Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States – even here on the Hilltop. Hoya lacrosse teams consistently run in the top-ranked circles, but to many fans, the players look just like they are, well, running in circles.

Not everyone grew up with little-league lacrosse and even fewer know that major league lacrosse even exists.

THE HOYA hopes that this mini lax (short for lacrosse) “dictionary” can help even the novice fan learn how to literally call the shots.

Arc (n.)

This is the pizza-slice shaped area in front of each goal circle in women’s lacrosse.

Box (n.)

The square-shaped area at each end of the field, noted by a dashed line on the sides and a solid line at the top. If a team gains possession in their own box, or if they have possession in the area between the midfield and the opposing team’s box, they have only ten seconds to advance the ball either over midfield or into the other box.

Checking (v.)

In men’s lacrosse, the players are allowed to check, or attempt to dislodge the ball by hitting their opponent with their stick or body.

Clamp (n.)

A face-off move executed by quickly pushing the back of the stick on top of the ball.

Cradling (v.)

When the players move their sticks quickly in a semicircular motion, they are cradling, or trying to keep the ball in the pocket, or the little basket of rope on their stick.

Crease (n.)

The area where the goalie stands is called the crease, also known as the “goal circle,” with an 8.5-foot radius for women and nine feet for men. To Roll the Crease implies that a player is running around the goal with the ball to get a better angle on goal. It is an infraction for an offensive player to step in the crease.

Cross-checking (v.)

A foul in both men’s and women’s lacrosse (although more frequently seen in men’s games), cross-checking is called when a player uses the stick handle between his (or her) hands to check or push.

Crosse (Stick) (n.)

The equipment used to throw, catch and carry the ball.

Deputy (n.)

A player who enters the crease when the goalie has left the goal circle and their team is in possession of the ball.

Direct Free Position (n.)

After a major foul, the player receiving the ball is in direct free position – he or she may shoot immediately, run, or pass the ball to a teammate. This differs from indirect free position, when the player awarded the ball may not shoot directly on goal. He or she must pass or wait until the other team checks his or her stick.

Dodge (v.)

There are several different ways to dodge, or fake out your opponent. Roll dodging involves a spin move to block the defender from a stick check using your body. Face dodging is a simple stick fake in one direction, then running in the other. Split dodging is switching the stick from one hand to the other in front of a defender, hoping to use the motion to catch the other team off balance with a change of direction.

ECAC (n.)

Abbreviation for the Eastern College Athletic Conference, the league to which the men’s lacrosse team belongs. The other members of the conference are Massachusetts, Penn State and Rutgers.

Fan (n.)

The fan is the semi-circular area in front of each goal with a 12-meter radius. Referees use the fan to administer fouls.

Ground Ball (n.)

A loose ball on the playing field.

Hole (n.)

The hole is the area in front of the goal right outside the crease.

Illegal Body Checking (v.)

This foul is called when a player is hit from the rear, below the knees, above the shoulders or while he is not within five yards of the ball.

Marking (v.)

Being within a stick’s length of an opponent, in order to guard and prevent that player from receiving the ball.

Man Down (adj.) (see also Man Up)

Describing a situation in which the team is currently serving a penalty (Man Down) or has an advantage in numbers because of the other team’s penalty (Man Up). A team will often look to substitute their top defenders on man down, while the other team will put in their best attackers to try and score with the man advantage. (Similar to penalty kill and power play in hockey.)

On-the-Fly Substitution (n.)

A direct player-for-player substitution made without a stoppage in play.

Positions (n.)

Men and women have different names for positions. The men only have three positions (other than goalie): attack, defense or midfield. The midfielders, often referred to as middies, are the only players allowed to play on both ends of the fields. There must be at least three attackers on one side of the midfield line and at least four defenders (usually three defensemen and a goalie). Players of different positions may cross as long as another player stays back in their place.

Women, however, have many positions: The point is the defender closest to the crease, and she often plays like a sweeper would in soccer. The coverpoint plays in front of the point, and the third man is the most forward-playing defender. The center, like in hockey, takes the draw. A draw is similar to a face-off in hockey or a drop-ball in soccer, except the ball starts in a stationary position. There are also wings on offense and defense who are often the fastest and fittest players. On offense, the players are referred to as different types of “homes.” The third home stands closest to the center circle and is marked by the third man. The second home is often the playmaker, and the middleman on offense. Finally, there is the first home. This player plays closest to the goal she wishes to score on.

Rake (n.)

A face-off move in which a player sweeps the ball to the side.

Riding (v.)

When a team tries to prevent the clearing of the ball by marking offensive players as they run up the field on a clear.

Scoop (v.)

Lacrosse players scoop up a loose ball when they get it with their stick off the ground.

Shooting Space Violation (n.)

This is another foul in women’s lacrosse in which a defender obstructs the free space to the goal. Free space is the imaginary path from the ball to the outside to both sides of the crease. Defenders cannot stand in the free space.

Slashing (v.)

Slashing is another foul in men’s lacrosse, this time when a player hits his opponent anywhere but on his stick or hand holding the ball.

Slide (v.)

Defensive players slide when an attacker beats the first defender and moves toward the goal, moving quickly up to check the offensive player with the stick or the body.

Sphere (n.)

In women’s lacrosse, the imaginary seven-inch bubble around a player’s head is called the sphere. Both on offense (with the ball) and on defense, the stick and the ball must be out of the sphere. The defender’s stick can only enter the sphere when moving through and away from the head.

Square Up (v.)

In men’s lacrosse, this refers to body-on-body, stick-on-stick tough defense.

Three-second Violation (n.)

In women’s lacrosse, a defender not marking a player but remaining in the arc for more than three seconds is called for this violation.

Top Side Defense (n.)

A strategy employed by many teams in recent years, it requires the defender to block off one side of the field from the offensive player being guarded, forcing the attacker into a particular lane with a poorer shooting angle.

X (n.)

The X is the area directly behind the goal.