LACROSSE 101
Lacrosse showcases the best of sports — speed, athleticism, skill, heart, determination — and it’s a recipe for a lifelong passion. Lacrosse is characterized by intense action, strategy, finesse and power. It is a game with long, looping passes and short bullet-like shots. To catch a pass over the shoulder while running at full stride, to hit the top corner of the net while in full flight, or to stop a shot aimed low through a maze of players requires a range of skills unsurpassed in any other sport. The nature of the game not only makes it fun to play, but makes it a great spectator sport.
Here are a few items to get you up to speed if you are new to the sport.
COMMON BOY'S LACROSSE TERMS
BODY CHECK
Contact with an opponent from the front or side (but not a blind side check) — between the shoulders and waist — when the opponent has the ball or is within 5 yards (high school) or 3 yards (youth) of a loose ball. Not permitted at U8 and U10 levels.
SLASH
A poke into the ribs, chest, neck or back. A vicious uncontrolled swinging of the stick whether contact is made or not. The gloved hand on the stick may be legally checked.
CLEAR
Transitioning the ball from the defensive half to the offensive half.
CREASE
A circle around the goal with a radius of 9 feet into which only defensive players may enter.
MAN-UP
A man advantage resulting from an opponent's time-serving penalty.
BOX
An area drawn in both ends of the field surrounding the crease area. Also called the goal area or defensive area.
FACEOFF
This technique is used to put the ball in play at the start of the game, each quarter, half, or after a goal is scored.
COMMON GIRL'S LACROSSE TERMS
FREE POSITION
An opportunity awarded to one player when a major or minor foul is committed by a player from the other team. All players must move 4 meters away from the player with the ball. When the whistle sounds to resume play, the ball carrier may run, pass or shooT.
8-METER ARC
An arc marked in front of the goal used for the administration of major fouls. A defender may not remain in this area for more than three seconds unless closely marking her opponent.
CHECKING
Using stick-to-stick contact to try and dislodge the ball.
MODIFIED CHECKING
Checking the stick only if the entire stick is below shoulder level. The check must be down and away from the body.
MARKING
Closely guarding an opponent within a stick’s length.
SHOOTING SPACE
A player may not use any part of her body to guard the goal in a manner that denies the attack the opportunity to shoot safety and encourages shooting at a player.
THREE SECONDS
While defending within the 8-meter arc, a player may not remain in that area more than 3 seconds unless she is marking an opponent within a stick's length.