Newton Lacrosse, Newton Youth Lacrosse,

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This document contains basic Lacrosse Info all players/parents can get their head around, to get familiar with the game. We will be coaching your son, so it’s important you’re both familiar with the concepts, equipment, and terms we use for practice/games. Makes it more enjoyable all around when you can understand some language during a game.    


Attackmen-Play in the offensive zone down low near and around the opposition’s goal. Also known as a shorty or attack. There are 3 of them on the field at all times and they play spread out laterally in a loose triangle around the goal. They typically stay in the offensive zone but sometimes will run over the midfield line chasing down a Defensemen or another midfielder. Small to average size kids are usually put in this position. Must have a quick stick for short accurate passes, be able to take continued contact/checks from defensemen and bounce back, and possess quick cutting skills and mongoose quickness.

Midfielder-Play the entire field. Typically the fast runners. If you like running, have speed, and can physically recover quickly this is the position for you. They move the ball from one end of the field to the other and are allowed to run all over the field, however they typically play above the goal line’s. They set up the offensive set, call out the plays, face off after goals, and take shots. There are 3 of them on the field for each team. They spread out laterally across the field. They must communicate effectively w/ all the other players on the field and they get rotated out frequently due to the energy they spend on the runs and rides. They are usually referred to as  Middies.

Defensemen-Typically taller/bigger players. Also known as a Dpoles, pole, or just “D”. They play with their backs facing their goalie and loosely set up in a staggered formation in front of the goal area within about 15 yards of the goal crease. There are 3 of them on the field. One on each side of the crease, and one about 5 to 7 yards higher in the center. Their sticks are longer than the other players so they can reach the Middies and Attackmen, and stay further away from the opposition in scoring situations, so they can turn quick to cover more ground. They are there to guard the middle of the zone. They also help clearing the ball on offensive rides. They have to be able to dish out checks and block on the attackmen/middies, and are slapping and poking other players to dislodge the ball, and stifle the shooters.

Long Stick Middy- A hybrid position. Can be any sized player but they use a long pole and have great stick skills. They run w/ the middy’s and have extra reach on the faceoffs, and for defensive battles in mid field. They are fast twitch muscle all the way.

Defensive Middy- A midfielder that’s out there to provide Defense and get the ball back. They cycle in and out depending on where the ball is and what’s going on score wise.

Goalie-Also known as your keeper, stopper, or keep. They come in all sizes and have to be courageous and a little bit fearless. They need to be aggressive and have extremely quick reflexes with excellent hand/eye coordination. They stop the shots, run on pass shots, clear the hole, call out clears, set up the offensive rides, and handle the initial pass to get the play moving upfield. Defensemen take their orders form the goalie, so they need to be good communicators. They play w/ a medium length stick that has a much larger head and a deep pocket. They also wear different padding then the other players. 

The Stick:

There are 3 basic types of Lacrosse sticks used, and variations off of that. The stick consists of: The shaft (also known as a handle) and head (also known as the Crosse). There’s an attack/middie stick, a defense stick, and a goalie stick. Most of the sticks used are aluminum, titanium, or a combination of mixed metals/composit material so they are lightweight, and a little flexible to allow for some whip on shots. There are also some nice wood/laminate shafts available w/ graphite inserts. The shafts can dent, bend, or break during heavy contact, so it’s a good idea to have 2 on hand-bring both practices and games. Most players put tape on their shafts where their hands will be for memory recognition. The butt end of the shaft should be taped on so you don’t lose it on the field, and make the stick illegal.

Stick length is also important. The stick and head together must be between 40-42” for attackmen/midfielders, and 52-72” for defensemen. Goalie sticks must be between 52-72” long.

Heads, Pockets, and Mesh (see diagram at the end)-This is the business end of your stick. Usually 10” in length and from 6 1/2” to 3 inches in width. Goalie heads are 10-12” wide but they have no rule on the depth of the mesh. Heads are almost always made of plastic and they will also break in cold weather or as they get old. They have a throat where the ball sits, and usually 3 tuning strings that are braided across the face. All three strings do different things. It’s up to each player to find the right combination of tight and lose on the tuning strings. Generally speaking, most kids don’t have deep enough pocket, or a clue on how set it up, so here’s the rule for making a pocket (see diagram at the end for max depth of a pocket):

When the stick is level w/ a ball placed in it, the ball can’t sit any lower than the bottom rail of the head.

The first problem w/ pockets is they stretch. They are made of a few different kinds of mesh so as it get’s broken in, you have to adjust the sidewall strings a little to keep the pocket legal. The second problem is if they get wet, they stretch even more so minor adjusting is adjusting to keep them legal in the rain. The bottom of the 3 strings is called the shooter string. The top two are the tuning strings. The shooter string also has a rule to follow.

                  When the stick is tilted vertically to 90 degrees, the ball has to freely roll out.

The third problem with your pocket is they simply wear out from continued catching and throwing. The sidewall strings get chafed in various spots so inspect them frequently and replace any that are showing signs of breaking.

When you store the stick, especially when it’s strings are wet, keep a ball in it and prop it up against the wall. This will help the pocket keep it’s shape. Heads are all conforming to the same general size but there are some slight variations between youth, HS., and college heads. However, depending on position, they are strung differently so the ball will sit higher for a Defensemen’s stick, and lower for a middie/attackmen. I guess it’s because D’s get rid of the ball quicker and handle it less than the shorties.

Beware of a pinched head. This means the sidewalls of the plastic head have warped a bit and come closer to each other than the 3“ allowed by rule. Why is this important? Well, on faceoffs, the back of the stick is frequently used to clamp on a ball. If the ball is stuck in the backside of your stick, it’s an infraction and results in a turnover. In addition, if the sidewalls of the stick are warped, cradling can become an issue.

Overall, don’t play w/ an illegal stick and keep it tuned up. Most players customize their heads and sticks so have fun with it…You can die them, put names on them, get special mesh, get it strung differently, or string it yourself. Helpful hint: Stringing a stick takes time to do a nice job and there’s about 100 types of mesh available. Do not be the player during the game to go to your coach, with a busted string, and expect a repair-it’s takes a little time to do that and games are fast. Go to a Lacrosse store like ComLax in Newton or Wellesley and buy some supplies so you have them on hand for repairs at practice or at home. They also string sticks right there.

Safety Gear:

Safety Gear-You must wear the following to practice and to games. There is a diagram on back page that you can consult.

-Helmet. Proper fit is key. We will help you achieve success with that. Newton Lacrosse likes our players to buy white or black helmets. We do not like to see select helmets being worn for youth Lacrosse. A lot of kids have them but your coach may say, take the stickers off. Don’t skimp on a helmet. It’s the most important piece of gear the player has. CPX-R’s and Warrior Regulators are the norm.


                  -Shoulder pads.

                  -Arm (elbow) pads.


-Goalies: Throat protector and big chest pad and elbow pads. Probably a good idea to wear padded compression shorts too. You can wear some shin and/or knee pads too at our U13 level, but the rule in H.S., or beyond, is nothing below the knee. Sweat Pants are allowed.

You are not allowed to play in practice or games w/ out this stuff. We do not want to hear I lost it or I left it at home. Your gear is your responsibility, not your parents, so be the boss of it and take responsibility for your stuff. Write your name in everything so there’s no confusion on who’s is who’s. Want to make your mom mad- Just leave a glove on a random field in Marlboro and feel the pain.

Highly Recommended gear:

-An athletic supporter or cup. There’s a lot of styles out there today and most come in compression shorts so there is NO excuse to NOT wear it... If you take a shot to the groin you will know why.

-Some D Poles wear rib pads or hangers to add protection their ribs and kidney area.

-Most kids have a gear bag. Lot’s of styles to choose from at any sporting goods store.

-A squirt water bottle from Gatorade, or one w/ a straw on it. Why? You have a helmet on the entire time during a game. Water intake should be frequent and quick.

-Cleats and sneakers. We play on a variety of surfaces-be ready for anything at all times. Traction is key.

-A roll of hockey tape so you can fix stuff on the fly.


Basic Rules

Each team is allowed to have 10 players on the field.

The field is larger than a football field-it’s 60 yards wide and 110 yards long. See diagram on last page. We reduce the size of it for U9’s and U11’s and reduce the player numbers as well. This helps them learn and keeps it more fun come game time for the little rascals.

There is a half field line and there is off sides for all levels.

Off sides is based on the number of players on one side of the field at any particular time. Each team is required to have at least 4 players on each side of the half court line at all times if they have the ball. The Defensive team must have 3 players on that side of the field. 7 players total must stay on one side of the field.  

Any player can run upfield with the ball-like a DPole or even a goalie. However, if they do, another player must be on the other side of the half court line to maintain the proper offside rule of , 7 players on the opposite of the filed. That call is made by the middy line and they call out “Middy back” and hold their stick up. They can’t run over the half line until the other player returns back to that side of the field. This is also known as a switch.

There is a faceoff to start the game and typically after each goal. That is done at the center of the field. Sometimes, the center of the field is referred to as Center X.

During the face off. One player will face off w/ another player and the referee will blow the whistle to start the battle. The Midfielder is typically the player who takes the faceoff. The other two middy’s are on each side of the field behind the restraining lines and run in as the two faceoff men battle for the ball. Their job is to position themselves around the two faceoff men to get a ground ball, or to receive the pass should their teammate win the faceoff. They are not allowed to jump in on the face off battle, and should stay close to the scrum to take possession of a ball that may squirt their way.

All the other players on the field also have to stay behind their appropriate restraining lines until the referee calls out “Possession”. After that, one team has won the face off, and everyone can move to wherever position is appropriate, and the game get’s moving. Do not go over the zone restraining lines until possession is called out. That’s an infractioni and results in an immediate turnover.

Legal checks: You can hit another players hands and stick with your stick. And you can hit their body with your body providing both your hands are together on your shaft and your hands are not fully extended. The check must be between the chest and hips.

                  You can’t hit anyone, at any time, in the head with anything. Ever… Including your little brother.

You can’t check anyone in the back and you can’t line someone up for a take-out check. They have to know you’re coming.

                  You can check someone with your hip.

                  You can only check, poke, and slap the player if he has a ball.  No ball, be nice.

We will show you the proper techniques for checking so don’t worry. Basically, most of the hard hitting is now gone from Lacrosse. Why? Well, the ball moves quicker than the player so if you are continuing to get hit, you’re hanging on to the ball for too long. And the game has changed a lot from the olden days so speed is what it’s all about, and you can’t hit what you can’t catch.

The referee decides if your check is legal or not. In U9, U11, and U13 there is virtually no body checking allowed. The referee will allow you to poke check, slap check, and lift the stick to dislodge the ball from another player.

You can’t go into the goalie crease on the offensive side of the field.  (the other teams side)

You can go into the goalie crease on the defensive side of the field. (your own teams side)

There are 3 Attackmen, 3 Midfielders, a goal keeper, and 3 Defensemen on the field at all times.

Typically Attackmen stay on the offensive side of the field. They are spread out near the goalie. One of them usually is behind the goal at X to chase a pass ball (an errant shot that misses the goal and is heading out of bounds.

Midfielders run wherever they want to but generally stay between the Goal lines.

Defensemen typically stay on their side of the field near and in front of the goalie.

Penalties: Do badness, pay the price…

Penalties are assessed by the referee. If you are called for one, it will be explained to you what you did, and a time is assigned to remove the player form the field, based on the severity of the violation. The other team goes to a “man up” advantage at this point, and the player assessed to the penalty, goes into the box (it’s between the two benches on the sideline) and takes a knee to wait out the length of the penalty.

Penalties are issued depending on severity: 30 seconds, 1 Minute, 2 Minutes, 3 Minutes, or a game misconduct. Sometimes an infraction is minor like interference or a moving screen and it only results in a turnover call by the referee-that player stays on the field and the ball goes to the other team. Other times you may get a whistled on the same call multiple times and too many of the same type of penalty will result in removal from the game by the coach. Most times the penalty is over once the other teams scores.

The most common called penalties are: Slashing, interference, holding, off-sides, pushing, and warding.

In U9 and U11 and sometimes in tournament play, penalties are the “time served” type and the player is simply removed from the field, and another player goes in for them, so the player can be coached and understand what they did wrong. Sometimes the penalty was severe and the ref decides to lock it. This means the other team can score as many goals as they want for the duration of the penalty.

If you throw a punch at another player, you will be removed from the game-there will be a discussion, with your parents, on the next steps... If you talk smack to other players, a referee, a fan, or an opposing coach you will be removed from the game, and there will be a discussion. We have worked hard to build a respected program, and we coach our players to be sportsmen at all times.  Sometimes our opponents talk smack, and our players get upset, but that’s not Newton’s style.  Your coach will deal with all those situations on your behalf. While it’s perfectly normal for players to get upset at that, channel that into your game and keep playing like we want you to. Coaches can also get animated and upset but composure is key at all times for everyone involved.


Parents: It’s ok to be encouraging on the sidelines for our team/son, but don’t be disrespectful to the opponent. Your also ambassadors to our program/town so help us keep it a fun activity. Teams are ready to play Newton, b/c we have a developed successful program. We will be one of the best games they play in their season, so expect host teams to bring it when they play us at every level. Please stay on the opposite sideline from the team benches during the game, and refrain from negative connotations. We want our players to be competitive and fierce so let them gain confidence, without parental interference.


The following are terms and language the coaching staff will use as we teach you fundamental Lacrosse. Some of them will be completely foreign to you if your new to Lacrosse. Communication is key on the field and the action never stops, so we adjust on the fly during the game. Get familiar with the below terms, you will hear them frequently during practice and games and will know what’s up for better viewing and learning.  

-Crease: A 9’ diameter zone around the goal.

-Cradling: Vertical Cradling is having both hands on the stick and rotating the shaft back in forth between your hands so the ball stays in the head. Horizontal cradling is the same but the stick is horizontal to the ground rather than vertical.

-Two hands: Both your hands on the stick at the same time.  

-Goal: The 6’x6’ pipe box w/ mesh on it.

-The Rock: This is the game ball. It’s made of hard rubber and bounces. Yes it hurts but the players are padded up so no worries. NYL goes through approx. 3500 balls during a season so the rock get’s lost/swiped a lot. Be kind and return them to your coach.

-The Cross: This is another name for the head of the stick.

-DPole: Defensemen. AKA “Pole” They typically have a longer stick. Max is 6’ in length. U9 and U11 are not allowed to have a pole on the field. U13 is allowed to have 3 of them on the field at once but only 5’ poles. U15 is allowed to have 4 on the field at once and can use 6’ poles. The longer the pole, the better the reach. However, the longer the pole, the less maneuverable it is.

-Shorty: Another name for a Middy or an Attackmen

-Middy: Midfielder

-LSM: A Long Stick Middy.

-Wheels: Run, as fast as you can.

-Gas: Same thing, run fast.

-Jet’s: Same thing, run fast.

-Fast Break: A man advantage in the offensive zone. Typically a 4 on 3 advantage.

-Extra Man Offense (EMO): The results of a penalty, one team will be up one man.

-Unsettled:  The D is out of position due to a loose ball.

-Drop Step: A maneuver to quickly turn your hips and reverse direction.

-Cross Handed: A way to hold your stick when your riding someone out of the zone that allows the player to quickly flip the stick 180 degrees. I have also known it to be called “Canadian”.

-5 Hole: The area between the goalies legs.  

-Riding: Running alongside the ballcarrier on his hip. Hands and stick engaged on him for slap and pokes but mainly your “riding” them out of the shooting area or preventing them from making passes. Your also preventing them from clearing the ball or advancing it.

-Chasing: Whenever you engage the ball carrier one on one. Sometimes you want to chase, other times you don’t. We will teach you, when is right.

-Double the Ball. Two men on the same team engage the ball carrier and smother them w/ sticks and checks. We will teach you when it’s appropriate.  

-Position: What you call out when you get over a ground ball. Allows your teammates to know you have it and they can block out the bad guys.

-Possession: What you call out when you grab the grounder and have it in your stick. Allows your teammates to know that they can stop trying to get the ground ball.

-Release: What you say after you make a move with the ball after picking up the grounder so any helpers on your team can run to an open spot to receive the pass. This let’s them know that they should be ready for the ball.

-Here’s your help: What you say when you are open to receive the pass.  

-Pass Ball: A shot that misses the goal, and the goalie doesn’t possess it.

Whatever team member that is closest to the ball, as the ball goes out of bounds, will be awarded possession of it.

-Cover the ball: On a ground ball, you cover the ball with your nose over the top of it, your foot next to it, and your butt down low.

-Check up or Match UP: Find your man and stay with him.

-Play on: Used by the official to let the players know that there was loose ball technical foul. The official shall visually and verbally signal play on and withhold the whistle until such time as the situation of advantage, gained or lost, has been completed.

-A fair ground ball: This is an un-possessed ball and is fair game for anyone to get. Within 5 yards of a loose ball, checking is allowed by both players.

-Kick: Using your feet to sweep the ball to a clear area so you can efficiently pick up the ground ball.

-Two Butts down: on a ground ball, you get low. The butt of the stick is low, and your own butt is low. We want to see your gloves nearly on the ground.

-Redirect: What the goalie calls out when the Pole has to make a lateral pass across the field to the other Pole to avoid the traffic on a clear.

-Clear: What the goalie calls out to set the Defense after a shot. Say it loud and Proud so the poles can hear you and find their man, and the Middies can turn and run upfield to take their guarding men along. 2 poles will go to the alley’s and one will go up and out mid field.

-GLE: Goal Line Extended. Means there’s a line in the crease directly under the top bar of the Goal on the ground. This line has an imaginary extension all the way across the field. On clears, two poles go out to each alley and hold for a pass. The third pole goes out and up the field about 20 yards and looks back for the outlet pass from the goalie.

-Alley: They are about 15 yards thick on each sideline of the field. They run the length of the field.

-The Hole: Defensemen will hear this in their sleep. It’s the areas directly in front of their goal. About 10 yards wide by 20 yards long. It’s the shooters preferred areas to deliver in. Poles own it, move your man out of it, and keep yourself between the ballcarrier and the goal at all times.

-Shooting Funnel: An imaginary funnel shape shooting area. Extends up the field from each pipe of the goal about 10 yards and then fans out on each side to about 20 yards in each direction. It’s where the Middies roam typically and will be the best place to shoot from.

-The Wall: Everyone will learn that Defense is played from the inside out. This means there’s an imaginary line that extends off each goal pipe all the way up the field. Poles have their backs to the wall at all times. Although they wander a bit, they recover to the wall every time. Coaches will say backs on the wall, and this is what it means.

-See 2: In the defensive zone, the player will know this phrase well. It means you must see the man your covering, and also see where the ball is. You also have to stay between your man, and the goal, at all times on defense.

-Shorten Up: Means close the space gap between your man and yourself.

-Shooting Island or 5/5, or 5 and 5. It literally means: Five yards up from the goal pipe and 5 yards over to the sideline. It’s the most optimal place on the field for attackmen to take a shot. It’s also a target area for defensemen to move them off of it.  

-Cut off: Means if you see your man in free space, and the ball carrier is going to pass. Jump the pass and cut that man off. Usually your coach is instructing you to “Cut off”.

-Check stick: means you step along side of your opposition and clamp down on his stick with yours so he’s not able to get the ball. Typically done near the goal when there’s a pass or something.

-FOGO: Face off, Get off. This is a player who is only coming on for a faceoff and will run off the field as soon as possible.

-Face-off: How the game is started. Two men, on their knees at the center X on the field turn their sticks backwards and tuck their pockets inside out. They can’t touch the ball and can’t move once set over the X. Each stick faces opposite the other. On the whistle blow, they fight for the ball.

-Spin it: Means in the offensive zone, the Middy and Attack lines form a rough circle around the goal and defense set. They pass the ball around or “spin it” around the cage so everyone get’s a touch. Also called 6/6 b/c all 6 men will touch it.

-Middies Drop: This means that the middy’s clear the offensive zone when their goalie get’s the ball. They are dropping or running up field to take their defender with them to create a man advantage in their zone. By dropping, to over the half line, they are available to catch a pass from a pole or goalie, and set up their next play.

-Make Available: means move to open space, turn and get your stick up to receive a pass.

-Passing: try to hone your skills so the pass is head high, and so it’s moving at an efficient pace. A poor pass will result in a possible turnover, a ground ball battle, and usual panic. 

-Get a Touch: This is a timing thing. You have the ball and start running up field. You have 20 seconds to clear the defensive zone w/ the ball (1/2 of the field). Then the ball has to make it into the offensive box in the next 10 seconds. If this does not happen, it’s a turnover. The rule is enforced from U13 on up. If the team with the ball is on a penalty, there is no clearing rule for them.  

-Go to X: A position on the field typically occupied by Attackmen behind the goal about 10 yards behind the cage. Allows you to run out a passed ball and get position on a miss. Also gives ball carriers an outlet for a quick pass.

-Get it in/keep it in: In the last 2 minutes of the game, the official will call this out. It means the team has to clear the ball and keep it in the box in their offensive zone. They can’t use the entire field anymore if they are ahead. Has to stay in the box or it’s a turnover.

-Clear Through or Cut through: Attackmen simply run through the hole and their defender goes with them to guard. This clears out the middle and allows the Middy to make a move w/ less traffic.

-Slide: When you leave your man to cover another man b/c his defender had to help cover someone else. There’s a 1, 2, and 3 slide that we will instruct you on. The defensemen furthest from the ball is the first man to slide off his offensive man. His position will be back filled by the next defensemen and so on until the threat is controlled or a shot is taken.

-Triangles: During play, the 3 players on each line (middy, attack, D) can simulate proper positioning by being in a triangle on their runs. Allows for proper passing and catching.

-Bar Down: The top bar of the goal. If a shot hits it, it’s “bardown”.

-Pipe: The vertical pipes on each side of the goal.

-Rip: A shot

-Nipper: A shot at the goal corners.

-Toe Drag: A stick dodge executed with the head of the stick down near the ground and the shaft vertical. The ball stays in the pocket upside down by force while the player moves his hand, or body, quickly. Looks cool, typically fails-players need to be very skilled to do it. Some players use it to baffle Defenders w/ a behind the back drag when the D bites on a stick fake to one side or the other.

-Swim Dodge: A rapid swimming motion over the opponents head with your stick parallel to the ground, in that hand, to clear out your shoulder and take off.  

-Twiged or De-twigged: When you get hit or checked and you lose your stick. If the ball stays in the pocket of it on the ground, it’s a turnover.  

-Yardsale: A strong hit/check that causes your helmet, mouthpiece, gloves, and stick to get dislodged.

-Passed Ball: A missed shot.

-Corners: A shot to any of the 4 corners of the goal. Also called a nipper.

-Give and Go: One player makes a quick pass while on a run to another and he gives it right back to him for a shot.

-Clamp: Goalie is in the crease and covers the ball with his stick to clamp down on it outside of the crease. His stick is fair game b/c he doesn’t possess it yet. If he does this and the ball is in the crease, you can’t touch his stick. If the goalie has the ball in his stick pocket outside of the crease after a clamp, he has possession of the ball and you can’t touch him or the stick anymore. The goalie is in the crease if even one foot is in the crease. He can stretch out so to speak and still be in the crease.

-Bounce Shot or Grounder: Shooting the ball at the field in front of the goalie so it bounces up at him.

-Over the Top: Shooting the ball in a vertical fashion, extending your stick high and coming over the top of the shoulder. This is what we want to see used at U13.

-Side Arm: A low wrist shot from waist or knee height. We don’t like to see it used at the U13 level.

-Roundhouse, AKA behind the back/head shot: A great way to deceive the goalie but not a good way to impress your coach. Used by skilled players.

-Stick Fake: Gets the defender or Goalie moving w/ a cradle and wiggle of your stick.

-Head Fake: Get the defender off balance with head movement of the ball carrier.

-Face Dodge: Moving the stick across your face and back about 180 degrees.

-Half Dodge: Switching the stick up to the other hand when running at a person.

-Roll Dodge: The player does a complete 360 on the run around the defending player. Switching the stick at the 180 degree point of the roll to his away from pressure hand.

-Full Dodge: Same thing as Roll

-Bull Dodge: Dropping a shoulder and tucking the stick under your helmet and physically running through your opponent.

-Lift: lifting the ball carriers stick w/ the head of your stick while running with him to dislodge the ball.

-Plant Foot: The way you start a dodge or the way your going to cut.

-Hips and Hands: What you should be watching when defending.

-Defensive position: Crouching down slightly, on the balls of your feet, feet slightly askew but under your body so you can make an athletic move quickly.

-Strong Hand: The hand you typically have on top of the stick b/c you feel more comfortable this way.

-Weak Hand: The hand you typically don’t have on top that you have more trouble catching and throwing with.

-Off Hand or outside hand. The arm that is further away from the defender should be carrying the stick and ball.

-Slap check: A slap by you with the head of your stick on the hands or shaft of the ball carrier.

-Poke check: You poke the ball carrier while the stick is horizontal to the ground. Let is slide through your top hand and poke the ball carrier directly on the shaft, chest, or hands.

-Wrap Check: This is illegal and you will get a penalty if you do it. While running behind the ball carrier, you use one hand on your stick and warp it around him in a quick slap to dislodge the ball. Why is it illegal? You’re probably going to slash him somewhere else other than the hands or stick. Won’t matter if you have two hands on the stick either, you will get called for it.

-Rusty Gate: Defender throws a blind check 180 degrees behind him with his stick as the other player is running through/past him. If he hits the stick, fair check. If he doesn’t hit the stick, will be a slashing penalty. Not sure they will let youth get away with it at all.

-Hip Check: Push on him with your body and hip.

-Body Check: Drop your shoulder and pull your arms in to protect your ribs and push on the other player.

-Slashing: If you hit another player w/ your stick anywhere other than their hands or stick.

-Warding: This is a penalty. Holding off the opposing player w/ your free hand, while making a Lacrosse move to defeat them. It’s ok to put your arm up prior to making a move, but you can’t move it after that once you start to make your Lacrosse move. And you can’t deliberately push the other player w/ the free hand.

-Pick: (not the nose kind) If you run to a spot and stop quickly and another player on your team uses your body to create distance between him, and his defender, it’s a pick. They are legal during play but only allowed if you’re not moving when your teammate makes the move around you.  

-Create Space: The field is big, use it to find green grass and don’t stand around next to another player on your team. Run backwards to create space to set up plays and stay out of harms way.  

-Off Ball movement: When you don’t have the ball, trying to move to a spot that you think will work and draw your defender over, or lose him entirely.

-Sticks up: On a pass, call it out so the poles or any other players in the funnel can get their sticks up in the air to swat at balls that may be catchable.

-Clamp: On a faceoff, using the back of the head to clamp down on the ball.

-Rake: After a clamp, the player pulls back on the captured ball in a quick fashion so the ball will roll to open space.

-Kick: Using your feet to sweep the ground ball to open space that only you can get to.

-Iso: Isolating one man, the ball carrier, by sending the other players clearing through the crease, to create space for the ball carrier, to blow by his defender and take a running shot at goal.

-Baggataway: The original form of Lacrosse played by the Ojibwa Indians. It’s the Native American word for Lacrosse. Games lasted for days, the losing team’s leader usually got his head cut off. Brutal history… We don’t play that rule in Newton Youth.