GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The following is a list of terms you may frequently hear while watching a lacrosse game. Some, you may be familiar with, others, may sound a little odd at first. But all are part of knowing the game of lacrosse.

Catching - The act of receiving a passed ball with the crosse.

Checking - The act of using a controlled tap with a crosse on an opponent's crosse in an attempt to dislodge the ball.

Clear - Any action taken by a player within the goal circle to pass or carry the ball out of the goal circle.

Closely Guarded - The player with the ball has an opponent within a sticks length.

Cradle - The act of moving the stick from side to side causing the ball to remain in the upper part of the pocket webbing.

Critical Scoring Area - An area 15 meters in front of and to each side of the goal and nine meters behind the goal. An eight-meter
            arc and 12 meter fan are marked in the area.

Crosse (Stick) - The equipment used to throw, catch, check and carry the ball.

Crosse Checking - Stick to stick contact consisting of a series of controlled taps in an attempt to dislodge the ball from the crosse.

Cutting - A movement by a player without the ball in anticipation of a pass.

Deputy - A player who enters the goal circle when the goalie is out of the goal circle and her team is in possession of the ball.

Dodging - The act of suddenly shifting direction in order to avoid an opponent.

Draw - A technique to start or resume play by which a ball is placed in between the sticks of two Standing players and drawn up
            and away.

Eight-Meter Arc - A semi-circular area in front of the goal used for the administration of major fouls. A defender may not remain
            in this area for more than three seconds unless she is within a stick's length of her opponent.

Free Position - An opportunity awarded to the offense when a major or minor foul is committed by the defense. All players must
            move four meters away from the player with the ball. When the whistle sounds to resume play, the player may run, pass or
            shoot the ball.

Free Space To Goal - A cone-shaped path extending from each side of the goal circle to the attack player with the ball. A defense
            player may not, for safety reasons, stand alone in this area without closely marking an opponent.

Goal Circle - The circle around the goal with a radius of 2.6 meters (8.5 feet). No player's stick or body may "break" the cylinder
            of the goal circle.

Grounded - Refers to any part of the goalkeeper's or deputy's body touching the ground for support outside of the goal circle
             when she attempts to play the ball from inside the goal circle.

Indirect Free Position - An opportunity awarded to the offense when a minor foul is committed by the defense inside the 12 meter
             fan. When the whistle sounds to resume play, the player may run or pass, but may not shoot until a defender or one of her
             teammates has played the all.

Marking - Being within a stick's length of an opponent.

Pass - Exchange of the ball through the air from one teammate’s crosse to another.

Penalty Lane - The path to the goal that is cleared when a free position is awarded to the attacking team.

Pick-Ups - The act of scooping a loose ball with a crosse.

Possession - A player has the ball in their crosse.

Position to Check - Player has an opportunity to legally check the stick without fouling (the 3-second count starts when the umpire
            deems that the player with the ball could be checked legally if checking were permitted.)

Scoring Play - A continuous effort by the attacking team to move the ball toward the goal and to complete a shot on goal.

Shootings - The act of throwing the ball at the goal with the crosse in an attempt to score.

Stand - All players, except the goalkeeper in her goal circle, must remain stationary following the sound of any whistle.

Sphere - An imaginary area, approximately 18 cm (seven inches) which surrounds a player's head.  No stick checks toward the head
            are allowed to break the sphere.

12 Meter Fan - A semi-circle in front of the goal used for the administration of minor fouls.

Warning Cards - A yellow card presented by an umpire to a player is a warning which indicates that he will next receive a
            red card and be suspended from further participation if she continues to play dangerously and/or conduct herself in an
            unsportsmanlike manner. A green card is presented by an umpire to the team captain indicating a team caution for delay of
            game. * When a yellow card is given, the player must come off of the field for three minutes of elapsed playing time.