Lacrosse Terminology for 2025 Season

Lacrosse Terminology 101

“BALL" - Player on ball communicates she is covering the ball. Big, Big, Little, Little Approach (begin approach when ball is in the air). Defensive stance and ready to go!

"HELP RIGHT / LEFT" - Let the defender and the dodger know that you are there and ready. Defensive player to the left of "ball". Ready to back up "ball" on the left side. Let the defender and the dodger know that you are there and ready. 

"HOT or SECOND" - Defensive player second to the left or right of ball. Ready to be immediate left/right of ball to help.

"PICK" - Off ball defender needs to communicate to on ball defender that a pick is coming (right or left). 

"STAY" - Off ball defender communicates to on ball defender that both defenders continue guarding their offensive player.

"SWITCH" - When two defenders switch the offensive player they are guarding. Putting two girls on the ball.

"DOUBLE" - Make a "V" shape to close off the offense player and prevent them from splitting the double.

"HELP I CRASH" - Any defender (D1) who has been beaten by the offensive player they were marking needs to communicate help is needed from teammates. Defenders slide to help and D1 transitions to mark the offensive player who poses the least threat.

"CUTTER" - Every off ball player should be looking out for the cutter and ready to cover. Bring attention to the defense that this motion on offense is happening so that adjustments can be made.

"GOT CUTTER" - On ball player communicating that she is covering a cutter.

"CLEAR" - A Goalie call indicating to all defenders to break out hard after a save or change of possession, to take advantage of a transition opportunity. If no transition occurs, defenders will now align to clear the ball.



TERMINOLOGY - WHAT TO KNOW 

"ADJACENT" - Next to. 

"HEDGE" - Adjacent defenders can leave their girl and "hedge" so that they are in position to slide. 

"SLIDE" - Adjacent defenders can leave their girl and "hedge" so that they are in position to slide. Defensive player will shift to the offensive player who just beat her defender to stop her from getting to goal. 

AS A DEFENDER, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO SAY! BOTH ON BALL AND OFF BALL DEFENDERS SHOULD BE TALKING ALL THE TIME!

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