New to Lacrosse
A beginner's guide to lacrosse
If your kid came home asking to play lacrosse and you have never watched a game, this page is for you. No jargon, no assumptions.
The Basics
How the game works
Two teams try to throw a small rubber ball into the other team's goal using sticks with a netted head. Players carry the ball in the net, pass it, and shoot. It is closer to hockey or basketball in flow than to football.
Boys' field lacrosse allows body and stick contact and requires full pads. Girls' field lacrosse limits contact sharply and uses goggles and a mouthguard instead of a helmet and pads. They are genuinely different games with different rules.
Games run in quarters, and possession changes constantly — which is why the sport is often described as the fastest game on two feet.
Positions
Who does what on the field
Attack
Lives in front of the opponent's goal. Scores and feeds — needs quick hands and good vision.
Midfield
Runs the whole field, plays both offense and defense. The most demanding job in terms of conditioning.
Defense
Uses a longer stick to break up plays and clear the ball. Footwork and positioning matter more than size.
Goalie
Stops shots and directs the defense. Technical, high-pressure, and always in demand.
Faceoff specialist
Wins possession at the restart after every goal and at the start of each quarter. A specialized craft of its own.
Gear
What you actually need to start
- Stick — the right shaft length depends on position and age
- Helmet (boys) or goggles (girls)
- Mouthguard
- Gloves
- Shoulder and arm pads (boys' field lacrosse)
- Cleats — soccer or football cleats work fine to start
Do not buy a full kit before the first session. Many programs loan gear for a trial period, and stick length and pad sizing depend on the player's position and growth.
First Season
What the first few months feel like
Week one is mostly ground balls and learning to cradle without dropping the ball. Week two is usually the frustrating one. By week four, most kids can catch and throw with their dominant hand and are starting on their weak hand.
Practices are typically twice a week with weekend games in the spring. Beyond that, the biggest predictor of progress is simple: five or ten minutes of wall ball at home, most days.