47 lacrosse terms explained, including cradle, the head, ground ball, man-up and quick stick, each with a one-line definition.
Lacrosse terminology borrows from three places at once: hockey for the field and the penalties, basketball for the off-ball movement, and its own stick for everything else. The words related to lacrosse below are the ones a coach uses in the first practice, while the lacrosse glossary further down carries the words associated with lacrosse that come later, the lax slang and the stat-sheet shorthand nobody explains out loud.
Must-Know Lacrosse Terms, Phrases and Slang:
- Attackman
- Clear
- Crease
- Cradle
- Defenseman
- Face-off
- Goal
- Ground ball
- Head
- Man-up
- Midfielder
- Offside
- Pick
- Quick stick
- Ride
- Scoop
- Shot
- Stick check
- Transition
- Zone defense
- Assist
- Body check
- Box lacrosse
- Clamp
- Dodge
- Feed
- Mesh
- Release
- Sidewall
Lacrosse Glossary: Every Term A to Z
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Alley | The lane down each side of the field between the sideline and the middle of the box. Most dodges from up top start there. |
| Assist | A pass that leads directly to a goal. |
| Attackman | An offensive player who stays in the attacking half, works around the goal and is expected to score and feed. |
| Body check | A legal hit with the body on an opponent who has the ball or is within five yards of it, taken from the front or side, above the waist and below the shoulders. Legal in men's lacrosse, not in women's. |
| Box Lacrosse | The indoor version, played on an enclosed floor the size of a hockey rink. Tighter, faster and more physical than the field game. |
| Clamp | The face-off move that pins the ball under the back of the stick head to win possession. |
| Clear | Moving the ball out of the defensive end and up the field after a save or a turnover. |
| Coast to coast | One player carrying the ball from their own defensive end all the way up and finishing the play themselves. |
| Cradle | Rocking the stick so the ball stays in the pocket while running or dodging. |
| Crash | Driving hard toward the crease as a shot goes in, to back it up or pick up the rebound. |
| Crease | The circle around the goal, radius nine feet. Only the goalkeeper may stand in it with possession contested around it. |
| Cross-check | An illegal check made with the shaft held away from the body between both hands. |
| Defenseman | A defender, usually carrying a long pole, who guards an attackman and starts the clear. |
| Dodge | Any move that beats a defender one on one, split, roll, face, or bull. |
| Face-off | The restart at the centre of the field where two players fight for the loose ball. |
| Feed | A pass thrown with the intent of setting up a shot. |
| GB | Ground balls, the stat line abbreviation. Coaches read it as a measure of effort more than of skill. |
| Goal | A ball shot fully over the goal line inside the posts and under the crossbar, worth one point. Also the frame and net itself. |
| Goalie | The keeper, in oversized head and chest protection, who guards the crease and starts most clears. |
| Ground ball | Any loose ball on the field. Winning them is the least glamorous and most decisive part of the game. |
| Hat trick | Three goals by one player in a single game. The slang short form is a hatty. |
| Head | The plastic top of the stick that holds the pocket and does the catching, carrying and shooting. |
| Lax | Everyday shorthand for lacrosse, in speech and on gear. |
| Laxer | A lacrosse player. Lax bro is the older and more loaded version of the same word. |
| Long pole | A defender's stick, up to six feet long, and by extension the player carrying one. |
| Man-down | Playing a defender short because a teammate is serving a penalty. The other side is man-up. |
| Man-up | Having a one player advantage while an opponent serves a penalty, and the set offense run to use it. |
| Mark up | To pick up and stay with an assigned opponent, usually shouted in transition. |
| Mesh | The strung netting inside the head that forms the pocket. |
| Midfielder | A player who runs the full field and plays both ends. Also called a middie. |
| Offside | Having too few players on your own half of the field. It costs possession. |
| Pick | Setting the body in a defender's path to free a teammate. |
| The strung part of the head where the ball sits. Depth and shape are regulated and endlessly adjusted. | |
| Poke check | A short jab of the stick at the ball carrier's hands or stick to knock the ball loose. |
| Quick stick | Catching and releasing in one motion without cradling, used close to the goal. |
| Release | The moment a penalty ends and the player may return to the field. Also used for letting go of a pass or shot. |
| Ride | The attacking team's pressure that stops the other side from clearing the ball out of its defensive end. |
| Scoop | Picking a ground ball up by getting the head under it and lifting through. |
| Shaft | The handle of the stick, alloy or composite, screwed into the head. |
| Shot | An attempt on goal. Shot placement matters more than pure speed against a good keeper. |
| Sidewall | The side edge of the head, where the strings that shape the pocket are threaded. |
| Slide | A defender leaving their own man to help against the ball carrier, with a teammate rotating to fill behind. |
| Stick check | Controlled stick to stick contact aimed at dislodging the ball. |
| Transition | Play running from defense to offense or back, usually with uneven numbers at one end. |
| Turnover | Losing possession to the other team. Abbreviated TO on a stat sheet. |
| X | The area directly behind the goal. Attackmen work from X because they can attack either side of the crease from there. |
| Zone defense | Guarding areas of the field rather than individual opponents. |
#1 Attackman
A position in lacrosse mainly responsible for offense, attackmen are critical players positioned near the opponent’s goal to score. They showcase stick skills, agility, and strategic play to outmaneuver defenders and create scoring opportunities.
#2 Clear
A strategic move in lacrosse used by the defending team to move the ball from their defensive area to the attacking half safely. It is essential for transitioning from defense to offense and requires strong passing and coordination among teammates.
#3 Crease
The circular area around the lacrosse goal with a radius of nine feet, the crease is the goalie’s domain. Offensive players cannot enter the crease with the ball, and defensive strategies often focus on protecting this zone.
#4 Cradle
The act of rocking the stick back and forth to keep the ball secure in the head’s pocket while running or dodging opponents. Cradling is a foundational skill that helps players maintain possession during play.
#5 Defenseman
A position in lacrosse dedicated to protecting the goal area and preventing the opposing team from scoring. Defensemen use body position, stick checks, and tactical awareness to disrupt the offense and clear the ball.
#6 Face-off
A method to start or resume play where two midfielders battle for possession of the ball at the center of the field. Winning face-offs is crucial for controlling the game’s pace and securing more offensive opportunities.
#7 Goal
In lacrosse, a goal is scored when the ball is shot into the opponent’s net, passing completely over the goal line between the goal posts and beneath the crossbar. Each goal counts as one point. The structure itself is also referred to as the goal, consisting of a rectangular frame with a net attached to catch the ball.
#8 Ground ball
A ground ball in lacrosse is any ball that is loose on the playing field, not in the possession of any player. Winning ground balls by picking them up before the opponent is crucial as it leads to increased possession and opportunities to score.
#9 Head
The top portion of a lacrosse stick where the net (or pocket) is located and where players catch, carry, and shoot the ball. The head’s design affects control, accuracy, and how the ball is handled during play.
#10 Man-up
A situation where one team has a numerical advantage due to an opposing player serving a penalty. The team with more players can exploit the extra space and manpower to orchestrate a strategic play.
#11 Midfielder
A versatile player who performs both offensive and defensive roles, moving the full length of the field. Midfielders are key to transition plays, contributing to both goal-scoring opportunities and defensive stops.
#12 Offside
A rule violation that occurs when a team has too few players on its side of the field relative to the midfield line. Offsides results in a change of possession and a potential scoring opportunity for the opposition.
#13 Pick
A tactical move where a player uses their body to block or ‘pick’ an opponent, creating space for a teammate to move or receive a pass. This play requires good communication and timing to execute effectively.
#14 Pocket
The strung part of the lacrosse stick’s head that cradles the ball. Players adjust the pocket’s depth and tension for better control, passing, and shooting, adhering to regulations on pocket dimensions.
#15 Quick stick
A quick stick is a technique in lacrosse where the player catches the ball with the stick and immediately releases it in one smooth, quick motion, without cradling. This technique is often used close to the goal to score before the goalie can react.
#16 Ride
Riding in lacrosse refers to the actions taken by the attacking team to prevent the defending team from successfully clearing the ball from their defensive half to the midfield or attacking zone. This can involve pressuring the ball carrier or cutting off passing lanes.
#17 Scoop
A fundamental technique used to pick up the ball from the ground, where a player uses the bottom edge of the stick to get under the ball and lift it into the pocket. It’s the lacrosse equivalent of picking up a ground ball.
#18 Shot
An attempt to score a goal by propelling the ball towards the net with the stick. Players showcase their precision and power by placing the shot away from the goalie’s reach.
#19 Stick check
A defensive move aimed at dislodging the ball from an opponent’s stick by using controlled stick-to-stick contact. Effective stick checking can thwart an offensive player’s momentum and cause a turnover.
#20 Transition
Refers to the change in play from defense to offense or vice versa. Teams in transition aim for quick, efficient movements to capitalize on shifts in player positions and take advantage of scoring opportunities.
#21 Zone defense
A defensive strategy where each player is responsible for guarding an area of the field instead of marking a specific opponent. This approach can be effective at disrupting offensive plays and forcing turnovers.
#22 Assist
A pass to a teammate that directly leads to a goal, displaying teamwork and game sense. Assists are a critical indicator of a player’s vision and ability to support offensive plays.
#23 Body check
A body check in lacrosse is a defensive move where a player uses their body to hit an opponent in possession of the ball or within five yards of the ball. The check must be from the front or side, above the waist and below the shoulders, to be legal. Body checking is allowed in men’s lacrosse but is illegal in women’s lacrosse.
#24 Box Lacrosse
Box lacrosse is a faster, more physical variant of lacrosse played on an enclosed field, resembling a hockey rink. It emphasizes quick passing, close quarters play, and strategic use of the playing area’s boundaries.
#25 Clamp
A face-off technique where a player quickly pushes the back of their stick on top of the ball to gain control. It’s a critical skill for gaining possession and allowing their team to initiate offensive plays.
#26 Dodge
An evasive move by a player with the ball to get past an opponent. Much like basketball’s crossover, dodges in lacrosse are fancy footwork tricks crucial for creating scoring opportunities.
#27 Feed
A term for a pass made to a teammate where the intention is to set up a goal. A successful feed requires precise timing and awareness of the field, often leading to an assist.
#28 Mesh
The netting on the head of a lacrosse stick that holds the ball. The tightness and style of the mesh can affect how a player shoots and passes, making it a personalized feature of the stick.
#29 Release
In penalty situations, a release occurs when the penalized time ends and the player may re-enter the field of play. The term is also used to signal that a player has passed the ball during offensive play.
#30 Sidewall
The side of the head of a lacrosse stick, where strings are woven to create and maintain the pocket. The sidewall design influences the depth and type of pocket, affecting ball control and release.
FAQ
What is a hat trick in lacrosse?
Three goals scored by the same player in one game. The slang for it is a hatty, and it is the standard milestone quoted in game reports.
Which word refers to the part of the stick where the ball is cradled?
The pocket. It is the strung section inside the head, made of mesh, and its depth and shape decide how well the ball is held and how cleanly it leaves the stick.
What does pull it out mean in lacrosse?
It is the call to take the ball away from the goal and back out to X or up top, resetting the possession instead of forcing a shot. Teams pull it out to slow the game down or to wait for a better look.
What does TO mean in lacrosse?
On a stat sheet TO is a turnover, a possession lost to the other team. On a scoreboard or bench card the same two letters can mean timeout, so it is worth checking which sheet you are reading.
What is it called when you pick up the ball with the stick?
A scoop, and the loose ball itself is a ground ball. Players scoop by dropping the bottom hand, getting the head under the ball and running through it rather than stopping over it.
What does lax mean in lacrosse?
Lax is simply short for lacrosse, used in speech, on team gear and in club names. A player is a laxer, and lax bro is the older nickname for the culture around the sport.
They split into the stick (head, shaft, pocket, mesh, sidewall), the play (cradle, scoop, dodge, feed, clear, ride, slide, transition) and the positions (attackman, midfielder, defenseman, goalie, long pole). The glossary above covers all three.
What are some Lacrosse terms for beginners?
“Attackman,” “Cradle,” and “Face-off” are some Lacrosse terms beginners should start with. These cover player positions, ball handling techniques, and ways to commence play.
What are some funny Lacrosse terms?
“Quick stick” and “Scoop” are some funny Lacrosse terms that can bring a lighter side to the game, with imagery that is somewhat comical to the newcomer hearing them for the first time.
What is a famous Lacrosse phrase?
“Shoots and scores!” is a famous Lacrosse phrase, often exclaimed by commentators when a player successfully takes a shot that results in a goal, highlighting the thrill of scoring.
