Lax Lingo

   Like lacrosse, many sports have specific sayings that pertain to game play or rules in the sport. Below I have listed multiple sayings to give you a background on sayings or “Common Knowledge” that lacrosse players have. Feel free to comment or add sayings.

These words are but a fraction of lingo in circulation but after reading these, they should give you a better background on lacrosse as a whole.

Ankle breaker: Terms for a fast turn or dodge making the defender lose their balance.

Alley: area between the restraining box and the sideline, defenders usually try to force the attackers down these "alleys".

Assist: a pass to another player for a shoot. These are counted along with goals and groundballs for stats during a lacrosse game

Attack: the player position in the game that is located in the offensive side and primarily to score goals.

Back Door: an offensive player without the ball creeps in, near the goal behind the defender, where the ball carrier throws a pass to him for a simple goal.

Bag: term for a deep pocket, usually from the rain.

Bake: molding re-forming the flexibility/ shape of a head usually by putting in the oven for a short period of time.

Ball Hunt: searching for balls at the end of practice usually in heavily wooded areas.

Bounce Shot: a shot that is purposely aimed downward and bounces before the goal to shoot up in the air making the goalie judge its placement.

Butt: opposite end of the head, usually has a "butt cap" or tape on the end depending on player preference.

Bull Dodge: the ball carrier runs directly through the defenseman, bulling past usually performed by bigger football like players.

Check: an attempt to have the ball drop from players’s stick by poking or slapping their stick or arms. There are different variations of checks such as the rusty gate, poke check, slap check, semi check and ice pick check.

Clear: a play designed to move the ball from the defensive end to the offensive end after a save or turnover.

Cradle: motion from shoulder to waist up and down used to keep the ball in the players stick; every player cradles differently, looks a lot harder than it is.

Crease: radius circle that is around every goal. Attackers are not allowed in while defenders and goalie may enter and exit freely.

Cross Check: pushing an opposing player away using the gap between gloves on the stick. Gap should be a few inches in length max in order not to receive a penalty.

Defense: Defender in lacrosse plays in the defensive half of the field. They use defensive shafts or Long poles that are 6 feet in length.

Dirty: player that is extremely skilled

Face Dodge: while running at a defender you cradle hard one way throwing a fake of sorts then proceed to keep running usually beating the defender.

Fast Break: usually a four vs. three opportunity, caused by a groundball speedily moved up field. Moving the ball around the three defenders finding an opening and shooting, usually scoring.

Feed: see Assist

Goal Keeper: stands in front of goal saving shots, rarely leaves crease. Once they have the ball in their possession in the crease they have 4 seconds to exit the crease or pass the ball away from the crease.

Greaser: a ball that is very worn, does not throw well.

Guru: master in stringing sticks.

Hack: swinging widely or hacking

Head on a Swivel: common term in all sports meaning to look in multiple spots simultaneously

Hole: area in front of goal, coaches generally tell oncoming defenders to "run to the hole" so they can gain their bearings in the center of the field.

Hug the Pipe: term for goalkeeper to stay close to the pipe leaving no gap for a shot to pass through.

Ice Pick: check where defender uses shaft/ butt end to knock the ball out, somewhat risky.

Lumberjack: player who "chops wood" or continually slashes the attacker in order to knock the ball out or frustrate the opposing player.

Midfielder: player who is able to freely travel all over the field. Plays both offense and defense. Universal player, usually best athletes on the field.

Mesh: a pre-manufactured piece of nylon meshing that is commonly used to string lacrosse sticks comes in many different variations and colors giving players lots of variety.

Over The Head Check: check which the defender brings his stick over the attackers head and hopefully catches a part of the opposing players head before he has time to pull it forward, desperation check.

Quick stick: quickly catching a ball usually on the crease and without cradling shoot most times scoring.

Ride: opposite of clearing, attackers try to stop the ball movement and create a turnover much like a press in basketball.

Ripper: extremly fast shot

Rusty Gate: check in which the defender steps one way and swings his stick behind his back the opposite way hopefully making contact and knocking the ball loose.

Split Dodge: running toward the defender you fake one way, quickly cross hands, and continue the other way like a crossover in basketball.

Step to the hat: means a defender takes a step towards the goal before slideing so you get a better angle.

Stick Check: see Check

Top Cheese: upper "shelf" of the goal

Topside: standing in the middle of the field parallel to the sidelines trying to force an attacker down an alley and forcing them usually to their weaker or "off hand".

Upper 90: upper corners of the goal

Ward: cradling one handed the attacker pushes off the defender with his free hand causing this penalty.

Wrap Check: check where the defender uses one hand and wraps his arm around the attacker using his stick for extension hopefully making contact and knocking the ball loose.

X: area behind the goal in lacrosse

Yard Sale: knocking an opposing player’s stick out of his hand, usually followed by laughter or cheers.