Playing behind the lacrosse net, in the area coaches call X, gives an attacker one of the best views on the field. From X you can see the entire defense and the goalie, feed teammates cutting to the crease, and dodge toward goal-line extended to create your own shot, while defenders must turn their heads to watch you and lose sight of the cutters. To play X well, protect your stick with your body, keep your head up to read the defense, make quick and accurate feeds to your teammates’ stick side, and use roll dodges, face dodges and tight wraparounds to attack the cage. Good X attackers are patient, strong with the ball and always thinking one pass ahead.
What X is and why it matters
In men’s field lacrosse, the goal sits 15 yards in front of the end line, which leaves space to play behind it. The spot directly behind the goal is known as X, and the imaginary line extending from the goal line out to the sidelines is called goal-line extended, often shortened to GLE. Many offenses run through an attacker at X, sometimes called the quarterback of the offense. From this spot, the attacker sees every defender and teammate in front, can pass to cutters running across the crease, and can threaten to dodge to either side of the cage. Because defenders face the ball carrier with their backs to the cutters, playing from X puts the defense in a difficult position.
Why play from X
- Full view of the field. You can see every teammate and defender in front of you.
- Split attention. Defenders must watch both you and the players cutting in front of the goal.
- High-percentage chances. Short passes to cutters on the crease create close-range shots.
- Two-sided threat. You can dodge to either side of the cage, keeping the defense guessing.
- Safety. The goal itself acts as a partial shield between you and the defense.
Skills for playing at X
| Skill | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Feeding | Hit cutters with quick, accurate passes to their stick side, away from defenders |
| Dodging | Use roll dodges, face dodges and split dodges to get to goal-line extended |
| Wraparound | Turn tightly around the cage and shoot quickly from close range |
| Protecting the stick | Keep your body between the defender and your stick, stick held away from pressure |
| Reading the defense | Watch for slides, open cutters and double teams |
| Changing hands | Carry and pass with both hands to attack either side |
Feeding from X
Feeding is the heart of playing behind the net. A good feed is quick, accurate and placed where only the cutter can catch it, usually to their stick side and slightly away from the defender. Timing matters: pass as the cutter comes open, not after the defender recovers. Keep your head up and eyes scanning. Look for cutters coming from the top of the offense, players popping out from behind screens, and teammates open on the back side when the defense slides. A skip pass across the field or a quick pass to a teammate on the crease can also punish a defense that overcommits to the ball.
Dodging from X
Dodging from X forces the defense to react. Attack toward goal-line extended on one side, then decide whether to keep going toward the cage, roll back to the other side, or pass. Roll dodges, where you spin away from pressure while protecting the stick, work well when a defender plays you tight. Face dodges, where you bring the stick across your face to fake a pass or shot, can freeze the defender. Split dodges let you switch hands and direction quickly. Once you beat your defender to GLE, you can turn the corner for a shot, often called topping the cage or a wraparound, or draw a slide and pass to the open teammate.
How to play behind the net step by step
- Set up at X. Start a few yards behind the goal, facing the field.
- Protect the stick. Keep your stick away from your defender with your body in between.
- Scan the field. Look for cutters, open teammates and slides.
- Threaten the cage. Attack toward goal-line extended to force the defense to react.
- Read the slide. If a second defender slides to you, find the open teammate.
- Feed or finish. Pass to a cutter’s stick side or turn the corner for a shot.
- Reset if needed. If nothing is open, carry the ball back to X and restart.
Wraparounds and shooting from behind
A wraparound is a quick move around the side of the cage for a close shot. The attacker drives hard around the goal, keeping the stick protected, and shoots as they reach the side of the crease. Stay outside the crease, since stepping into it is a violation in most rules. Wraparounds catch goalies who are slow to move across the cage, but they require strong stick protection because defenders often check from above. Topping the cage, where the attacker beats their defender above GLE and shoots, is another common way to score from X.
Defending the attacker at X
Defenders facing a player at X should stay on the attacker’s hands, force them away from goal-line extended and keep them behind the cage. Using the goal as a barrier helps. Communication is critical, since the X defender and teammates must know who will slide and when. Goalies often help by calling out the ball’s position. Defenders in front of the goal must keep their heads on a swivel, watching both the ball and cutters.
Rulebook note
Rules and dimensions vary between men’s and women’s lacrosse and between governing bodies such as World Lacrosse, the NCAA, USA Lacrosse and the NFHS. Crease rules, the space behind the goal and restrictions on play near the goal differ. Check the current rulebook for your level.
Practice drills
- X feeding drill: Feed cutters from behind the net at game speed.
- Dodge to GLE: Dodge from X to goal-line extended and shoot or pass.
- Wraparound reps: Practice tight turns around the cage with a finish.
- Two-on-one from X: Read a sliding defender and hit the open player.
- Wall ball: Build both hands for passing and catching.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Exposing the stick to checks.
- Staring at one teammate, telegraphing passes.
- Late feeds after the cutter is covered.
- Standing still at X instead of threatening the cage.
- Using only one hand, making you predictable.
- Stepping into the crease on wraparounds.
Frequently asked questions
What is X in lacrosse?
X is the area directly behind the goal. Attackers use it to feed teammates, dodge to the cage and control the offense.
What does goal-line extended mean?
It is the imaginary line extending the goal line out to the sidelines. Attackers from X dodge toward it to create shots and passes.
Who plays behind the net in lacrosse?
Usually an attacker with strong stick protection, vision and passing skills, often called the quarterback of the offense.
