What are the main positions in women’s lacrosse. How many players are on the field for each team. What are the key responsibilities of attackers, midfielders, defenders, and goalkeepers in women’s lacrosse.
The Fundamentals of Women’s Lacrosse Team Composition
Women’s lacrosse is a dynamic and strategic sport that requires a diverse set of skills from its players. Each team fields 12 players on the pitch, with each position playing a crucial role in the team’s success. Understanding these positions and their responsibilities is essential for players, coaches, and fans alike.
The 12 players on each team are typically divided into four main categories:
- Attackers (3 players)
- Midfielders (5 players)
- Defenders (3 players)
- Goalkeeper (1 player)
Each of these positions has unique responsibilities and requires specific skills to excel. Let’s delve deeper into each category to gain a comprehensive understanding of women’s lacrosse positions.
Attacking Positions: The Offensive Powerhouse
Attackers in women’s lacrosse are the primary goal-scorers and playmakers for their team. They operate predominantly in the offensive end of the field, constantly looking for opportunities to score or create chances for their teammates.
First Home
The First Home is the attacker positioned closest to the opposing team’s goal. Their primary responsibility is to score goals, requiring excellent shooting skills and the ability to maneuver in tight spaces. When unable to shoot, they must be adept at passing to open teammates or clearing the crease area.
Second Home
Considered the offensive leader, the Second Home plays a crucial role in setting up scoring opportunities. They need to possess strong passing skills and the ability to shoot accurately from longer distances. Typically, the Second Home records the most assists on the team.
Third Home
Positioned furthest from the goal among the attackers, the Third Home acts as a link between the defense and attack. Their primary role is to transition the ball from the defensive end to the attacking zone, requiring excellent field vision and precise passing abilities.
Midfield Positions: The Versatile Backbone
Midfielders in women’s lacrosse are the most versatile players on the field, contributing to both offensive and defensive plays. There are typically five midfield players: one center and four wingers.
Center
The Center is a crucial position in women’s lacrosse, responsible for taking the draw at the start of each half and after goals. They must possess excellent draw control skills, field vision, and the stamina to cover both ends of the field effectively.
Attacking Wingers
Offensive wingers focus on supporting the attack by creating scoring opportunities and passing the ball to the attackers. These players need to be extremely fit, as they cover more ground than the attackers.
Defensive Wingers
Defensive wingers play a vital role in preventing the opposing team’s attacking wingers from creating scoring chances. They line up outside the center circle during faceoffs and must possess speed to keep up with opponents and strong passing skills for transitioning to offense.
Defensive Positions: The Protective Shield
Defenders in women’s lacrosse form the last line of protection before the goalkeeper. Unlike in men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse defenders use standard-length sticks. They are divided into three main roles: Third Man, Point, and Cover Point.
Third Man
The Third Man is positioned closest to the restraining line, upfield from their own goal. Their primary responsibilities include anticipating and intercepting midfield transition passes and slowing down fast breaks to allow other defenders to get into position.
Point
The Point defender covers the area closest to the goal, including the crease. They must be skilled at sliding to support breakaway situations and defending the crease area effectively.
Cover Point
The Cover Point typically marks the opposing team’s Second Home attacker. This position often involves one-on-one matchups, requiring quickness and excellent footwork.
The Goalkeeper: The Last Line of Defense
The goalkeeper in women’s lacrosse plays a crucial role in preventing the opposing team from scoring. They are the only player allowed to touch the ball with their hands inside the crease.
Key aspects of the goalkeeper position include:
- Larger pocket on the stick head for increased shot-stopping surface area
- Extra protective gear, including a helmet, chest pads, and gloves
- Responsibility for organizing the defense and communicating with teammates
- Need for quick reflexes, mental toughness, and strong clearing abilities
Tactical Considerations in Women’s Lacrosse
Understanding the various positions in women’s lacrosse is just the beginning. Successful teams must also consider tactical aspects of the game to maximize their performance.
Transition Play
Effective transition from defense to offense and vice versa is crucial in women’s lacrosse. Midfielders play a key role in this aspect, requiring excellent stamina and game awareness to switch between attacking and defensive duties quickly.
Draw Control
The draw, which occurs at the start of each half and after goals, is a critical aspect of women’s lacrosse. The Center’s ability to win draws can significantly impact possession time and scoring opportunities for their team.
Defensive Formations
Teams may employ various defensive formations depending on the situation and their opponent’s strengths. Common formations include man-to-man defense, zone defense, and backer zone defense.
Skills Development for Women’s Lacrosse Players
Regardless of position, all women’s lacrosse players need to develop a core set of skills to excel in the sport. These include:
- Stick skills (cradling, passing, catching, and shooting)
- Footwork and agility
- Field awareness and tactical understanding
- Cardiovascular fitness and endurance
- Communication skills
Position-specific skills should also be developed. For example, attackers should focus on shooting accuracy and creating space, while defenders should work on body positioning and checking techniques.
The Evolution of Women’s Lacrosse Positions
Women’s lacrosse has evolved significantly since its inception, with changes in rules and tactics influencing the roles of various positions. Some notable developments include:
- The introduction of the restraining line, which has impacted midfield play
- Changes in protective equipment requirements, particularly for goalkeepers
- The increasing emphasis on speed and athleticism across all positions
- The development of specialized roles within the traditional position categories
As the sport continues to grow and evolve, it’s likely that we’ll see further refinements and specializations in women’s lacrosse positions.
Comparing Women’s and Men’s Lacrosse Positions
While women’s and men’s lacrosse share some similarities, there are significant differences in their positions and rules. Some key distinctions include:
- Number of players: Women’s lacrosse has 12 players per team on the field, while men’s lacrosse has 10
- Stick length: In women’s lacrosse, all field players use the same length stick, while men’s lacrosse features longer sticks for defensive players
- Physical contact: Women’s lacrosse has less physical contact than men’s lacrosse, affecting defensive techniques and positioning
- Protective equipment: Men’s lacrosse requires more protective equipment due to the increased physical nature of the game
These differences result in unique tactical approaches and skill requirements for each version of the sport.
Understanding the nuances of women’s lacrosse positions is crucial for players looking to improve their game, coaches developing strategies, and fans seeking to appreciate the intricacies of the sport. Each position plays a vital role in the team’s success, requiring a combination of physical skills, tactical awareness, and teamwork.
As women’s lacrosse continues to grow in popularity, we can expect to see further refinements in positional play and tactics. The sport’s emphasis on speed, skill, and strategy makes it an exciting and dynamic game for players and spectators alike.
Whether you’re a player looking to specialize in a particular position, a coach developing your team’s strategy, or a fan wanting to deepen your understanding of the game, knowledge of women’s lacrosse positions is fundamental to appreciating the sport’s complexity and beauty.
Women’s Lacrosse Positions
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There are 12 players on the field for each team in women’s lacrosse. Women’s lacrosse features a few different positions than men’s lacrosse. While the main categories (attack, midfielder, defense) remain the same, the subcategories of each specific position are different. Read on to learn more about the positions in women’s lacrosse.
Table of Contents
- Attackers
- Midfielders
- Defenders
- Goalkeeper
- FAQ
Attackers
Attackers are mainly responsible for generating offense and scoring goals in women’s lacrosse. They will often do this along with the midfield’s help, and they will generally operate around the opposing team’s goal and crease to create goal-scoring opportunities.
First Home
The first home attacker is placed in front of the goal, and their main responsibility is to score goals. These players should have strong shooting ability and stick skills. If the first-home is unable to get a quality shot off, they need to be able to pass to open teammates and clear the crease area.
Second Home
The second home is the team’s leader on attack. They must be able to support the first home and provide accurate passes that help set up the offense. Second home attackers should also be able to shoot strong and accurately from further out. Statistically, they should have the most assists of any player on the team.
Third Home
The third home is positioned furthest from the goal and typically plays the role of moving the ball from the defense to the attack. This player must have precise passing abilities and field vision to feed the ball to open teammates for a shot.
Midfielders
Midfielders are involved in supporting both the attack and defense in women’s lacrosse.
Traditionally, there are five midfield players: one center and four wingers. Wingers can be further divided into left or right defensive wingers and attacking wingers.
Center
The center is a specific type of midfielder. In women’s lacrosse, the center plays an essential role for their team by taking the draw and covering both the offensive and defensive ends. It is critical that the center has good skills to win the draw and excellent field vision.
Attacking Wingers
Offensive wingers are responsible for passing the ball to attackers to score goals. These players must be extremely physically fit, as they cover a lot more ground then regular attackers. Teams typically play two attacking wingers at a time.
Defensive Wingers
Defensive wingers are responsible for pushing against their opponent’s attacking wingers and avoiding goal-scoring opportunities. During each faceoff, defensive wingers will line up outside the center circle while the center stands inside the circle and takes the faceoff.
Defensive wingers must be fast in order to keep up with opposing players and have great passing skills for when their team regains possession of the ball.
Defenders
Defenders in women’s lacrosse line up in a row of three behind the restraining line. Their most important duty is to stop goals from being scored. Unlike men’s lacrosse, defenders in women’s lacrosse do not have longer sticks. These players always remain in the defensive half of the field and are divided into three main roles, the third man, point, and cover point.
Third Man
The third man is a defensive position assigned to cover the area closest to the restraining line upfield from their own goal. The third man must be quick at anticipating and intercepting midfield transition passes and adept at slowing down a fast break while other defensive midfielders and defenders drop in towards their own goal.
Point
The point is a defensive position often assigned to cover the area closest to the goal, including the crease.
This player must be skilled at sliding to support breakaway situations that get past the third man and cover point, as well as defending the crease.
Cover Point
The cover point in lacrosse is a defensive player who typically marks the second home attacker. A cover point position often draws one-on-one matchups because of their quickness and drop step.
Goalkeeper
The goalkeeper in women’s lacrosse is responsible for stopping shots on goal. These players are the only ones that can touch the ball with their hands inside the crease. Similar to men’s lacrosse, goalkeepers have a larger pocket on the head of their stick, giving them more surface area to stop shots. Women’s lacrosse goalkeepers wear extra padding, including a helmet, chest pads, and gloves.
FAQ
How many players are on the field in women’s lacrosse?
There are 12 players on each team on the field at one time in women’s lacrosse. Therefore, there are 24 players on the field between both teams at one time.
These players are split between attackers, midfielders, defenders, and the goalie.
What are the positions in women’s lacrosse?
The four main positions in women’s lacrosse are attackers, midfielders, defenders, and goalies. For each team, there are typically three attackers, five midfielders, three defenders, and one goalie on the field at any given time. This totals 12 women present for each team on the field.
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Pages Related to Women’s Lacrosse Positions
- How Does Scoring Work In Lacrosse?
- Lacrosse FOGO
- Lacrosse Basic Rules For Kids
- Lacrosse Goalie
- Lacrosse Midfielder (Middie)
- Basic Rules of Lacrosse
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The Hardest Position To Play In Lacrosse – Revealed
One of the common discussions you see come up often in the lacrosse community is what’s the hardest position to play in lacrosse. For players who have played at least 4 years and longer, this could be a silly question.
Yet for beginners, this is totally a valid and great question. Since most beginners don’t have the luxury of trying out all positions, it’s hard to come up with a comprehensive view of comparison.
After doing some self-reflection and debating with college pals, it’s safe to say the general consensus is goalies are the hardest positions to play in lacrosse by a good margin. Although there aren’t any official surveys conducted to back up this view, the sheer amount of constant hits by lacrosse balls alone says it all.
Continue reading to learn why that is in detail. And most importantly, I will attempt to argue for and against each position since this is a subjective opinion. The goal here isn’t to tell you which position is the most challenging as a fact, but rather to use this post as an opportunity to help you gain a deeper understanding of each position. Eventually, you can formulate your own opinion and make sound decisions when it comes to committing to a position that fits you the most.
Read also: Best ways to practice shooting without a lacrosse goal
The Hardest Position To Play – Contender #1: Goalies
Let’s start with a few good reasons why goalies are in fact the hardest position to play. I believe these three reasons are good representations to support the view.
Last Line of Defense
As the only player between the pipes, the goalkeeper is like a lone soldier fighting the battle. And in fact, this is the only position in lacrosse that has one single player. Which means the margin of error is much less lenient for the goalkeeper. If they make a mistake, the cost is oftentimes a goal for the opposite team.
This definitely puts a lot of pressure on their shoulders to perform at their best both in games and in practice at all times. Additionally, coaches always look for the best-performing goalkeeper on the team to maximize defense. If the starting goalie slips up, there is a good chance she/he will start on the bench the next game.
Mental Pressure From The Whole Team
Due to the nature of being a goalie, if the opposite team scores a goal, it often looks like it’s the goalie’s fault. And if a goalkeeper consistently lets balls sneak past, the whole team may start to express frustration at him or her. This is especially common at the beginner level. To combat this, goalies must have a calm and focused mind to maintain composure during games.
Yet this is a very hard and delicate mental strength many goalies have difficulty gaining. It’s very easy to get frustrated with themselves which unfortunately only leads to more mistakes. One absolute defeat can potentially wreck the goal’s confidence. So goalkeepers have to train their minds to be level-headed and keep a “short term memory” throughout the game.
The Bruises and Injuries
Last but certainly not least is the scary fact that goalies need to stay composure while being exposed to constant fast-speed shots. Compared to any other positions, goalies by far are the ones that get hit and injured the most.
After all, shooters are shooting the balls as fast as they can to score without much consideration for the opposing goalie.
Let alone the fact that goalies also wear the least amount of protective equipment! To not sacrifice mobility, goalies opt for the least amount of protection which is truly an act of bravery in and of itself. Throughout my career, I have seen goalies get punched left and right during games. And to that, I have nothing but the utmost respect for every lacrosse goalkeeper.
But what’s the counterargument?
Ok although personally, I don’t think this could be counted as a fair argument, the main opposition against goalies being the hardest position is that they don’t run a whole lot and only stay in one location inside the crease.
Unlike other positions that involve long distance sprinting and demanding physical movements, goalies rarely go outside the crease and occasionally have to initiate transitions and fast breaks. Due to the lack of running, beginners tend to think being a goalie is easy and requires fewer skills.
The Hardest Position To Play – Contender #2: Defenders
Moving on to defenders, we will do the same exercise. First, let’s start with the difficulties of being a defensive player.
Advanced Skills/Footwork
Upon close inspection, you probably realize coaches often put the most skilled players on the team to play defense. There are two primary reasons for this. First, defensive players have to be constantly adjusting their footing and pace to match up against the opposing attackers. Since offensive players are constantly looking for weakness to exploit, defenders must stay focused and alert at all times. And that leads to our second point, mistakes are much more costly when made by defensive players. Just like goalies, the margin of error is small when it comes to defense.
In other words, being good at 1v1 is much harder than people think. What’s more, most coaches don’t know how to properly teach players to handle those tricky situations. More often than not, defensive players have to learn on their own or participate in summer camps.
Coordination/Communcation
The no. 1 rule for an impeccable defense is the ability to operate as a collective unit. This requires both time and effort to accomplish. Especially during dire situations such as fast breaks, defenders must communicate effectively and make sure everyone knows their position and responsibility.
In addition, in situations where you need to be aggressive, you must step it up to your plate to complete your assignment. And when you got beaten by the attacker, you must identify how to recover as fast as possible.
What’s the counterargument?
With all that said, the counterargument that often gets thrown at defenders is the fact that physical strength trumps actual stick skills. Since defensive players are mainly responsible for stopping and intercepting the ball, they don’t need to be as advanced and crafted in their stick skills as middies and attackers need to be.
So instead of spending hours and hours playing wall ball, defenders are better off working on footwork, agility and speed.
In other words, athleticism is more important as a defensive lacrosse player.
Read also: Can you kick the ball in lacrosse?
The Hardest Position To Play – Contender #3: Midfielders
Now let’s shift gears from defense to offense and start with midfielders.
Great At Both Offense and Defense
To be a great middie, you have to be good at doing everything, both defensive and offensive. You need to be a well-rounded player without any apparent weaknesses. In offense, you are expected to run fast, feed good balls and create shooting opportunities. In defense, you need to be the first line of defense and prevent the opposing team from initiating fast breaks. And when it comes to ground balls, you need to hustle and go for them as hard as you can.
On top of that, midfielders must familiarize themselves with both offensive and defensive strategies. It’s very important that you know the ins and outs of various schemes and strategies the team deploys. As the connection point that links two sides of the field together, midfielders are absolutely crucial for the success of a team.
Be Ready To Run Constantly
No.1 thing you must know before playing midfielder is to get ready to run an insane amount every game. On average, midfielders run 5-7 miles per game. Although two way midfielders are now less common, you should expect to sprint back and forth between the offensive and defensive zones.
Without good stamina, it’s almost impossible to be a great midfielder simply because of the sheer amount of running needed. So apart from the regular stick and team practice, midfielders have to take more effort into cardio. More specifically, you need to focus on both speed and endurance.
What’s the counterargument?
It seems like midfielders are a serious contender in this contest against goalies, so what could be a counterargument against them? A big one I can think of is the fact that they don’t face as much pressure as other positions in terms of performance.
Because midfielders act as intermediaries between defense and offense, they don’t “directly” affect the outcome of the game.
On top of that, midfielders rotate on and off the field very often during games. It gives players who aren’t performing at their best time to adjust. Plus, if you aren’t a natural runner, being able to substitute on and off is very beneficial.
So overall, midfielders need to be jack of all trades but they also get the most time off to rest and the most leeway when they make mistakes.
The Hardest Position To Play – Contender #4: Attackers
Last but not least, let’s talk about attackers. As an attacker myself, I will share my honest opinion after playing this position for 8+ years.
Exceptional Stick Skills
Without a doubt, attackers got to have solid stick skills not only in shooting but also in catching, passing, etc. Attackers need to be very comfortable with their sticks to perform well. If we talk about shooting specifically, there are multiple different types of shooting players should master. Not only that, attackers need to work on their off-hand to create even more leverage over defenders.
It’s easier said than done. It takes hours and hours of practice to reach a good stick level. I would say 80% of attackers never speed more than 2 hours a week doing wall balls. But if you want to be exceptional, there’s no other way. Wall ball is your friend.
Strong Mind Creates Strong Performance
The success of the offense mostly relies on attackers. If you don’t perform well, your team doesn’t score. Just like defenders, attackers also have an immense amount of pressure on their shoulders. And you must seize those opportunities when they present themselves. Even if you miss the shots, you have to keep trying repeatedly.
Another source of pressure comes from the fact that performing poorly puts you in the danger of losing the starting position. As we know, attackers rarely get to go off the field. If you don’t start, you most likely won’t play. Therefore, from my experience, attackers definitely need great mental strength in face of adversity and uncertainty.
What’s the counterargument?
As an attacker myself, I must confess that attackers can be perceived as “lazy” from time to time. Why? One thing is that when the ball is in the defensive zone, we are simply waiting for the clear. We don’t actively engage with defense effort which tends to be the most laborious part of the game. At the same time, this does help us preserve energy since attackers play for the entirety of the game.
Beautiful poses for a girl’s photo shoot: tips from a professional photographer
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March 29, 2020
When ordering a photo session, each of us wants to get beautiful shots that emphasize the merits of appearance and hide its shortcomings.
To do this, you need to know how to pose for a photo shoot and be able to show yourself from favorable angles.
By choosing beautiful poses for photos and practicing in front of a mirror, you will feel more confident in shooting.
In this article you will learn how to pose for a girl photo shoot, we will analyze the most common mistakes and I will show you the best poses for a photo shoot. By following these tips, you will always look great in your photos!
How to look beautiful in photos. 3 simple rules
Rule number one is rehearsal. Of course, a good photographer will always tell you how best to pose, but to feel more confident, before the photo session, find references with poses and practice in front of a large mirror yourself. So you will understand which poses and angles are the most advantageous, and which ones are better to forget about.
Rule number two is the shooting location and the harmony of the images.
The location always plays an important role and gives the photos a plot. If the chosen place corresponds to the concept, style, you and your image, then the results of the photo session will pleasantly surprise you.
The third and most important rule is a good mood. If you feel insecure or uncomfortable, it will definitely show up in your photos. Therefore, on the shooting you need to be in comfortable clothes and a positive mood. By the way, prolonged sleep will also positively affect your condition, so I recommend getting enough sleep.
Correct posture is the key to successful shots
The most beautiful dress, amazing hair and professional makeup will not matter if you slouch. Correct posture is the first thing to remember when choosing a pose for a photo shoot. Each of the three sections of the spine affects the quality of posing and the perception of the model.
Cervical region
Extend your neck as far as possible.
Imagine that you want to reach the top of your head to the sky. This method will add elegance and femininity to photographs, and the pose will become sophisticated and open.
Chest (shoulders)
Shoulder position during photography is also important. Take a deep breath, roll your shoulders back and exhale. You will immediately feel how straightened your shoulders. Pay attention to the fact that the shoulder blades are brought together. So you can visually lengthen the neck and emphasize the chest.
Lumbar
The lumbar spine also requires special attention. If a girl bends in the lower back, her figure will become much more elegant and feminine. An additional plus will be a visual increase in the shape of the chest and buttocks.
Looking over the shoulder
This pose is very popular because it feels like a random photograph. The girl in the frame will look very impressive and feminine.
It can be performed standing, sitting and even lying down.
Playing with hands
At photo shoots, models with no experience sometimes feel confused because they don’t know where to put their hands. The solution is very simple – not to think about it, but photos can be brought to life significantly with the help of hands. Turn on your imagination and imagine that you are dancing to your favorite music. You should be as relaxed as possible, movements are soft and smooth.
Also, photos of a girl touching her hair always look great. Make it look like you are straightening your hair, looking down or forward. This is a great way to draw attention to your face, and you can also show off your new earrings! Also, you can add an accessory to the photo, take an object that matches the style in your hand: a flower, a cup or a handbag. The second hand can remain free.
Prone pose
Lying pose is not often used in photography, although it has great potential.
As a rule, this pose symbolizes openness and relaxation, and also demonstrates the femininity and elegance of the figure.
You can apply this pose not only in the studio or at home, on the contrary, pictures in the grass, flowers or the seashore look livelier and more interesting.
Posing at the support
Girls always look beautiful and graceful in pictures with support. There are many variations of this pose. The main thing is to relax and not overdo it with posing, otherwise the feeling of fakeness cannot be avoided.
Sitting Posing
This pose can be taken on a classic armchair or sofa, or on any horizontal surface, as long as it matches the concept of the shot and the feelings you want to convey.
Hands up
Many consider this pose for a photo shoot to be banal, but it is still used by experienced models. The bottom line is to create a dynamic effect with the help of hand movements.
Imagine that you are dancing to your favorite song: spin around, play with your hair, reach for the sky. The main thing is not to stop without moving.
Looking away from the camera
This pose is very popular with girls for its simplicity and effectiveness. Its essence is that you do not pay attention to the camera: just turn your head to the side and make a thoughtful or dreamy look.
Hair work
If a girl has beautiful, long hair, it’s a great idea to use it when shooting. Photos with flying hair look best, so if the shooting takes place outdoors in windy weather, rejoice! Picturesquely disheveled hair looks very impressive.
Standing Posing
Standing Posing is the most common type of photography that has unlimited scope for imagination. To get beautiful photos, the back should be straight, and the lower back must be bent. As a result, your silhouette should resemble the English letter “S”.
Poses for a couple photo shoot
The main principle of couple photo shoots is to convey the naturalness and feelings of lovers as much as possible. Show emotion and joy that you are together. Forget about the fact that you are at a photo shoot, communicate, interact with each other, choosing those poses in which you are comfortable.
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