19 Oct Lax-i-con
The “Re-vived” Unofficial Lacrosse Dictionary
“A” Stick \ n. \ a player’s best or number 1 stick. Also called a Game Stick.
ALL \ org. \ the American Lacrosse League is the nation’s largest men’s post-collegiate club lacrosse league.
Air Gait \ n. \ a move invented by lacrosse legend Gary Gait while in college at Syracuse University in the 1980’s. Gait would literally dive from the rear of the crease upward and out over the goal side while slapping the ball into the goal one-handed. The move was made illegal very soon after. It was said that goalie safety was the reason. Many still think it was because only Gait could do it. See Picture 22.
Ankle breaker \ adj. \ Slang for an extremely quick turn or split dodge.
All-American \ n. \ national award given in boys’ and girls’ high school lacrosse for excellence within their state. Also a national award given to men and women at the top of their position in each division of NCAA lacrosse. There are 1st, 2nd, 3rd and honorable mention All-American Teams. 2: \ adj. \ the appropriate title for a winner of the award (ie. and All-American Defenseman).
All Right (All Left) \ adj. \ term for a player who has a dramatically dominant hand.
Alley \n.\ area created between the side of the restraining box and the sideline.
Armadillo (The Armadillo play) \ n. \ Jack Emmer’s 1983 Washington & Lee team used this infamous play, almost to success, against a far superior North Carolina team.
Five players locked arms with one player in the middle with the ball in a sawed-off goalie stick with a very deep pocket so that the ball could not be dislodged and as a unit they marched up the field at will. The play was banned immediately. See Picture 30.
Around The World \ n. \ like a behind the back shot except the stick is wrapped around the opposite directon and the shot comes from over the shoulder of the shooting hand.
Assist \ n. \ a pass to the shooter. A pass that sets up a goal. Two assists can be awarded in Box Lacrosse.
Attack \ n. \ the player position in the game that is stationed in the offensive end and is responsible for offense primarily. These players are called Attackers or Attackmen.
Attacker \ n. \ a player at the Attack position.
Attackman \ n. \ a player at the Attack position.
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“B” Stick \ n. \ a player’s backup stick or extra Stick. An additional stick brought out to a game, but thrown on the sideline during warm-ups and neglected until the end of the game unless needed.Backbreaker \ n. \ a trick shot where the stick is held by both hands above the head and the ball is shot underhand and behind the back AND between the legs. See Picture 1.
Back Door \ n. \ an offensive player without the ball sneaks in, close to the goal behind the defense, where the ball carrier zips a pass to him or her for an easy score. 2: \ v. \ sneak behind the defense to receive a feed and get an easy scoring opportunity.
Backup (Back up the goal) \ n. \ an offensive player close to the endline and ready to run full speed toward the line to regain the possession of the ball on a missed shot. The man closest to the ball on as it goes out of bounds gets the ball back, so never shoot unless you know you can score OR you have a good backup. 2: \ n. \ a player “extra Stick”. An additional stick brought out to a game, but thrown on the sideline during warm-ups and neglected until the end of the game unless needed. Immortalized in a song at Goucher College during the warm up lap, “Extra Sticks, Extra Sticks, You throw them on the sideline because their Extra Sticks!”
Bag \ n. \ slang for a pocket, usually a very deep one.
Baggataway \ n. \ Ojibwe word for lacrosse (derived from an Algonquian verb meaning “to hit with [something]”), and more particularly the Midwestern/Great Lakes variant of the game. Alternate spelling (preferred by ethnographers) is baaga’adowe. See Picture 25.
Bake \ v. \ molding the empty stick head to a custom shape in any number of ways.
Ball (“Ball”) \ n. \ a white, orange or yellow solid rubber orb between 7 3/4 and 8 inches in circumference, between 5 and 5 1/4 ounces in weight and a 2/3 bounce ratio by NCAA rules. Was made of woven leather and then covered leather before 1890 when a low quality rubber was used until sometime in the 1930’s or 40’s Coincidentally, “Indian Rubber” became the standard until the 1990’s when each brand began independent production and the materials are unknown but referred to as solid rubber. 2: \ term \ used by a player to another player to let him know that he will gather the ground ball while his teammate takes a man, shouting “Man” and keeping the opponent away from the ball until his team has possession. Once the ball is in possession, “Release” is yelled to stop the aggression of the player taking the man to avoid a moving pick.
Ball Dog \ n. \ a dog that chases balls for you when you miss the goal.
Ball Hunt \ n. \ players in the tall grass or woods behind the goal looking for balls using their sticks like scythes.
Ball Stop \ n. \ the small piece of foam or rubber that is used at the base of the stick head to soften the surface and lessen the bounce off the plastic. also called a stop or stopper.
Baller \ n. \ slang for an extremely good lacrosse player
Baltimore Crab \ n. \ a method of picking up a ball by rolling the top inside of the scoop over the ball, starting it moving in that direction, while turning the head under the ball quickly to collect it in one motion. Also called the Indian Pick-up, because the early Iroquois versions or the Huron, Cherokee and Choctaw versions of the game featured sticks with no scoops.
BCLA \ org. \ the British Columbia Lacrosse Association (Canada).
Bait (Bait the Shooter) \ n. \ the goal keeper intentionally tries to influence the shooter’s shot selection by “underprotecting” one side of the goal and showing an open net. This allows the goal keeper to anticipate the ball flight and move early to make the “easy” save.
Behind the back \ adj. \ any shot or pass that passes behind you, the more spectacular, the better but don’t blow it, showboat.
Behind the back fake \ n. \ a behind the back motion that does not produce a shot but moves the goalie in that direction making a forward shot available.
Bible (The Bible) \ n. \ slang for Bob Scott’s book Lacrosse, Technique and Tradition. It is the book most turn of the century coaches were taught with. See Picture 9.
Big stick \ n. \ 1. slang for a defenseman. 2. slang for the defensive stick. Also see long pole.
Black Hole \ n. \ slang for a teammate who never gives the ball up once he has it. A ball hog.
Board (Boards) \ n. \ the sideline wall in a box arena. 2: \ v. \ to hit someone into or even hold them onto the boards in a box lacrosse arena which is legal.
Boarding \ n. \ hitting or checking someone into the boards in a box lacrosse arena. It is even legal to hold the player against the boards.
Body Check \ n. \ a check using the shoulder to hit a ball carrier’s upper frontal body.
Bomb \ n. \ the goalie heaves the ball randomly into the offensive end from the crease area of the defensive end. Also see Gilman Clear
Bounce Pass \ n. \ a pass that is targeted downward and bounces before redirecting t the intended player.
Bounce Shot \ n. \ a shot on goal that is targeted downward and bounces before the goal line.
Box (the Box) \ n. \ the penalty box, where time assessed for fouls is served. 2: the coaches box. See Picture 11. 3: refers to an outdoor facility specifically used for box lacrosse. It has no roof, just the boards, with players benches. There are very few left in Ontario and Victoria B.C. has perhaps 9 “boxes” at the turn of the century.
Boxla \ n. \ Slang term for Box Lacrosse.
Box Lacrosse \ n. \ the indoor version of the game played predominantly in Canada. A much more physical game which is encased with walls that can be used to check a ball carrier into. Cross Checks are legal in Box Lacrosse.
Brave Heart \ Phrase \ A fun alternative to overtime played in some lacrosse summer and charity tournaments where two players from each team take the field, a goalkeeper and a middie. The two middies face off and go one on one full field until one scores.
Break \ n. \ an extra man situation temporarily cause by a quick steal or great outlet pass from the defensive end. The offense uses the extra man to split the defense so that the ball coming quickly down the field can find an easy path from undefended player to undefended player until a very high percentage shot is taken.
Broken \ adj. \ to be scored on directly off of the face-off.
Bucket \ n. \ a really deep pocket or good goalie pocket. Also slang for a helmet.
Buddy Pass \ n. \ a pass that is lobbed high and/or slowly through the air such that the recipient is blind sided and rocked by defenders as he receives it.
Bull Dodge \ n. \ protecting the stick by holding it in the outside hand behind the body, the ball carrier basically runs through the defenseman, bulling past toward the goal.
Bullet \ n. \ 1. slang for a ball. 2. slang for a hard shot or pass.
Butt \ n. \ the end of the stick without the head. The cap that covers the end of the stick, usually made of plastic.
Butthead \ n. \ permanent end cap that is made of protruding rubber with a soft interior to allow for maximum grip and torque.
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Cage \ n. \ slang for the goalCanadian egg roll \ n. \ slang for a shot where the ball is caught and in one downward motion shoots behind the shooter. The ball is released near the knees and is usually performed when on the crease with the shooter’s back to the goalie.
Cannon \ n. \ slang for an extremely hard shot, adjective used to describe a player’s shot, ie “he’s got a cannon!”
Carry the Pizza \ v. \ when a player runs down the field carrying the ball in their stick way out in front of them in one hand with their arm extended, and holding the bottom of the shaft. This keeps the ball in the head of the stick without needing to cradle or worry about what’s behind you, sorta. Also known as Walking the Dog.
Cheap it (Cheap the ball) \ v. \ clearing the ball from the defensive end with a long random pass into the offensive end. see Gilman Clear.
Check \ n. \ an attempt to dislodge the ball from another player’s stick by poking or slapping their stick or arms with either end of your stick, though most often the head. 2: v. \ the act of attempting to dislodge the ball in this manner.
Check Up \ v. \ term shouted by goalkeepers to begin a defensive practice of claiming who each defensive player is assigned to.
Cherry-picker \ n. \ a player who stays in open space in their attacking half while their side is defending, hoping for a long pass from the defence in the event of a turnover. More prevalent in box lacrosse.
Cherokee Ball (Cherokee Stickball) \ n. \ Cherokee version of the game played with two smaller sticks and a woven leather ball. Still played in areas of North Carolina and South Dakota. Very similar to Toli, the Choctaw game.
Chicklets \ n.\ slang term in box lacrosse for teeth. Clamp \ v. \ a move by a face off player pushing the back of the head over the ball and pulling the ball towards him.
Clear \ n. \ a play designed to move the ball from the defensive end to the offensive end after a save or turnover. 2: \ v. \ moving the ball from the defensive end to the offensive end of the field after a turnover or save.
Cookie \ n. \ slang for the ball.
Cole Thompson \ n. \ a fictitious character in Brine ads and E-Lacrosse stories in 2003. See Picture 27.
Cooker \ n. \ slang term for the goal. “Take it to the cooker”.
Copter \ n. \ slang for a stick checked out of one’s hands so that it flies into the air spinning like a helicopter rotor.
Cover, The \ n \ lacrosse’s largest outside exposure in the 20th century was a 1962 Sports Illustrated cover. See Picture 23.
Cradle \ v. \ the fluid side to side motion of the stick in order to maintain possession of the ball using its own gravity and inertia while running at full speed.
Crank \ n. \ a hard shot accentuated by an extended wind up by a stationary shooter or full extension of the shot by a sprinting shooter.
Crease \ n. \ the 9 foot (men’s) or 8.5 foot (women’s) radius circle that surrounds each goal. Offensive players are not allowed in the crease.
Crosse \ n. \ proper name for a stick. From the French word “Crossier” or curved staff. Refers to the head and shaft together or more appropriately to the one piece wooden stick used before 1970 and still used by some box players and Native Americans, who, of course, invented them. See picture 2.
Cross Check \ n. \ with both hands on the shaft, hitting a player with the section of the shaft between the hands. Illegal in field lacrosse but legal in Box Lacrosse. 2: \ v. \ the act of checking in this manner.
Cup Check \ noun \ 1. tapping on a protective cup to prove that it is there. 2. slang for a shot that hits the defender or goalie in the groin.
Cuse (‘Cuse) \ abbrev. \ for Syracuse University.
Custom Pocket \ n. \ a pocket designed by a stringer or strung yourself.
Cut Back \ v. \ a quick turn back in the direction from which the ball carrier cam, in order to shake free a defender and get a shot on goal.
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D \ n. \ slang for defense or the group of defensive players.D- Up \ term \ slang for recognizing and taking a man defensively. Yelled by the Goalkeeper to his defensive unit after an unsettled situation.
D-pole \ n. \ slang for defense crosse. : .
Defense \ n. \ the player position that is responsible for defense primarily and are stationed in the defensive end near their goal. They use long poles and are sometimes even called “longpoles”.
Defender \ n. \ a player at the defense position. See Defense.
Defenseman \ n. \ a player at the defense position. See Defense.
De- stick \ v. \ to check a player resulting in his or her losing possession of the ball and their stick.
Deuce \ n. \ slang for a Major League Lacrosse (MLL) two-point goal.
Dehuntshigwa’es \ n. \ Iroquois (or, more specifically, Onondaga) word for lacrosse. Often translated as “they bump hips”, but at least one source indicates the correct translation is “they hit a round object” or “they hit a ball”.
Dinger \ n. \ a hard shot that scores, usually hitting a high corner.
Dip and dunk \ n. \ a fake performed by a player that is in tight next to the goal. The fake is low making the goalie drop. Then the shooter finishes up high in an almost empty net.
Dive (The Dive) \ n. \ A move made illegal in college and high school lacrosse in the 1990’s. The player could, before the ruling, dive into the crease while shooting and as long as the ball crossed the face of the goal before the shooter touched the ground, goal or keeper. Goalie safety was the reason cited. The issue came to be discussed largely based on the playing style of University of Virginia attackman Doug Knight. See picture 3.
Dominant Hand \ n. \ a favored top hand on the stick. Most players have a dominant hand and defenders should exploit that if it is that obvious.
Dodge \ n. \ any move that gets a ball carrier by a defender. 2: \ v. \ evading and passing a defender while driving with the ball.
D.O.F. \ n. \ Accronym for the statistical reporting of how many “Dogs On Field” for a particular lacrosse game. This lacrosse-only statistic was kept by some Baltimore referees for years and was printed unwittingly in the Baltimore newspapers with the rest of the called-in high school and college game stats for years.
Dye \ v. \ changing the color of the empty stick head or string usually using a dye wash with Rit brand dye. See Picture 20.
Dye Job \ n. \ A stick head which has had the color changed by dying. See Dye.
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Egg \ n. \ a soft shot.Egg Hunt \ n. \ slang for the search for balls after a practice.
E-Lacrosse \ n. \ online store, free web resource and e-zine devoted to the whole game of lacrosse! The publisher of The Official Lacrosse Dictionary.
E-Laxerata \ n. \ sportsmanship poem adapted for lacrosse from Max Ehrman’s Disiderata.
Elevator \ n. \ a low to high shot.
EMO \ n. \ Accronym for Extra Man Offense. Offensive scheme geared toward taking advantage of man-up situations after penalties on opposing players. 2: the group of players assigned to play in extra man situations.
End Cap \ n. \ a plastic cap that covers the butt end of the shaft.
Extension \ n. \ the distance between your hands and your body on a hard running shot. A fully extended shot will be much harder than one close in to the body.
Extra \ n. \ a player’s backup or 2nd Stick. An additional stick brought out to a game, but thrown on the sideline during warm-ups and neglected until the end of the game unless needed. Immortalized in a song at Goucher College during the warm up lap, “Extra Sticks, Extra Sticks, You throw them on the sideline because their Extra Sticks!” 2: \ adj. \ slang for Man Up.
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4 hole (four hole) \ n. \ a shot that gets to the goal taking a path past the goalies upper left side . See Picture 31.
5 hole (five hole) \ n. \ a shot that gets to the goal taking a path between the legs of the goalkeeper. See Picture 31.
5 x 5 (Five by five) \ n. \ the perfect area to shoot the ball on a lacrosse field – the 5 meter by 5 meter imaginary box that begins with the goal line (UK).
Face off (Face-off) \ n. \ term borrowed from the canadian box game and hockey replacing the term “draw” for the men’s game in the 1940’s. To start each quarter and to resume play after a goal is scored the ball is placed at the center of the field. Two players are set equally with
their stick heads facing each other and touching the ground with the ball in between. When the whistle is blown, the two move to control the ball and play begins.
Face Dodge \ n. \ while running at the defenseman, just before any contact, the stick is brought around the face to the side of the body while the feet pivot the same way and a burst of speed loses the defender. Works best with a lunging defender.
Factory Pocket \ n. \ a pocket put on the head by the manufacturer or the store but sold off the shelf. Usually mesh or straight traditional.
Fake \ v. \ feigning the intention to shoot or pulling a shot back without letting the ball go in order to fool a defender or goalie out of position. Can be done with any combination of stick movement, shoulder movement (shoulder fake), eye movement, etc.
Fast Break \ n. \ an extra man situation temporarily cause by a quick steal or great outlet pass from the defensive end. The offense uses the extra man to split the defense so that the ball coming quickly down the field can find an easy
path from undefended player to undefended player until a very high percentage shot is taken.
Feed \ n. \ a pass that finds a teammate cutting to the goal. An assist.
Field \ n. \ playing surface for outdoor lacrosse. See Picture 11.
Final Four \ n \ term used for the NCAA setting for the lacrosse national semi-finals and championship games in men’s and women’s lacrosse held every year on Memorial Day (men). The term is actually trademarked by the NCAA commercially as the NCAA Final Four in Basketball is one of the biggest events in all of sports. The NCAA Men’s lacrosse Final Four is the second most attended college championship event. The 2005 and 2006 Lacrosse Final Four men’s events will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Finalizer \ n. \ a move popularized just after the turn of the century by lacrosse great Ryan Powell.
The attacker uses very quick turns and short sprints behind the cage to fool the defender into becoming entangled in the goal and net just inside the rear of the crease.
Fish \ n. \ slang and derogatory term for a bad defenseman.
Flag \ n. \ a piece of yellow cloth with a soft but weighted ball sewn or banded into it. The referee throws this into the air on a penalty that does not stop action. See Picture 12.
Floor \ n. \ playing surface for outdoor lacrosse. See Picture 13.
FOGO \ n. \ acronym for “Face-Off, Get Off”. A player who is only on the field during the face off. Most FOGO’s are the centermen or face-off men during the draw but they can also be wing men, often with a long stick. FOGOs evolved into the game of lacrosse around the turn of the century due to specialization in lacrosse. Fool’s Goal \ n. \ A shot on goal that hits the back of the net. Also called a mommy goal because all the mothers in the crowd cheer thinking that the ball went into the cage.
Foul \ n. \ a call by the referee that punishes a rules infraction and awards either penalty time or a turnover of possession. 2: \ v. \ to act outside of the rules. See Picture 10.
Foul Out \ v. \ accumulating 5 personal fouls in any game. The player must sit for the remainder of the game just like in basketball. Little known rule.
Full Strength \ n. \ term indicating that no players on a team are serving penalties.
Frozen Rope \ n. \ a very hard shot which doesn’t deviate in strenth or direction from stick to net. See Lazer or Rope.
Frying pan \ n. \ a player who’s not a good cradler and just runs down the floor/field like their carrying a frying pan. Origins of the word come from ontario box lacrosse.
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GLE \ n. \ acronym for Goal line extended, the imaginary line of the goal extended to the sidelines for the purposes of planning plays and describing positioning on the field. One would not likely shoot from behind the GLE. See Picture 6.Game Stick \ n. \ a player’s best stick. Also called a Primary or Number 1.
Garbage \ n. \ see Garbage Goal.
Garbage Goal \ n. \ a goal that is most often easily scored on the crease as a result of the ball becoming loose in the crease area after a shot rebounds off the goalkeeper.
Gilman (Gilman the ball) \ v. \ clearing the ball from the defensive end with a long random pass into the offensive end. See Gilman Clear.
Gilman Clear \ n. \ the goalie heaves the ball randomly into the offensive end from the crease area of the defensive end.
Glass \ n. \ the plexiglass that sits on top of the boards in professional box arenas completely surrounding the playing surface.
Goal \ n. \ a steel 6 foot square opening enclosed with a net. Goals are smaller in box and inside lacrosse. 2: \ n. \ term for when a ball evades the goalkeeper and scores by crossing the goal face.
Goal Face \ n. \ the open front of the goal.
Goal Line \ n. \ a 6 foot line across the face of the goal. The ball must cross this line to score. The line is shorter in box lacrosse.
Goal Plane \ n. \ term for the Goal Face extended, the imaginary plane of the goal extended to the sidelines for the purposes differentiating between a pass and a shot. A missed shot must cross the goal plane.
Goalie \ n. \ see Goal Keeper.
Goal Keeper \ n. \ player position responsible for protecting the actual goal. Very rarely leaves the defending goal area and uses a larger stick head to block shots. Also called a Goalie or Keeper.
Gobble (Gobble up) \ n. \ to take a ground ball quickly and expertly.
Goose (Goose it) \ v. \ slang for a flipping the ball from the ground to a teammate.
Great Lakes Stick \ n. \ a rounded wooden head about 4 or 5 inches in diameter on a thin handle from 3 to 4 feet long. See Picture 17.
Ground Ball \ n. \ a loose ball picked up with the crosse from the ground.
Groundball Machine \ n. \ A player that is especially good at getting ground balls all the time. See Hoover.
Gumball \ n. \ a shot that goes directly into the keeper’s stick.
Gun \ n. \ a great shooter. 2: description of a great shooters shot (ie. “He’s got a gun.”).
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Hack \ n. \ a player that tries to hurt people with checks or just checks randomly instead of pointedly.
Half-field \ n. \ Also called sixes or 6 on 6. A regular staple at lacrosse practice, especially when working settled offense & defense.
Hall of Fame \ org. \ the US National Hall of Fame
Hang \ v. \ leaving the stick head exposed behind the body on a shot or the butt exposed behind the body when running with the ball.
Head \ n. \ the top portion of a lacrosse stick which houses the stringing or mesh and, with some skill, the ball. Most are plastic and screw onto a shaft made of a composite metal but sometimes wood (old style). See Picture 6.
Head on a Swivel \ n. \ a defensive term for keeping aware of everything around you. Peripheral vision is important for a sliding defender in order to cover all potential cutters or passes and see the whole field.
Helicopter \ n. \ slang for a stick checked out of one’s hands so that it flies into the air spinning like a helicopter rotor.
Help \exclam.\ Used to alert a teammate that you are open and able to receive a pass, “Here’s your Help!”
High to low \ adj. \ a shot that is taken overhand but hits the net low.
Hold \exclam.\ Term yelled by the goalie to alert a defensive player that the player with the ball he is covering, has gained GLE and threatens to go above it to take a shot.
Hole (the hole) \ n. \ area within 5 yards of a player’s defensive crease. It is important in a transition situation from offense to defense that players get to “the hole”, find their man coming toward the goal and pick him up.
Hospital Pass \ n. \ see Buddy Pass.
Hook \ n. \ part of the mens pocket, usually just under the shooting strings where the ball nestles in the pocket. See also whip or lip.
Hoover \ n. \ A player that is especially good at getting ground balls all the time. See groundball machine.
Hop (The Hop) \ abbrev. \ for Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Hot (Who’s hot, I’m hot, you’re hot) \ adj. \ slang for defenseman responsible for the first slide. Used by defenses to communicate.
Hotbed \ n. \ slang for the college lacrosse and recruiting industry for an area of the country from which great lacrosse players hail. Before 1990 there were only two hotbeds in the US: Baltimore and Long Island. Upstate New York emerged in the 1990’s and after the turn of the century small areas of excellence existed all over the country. The “Hotbed Era” was ending.
Hug the Pipe \ v. \ a goalkeeper allows no space between his body and the goal post closest to the shooter.
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Ice Pick \ n. \ a check where the defender goes over the head of the offensive player in an attempt to put the butt end into the ball carrier’s pocket and cause them to drop the ball.IFWLA \ org. \ the International Federation of Women’s Lacrosse Associations was formed in 1972 to promote and develop the game of women’s lacrosse throughout the world.
Indian Pick-up \ n. \ a method of picking up a ball by rolling the top inside of the scoop over the ball, starting it moving in that direction, while turning the head under the ball quickly to collect it in one motion. The name comes from watching early Iroquois versions or the Huron, Cherokee and Choctaw versions of the game where this is the only way to pick up the ball because the sticks have no scoops. Also called the Baltimore Crab in the preppier circle, it’s called cupping by many Native Americans.
Indoor Lacrosse \ n. \ the indoor version of the game played predominantly in Canada. A much more physical game which is encased with walls that can be used to check a ball carrier into. Cross Checks are legal. Also called Box Lacrosse.
Inside Roll \ n. \ When sensing a defender’s overplay on the GLE, the attackman plants his lead foot and rolls back and around the defender with his outside leg, leaving him in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper or an easy goal.
Intercrosse \ n. \ a european version of soft lacrosse.
Iroquois Stick \ n. \ a one piece wooden curved crossier style stick the size of a modern day stick. In fact they are still played with today.
See Picture 19.
ISO (Isolation play) \ n. \ pronounced ice-oh \ offensive one-on-one play made possible by the drawing of defensive players away from an area for the ball carrier to do his or her thing.
IWLCA \ org. \ the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association.
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Juke \ n. \ 1: slang for a pump fake close in to the goalkeeper that makes him move, opening the opportunity for a better shot. 2: slang for any running fake that moves a defender out of your path.Submit a word or term for the dictionary, select other and stake your claim.
Keep \ n. \ slang for Goal Keeper.Keeper \ n. \ See Goal Keeper.
Keepers \ n. \ the aboriginal people of North America are the keepers of the game of lacrosse.
Kapucha \ n. \ The stick used in toli, or Choctaw lacrosse. Shorter than either the Northeastern or Midwestern/Great Lakes stick, with a much smaller pocket, and used in pairs (one in each hand). See entry for Southeastern Stick.
Kapucha Toli \ n. \ Alternate form of toli, or Choctaw lacrosse. Translates as, essentially, “stick ball”. Still played in areas of to North Carolina and Oklahoma. Very similar to Cherokee Ball.
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LSM \ n. \ acronym for Long Stick Midfielder. See Specialization.
Lacrosse \ n. \ The sport of lacrosse is a combination of basketball, soccer and hockey. Anyone can play lacrosse — the big or the small. The game requires and rewards coordination and agility, not brawn. Quickness and speed are two highly prized qualities in lacrosse. An exhilarating sport, lacrosse is fast-paced and full of action. Long sprints up and down the field with abrupt starts and stops, precision passes and dodges are routine in men’s and women’s lacrosse. Lacrosse is played with a stick, the crosse, which must be mastered by the player to throw, catch and scoop the ball (from US Lacrosse). See picture 5.
Lacrosse Country \ n. \ many will claim the title but the game was originated and played religiously for hundreds of years in only one place. See picture 16.
Lacrosse Foundation \ org. \ changed name to US Lacrosse at the turn of the century. The governing body of the United States’ mens’ and womens’ games since the 1970’s. Also publisher of Lacrosse Magazine.
Lacrosse Stick \ n. \see picture 5.
Lax \ n. \ slang for lacrosse.
Laxabunga \ exclam. \ an exclamation of delight and laxifaction (don’t even look). Used by laxers at the United States Naval Academy.
Laxaholic \ n. \ Someone who loves all aspects of lacrosse and cannot get enough.
Laxer \ n. \ slang for lacrosse player.
Laxed out \ phrase \ Condition, usually induced from too much lacrosse, in which a person wants nothing to do with lacrosse for a period of time.
Laxhead \ n. \ someone who devotes all their time and life to the great sport of Lacrosse.
Lax Rat \ n. \ slang for a kid that is never seen without a stick in his / her hand, goes to all the local college and high school games and wears mostly lacrosse apparel.
Lazer \ n. \ a very hard shot which doesn’t deviate in strenth or direction from stick to net.
Leather \ n. \ a string, usually made of leather, which runs up and down through the middle of a traditional style pocket (usually 4 of them).
Legal \ adj. \ refers to a stick that complies to the rules. See Picture 14.
Line Drill \ n \ practice drill where two lines of players are formed about 30 yards from each other. A player from one line run to the other line passing the ball to a player from the other line who will end up passing to the next player and switching lines as well. This continues until the pass becomes a left hand pass and then a ground ball, etc. Very common practice and game warm-up.
Little Brother of War \ n \ translation of Tewaarathon, the Mohawk word for Lacrosse. The game was used by native americans for centuries to prepare for battle and honor the Creator. See Picture 17.
Little Help (“Lil’ help?”) \ exclam. \ asking another player to assist in returning a missed ball when practicing. The common method of announcing that a stray ball is approaching another and you’d like it back.
Lift Check \ n. \ a check where the defender settles his stick under the arm or stick of the ball carrier and lifts until they lose control or have to adjust allowing another check.
Lip \ n. \ part of the mens pocket, usually just under the shooting strings where the ball nestles in the pocket. See also whip or hook.
Longpole \ n. \ 1. slang for a defenseman. 2. slang for the defensive stick.
Low to high \ adj. \ a shot that is taken underhand but hits the top of the net.
Lumber (Lay some lumber) \ n. \ slang for the shaft and the impact of defensive checks.
Lumberjack \ n. \ a player that hacks unsuccessfully at opponents with a chopping motion as they run down the field (UK).
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MILL \ n. \ acronym for Major Indoor Lacrosse League, the indoor professional league that existed in the late 20th century. The league suffered a devastating player strike, division and were forced to merge with the brand new NLL or National Lacrosse League just after the turn of the century.MLL \ n. \ acronym for Major League Lacrosse, the outdoor professional league in the US. Started at the turn of the century by television exercise guru Jake Steinfeld, Warrior CEO Dave Morrow and investors in the first league cities who became the first team owners.
Man (“Man”) \ n. \ any opposing player to be covered (ie. my man, your man). 2: \ term \ used by a player to another player to let him know that he will keep the opponent away from the ball until his counterpart has possession. The teammate shouts “Ball” and takes up the ground ball and shouts “Release” to let the other know to stop taking the “man”.
Man Ball (“Man- Ball Situation”) \ n. \ when two teammates approach a ground ball along with one opponent the one closest to the opponent will yell “Man” and engage the opponent head on to keep them away while the other yells “Ball and gets the ball. The rules say that a player on a team with the ball cannot hit someone so after gaining possession the ball carrier immediately yells “Release” turning off the aggression by the teammate and they both go on offense with the ball.
Man D \ n. \ see Man to Man.
Man Down D (Man Down Defense) \ n. \ a unit that practices and has speific plans for defending the goal with one or more players out of the game with penalties.
Man on Man \ n. \ see Man to Man.
Man to Man (Man to Man Defense) \ n. \ a defensive scheme where the defending players stick to a specific man rather than an area of the field. Also called Man on Man or Man D.
Man Up (Man Up Offense) \ n. \ slang for Extra Man Offense. Offensive scheme geared toward taking advantage of man-up situations after penalties on opposing players. 2: The group of players assigned to play in extra man situations.
Mary Gait \ n. \ slang for a flashy player that screws up while showboating
Mesh \ n. \ a pre manufactured piece of nylon meshing that is commonly used to string lacrosse sticks. See Picture 24.
Midfield \ n. \ the line bisecting the field, separating the teams’ offensive and defensive ends. 2: a player position that covers the whole field. Each team has three on the field and they start the game and face offs at the midfield line. players called Midfielders and Middies.
Midfielder \ n. \ a player position that covers the whole field. Each team has three on the field and they start the game and face offs at the midfield line. Also called a Middie.
Midfield Line \ n. \ the line bisecting the field, separating the teams’ offensive and defensive ends. 2: a group of three midfielders that play together in games. Usually a team will have a few lines of midfielders which are rotated. Also called Middie Line.
Middie \ n. \ slang for a Midfielder.
“Middie Back” \ n. \ Call made by a coach, attackman or defenseman to remind a middie to stay in the defensive half to avoid an offside penalty call when another long stick defensive player is clearing the ball and the chance of a fast break exists. A midfielder should stay behind the mid-line yelling “I’m Staying!” or “I’m back!” and raising his stick to be seen by the officials and letting the ball carrier know he can cross the mid line safely.
Middie Line \ n. \ See Midfield Line (def. 2).
Mid- line \ n. \ the line bisecting the field, separating the teams’ offensive and defensive ends. See Midfield Line.
Mini- Break \ n. \ a fast break that evolves in a game, usually from an unsettled situation like a steal, that results in an uneven player advantage in the direction of the goal. The remaining defenders will be split by the right passes and one of the ball-possessing majority will get a very good shot if the mini- break is executed properly.
Mini- Mesh \ n. \ stick meshing with a more narrow weave of smaller diamonds.
Mini- Stick \ n. \ a stick that is made at about 1/2 to 1/3 scale for very young children and all ages to fool around with. They are not allowed in even youth leagues.
Mod Lacrosse \ n. \ Popular methodology for teaching lacrosse to female youth players in the US, integrating defensive checking into play as the athletes mature. The term “mod” refers to “modified checking”. Checking in mod lacrosse is limited to that which strikes a stick that is below shoulder level, using a downward motion away from the other player’s body. The method, instituted by US Lacrosse’s Rules Committee in the early 21st century, allows for escalated stages of checking from youth play through 8th grade. The theory holds that the use of modified checking “will allow the older youth player to learn proper checking skills, while at the same time encouraging good cradling and stick handling skills”.
Monster Mesh \ n. \ stick meshing with a wider weave of larger diamonds.
Moving Pick \ n. \ an offensive player actively interferes with a defensivese player’s advancement while pursuing the ball carrier. A stationary pick is allowed but even a lean toward the player to be screened or picked is illegal. A pick must be firm.
Murder Pass \ n. \ see Buddy Pass.
Mustard \n.\ used to describe the velocity of a shot or pass that needs to harder. “Hey! Put little more mustard on the ball!”
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NCLL \ org. \ the National College Lacrosse League features over 80 college club teams in 10 states.NLL \ n. \ acronym for National Lacrosse League, the indoor professional league in the US and Canada. The league merged with the ailing MILL after a bitter strike in the late 20th century. Expansion just after the turn of the century with moves to non-traditional lacrosse hotbeds like Denver and Phoenix rivaled the crowds in league strongholds, Philadelphia and Toronto and the league became truly National.
Naked \ adj. \ when a player is very open for a pass or uncovered by a defender. See Wide Open.
No angle (No Angle Shot) \ n. \ a very low percentage shot from behind the GLE.
No Threat Line \n.\ an imaginary line across the face of the goal extended to the sideline. A reference for defenders to know that a player is behind the goal and is not a shooting threat. In some defensive packages an offensive player behind the goal will not be considered a threat and not truly defended with or without the ball (most likely a zone).
Number 1 \ n. \ a player’s best stick. Also called a Game Stick or A stick.
Number 2 \ n. \ a player’s backup, B stick or extra Stick. An additional stick brought out to a game, but thrown on the sideline during warm-ups and neglected until the end of the game unless needed.
Number Up \ v. \ Goalie command alerting defensemen to pick up a man. Often followed by defensemen calling the numbers of the man each is taking.
Nut \ n. \ slang for a ball.
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OLA \ org. \ the Ontario Lacrosse Association (Canada).One Hander \ n. \ a goal score with only one hand on the stick.
1 hole (one hole) \ n. \ a shot that gets to the goal taking a path past the goalies lower right side . See 5-hole and Picture 31.
Offside (Offsides) \ n. \ rule that requires 3 players for each team are always on the offensive side of the midline and that each has 4 players on their defensive end. 2: the penalty which ensues when less than the required players are on either side of the field. 3: \adj. \ when a penalty is called against a player he is Offside.
On the Fly \ adv. \ making substitutions while the play is still on. Before this rule change in the 1980’s teams would have to wait for a stop in play before making a player change and a horn would be blown to signify the change.
On the hop \ adv. \ Common lacrosse term used to signify that players are to move into huddles and drills with at least a brisk jog; no walking!
Outside Roll \ n. \ When sensing a defender’s underplay on the GLE, the attackman steps past the GLE, plants his inside foot and rolls back outside the defender, shooting at a narrow target, but hopefully one on one with the goalkeeper if executed properly like John Tavares in the video clip.
Over The Head Check \ n. \ a check where the defender, from behind the ball carrier, with both hands holding the bottom of the shaft, fully extended their arms upward turning the stick head downward and sweeps across the front of the ball carrier’s body hitting the stick.
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Pass \ v. \ throwing the ball with the stick to another player. 2: \ n. \ a throw to another player.Phantom Check \ n. \ the mysterious loss of ball control in the midst of a shot or pass.
Pick \ n. \ a player stands in a stationery position in the path of a teammate driving with the ball allowing the ball carrier to get loose as he runs by very closely scraping his defender off on the set player’s body. 2: \ v. \ the act of setting a pick. See also screen.
Pill \ n. \ slang for a ball.
Pinwheel \ n. \ slang for a stick checked out of one’s hands so that it flies into the air spinning like a pinwheel. See also helicopter and copter.
Platoon \ v. \ using two goalies in each game by design, splitting time usually in halves.
Playing catch with the goalie \ v. \ shooting directly into the keeper’s stick.
Play On \ n. \ a loose ball penalty that is noticed by the referee but, if called immediately, would stop the advancement of the team that was fouled. A flag is thrown and the referee shouts “Play on” and continuation is allowed. At the next loose ball, turnover or score the whistle is blown and the penalty is assessed. If a goal were scored, it would count and the face off would ensue with the penalty in force.
Plunger \ n. \ a Face-off move where you half clamp the ball (45 degrees) then keeping right hand on ground raise left hand and butt end of stick. This distorts the sidewalls of the head of the stick trapping the ball like a plunger. You can then drag the ball to an open area or even flip the ball over opponents stick for fastbreak.
Pocket \ n. \ the stringing or mesh in the head of the stick that catches, holds and directs the ball when passing or shooting.
Poke Check \ n. \ a check where the defender literally pokes at the stick or arm of the ball carrier in order to dislodge the ball.
Point (the Point) \ n. \ the forward attack position on a fast break. This player splits his man with the man on the break who has the ball. He shouts “Point” or “I’ve got Point” and moves toward to restraining line and the ball to split men and is usually the first attackman to touch the ball on the break and usually has a great pass open to them on the crease as they receive the ball from the breaking man. See Picture 26.
Pole \ n. \ slang for a defenseman.
Popcorn \ n. \ a shot put right into the goalies stick.
Post \ n. \ the upright metal side-pipes of a goal. 2: \ v. \ a goal keeper plays directly against the side pipe while the ball is to that side of the goal. 3: \ v. \ an attempted shot on goal that hits the upright post on either side of the net. Usually hits the pipe with much force and is accompanied by a loud noise of ricochet which impresses the crowd. 4: \ v. \ slang for just showing up at a game or event. 5: \ v. \ a comment submitted on a lacrosse website bulletin board.
Power Play \ n. \ Box lacrosse term for extra man offense while one or more opposing players serves a penalty.
Primary \ n. \ a player’s best stick. Also called a Game Stick or Number 1.
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Quickstick \ v. \ catching the ball from a pass while in the shooting or passing motion or the moment before the forward thrust of the shot or pass.Submit a word or term for the dictionary, select other and stake your claim.
Rack \ n.\ slang for the goal.Ragging \ v. \ running down the clock by either passing the ball around the out-side in a non-attacking manner, or having a player hold onto the ball and run around keeping it away from the defense.
Rail \ n. \ two vertical strings in a custom pocket that allow the ball to ride smoothly out of the pocket.
Rake \ v. \ using the backside of the stick to pull the ball back, then positioning the head in front of the ball as it rolls in. Not a good fundamental skill to develop but OK for old coaches with bad backs.
Release (“Release”) \ v. \ term used by a player to let a teammate know to stop taking the “man” in a “man – ball situation”. When two teammates approach a ground ball along with one opponent the one closest to the opponent will yell “Man” and engage the opponent head on to keep them away while the other yells “Ball and gets the ball. The rules say that a player on a team with the ball cannot hit someone so the “Release” call turns off the aggression by the teammate and they both go on offense with the ball.
Restraining Box \ n. \ area in offensive end of the field marked by one solid like and two hashed lines. Offensive players can only allow the ball outside of the box for ten seconds (referee’s count), and defensive players have ten seconds to clear the ball or get called with failure to advance, and once out the clearing team cannot bring the ball back in the box or receive the in and out infraction. Also used to “restrain” attack and defensive players during face offs until possession is whistled.
Reverse Gait \ n. \ A behind-the-back pass or shot (similar to ‘around the world’) except done at waist level or below the shoulder. A move that was perfected, frequently used and popularized by Paul Gait at around the turn of the century.
Ride \ n. \ a play that is designed to stop the defensive unit of the team with the ball from “Clearing the ball” or moving it up field to their offensive end. 2: \ v. \ covering a defensive player in the attempt to prevent advancement to the offensive end.
Rig \ n. \ slang for a a pocket or a stick, especially a fancy or customized one.
Rip (Take a rip) \ n. \ slang for a shot attempt on the goal.
Riser \ n. \ a shot that starts off low and ends up high in the net.
Rock \ n. \ slang for a ball (NY).
Rock-It Pocket \ n. \ A popular type of stringing for your lacrosse head.
The first commercially successful independant custom pocket maker, founded in the 1980’s and located in Colorado. The founder of Rock-It Pocket, Flip Naumburg was also a founder of the Vail Tournament. See picture 33.
Roll Dodge \ n. \ a dodge around a defensive player where the ball carrier plants a foot in front of the defender and rolls to the outside without changing speed or losing the ball until he is beyond the defender and on his way.
Rope \ n. \ a very hard shot which doesn’t deviate in strenth or direction from stick to net. See Lazer or Frozen Rope.
Run Out \ n. \ the sprint for the endline after a missed shot. The closest to the ball when it goes out of bounds on a shot gets the ball.
Rusty Gate (Rusty gate check) \ n. \ slang for check in which the defender holds his crosse with his bottom hand and in one motion swings his crosse behind his back and around his defender to dislodge the ball from his opponent’s crosse.
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6 x 6 (Six by six) \ n. \ slang for the field lacrosse goal which is 6 feet by 6 feet at the goal face by regulation. Popularized in the many television broadcasting appearances by lacrosse commentator and show host Lief Elsmo from the 1980’s through the turn of the century.Sack \ n. \ slang for a pocket, usually a very deep one.
Save \ n. \ official name for when a goalkeeper stops a shot on goal. 2: \ v. \ to stop a shot on goal.
Scoop \ n. \ the top part of the lacrosse head used to “scoop” up the ball. 2: \ v. \ bending the knees and lowering the stick to the ground to pick up the ball in one fluid forward running motion.
Screen \ n. \ a player stands in a stationery position in the path of a teammate driving with the ball allowing the ball carrier to get loose as he runs by very closely scraping his defender off on the set player’s body. 2: a player stands in the face of the goal blocking the goalkeeper’s view of the incoming shot. 3: \ v. \ the act of setting a pick or screen. See also Pick.
Seal the Corner \ n. \ to get in the way of an offensive teammate by not clearing through as he moves from X to the GLE. By failing to clear out of his way you seal the corner and allow an easy double team.
Shaft \ n. \ the pole or handle part of a lacrosse stick. The plastic head fits over the end of the shaft and a screw holds it in place. An end cap or tape usually covers the butt end of the shaft.
Shorthanded \ n. \ slang for being man down due to penalties.
Shot \ n. \ a ball thrown with the cross at the goal with the intent of scoring.
Shoot \ v. \ throwing the ball at the goal in an attempt to score.
Shooter \ n. \ slang for a shooting string. 2: \ term \ a defensive call for the person likely to shoot the ball. Yelled when that person takes possession.
Side-arm \ adj. \ Shooting the ball from an angle at the side of the body, as opposed to the traditional over-hand shot.
Sideline \ n. \ the lines bordering the field longer dimensions. The area beyond this line is out of bounds.
Sidewall \ n. \ the string that runs down the sides of the stick head holding the mesh or strung pocket to the head. An important adjustable string for pocket configuration. 2: either side of a lacrosse stick head.
Skip Pass \ n. \ a pass that is targeted downward and bounces before redirecting t the intended player.
Slap Check \ n. \ a check where a player uses the head of his stick to slap an opposing player in the arm, hand, or stick to dislodge the ball.
Slow Whistle \ n. \ a penalty with possession is noticed by the referee but, if called immediately, would stop the advancement of the ball carrier who was fouled. A flag is thrown and the continuation is allowed. At the next loose ball, turnover or score the whistle is blown and the penalty is assessed. If a goal were scored, it would count and the face off would ensue with the penalized team down a man.000000000000
Soak (Soak up) \ v. \ knocking down the shot with one’s body intentionally. See Step In. CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS.
Soft Lacrosse \ n. \ a version of lacrosse that can be played cheaply indoors in a gym class setting. Uses soft rubber-like balls and stick heads. See Intercrosse.
Southeastern Stick \ n. \ an oval wooden head about 4 or 5 inches long on a thin handle from about 3 feet long. See Picture 18.
Specialization \ n. \ trend beginning in the 1990’s, using substitution rules to change players for very specific tasks like face offs, man down situations, etc. Brought about primarily by a rule allowing free substitutions “on the fly” and the ensuing “transition game”.
Split Dodge \ n. \ a move similar to a crossover in basketball. While running one direction, a player with the ball quickly steps in the opposite direction and changes hands leaving the defender going the other way.
Squib \ v. \ to kick the ball or knock the ball away from a huge pile of people to one of your teammates (CNY).
Stack \ v. \ to amass two or more offensive player on the crease for the purposes of screening, picking or cutting in an offensive play. 2: \ n. \ the group of offensive player on the crease.
Stall \ v. \ to hold the ball, running around and passing from teammate to teammate in order to kill time and not to score.
Star Pass \ n. \ see Buddy Pass.
Stay (Stay Back) \ v. \ to avoid an offside penalty call when a defensive player is running down field with the ball and the chance of a fast break exists. A midfielder will “stay” or “Stay back” yelling “I’m Staying” and ball carrier knows he can cross the mid line safely.
Step In \ v. \ knocking down the shot with one’s body intentionally. See InSoak. CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS.
Stick \ n. \ a lacrosse stick. Usually refers to the head and shaft combined.
Stick \ v. \ slang for check or hit on an offensive player.
Stick Bending \ v. \ the craft of bending and carving wood into lacrosse sticks as was done for hundreds of years and to this day by some Native American craftsmen. See Picture 15. 2: banging a shaft against a goal post or something hard over and over to give the shaft a slight backward bend. This will lessen the strength in any shaft but is a popular box lacrosse customization.
Stick Check \ n. \ a defensive check that hits the ball carriers stick in an attempt to dislodge the ball.
Stick Doctor \ n. \ a person known for his stringing abilities. Usually there is at least one Stick Doctor per team. Some are well known throughout the lacrosse community, like E-Lacrosse’s Van O’Banion and Mark Krastel.
Stick Head \ n. \ a lacrosse junkie. 2: \ n. \ the top of a lacrosse stick. See Head.
Stick Making \ n. \ the craft of bending and carving wood into lacrosse sticks as was done for hundreds of years and to this day by some Native American craftsmen. See Picture 15.
Stick Save \ n. \ a save made by the goalkeeper with the stick.
Stick Wizard \ n. \ a player who isn’t necessarily the best athlete but has amazing stick skills and uses them to his advantage while playing.
Strip \ v. \ to check a ball from a players stick or a players stick from his hands.
Stop \ n. \ the small piece of foam or rubber that is used at the base of the stick head to soften the surface and lessen the bounce off the plastic. also called a Ball Stop or Stopper. 2: \ n. \ slang for a save. 3: \ v. \ slang for save.
Stopper \ n. \ the small piece of foam or rubber that is used at the base of the stick head to soften the surface and lessen the bounce off the plastic. also called a Stop or Ball Stop.
Stuff \ v. \ a close range stick to stick save by a goalkeeper.
Submarine \ n. \ Underhand shot.
Swag \ n. \ any item or gear that a player gets free while playing for a team.
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2 hole (two hole) \ n. \ a shot that gets to the goal taking a path past the goalies lower left side . See 5-hole and Picture 31.3 hole (three hole) \ n. \ a shot that gets to the goal taking a path past the goalies upper right side . See 5-hole and Picture 31.
22 (twenty-two) \ n. \ the number worn by lacrosse legend Gary Gait at Syracuse University (his twin brother Paul wore 19) in the 1980’s. The number has be made even more hallowed by the awarding of it to the “heir apparent” at Syracuse and the achievements of those players through the turn of the century,
including all three of the Powell brothers, Casey, Ryan and Mike.
Tadpole \ n. \ slang for a youth defender who is dwarfed by his long defense stick (NC).
Takeaway \ n. \ a defenseman takes the ball from a driving ball carrier.
Tewaarathon \ n. \ Akwesasne or Mohawk name for the game of lacrosse.
Tewaarathon Award \ n. \ National college player of the Year awards for men and women. Ceremony is held in Washington, DC.
Throat \ n. \ the part of the stick head that meets the shaft.
Thumbing (Thumbing the ball) \ v. \ Holding the ball in the stick with the thumb. If caught this will result in a withholding call.
Time & Space \ negative term \ perhaps coined by turn of the century legendary Princeton coach Bill Teirney, referring to the act of hanging the stick back to wind up on a shot and the need to do so with certain head or pocket styles. A time & space shot, he insisted, was not often available at the top levels of the game.
Traditional \ adj. \ pocket style with 4 leather strips running top to bottom and nylon cords woven between each. See Picture 25.
Transition \ n. \ when a team goes from offense to defense or from defense to offense.
Transition Game \ n. \ concept of substitution on the change of possession to get a team’s best offensive or defensive players on the field for that purpose. Popularly adapted in college lacrosse in the 1990’s along with the idea of specialization.
Triple Digits \ n. \ Slang for when a player shoots and his/her shot is clocked on a speedometer at or over 100 mph.
Toli \ n. \ Choctaw lacrosse. Like other Southeastern lacrosse games (Cherokee stickball, for example), it is a double-stick game: players carry a stick in each hand, and the ball (or towa) is carried between the two sticks. Because it is difficult to dislodge the ball with a stick check, toli and other forms of Southeastern lacrosse are more physical than the Northeastern game: tackling the ball carrier is permitted. Toli is played primarily on the Choctaw reservation near Philadelphia, Mississippi, but there is at least one college club team (University of Georgia Flying Rats).
Topside \ n. \ the position a defender takes with the stick and body extended in order to force a ball carrier to go another direction, preferably away from the goal.
Towa \ n. \ the ball used in toli or Choctaw lacrosse. Smaller than a standard lacrosse ball (roughly the size of a golf ball) and made of woven deerskin or other leather.
Turf Monster \ n. \ the intangible, unseen force that grabs a players foot sending them sprawling to the ground when no other player was anywhere near them, usually when they are driving toward an offensive opportunity, with the ball and the full attention of the crowd.
Twig \ n. \ slang for stick.
Two (Who’s Two?) \ n. \ the second defensive slide. “Who’s Two” replaces the “Hot” slide .
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U- (U-19, U-15…) \ abbrev. \ for “Under-“, as in the Under-19 USA Boys Team.Unsettled Situation \ n. \ usually diriving from an opponents mistake or a steal, the ball is in the offenses hands without a set defense. The goal in an unsettled situation is to find the open mad in front of the goal. See Fast Break or Mini- Break.
USCLA \ org. \ the elite post-collegiate club league for mens.
US Lacrosse \ org. \ the governing body of the United States’ mens’ and womens’ games. Also publisher of Lacrosse Magazine. See Picture 31.
USLIA \ org. \ the United States Lacrosse Intercollegiate Associates – the largest collegiate club league for mens’ and womens’ lacrosse.
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V-Cut \ n. \ Running in at one angle, then immediate breaking back into another direction to receive the pass. The Path resembles the letter V.V-Pocket \ n. \ any pocket that has at least one shooting string strung in an upside-down V. Sometimes called the Casey Powell Pocket.
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Walk the Dog \ v. \ when a player runs down the field carrying the ball in their stick way out in front of them in one hand with their arm extended, and holding the bottom of the shaft. This keeps the ball in the head of the stick without needing to cradle or worry about what’s behind you, sorta. Also known as Carrying the Pizza.Walk Off Winner \ n. \ a shot that ends a game, usually with little fanfare and lots of attitude.
Walk Through \ n. \ a light practice with no contact, mostly to go over plays.
Walking Turnover \ n. \ a new player who seems to turn the ball over every time they touch the ball.
Wall Ball \ n. \ a very popular practice method involving throwing against a wall to one’s self with both hands. Also called Wall Drills.
Wall Drill \ n. \ a very popular practice method involving throwing against a wall to one’s self with both hands. Also called Wall Ball.
Wand \ n. \ slang for stick
Ward \ n. \ penalty called on a ball carrier while holding the stick with one hand, using or moving the other hand or arm to move, block or interfere with a defenders stick. A stationary arm in place can be held in position and block anything in it’s path (see Paul Gait video clip) but the moment it changes it’s position relative to the body while in contact with the opponent a Ward will be called.
Washed \adj.\ the name given to a player known to be a superstar whether it be in local youth leagues, summer camps or highschool but never panned out in College.
Wheels \ exclam. \ motivational yell to a player running down field with the ball that, loosely translated, means “you’re running fast. Good Job. Run faster”.
Whip \ n. \ part of the mens pocket, usually just under the shooting strings where the ball nestles in the pocket. See also lip or hook. 2: the amount of downward direction in the balls path coming out of the stick on an overhad shot as a result of contact with the shooting strings. 3: the amount of loose mesh or stringing below the shooting strings causing a downward thrust of the ball on overhand shots.
Winner’s Sprint \ n. \ a shot that ends a game, the shooter runs in a full speed craze down the field, off the field, into the woods, to the bus, into the locker room or anywhere really.
Wide Open \ adj. \ when a player is very open for a pass or uncovered by a defender.
Withholding \ n. \ a penalty called for keeping the ball from play. 2: \ v. \ to keep the ball from play by laying on it, covering it with any part of your body or even the stick if no itent to pick the ball up is shown. Holding the ball in the stick against your body or with your thumb is a withholding call, as well.
Wizard \ n. \ a player who isn’t necessarily the best athlete but has amazing stick skills and uses them to his advantage while playing.
World Cup \ n. \ the women’s adult world championships, held every four years. The 2005 World Cup is in Annapolis, Maryland at the United States Naval Academy.
Wormburner \ n. \ a shot that starts low and ends low, sneaking under the keeper’s stick as he anticipates a bounce that never happens.
Worked \ adj. \ getting beaten by good footwork or speed. 2: to be beaten buy your man abundantly in a game.
Wrap Around Shot \ n. \ A shot screened from the goalkeeper by the defender by shooting literally around the close defender. See Video Clip.
Wrap Check \ n. \ check in which the defender holds his crosse in one hand and “wraps” his stick around the opponent in an attempt to hit the opponent’s crosse and dislodge the ball.
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X (The X, at X) \ n. \ the area on the field behind the goal or the player at that point who usually starts the play on offense. 2: the point at which a play is started.Submit a word or term for the dictionary, select other and stake your claim.
Yard Sale \ n. \ slang for when a ball carrier has the ball and stick completely knocked out of their hands by a check. 2: when a player hangs his butt end out and a defensemen cracks the stick right out of his hands without him even suspecting the check was coming.Yahtzee \ n. \ See yardsale. Slang used throughout Long Island, NY.
Yoke \ n. \ slang for a pump fake close in to the goalkeeper that makes him move, opening the opportunity for a better shot (Hudson Valley, NY).
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Zebra \ n. \ slang for referee.Zingo \ exclam. \ used when a player hits a shot with some velocity from some distance. Coined by Major League Lacrosse (MLL) outdoor pro league Commentator Quint Kessinich just after the turn of the century.
Zone (Zone defense) \ n. \ defensive scheme where players are responsible for areas of the field rather than certain players.
TERMS PENDING APPROVAL – Submit a word or term for the dictionary, select other and stake your claim.We have varying opinions on these terms but for some reason, each is not a shoo in or an automatic rejection. Your comments and support of the use of these words will help us make a decision on January 1 of each year. – The editors.
Alligator Arms \ n. \ not fully extending the arms to catch a pass, usually in fear or anticipation of an impending hit, giving the appearance of tiny alligator arms.
Bermuda triangle \ n. \ a team mate that never gives up the ball.
Black hole \ n. \ a team mate that never gives up the ball.
DEMO \ n. \ DEFEND [against] EXTRA MAN OFFENSE
De-twigged \ n. \ to check a player resulting in his or her losing possession of the ball and their stick. Also see De-stick. Popular term in Colorado.
Egg hunt \ n. \ the ball hunt which occurs after practice.
Hen-Hawker \ n. \ Low flying shot that hugs the ground with lift .An upstate N.Y. term coined by Hall Of Fame Coach Joe Corcoran. Similar to a Hawk snatching its prey off the ground.
Land mine \ n. \ Loose ball in the middle of the floor. Applies to box lacrosse only.
Nugget \ n. \ slang for the ball.
Pinwheel \ n. \ slang for a stick checked out of one’s hands so that it flies into the air spinning end over end. Also see Helicopter, or ‘copter.
Sling Shot \ n. \ a two handed under armed crankshot that travels only inches above the ground from shooter to the net decieves goalies because most of them expect the under arm shot to rise to top of the net.
Stealing the peanut butter \ v. \ shooting and hitting one of the top corners of the net.
Wahoo \ n. \ a very hard, low released, low flying shot that does not appear to touch the ground as it whizzes by at ankle height.
Wet \ adj. \ describes a player who is on his game or in a “zone”, hitting every shot.
