Learning the positions of Lacrosse can be confusing for some because lacrosse is a growing sport. The game has several positions with different responsibilities and even some specialist positions. If you are new to the game, you can learn the positions in lacrosse very easily with Stringers Society. For beginners, there are fewer positions played than in the advanced game. This is normally to keep everything simpler and because players haven’t specialized yet. Once players mature and realize their best assets they can fill a specific role, or choose a specialist position.
Lacrosse Positions
Beginners should stick to the basic positions for lacrosse in order to learn the game better before specializing. All lacrosse positions will be explained in this article from the most basic to the most specialized so all players can learn. But first, all players should know, all players play offense and defense in lacrosse!
A basic lacrosse team consists of 10 players, divided into four main positions. One goalie, the sole player in their position, is tasked with protecting the net. Three defenders work together to prevent the opposing team from scoring. Three midfielders play a versatile role, contributing to both offense and defense across the entire field. Finally, three attackmen focus primarily on scoring goals.
Box Lacrosse Positions and Field Lacrosse Positions
The field lacrosse positions and box lacrosse positions are interchangeable at this point. Most young players can play all of them if they are unsure about what to choose. Young players should also try every position before deciding what to play in field lacrosse or indoor lacrosse. Both versions of the game have these positions despite having different rules in lacrosse that will be explained later.
Lacrosse Goaltender or Goalie
The Lacrosse Goalie, or keeper, is the last line of defense and the first line of offense. The Goalie spends most of the game within the crease protecting the goal, but they are free to move whenever they please. Since the offsides rule in lacrosse is based on having 3 players in your offensive zone while having 4 in your defensive zone the keeper can cross midfield during play. This is why I referred to them as the first line of offense.
After a goalie saves a shot they begin a clear from the defensive zone. Goalies are only allowed to stay in the crease for 4 seconds with the ball after a save. This forces them to react quickly leaving the goal to clear, and some take full advantage of that opportunity.
Lacrosse Goalies Are Generals of Defense
When not clearing, Goalies command the defensive end. They are at the helm and must direct traffic for those who can’t see everything they do. This means Goalies should always be communicating with their defense about what they are seeing. Without an effective communicator as your lacrosse goalie, the defense will get lost and mess up.
Lacrosse Goalie Positioning and Stance
Goalies will typically have 3-5 marks around the front of the goal where they stand to protect the goal. These spaces are for having the best angle to stop a shot depending on where the shot is coming from. Goalies follow the ball around their defensive zone, shifting in their stance as the ball moves.
Lacrosse goalies are in an athletic stance with their stick ready to attack shots rather than wait for them. Goalies often use their angles, stances, and fast hands to “Be Big” to stop as many shots as possible. They will use anything available to them to stop shots and try to use their body as stick as efficiently as they can. The stance of a goalie starts this all off because it is their constant. A goalie’s stance is their home base that they begin in for every save.
If your trying to become an expert lacrosse goalie, look no further than Coach Damon’s Lacrosse Goalie Drills from Lax Goalie Rat.
Lacrosse Attackmen and Attackers
The Attack, Attackmen, or Attackers are the most notable scores on a team. They are often the players with the best stick skills who are the most offensively talented. Attackmen vary in size, speed, and style but their job is to score goals. There will be three attackers on the field at once during a men’s lacrosse game, and these players can move to the other side if another player stays back for them.
Lacrosse Attackers Still Play Defense
As mentioned before, all players play offense and defense in lacrosse! This means that when the other team’s goalie is clearing, the attack is riding and trying to get the ball back. The Attack must try to get the ball back from the defense, or not allow them to get into their offensive zone, after turnovers. Successful rides result in extra possessions and more goals, so ride like your life depends on it. If you lost the ball to the defense then it’s your job to get it back.
Scoring on Attack in Lacrosse
When you get the ball as the attack, you are the first option for scoring. The attack normally creates the most scoring opportunities and facilitate the offense. To do this you need to have great stick skills and great vision. Both come from time and work.
Stick skills are crucial as an attackman and can be the difference between playing and watching. Catching, throwing, and shooting are all necessary; but, the list of skills you need to be elite doesn’t stop there. To truly be a great attackman you must be able to dodge with the ball, protect your stick, create space, and finish when given the opportunity to shoot. Attackman are almost always covered by long poles so being able to keep the ball and run through checks are both also useful.
All of these skills come from working with your stick more and being more fluid. Attackmen are very comfortable having the ball in their lacrosse stick or coming to it. If you aren’t able to handle the pressure of receiving or sending feeds then attack may not be for you. If you feel a burning sensation to score, then attack may be your calling. So start practicing evading checks, protecting your lacrosse stick, communication skills, and being able to handle the ball so you can become a leading scorer.
Lacrosse Midfielders
The midfielders in lacrosse are the workhorses of the team. While it’s true all players play both offense and defense, these guys keep it pretty even. Midfielders work on both sides of the half line and are usually doing the most running. They have to move from offense to defense quickly and work with both the attack and defense. For this, midfielders must work on their offensive and defensive skills in order to get the most time on the field. Just like the Attack, you are allowed 3 middies at a time.
Lacrosse Middies Are Like Wild Stallions
On higher level teams the midfielders can become specialized and mainly work on offense or defense, but they need to know both. There are plenty of times each game when a midfielder will have to run to the other side of the lacrosse field to defend or try and score on a fast break. If you get stuck on the other side and don’t know what you are doing, expect a “talking to” once you sub off. If you can step out of your role and score as a defensive middie then expect the loudest cheer of the game.
As a midfielder, your athleticism and versatility are your best assets. So if you plan on being on the field you’re going to need to work of your midfield skills. Endurance, footwork, and excellent stick skills will all aid you in becoming a better overall player and that’s perfect. Midfielders are normally the most general players. They are just lacrosse players that really do it all. Being a well-rounded player gives you the best chance to get minutes. The players that want to be on the field the most are probably going to be the midfielders who want to work hard. These players need to be determined so if you’re an athletic player just looking to play choose midfield.
Lacrosse Face Off Specialists
Face off players in lacrosse, often referred to as FOGO’s or FOSO’s, play a crucial role in the midfield line during games. These players are known for their precision and skill during face offs, which happen at the beginning of each match and after every goal scored. During a face-off, defenders, attackmen, and goalies must remain behind the restraining line. The ability to quickly secure possession for their team sets these specialists apart from other midfielders.
The intense focus and strategic thinking required of face off players make them valuable assets on the field. Their role demands not just physical prowess but also mental agility, as they must anticipate their opponent’s moves while executing their own technique flawlessly. These athletes epitomize the importance of specialized positions within lacrosse, showcasing how meticulous training and dedication can significantly impact game outcomes.
Lacrosse Defenders
The lacrosse position “defense” does normally refer to the three close defensemen guarding the attack. This doesn’t really encompass lacrosse defense, but it serves as a good marker. To explain, defining a defender is difficult because of how many people play defense. For a base definition, your Defenders should be those that defend best when behind or very close to the goal. Similar to the Attack, you must have three defenders on your team’s defensive half, but you may use four long poles at once.
Long Sticks for Lacrosse Defense
At the lowest levels of lacrosse where there are no long sticks or “d-poles” defenders are just whoever starts the faceoff on the same side as the goalie. This changes as the level of play and size increase so that d-pole lacrosse position can be used properly. You are allowed four long sticks on the lacrosse field at one time and you will notice that most teams start each face with four. This gives that player a longer reach for scooping up groundballs and for defending. If that fourth long stick midfielder can’t get the ball on the faceoff then they will stay on and help with defense. If they recover the ball then he will likely sub off so a short stick can play offense in his place.
The four potential d-poles make defining “defender” difficult because you rotate in defense. The faceoff d-pole is often the LSM or Long Stick Midfielder. They usually match up against the best offensive midfielder on the other team and sub off when their team has the ball. However, a d-pole on the defensive wings of a faceoff could be a defender that you rotate down after the faceoff. You can even use two long stick midfielders on the face with a short stick in the offensive zone and rotate one down. Your team also may want to rotate a short stick to guard an attackman based off of a matchup. All of these situations make it difficult to define the “defenders” because ALL PLAYERS PLAY OFFENSE AND DEFENSE IN LACROSSE.
The Low Man Wins in Lacrosse Defense
Make sure that the defenders that you set up down low are strong enough to hold their ground and quick on their feet. Defense is completely reactionary. You need to try to control offensive movements by reacting to their initial plans. If you can dictate where they are moving the ball or their players then you can properly control their offense. This only allows difficult shots and plenty that your goalie should be able to save. Always remember that defense is about working with others and covering their mistakes so they can cover yours. Recovering on defense is a system, and it wins championships based on functionality. If your defense can’t work as a unit it won’t succeed. So make sure that if you are going to play defense you can communicate and watch everything on the field at once.