Speaking Lax - A Guide to Lacrosse Terms, Definitions & Slang

What does “you’re hot” or “apple” mean in lacrosse? Below is a list of vocabulary and slang commonly used by players and coaches. To see more options, check out our full selection of lacrosse gear.

In this article, we’ll cover:

Important Lacrosse Terms
Lacrosse Slang

Important Lacrosse Terms

Understanding the terms and slang of lacrosse can make the game more enjoyable to watch and easier to play. Below is a list of lacrosse terms and slang used by players and coaches alike.

Apple: An assist
Braveheart: A tournament-only overtime rule that is a full field 1v1 to win the game.
Cherry picking: standing by the goal for an easy scoring opportunity.
Cutter: An offensive player cutting through the defense looking for an easy scoring opportunity.
Emo: Extra man up.
Feeder: A player that assists a lot of goals.
Fogo: Face off get off.
GF: Goals for.
GA: Goals against.
Muffin: An easy save.
Rip the duck: Shot that scores in the top part of the goal.
Whip: How much a lacrosse stick throws “down”
You’re hot: Indicates who the second slide is.
Clear: Successfully moving the ball from the defensive end of the field to the offensive end.
10-Second Rule: This is the time a team has to move the ball into the offensive box after crossing the midfield line, encouraging quick transition play.
2-on-1 (3-on-2, 4-on-3, 5-on-4): These are situations where the offense outnumbers the defense near the goal, creating a tactical advantage for scoring.
20-Second Rule: Similar to the 10-second rule, this gives a team 20 seconds to move the ball upfield and over the midfield line after gaining possession in their defensive half.
2 Minute Rule or “Keep it In”: In the last two minutes of a close game, the leading team must keep the ball within the offensive box, or they risk turning it over to the opposition.
Alley: This refers to the area on the field extending from the goal post up to the top of the box and over to the edge of the box, important for strategic positioning.
Attack: Three players, usually positioned in the offensive half, focused on scoring goals.
Ball or Ball Down: This is shouted when the ball is on the ground, indicating a loose ball and prompting a contest for possession.
Behind-the-Back: A skillful and often surprising technique of passing or shooting the ball from behind the player's back.
Body Check: A defensive strategy using the body to physically challenge an opponent, either for the ball or to impede their progress.
Box: The restraining box surrounding each goal, crucial for both offensive and defensive play.
C-Cut: A maneuver by an offensive player making a rounded movement in the shape of a "C" to create space from the defender.
Change Planes: A shooting technique where the player alters the level of the shot mid-action to confuse the goalkeeper and increase the chance of scoring.
Checking: This refers to the defensive action of using one's stick or body to interfere with an opposing player's stick handling or movement.
Closing the Gate: A defensive strategy to force the attacking player towards the inside field rather than allowing them a top side advantage.
Cradling: A technique used to maintain control of the ball in the stick's pocket, involving a rocking motion.
Crease: The circular area around the goal that opposing players are typically not allowed to enter, essential for protecting goalkeepers.
Crease Man: The offensive player who specializes in playing near and around the crease area, typically positioned for quick shots or feeds.
Crease Position: Refers to the strategic area around the crease that is crucial for certain offensive plays.
Cutting: An offensive player's movement without the ball to get open for a pass, typically heading toward the goal.
Defense: Refers to the strategies and actions taken to protect the goal area and prevent the opposing team from scoring.
Defensive Stance: The physical posture a defensive player adopts to effectively guard an opponent, usually involving a low center of gravity and readiness to move.
Dodge: A move by an offensive player to evade a defender and create space or scoring opportunities.
Face-off: The method by which play is started at the beginning of the game, quarters, and after goals, where two players vie for control of the ball.
Face Dodging: A specific type of dodge where the player uses the face of the body to shield the ball while maneuvering around a defender.
Fake: Any deceptive movement by a player with the ball to fool defenders, such as pretending to pass or shoot.
Fast Break: A rapid transition from defense to offense, usually resulting in a temporary numerical advantage and scoring opportunity.
Feed Pass: A pass to a teammate in motion, often leading to a shot on goal.
Flag Down: Indicates a delayed penalty call where the offense should keep playing until the ball is dropped or a goal is scored.
Give & Go: A quick passing play where a player passes to a teammate and then moves to receive a return pass.
GLE (Goal Line Extended): An imaginary line extending from the sides of the goal line, used as a reference point for plays and positioning.
Gilman Clear or “Send it”: A long, often desperate pass or clear from the defensive end to the offensive end, usually by the goalie.
Ground Balls: Refers to the loose balls on the ground, which players compete to gain possession of.
Head: The top part of the lacrosse stick where the net is attached, used for handling and controlling the ball.
Hole or “Cougar” or “Black”: The area directly in front of the goal that is heavily defended, often where much of the action and physical play occurs.
Invert: An offensive strategy where midfielders and attackers swap roles to create mismatches or confusion.
Left Alley: The lane or area extending from the left side of the goal up to the top of the box and over to the sideline.
Long Stick Middie (LSM) or “Stick” or “Pole”: A midfielder who uses a longer stick, typically for defensive purposes, and often involved in face-offs or ground ball play.
Loose Ball: When the ball is not in possession of either team and is up for grabs.
Man Down: Refers to a team playing with fewer players due to a penalty, putting them at a disadvantage.
Man-Up: The opposite of man down; a team has more players due to an opponent's penalty.
Mid-Fielder: Players who operate throughout the entire field, contributing to both offense and defense.
Motion Offense: An offensive strategy involving continuous and balanced movement of all players to create openings and scoring opportunities.
Out of Bounds: The area outside the playing field's designated boundaries, where play is stopped and restarted.
Overhand: A type of shooting or passing where the stick moves downward from above the shoulder.
Overload: An offensive strategy where one side of the field is heavily populated with players to create a numerical advantage in a specific area.
Passing: The act of throwing the ball from one player to another, an essential part of moving the ball and creating offensive opportunities.
Pick: A tactic where a player blocks an opponent to free up a teammate for movement or possession.
Pick & Roll: A two-player move involving setting a pick and then moving towards the goal to receive a pass.
Pocket: The portion of the stick's head where the ball is carried and cradled, composed of netting and strings.
Poke Check: A defensive technique where a player jabs their stick at an opponent's stick to dislodge the ball.
Quick Stick: Quickly passing or shooting the ball immediately after receiving it, without cradling.

Lacrosse Slang

Celly: Short for celebration.
D-pole: Defense pole. Refers to a long stick used by defensemen in lacrosse.
Rip: A powerful shot.
Shorty: A player with a short stick.
Lax bro: A term used to describe a stereotypical lacrosse player, often characterized by a laid-back and athletic lifestyle.
Top cheddar: Refers to a shot that goes high into the top corner of the goal, often considered a skilled and difficult shot to defend.
Yard sale: A player who loses or drops their equipment during play, leaving it scattered on the field as if it were items for sale.
Swag or Flow: Stylish appearance, often referring to a player's hair.
Fish: A term used to describe a player who is not very skilled, especially in handling the ball.
Hatty: Short for "hat trick," which is scoring three goals in a single game.
Midie Beast: A term of respect for a midfielder known for their endurance, skill, and overall impact on the game.
Pipe City: Refers to a shot that hits the goalpost, particularly when it hits multiple posts.
Spoon: Another term for the lacrosse stick, particularly the head or the pocket area.
Wall Ball: A practice technique where players throw the ball against a wall to practice and improve their stick handling and catching.
Worm Burner: A shot that is so low to the ground it appears to "burn" the grass or turf, usually difficult for goalies to save.
Zebra: A common slang term for referees, referring to their striped uniforms.
Twister: A type of shot where the player twists the stick in their hand while shooting, changing the direction of the ball unexpectedly.
Bouncer: A shot that bounces off the ground before reaching the goal, making it harder for the goalie to predict and save.
Brick Wall: Refers to an exceptionally good goalie, implying that it's as hard to score on them as it would be to get a ball through a brick wall.
Cheddar: Similar to top cheddar, referring to shots that hit the upper part of the net.
Dime: A perfectly placed and timed pass that leads directly to a goal; derived from the phrase "dropping dimes."
Egg Hunt: When players are scrambling around looking for a loose ball on the ground.
GBs (Ground Balls): Referring to loose balls on the ground that players race to gain possession of.
Headhunter: A player who shoots high and hard, often risking hitting other players' helmets.
Laser: A shot that's extremely fast and straight, much like a laser beam.
Noodle: A player who doesn't have a strong or effective stick check, often resulting in easy possession loss.
Rusty Gate: A defensive check where the player swings their stick around their own body to dislodge the ball from the opponent.
Stick Wizard: A player known for their exceptional stick skills and tricks.
Tilt: The angle of a player's helmet, often used to imply a certain swagger or style associated with confident or skilled players.
Bucket: Slang for a helmet. It's especially used when talking about its appearance or modifications players make to it.
Bull Dodge: A move where a player uses their strength and size to push through a defender.
Crank Shot: A hard, overhand shot generated by a wind-up motion, often from a distance.
De-Twigged: When a player's stick is knocked out of their hands by an opponent.
Fiddlestick: A mini stick or a stick used primarily for fun and casual play, not regulation size.
Lax Rat: A term of endearment for someone who lives and breathes lacrosse, spends a lot of time playing or practicing, and is deeply passionate about the game.
Shovel Pass: A type of pass where the player scoops the ball up and tosses it without the full motion of a standard pass.