Lacrosse 101Field Diagram
Lacrosse Positions
Attack: The attackman's responsibility is to score goals. The attackman generally restricts his play to the offensive end of the field. A good attackman demonstrates excellent stick work with both hands and has quick feet to maneuver around the goal. Each team should have three attackmen on the field during play.
Midfield: The midfielder's responsibility is to cover the entire field, playing both offense and defense. The midfielder is a key to the transition game, and is often called upon to clear the ball from defense to offense. A good midfielder demonstrates good stick work including throwing, catching and scooping. Speed and stamina are essential. Each team should have three midfielders on the field.
Defense: The defenseman's responsibility is to defend the goal. The defenseman generally restricts his play to the defensive end of the field. A good defenseman should be able to react quickly in game situations. Agility and aggressiveness are necessary, but great stick work is not essential to be effective. Each team should have three defensemen on the field.
Goal: The goalie's responsibility is to protect the goal and stop the opposing team from scoring. A good goalie also leads the defense by reading the situation and directing the defensemen to react. A good goalie should have excellent hand/eye coordination and a strong voice. Quickness, agility, confidence and the ability to concentrate are also essential. Each team has one goalie in the goal during play.
Lax 101: Terms of the Turf
Body Check: Used to slow an opponent who has the ball; must be above the waist and below the neck.
Breakaway: One-on-one (shooter on goalie) scoring opportunity.
Cradle: Method used to keep the ball inside the pocket of the stick by rocking it back and forth.
Crease: Only the goalie can stand in this nine-foot radius with the ball. Shooters or their teammates can not stand on (or inside) the line or their goals won't count. Any violation of this rule will disallow the goal.
Crosscheck: An defensive strategy using the shaft of the stick to push on an opponent to force a missed or bad shot.
Hidden Ball Play: A player without the ball cradles his stick, drawing the attention of the defense, while a teammate who has the ball passes or shoots on net.
Loose Ball: Occurs when there is no possession and the ball is bouncing, rolling, or rebounding off the boards or goaltender.
Major Penalty: Five minutes in the penalty box for infractions such as boarding from the rear, face masking, fighting and spearing.
Man Down: When a team has at least one player in the penalty box.
Minor Penalty: Two minute penalty; there are different types including delay of game, contact from the rear, holding, illegal bodychecking, slashing, and tripping, for example.
Offensive Pick: The legal interference by an offensive player from a set position on a defensive player who is trying to defend the ball carrier.
Outlet Pass: The first pass from the goaltender that begins the transition from defense to offense.
Penalty Box: Where a player goes to sit while serving a two and/or five minute offense.
Power Play: When a team has an extra man advantage because the other team has at least one player in the penalty box.
Screen Shot: When the goaltender can't see a shot because someone is in the way.
Shorthanded: When one team has one or more players in the penalty box and the opponent is at full-strength, or his one less penalized player on the turf.
Loss of Possession: Illegal screens, touching the ball in play, pushing, and illegal procedure are among the acts that can cause a team to lose possession of the ball.
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