Lacrosse Slang Terms Every Player Should Know
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🥍 Lacrosse Slang Terms Every Player Should Know
When it comes to lacrosse slang, it’s essential to keep in mind that it evolves quickly and differs from region to region. What was considered “rad” on the East Coast might now be called “crispy” in Colorado. This compilation brings together a mix of classic, contemporary, and iconic lacrosse lingo—some terms you may already know, and others you’ll definitely want to start incorporating into your vocabulary.
A–F
Air Gait is a lacrosse scoring play where a player leaps from behind the goal and scores a goal while in mid-air, typically by dunking the ball over the top crossbar
ATW (Around the World) – A flashy shot where the stick wraps behind your back and the ball is released over your shooting-hand shoulder.
APR – Appearance Rating. “Take the price tag off your helmet, bro—it’s killing your APR.”
Backbreaker – A trick shot: two hands above your head, ball shot underhand, behind-the-back, and between the legs.
Bag / Sack / Grocery Bag – A super deep stick pocket. “How do you throw with that bag?”
Bar Down/ Bar Mexico – Shot pings off the crossbar and goes straight into the net.
Ball Hunt / Pill Hunt – Scavenger hunt for lost balls in the grass or woods.
Black Hole – A player who never passes.
Boarding – Box lacrosse term for checking someone hard into the boards. Usually a penalty.
Braveheart – Tiebreaker OT format: 1 middie + 1 goalie per team. Sudden death.
BTB (Behind the Back) – Any pass or shot thrown over the opposite shoulder.
Bucket / Lid – Helmet.
Buckets - Scoring goals "I'm going to drop some buckets today"
Buddy Pass / Hospital Pass – A slow lob that gets your teammate crushed.
C–F
Cage / Rack – The goal.
Cannon / Crank / Rope / Howie – A blistering shot.
Can Opener – A defensive check that lifts the stick from underneath and sometimes leads to a full-blown yard sale.
Celly – Post-goal celebration.
Cheap It / Gilman – Full-field clear launched into the offensive zone.
Coast to Coast – A D-pole or goalie takes it the full length and scores.
Crispy with the Rock – Accurate and stylish passer or shooter.
Cup Check – A tap to confirm the protective cup is in place… or a shot that finds it.
D–L
Dime / Dish / Apple – An assist or great pass.
Dirty / Baller – High praise. “That kid is dirty.”
Dive – Legalized in 2019 (NCAA). Offensive player leaves feet to score in the crease.
Doorstep – Area directly in front of the crease.
Dust / Dusty – Weak or old gear or player. “Those elbow pads are dusty.”
Fish / NARP / Scrub – Unskilled defender.
Five Hole – Between the goalie’s legs.
Flow / Lettuce / Cabbage – Glorious hair flowing out the back of the helmet.
FOGO – Face-Off, Get Off. Specialist who only takes faceoffs or Draws.
Freshie – A new, untouched ball.
Gamer – Your game-day stick.
Garbage Goal – Scored off a rebound or chaos.
GLE (Goal Line Extended) – Imaginary line from the goal across the field.
GOAT – Greatest of All Time.
Goal Mouth – Inside the crease; attackers can’t land here on a dive.
Grandma Goal – Hits side netting, grandma thinks it went in.
H–P
Hatty / Sock Trick / Trip Hatty – 3, 6, or 9-goal game.
Hold – How long the ball stays in your pocket during a release.
Hoover – A ground ball machine.
Ice Pick – Check using the butt end like a downward stab.
Indian Pick-up / Baltimore Crab – A stick trick used to pick up a loose ball on the ground.
Kayak Check – Spinning check with the stick behind your back. Rare.
Lax / Laxing / Lax Bro / Lax Rat – The lifestyle.
Loosie – Loose ball.
Lumber – A big defensive hit.
Muffin / Popcorn / Gumball – Weak, soft shot.
Naked – Wide open on the crease.
Paddington Bear – Chubby goalie.
Pearls / Fresh Rocks – Clean, white new balls.
Phantom Check – Unexplainable loss of ball control.
P–Z
Pinwheel / Helicopter – Stick flies out mid-check.
Pipe City / Wesley Pipes / Michelle Piper – Hit the post.
Plunger – Faceoff move trapping the ball like a suction cup.
Possession Shot – Missed high on purpose to keep possession.
Rake – Scooping the ball by dragging it in.
Ride the Pine – Sitting the bench.
Rip / Rip Twine – To shoot hard.
Rocks / Pills / Cookies – Lacrosse balls.
Rusty Gate – Stylish 360° check.
Sauerkraut – Bad flow.
SBS (Second Bar Syndrome) – Wearing your helmet too high.
Settled – Standard play.
Shiner / Greaser / Dusty Rock – Overused, slick ball.
Short Side / Far Side – Side closest or farthest from the shooter.
Sick / Steeze – Stylish or cool.
Stick Ninja / Stick Doctor – Player skilled in stringing heads.
Stuff – Close-range save.
Tennis Racket – Weak stick with no hold or pocket.
Tilt – Downward angle of helmet.
Top Ched/ Top Cheddar – Top-shelf shot.
Top Shelf – Goal scored in the upper corner.
Turf Monster / Turf Sniper – Causes you to fall for no reason.
Turn ‘N Rake – Goalie grabbing the ball after getting scored on.
Twizzler – Backhand scoop shot.
Walk the Dog / Carry the Pizza – Ball carried way out in front.
Wand / Spoon / Twig – Lacrosse stick.
Whip – The amount the ball pulls down during a throw.
Wizard / Dangler – Stick magician.
Worm Burner / Carpet Burner – Low underhand shot skimming the grass.
Yard Sale / Yahztee / De-Wanded – Defender knocks the stick out of someone’s hands.
Yellow – Call to slow down and sub.
Zebra / Stripes – Referee