Lacrosse Glossary

Glossary explained in plain English for parents learning Lacrosse.

Term	Plain-English Meaning	Example	Also Known As
Goal	A score when a legal shot crosses the goal line inside the goal frame.	The shot hits the net and the official signals goal.	Score
No goal	A signal or call that a shot does not count because of a violation, whistle, or other rule issue.	The ball enters the net after a crease violation and the official waves it off.	Goal waved off
Possession	Control of the ball or the awarded right to restart with the ball.	The official points blue possession after the ball goes out.	Ball awarded
Cradle	The stick motion players use to keep the ball in the pocket while moving.	The midfielder cradles through open space.	Cradling
Pass	Sending the ball from one player's stick to a teammate's stick.	The defender clears with a long pass upfield.	Throw
Catch	Receiving the ball in the stick pocket under control.	The attack player catches near the crease.	Receive
Ground ball	A loose ball on the field or floor that players try to scoop.	The team wins three ground balls in a row.	Loose ball
Scoop	The motion of picking up a ground ball with the stick.	The player gets low and scoops through the ball.	Pick up
Shot	An attempt to score by throwing the ball toward the goal.	The midfielder shoots after a dodge.	Attempt
Save	A goalie stop that prevents a shot from scoring.	The goalie makes a save and looks to clear.	Stop
Crease	The marked circle around the goal with special rules protecting the goalie area.	An attacker steps into the crease and the goal is waved off.	Goal circle
Offsides	A violation for having too many players on one side of the midfield line for that format.	The official calls offsides away from the ball.	Offside
Check	A defensive action using the stick or body within the allowed rules for that league.	A controlled stick check knocks the ball loose in an older division.	Stick check;body check
Slashing	Illegal stick contact that is too forceful, uncontrolled, or aimed at an illegal area.	The official calls slashing after a big swing at the arm.	Slash
Tripping	Illegal contact that causes an opponent to fall by using a stick, leg, or body near the feet.	A stick catches the runner's legs and tripping is called.	Trip
Holding	Restraining an opponent illegally with a stick, hands, arms, or body.	A defender grabs or pins the ball carrier and holding is called.	Hold
Pushing	Illegal pushing, often with hands or body contact outside what the rule set allows.	A defender pushes from behind and possession changes.	Push
Warding	Using the free hand or arm to push off or shield illegally while carrying the ball.	The ball carrier extends an arm into the defender and warding is called.	Ward
Restart	The way play begins again after a whistle, out-of-bounds call, goal, or penalty.	Players give space and the official restarts play.	Free restart
Clear	Moving the ball from the defensive end toward the offensive end after a save, turnover, or ground ball.	The goalie passes to start the clear.	Breakout
Ride	Defensive pressure by the attacking team after losing the ball, trying to stop the other team's clear.	The attack rides hard after a missed shot.	Forecheck pressure
Transition	The change from defense to offense or offense to defense after possession changes.	A ground ball creates a fast transition chance.	Change of possession
Substitution	A player exchange under league rules, often through a designated area or allowed moment.	A midfielder comes off and a fresh teammate enters.	Sub
Box lacrosse	An indoor lacrosse format usually played in a rink-like box with different boundaries and rules from field lacrosse.	The winter league plays box lacrosse indoors.	Indoor lacrosse
Field lacrosse	An outdoor lacrosse format played on a field with midfield and crease markings.	The spring team plays field lacrosse.	Outdoor lacrosse
Draw Or Faceoff	A restart used to begin play or restart after goals, depending on format and rule set.	The official sets players for a draw or faceoff after a goal.	Face-off;draw control