.

Body Check: A legal defensive move in which a player uses their body to knock an opponent off balance or off the ball. Body checks are only legal when they're below the shoulders, above the waist, and not excessively violent.

Box Lacrosse: A variation of lacrosse played in an indoor arena, or a “box.” It’s faster-paced and higher-contact than traditional lacrosse. Box lacrosse is played on small indoor courts or turf fields. The goals are smaller than in outdoor lacrosse, and the game is played with just six players on each team.

Behind the Back (BTB): A type of shot or pass in which the player brings their stick behind their back and then releases the ball. This is a difficult and flashy move that can be effective if executed properly.

Buddy Pass: A quick, deliberate pass to a teammate who's being heavily guarded by the defense. This is meant to trick the defender into committing the foul of unnecessary roughness against the receiver. If they do, the attacking team gets a chance to score.​​

Clamping: A technique used during faceoffs to quickly gain control of the ball. The player uses their stick to clamp down on the ball and then tries to pull it out of the faceoff area.

Clearing: When a player quickly moves the ball from the defensive half of the field to the offensive half. It typically involves a long pass from the goalkeeper to a defender, who then carries the ball up the field. Clearing allows a team to transition from defense to offense.

Cleats: Special studded shoes worn by lacrosse players to provide traction and support while playing on the field.

Cradling: A technique lacrosse players use to keep the ball in the pocket of their stick while running, dodging, or changing direction. Making a half-circle cradling motion with their dominant hand on the stick and rocking the ball back and forth in the pocket makes it much easier to avoid accidentally dropping the ball as they move.

Crease: The circular area around the goal where only defenders can enter. Opposing players may not touch the crease while the goalie is in it.

Cross Check: A defensive maneuver in which a player uses the shaft of their stick to push or hit an opposing player.

Cut: When a player suddenly changes direction, usually to dodge defenders or get open for a pass.

D-Pole: A longer-than-usual stick that some defenders and defense-focused midfielders opt to use. The term can also refer to a player who uses this type of stick. Also known as a long pole.

Defender: A player whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring.

Dodge: When an offensive player moves to evade a defender.

Elevator Shot: A shot in which a player scoops the ball up in their stick, then quickly shoots it upward and over the goalie's head.

Faceoff: The start of play at the beginning of a game or after a goal, where two players from each team battle to win possession of the ball.

Failure to Advance: A violation called on a team that fails to advance the ball past midfield within a set time limit. The result is loss of possession.

Fast Break: A play in which an offensive team quickly moves the ball down the field in an attempt to score before the opposing team has a chance to set up their defense.

Fiddle Stick: A short, miniature stick used for training and practicing stickhandling skills.

Five Hole: The area between a goalie's legs where a shot can be made to score a goal.

Flag Down: When a penalty has been called on a player, and the opposing team is awarded possession of the ball.

FOGO: Short for "face off, get off," this refers to a specialized player whose primary responsibility is to win faceoffs and then quickly leave the field.

Gilman: A defensive strategy in which defenders cover the areas of the field closest to the goal, allowing the opposing team to advance the ball but preventing them from scoring.

Go to X: A play in which an offensive player moves to a specific spot behind the goal to receive a pass and set up a scoring opportunity.

Goalie: The player on the defensive team whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring by stopping shots on goal.

Head: The plastic or composite top of a lacrosse stick designed to catch and hold the ball.

Ground Ball: A loose ball on the ground. Players from both teams often fight to gain possession of a ground ball.

Man Down: A situation in which a team receives a penalty and has one less player on the field than the opposition.

Man Up: A situation in which the opposing team has one less player on the field due to a penalty.

Midfield Line: The line across the center of the field that divides it into two halves. No player can cross the midfield line until the referee signals the start of a faceoff.

Midfielder: A player who plays in the midfield position. Midfielders play both offense and defense and are responsible for transitioning the ball from the defensive end to the attacking end.

Middie: A nickname for midfielders.

Off Hip: A term used to describe the positioning of a player relative to their opponent. When a player positions themselves against their opponent, their stick is on their opponent's off hip, making it harder for their opponent to get past them.

Offsides: A penalty that occurs when a team has too many players on one side of the midfield line. The penalty is a technical foul, and the offending player has to sit in the penalty area for 30 seconds. If the offense commits the foul, they lose possession of the ball. If the defense commits the foul, the offense is allowed to restart the play.

Out-of-Bounds: When the ball goes out of the marked boundary lines of the field, it’s considered out-of-bounds. When this happens, possession is awarded to the team that didn’t touch the ball last before it went out of bounds.

Overhand Shot: A type of shot where the player throws it over their shoulder, often with a high trajectory. This shot is often used when the player is far away from the goal.

Pass: When a player throws the ball to a teammate. This is how teams move the ball up and down the field.

Penalty Box: An area on the field where players serve their penalties. When a player receives a penalty, they must leave the field and enter the penalty box for a designated period of time. Their team must play with one fewer player until the penalty time is up.

Pocket Pounder: A tool used to shape a lacrosse stick's pocket by stretching it and making it deeper.

Rake: A technique used to pick up a ground ball in which a player uses the back of their stick to scoop the ball up and into their pocket.

Release: The point of a throw at which a player releases the ball from their stick. A smooth release is important to ensure quick, accurate passes and shots.

Ride: A defensive strategy in which attackers and midfielders apply pressure to stop the offensive team from clearing the ball out of their defensive zone.

Settled: When the offense methodically looks for the best opportunity to score instead of rushing forward. (As in, “a settled offense.”)

Shortie: A player who uses a short stick.

Short Stick: A standard-length lacrosse stick, so called because it’s shorter than a D-pole.

Slashing: A penalty that occurs when a player swings their stick at an opposing player with excessive force or intent to injure. The penalty for slashing is typically a one- to three-minute non-releasable penalty, which means that the penalized player must serve the entire penalty even if the opposing team scores a goal. In addition, the penalized player may also be required to sit out for an additional period of time, depending on the severity of the infraction. It’s considered dangerous and unsportsmanlike play.

Stick Check: A legal maneuver defenders use to dislodge the ball from an opposing player's stick. The defender uses their own stick to hit their opponent’s, attempting to make the ball come loose.

Turf Monster: When a player trips or falls unexpectedly due to uneven or unpredictable field conditions.

Unsettled: A situation in which neither team has possession of the ball. This often occurs during transition play when the ball is moving quickly from one end of the field to the other.

Wall Ball: A practice technique where players throw the ball against a wall and catch it on the rebound. This helps players improve their stick skills and hand-eye coordination.

V Cut: A technique offensive players use to get open for a pass. The player will run in one direction before quickly cutting back in the opposite direction to create separation from their defender.

Walk the Dog / Pizza Oven: A type of shot in which a player cradles the ball back and forth in their stick before releasing it towards the goal. This causes the ball to travel in a low, slow arc. Named for its leisurely quality, like a dog being walked or a pizza being taken out of the oven.

Warding: A violation that occurs when an offensive player uses their free hand or arm to push away a defender who is attempting to check their stick.

Wand / Spoon / Twig: Slang terms for a lacrosse stick.

Whip: The amount of curve in a player's stick, which affects the trajectory of their shots and passes. A high degree of whip results in a more accurate shot, but can make it more difficult to catch and pass the ball.

Wizard: A player with exceptional stick skills, able to make tricky maneuvers on the field.

Worm Burner: A shot that travels along the ground, resembling a worm or snake moving across the field.

Yard Sale / Yahtzee / Detwigged: Slang terms for when a player loses their stick during play and must retrieve it before resuming.

Yellow: A penalty in which a player must serve time in the penalty box for a set amount of time.

Zebra / Stripes: Slang terms for referees, who wear black and white striped shirts on the field.