This lacrosse glossary explains the terms you will hear most often at practice, in games and on broadcasts, from basics such as cradle, crease and ground ball to tactical terms such as slide, ride and extra-man offense. Lacrosse vocabulary can be confusing at first because some words mean different things in men’s and women’s lacrosse, and because many terms describe positions on the field, like X and goal-line extended. The terms below are grouped by theme so you can learn them in context. Rules and exact definitions vary between men’s and women’s lacrosse and between governing bodies such as World Lacrosse, the NCAA, USA Lacrosse and the NFHS, so check the rulebook for your level when a term relates to a rule.
Quick reference: the most common terms
| Term | Short meaning |
|---|---|
| Cradle | Rocking the stick to keep the ball in the pocket |
| Crease | Circle around the goal |
| Clear | Moving the ball from defense to offense |
| Ride | Defending the opponent’s clear |
| Slide | A defender leaving their player to help on the ball |
| Face-off | Men’s restart at the center |
| Draw | Women’s restart at the center circle |
| X | The area behind the goal |
| GLE | Goal-line extended |
| EMO | Extra-man offense |
Stick and ball skills
Cradle: Rocking or rotating the stick to keep the ball secure in the pocket while running. Good cradling protects the ball from checks.
Catch: Receiving a pass or shot in the pocket. Players give with the stick to absorb the ball, like catching an egg.
Feed: A pass to a teammate, usually for a shot. Attackers behind the net are often called feeders.
Ground ball: A loose ball on the ground. Winning ground balls is one of the most important parts of the game, since each one is a new possession.
Scoop: Picking up a ground ball with the stick, usually by getting low and running through the ball.
Wall ball: Practicing passing and catching by throwing against a wall. It is one of the most common ways players improve their stick skills.
Shot on goal: A shot that would go in if not saved by the goalie.
Pocket: The netting in the head of the stick that holds the ball. It can be mesh or traditional leather and string.
Shooting strings: Strings across the top of the pocket that affect how the ball releases.
Positions and players
Attack: Offensive players who play near the opponent’s goal. In men’s field lacrosse, teams usually have three attackmen.
Midfielder: Players who play both offense and defense and cover the whole field. They are often called middies.
Defense: Defensive players who protect their own goal. In men’s lacrosse, they typically use long poles.
Long pole: A longer defensive stick used in men’s lacrosse. Teams are limited in how many long poles can be on the field at once.
LSM: Long-stick midfielder, a midfielder who carries a long pole to play defense and win ground balls.
FOGO: Face-off, get off. A specialist who takes face-offs and usually leaves the field once possession is settled.
Goalie: The player who defends the goal and directs the defense.
Cutter: A player moving toward the goal to receive a pass.
Crease attackman: An attacker who plays near the crease to finish passes and pick up rebounds.
Field areas
Crease: The circle around the goal. Rules restrict attackers from entering it, and they protect the goalie inside it.
X: The area directly behind the goal, a key spot for attackers to feed and dodge.
GLE: Goal-line extended, the imaginary line extending from the goal line to the sidelines.
Restraining line: A line that limits how many players can be in certain areas, used for offside rules in men’s lacrosse and for player limits in women’s lacrosse.
Box: In men’s lacrosse, the area defined by the restraining line, end line and sidelines. The term also refers to box lacrosse.
8-meter arc: A women’s lacrosse marking in front of the goal used for major fouls and free positions.
12-meter fan: A larger women’s marking used for minor fouls and free positions.
Wing line: Lines near midfield where wing players stand for face-offs in men’s lacrosse.
Tactics and team play
Clear: Moving the ball from the defensive end to the offensive end.
Ride: Pressuring the opponent’s clear to try to win the ball back.
Dodge: A move used to beat a defender, such as a split dodge, roll dodge or face dodge.
Slide: A defender leaving their own player to help stop the ball carrier.
Fast break: An offensive rush with a numbers advantage, such as four attackers against three defenders.
Settled offense: A half-field offense after the ball is brought into the attacking zone.
Pick: A screen set by an offensive player to free up a teammate.
EMO: Extra-man offense, when a team has a player advantage because an opponent is serving a penalty.
Man-down defense: Defending with one fewer player during an opponent’s extra-man opportunity.
Zone defense: A defense where players guard areas rather than specific opponents.
Restarts and rules
Face-off: The men’s restart at the center of the field, where two players battle for the ball.
Draw: The women’s restart at the center circle, where the ball is placed between two sticks and tossed into the air.
Free position: In women’s lacrosse, a restart awarded after a foul, often on the 8-meter arc.
Offside: A violation when a team does not keep the required number of players on each side of the field.
Crease violation: Entering the crease illegally.
Slashing: An illegal, reckless swing of the stick at an opponent.
Cross-check: Using the shaft of the stick between the hands to hit an opponent.
Shot clock: A timer that limits how long a team can possess the ball before shooting, used at many levels.
Stall warning: A signal telling a team to keep the ball in the attacking area or move toward goal.
Equipment terms
Head: The plastic top of the stick that holds the pocket. Its width and shape are regulated.
Shaft: The handle of the stick, made from materials such as aluminum, composite or wood.
Short stick: The standard-length stick used by attackers and most midfielders.
End cap: The cap on the bottom of the shaft, required for safety.
Goggles: Protective eyewear required in women’s lacrosse at many levels.
Chest protector: Padding worn by goalies, and at some levels by field players, to protect against shots.
How to learn lacrosse terms quickly
- Start with the basics: cradle, crease, ground ball, clear and ride.
- Learn field areas: X, GLE, the crease and the arc.
- Watch games with commentary and listen for terms in context.
- Ask your coach to explain terms used in practice.
- Learn men’s and women’s differences, such as face-off versus draw.
Common mix-ups to avoid
- Face-off and draw: face-off is men’s, draw is women’s.
- Clear and ride: the clearing team has the ball; the riding team defends it.
- Slide and switch: a slide is helping on the ball; a switch is exchanging assignments.
- Box lacrosse and the box: one is a game format, the other a field area.
Frequently asked questions
What does cradle mean in lacrosse?
Rocking or rotating the stick to keep the ball in the pocket while moving and protect it from checks.
What is a FOGO in lacrosse?
Face-off, get off: a specialist who takes face-offs and usually leaves the field after possession is decided.
What is the difference between a clear and a ride?
A clear moves the ball from defense to offense. A ride is the opponent’s effort to stop the clear and win the ball back.
