Lacrosse Positions Guide: Roles, Responsibilities & Gear

Lacrosse has three field-player positions plus a goalie, with significantly different roles, gear requirements, and stick rules for each. Here's what actually differs by position — both on the field and in what you need to buy.

Attack

Attackmen focus on offense — shooting, feeding (passing to set up shots), and maintaining possession in the offensive zone. They typically play close to the crease and need quick, deceptive stick handling.

• Stick length: short sticks (40-42 inches total for the complete stick, in most rule sets — always verify your specific league's current rules).
• Gloves: tend to favor lighter, more flexible gloves that prioritize hand feel over maximum protection.
• What to practice: catching and releasing quickly, dodging, shooting off-hand.

Midfield

Midfielders run the entire length of the field — they play both offense and defense, cover more ground than any other position, and need all-around athleticism. Some teams have specialized offensive or defensive midfielders; others rotate all midfielders.

• Stick length: short sticks (same range as attack, typically 40-42 inches).
• Gloves: tend to be balanced between protection and flexibility — midfieldersface physical play in both directions.
• What to practice: ground balls, transition, clearing the ball from defense to offense.

Defense

Defenders protect the crease, check offensive players, and help clear the ball up the field. They use long poles, which give reach for checking and poke-checking but require more coordination to handle effectively.

• Stick length: long poles (52-72 inches total in most men's rule sets — verify your specific league). Defenders are typically allowed one long pole on the field at a time per roster position rules, though this varies by level and organization.
• Gloves: tend to favor heavier, more protective gloves — defenders take and deliver more physical contact than attack players.
• What to practice: footwork, body positioning, poke-checking rather than slashing.

Long Stick Midfielder (LSM)

A variant of the midfielder role in men's lacrosse: a defensively-focused midfielder who carries a long pole. Most commonly seen at advanced levels (HS varsity and above). Youth leagues often don't have a formal LSM designation.

Goalie

The goalie uses a distinct, wider-headed stick and wears a completely different, heavier protective gear set than field players. Goalie gear is a separate buying decision — see ourparent's gear guide for what goalie equipment involves.

• Stick: a dedicated goalie head (wider) on a shaft, with a separate stringing/mesh designed for shot-stopping rather than carrying.
• Gear: dedicated goalie gloves, a chest protector, throat guard, and appropriate helmet (check for goalie-specific helmet requirements at your level).

Position and gear buying decisions

If you're buying gear for a new player who hasn't been assigned a position yet, start with a short stick (attack/midfield length) — it's the most versatile starting point. See ourstick buying guide for beginner recommendations, and our gloves guide for position-specific glove considerations.