What Men's Lacrosse College Coaches Look For By Position | RosterWise™

The structure of men’s college lacrosse

NCAA men’s lacrosse is played with 10 players on the field per team:

• 3 attackers
• 3 midfielders (typically including specialized roles)
• 3 defenders
• 1 goalie

Plus the following rules-based realities (per multiple verified sources):

Field size: 110 yards by 60 yards

Long pole rule: Each team can have a maximum of 4 long poles (6-foot sticks) on the field at any time. This means the 3 close defenders typically all carry long poles, and the 4th long pole can be used by a Long-Stick Midfielder (LSM) when the team is playing defense.

Offside rule: There must be 3 players on the offensive end and 4 on the defensive end at all times during play. The midfielders can move freely between sides.

Substitution: On-the-fly substitution is permitted (similar to hockey), which is how specialized positions like FOGO operate — they come on for face-offs and leave the field after the play.

Universal qualities every college coach evaluates

Before position-specific criteria, there are universal qualities men’s college coaches consistently look for across every position. Per direct coach quotes from college head coaches:

The two-handed player advantage:

“A two-handed player will always have a big edge on a player that is one-handed.”

— Bryant University Men’s Head Coach Mike Pressler (via 2aDays)

This is perhaps the most important universal evaluation criterion in men’s lacrosse. Athletes who can receive, carry, dodge, shoot, and feed with both hands separate themselves at every position. Two-handed dexterity is evaluated visually from film and game tape.

Universal qualities (from women’s lacrosse coaches but universally applicable):

“Two-way play (not just being good at one thing), energy, hustle, athleticism, and good sportsmanship. Being a good teammate and a team leader.”

— Duquesne University Women’s Head Coach Corinne Desrosiers (via 2aDays)

“Intensity (how hard they go), competitive drive, fundamentals, and type of teammate.”

— Quinnipiac Women’s Head Coach Tanya Kotowicz (via 2aDays)

These principles apply to men’s lacrosse evaluation as well. Coaches evaluate how an athlete competes, not just the highlight-reel plays. Hustle on ground balls, communication with teammates, response to mistakes, behavior on the bench — all observable from game footage.

Attackers (3 positions)

Attackmen are the primary offensive players. They typically stay on the offensive side of the field per the offside rules (with limited exceptions when a midfielder rotates back).

What college coaches evaluate in attackers:

Scoring ability in competitive game situations:

• Goals scored against challenging defense
• Variety of shot types — high, low, time-and-room, on-the-run, behind-the-back
• Shot accuracy under defensive pressure
• Finishing in tight spaces around the crease

Vision and feeding ability:

• Making the play that creates the goal, not just scoring it
• Reading defenses and finding the open teammate
• Feeding from X (behind the goal) — a key area for men’s attackers
• Skip passes and cross-field finds

Dodging and offensive movement:

• Change-of-direction dodges that get past defenders
• Split dodges, hitch dodges, roll dodges
• Continuous off-ball movement that creates space for teammates
• Confidence handling the ball in high-pressure situations

Ride and defensive pressure:

• Defensive contribution from offensive positions
• Riding (preventing the opposing defense from clearing the ball)
• Causing turnovers in transition

Stick skills:

• Two-handed dexterity (per Coach Pressler’s emphasis — essential)
• Quick release on shots
• Catching and finishing in traffic
• Stick protection while dodging against long poles

Quick decision-making under pressure:

• The ability to process information rapidly when defenders close
• Reading the slide and reacting appropriately

Midfielders (3 positions)

Midfielders cover the entire field, playing both offense and defense. Per multiple verified sources, midfielders are typically the only players who cover the full 110 yards regularly. The position has become increasingly specialized.

Modern midfield specialization:

• Two-way midfielder: Traditional player who plays both offense and defense. Among the fittest players on the team.
• Offensive midfielder: Specialized for offense, may substitute off when team plays defense
• Defensive midfielder / Short-Stick Defensive Midfielder (SSDM): Two midfielders who play defense with a short stick (not a long pole). Tough, hustle players who defend midfielders and pick up ground balls.

What college coaches evaluate in midfielders:

Two-way play:

• Both offensive and defensive contributions
• The ability to defend midfielders effectively while also contributing offensively
• Coaches at the top level often evaluate whether a midfielder is a true two-way player or a specialized offensive/defensive player

Transition play:

• Running the field — finishing fast breaks, defending in transition
• Ground ball play that converts turnovers into offense
• Outlet passing and clearing

Scoring versatility:

• Outside shooting (time-and-room from the top)
• Dodging from up top into the offensive set
• Inside finishing

Ground ball play:

• The 50/50 ground ball wins games
• Boxing out opposing players
• Two-handed cradling after pickups

Stamina and athleticism:

• The midfield demands the highest fitness level in the game
• Conditioning that allows maintained intensity through the full game

Defense (3 close defenders)

Close defenders are the three defensive players using 6-foot long poles. They typically stay on the defensive half of the field per the offside rules. Their primary responsibility is guarding the opposing team’s attackers and preventing scoring opportunities.

What college coaches evaluate in defenders:

One-versus-one defensive technique:

• Body position and stance
• Footwork — sliding laterally, recovering, changing direction
• Stick discipline — using the long pole to disrupt without committing fouls
• Reading the dodger and anticipating moves

Stick work with the long pole:

• Clearing the ball — outlet passes that create fast-break offense
• Cradling cleanly under pressure
• Two-handed dexterity even with the long pole
• Shooting from defensive midfield in transition

Ground ball play in transition:

• Converting turnovers into offense
• Boxing out attackers on ground balls
• Body positioning on 50/50 plays

Caused turnovers:

• The defensive equivalent of goals scored
• A key NCAA-tracked statistic at all divisions

Communication on team defense:

• Calling switches, slides, and recoveries
• Vocal leadership visible from game footage
• Organizing the defense before the offense attacks

Slide and recovery work:

• How the defender functions within team defensive systems
• Recognizing when to slide to help
• Recovering to original assignments after slides

Long-Stick Midfielder (LSM)

The LSM is a hybrid position. He’s a midfielder (which means he can cross midfield freely) but he uses a 6-foot long pole. Per the maximum 4 long poles rule, teams typically deploy the LSM to disrupt offensive midfielders, contest ground balls, and create transition opportunities.

What college coaches evaluate in LSMs:

Defensive presence at the midfield:

• Taking the ball from offensive midfielders
• Disrupting passing lanes with long-pole reach
• Aggressive but controlled defense

Ground ball play in transition:

• LSMs are often the players who convert ground balls into transition opportunities
• Boxing out and securing 50/50 balls
• Athletic ability to run after pickups

Stick work with the long pole in space:

• Clearing the ball when defenders are pressured
• Outlet passes in transition
• Comfort handling the long pole in open field situations

Athleticism:

• LSMs are typically among the most athletic players on the field
• Combination of defender’s reach and midfielder’s endurance

Defensive midfield endurance:

• Running the length of the field repeatedly
• Maintaining intensity through long shifts

Face-Off, Get Off (FOGO)

The FOGO is a specialized face-off player who takes face-offs at the start of each quarter and after every goal. The position has become increasingly specialized — many FOGOs come on the field exclusively for face-offs and substitute off after the play.

What college coaches evaluate in FOGOs:

Face-off win percentage in competitive situations:

• The single most important FOGO statistic
• Coaches look for face-off win rates in real games against quality opposing face-off specialists
• NCAA tracks face-off win percentage at all divisions as an official statistic

Face-off technique:

• Clamp work — the speed and effectiveness of the initial move
• Counter moves — responding to opposing FOGO strategies
• Exits — getting the ball out of the face-off scrum cleanly
• Body positioning and stance

Ground ball play after the face-off scrum:

• When the face-off doesn’t go cleanly, the ability to recover and win the resulting ground ball
• Pushing through opposing wing players
• Securing possession from scrums

Athletic ability when the face-off doesn’t go as planned:

• Sprint speed to the ball
• Strength in scrums
• Hand-eye coordination on poorly-bouncing balls

Field play versatility:

• Increasingly, modern FOGOs need to stay on the field after the face-off rather than substituting off immediately
• Modern FOGOs often need to contribute as midfielders after winning the face-off
• Some FOGOs are evaluated based on their ability to score after winning their own face-off

Face-off rule compliance:

• FOGO-specific technical rules (clamp positioning, timing, illegal moves)
• Avoiding violations that result in lost possessions

For FOGO recruits, dedicated face-off footage is critical. Coaches need to see face-off mechanics in detail. Many FOGOs include close-up footage of clamp work and exits in addition to standard game footage.

Goalies (1 position)

Goalies are the last line of defense. They protect the goal with a wider-headed goalie stick, wear specialized protective gear (chest protector, throat guard, helmet with specific facemask), and direct the entire defense.

What college coaches evaluate in goalies:

Save percentage and consistency:

• Saves of varying difficulty and shot types
• Consistency across game situations — not just highlight-reel saves
• Save percentage tracked by NCAA at all divisions as an official statistic

Clear-game ability:

• Outlet passes that create fast-break offense
• Clearing percentage is an NCAA-tracked team statistic
• Two-handed dexterity in clearing (per the universal two-handed principle)

Communication and leadership:

• Goalies direct the entire defense
• Vocal organization — calling out attackers, slides, switches
• Body language and on-field presence visible from highlight clips
• Mental toughness after goals scored

Athletic positioning:

• Both inside the cage and outside it
• Body and foot positioning that demonstrates fundamentals
• Athleticism to come out of the cage and play outside

Save consistency across shot types:

• High shots vs. low shots
• Off-stick side vs. stick side
• Inside vs. outside shots
• Free-position saves

Quick reflexes:

• Lacrosse balls can travel 80-100 miles per hour
• The goalie has a fraction of a second to react

How recruiting profiles differ by position

The post-House settlement scholarship landscape has expanded what’s possible for men’s lacrosse recruits, but position-specific recruiting realities remain:

Attackers and midfielders: Face deep recruiting pools at the most competitive levels. The competition for top spots is intense, particularly at offensive positions.

Defenders: Face a slightly different recruiting environment. Coaches need a balance of physical and skilled defenders. Athletes with strong defensive skills and two-handed long-pole dexterity can find spots even at competitive levels.

LSMs: Face a unique market. The position requires the rare combination of long-pole defender skills and midfielder endurance/athleticism. Top LSMs at competitive levels are highly sought because of the rarity of the skill combination.

FOGOs: Face perhaps the most position-specific market. Programs typically need 1-2 FOGOs per recruiting class. The recruiting pool is smaller, but the competition is intense. Top FOGOs at competitive levels often commit early because of the high demand for the specialized skill.

Goalies: Face a unique recruiting market. Every team needs goalies, but each team typically rosters only 2-3. The absolute number of college roster spots is smaller, but each program needs to fill those spots, meaning the competition is focused.

Specific position evaluation guidance

For families with athletes at each position, several practical considerations:

For attackers: Develop two-handed dexterity above almost everything else. Focus on shot variety, vision, and the ability to create space through dodging. Game footage matters more than skills footage.

For midfielders: Develop both offensive and defensive skills. Conditioning is non-negotiable. Two-way midfielders have the broadest recruiting market; specialized midfielders need to be exceptional in their specialty.

For defenders: Master one-versus-one technique with the long pole. Strong stick work in clearing makes you stand out. Communication ability is often the difference between top defenders and average ones.

For LSMs: Demonstrate the rare combination of long-pole defensive technique, midfielder athleticism, and ground ball excellence. LSM-specific game footage (showing the LSM defending against midfielders and converting ground balls into transition) is essential.

For FOGOs: Focus on technique and win percentage above all else. Build a video that includes substantial face-off footage with clear close-ups of clamp work. Modern FOGOs should also include field-play footage demonstrating the ability to stay on the field after winning the face-off.

For goalies: Focus on save technique fundamentals, clearing game development, and communication. Leadership presence matters as much as save percentage. Direct outreach to coaches is particularly important since teams roster few goalies.

Special considerations for Canadian recruits

For Canadian men’s lacrosse recruits (see International Recruiting in Men’s College Lacrosse), several position-specific considerations apply:

• Attackers: Canadian box lacrosse develops creative offensive skills that translate exceptionally well to the field game. Two-handed dexterity is particularly strong in many Canadian players.
• Midfielders: Canadian players often develop strong ball-handling and decision-making through box lacrosse, which translates to midfielder versatility.
• Defenders and LSMs: Box lacrosse develops aggressive defensive instincts that translate to field defense, though long-pole technique typically requires development at the field game.
• FOGOs: Box lacrosse face-offs differ structurally from field lacrosse face-offs. Canadian FOGOs may need to develop field-specific technique even if their general athletic ability is strong.
• Goalies: Box lacrosse goalies face higher-volume shots from shorter distances, which can develop strong reflexes. Field goalie technique may require adjustments.

Common questions about position-based evaluation

“My son plays midfield but specializes in offense. Should he be listed as an attacker?”

If he plays primarily on the offensive side and doesn’t substitute back to defend, “offensive midfielder” is a common designation. Talk to his coach about whether to list him as an offensive midfielder or attacker for recruiting purposes — both designations are used.

“What if my son plays multiple positions?”

Many men’s lacrosse recruits play multiple positions, especially at the youth and high school levels. Highlight versatility in recruiting materials — but be specific about which is his primary and which he could play in college.

“My son is a great FOGO. Is that enough to get recruited?”

A strong FOGO with high win percentage can find competitive recruiting opportunities. Modern coaches increasingly want FOGOs who can also contribute as field midfielders. Pure face-off specialists who can’t contribute in field play have a more limited market — but exceptional face-off specialists (60%+ win rate against quality competition) can still find paths to competitive programs.

“How important is size for men’s lacrosse positions?”

• Attackers: Range across all heights and weights. Skill matters more than size.
• Midfielders: Variable. Speed and endurance more important than size.
• Defenders: Height and reach help significantly. Physical strength matters for body contact and ground ball work.
• LSMs: Height and athleticism both matter. Speed is often the differentiator.
• FOGOs: Strength and quickness matter. Height is less critical than for other positions.
• Goalies: Reach matters for saves. Height ranges across all levels.

“My son is a late developer at his position. Are there still opportunities?”

Yes. Late-developing recruits often find their best fits at D2, D3, NAIA, and NJCAA programs where roster construction allows development time. Some positions (LSM, defender, goalie) are particularly suited to late developers because physical and mental maturity matters significantly.

Every recruit’s position story is different

Position evaluation is a starting framework, not a rigid prescription. Some athletes transition between positions during their development — a freshman midfielder may become a senior FOGO; an attack may switch to midfield; a defender may grow into an LSM role. Some athletes have skills that don’t fit neatly into traditional categories. Use this position-based framework to understand what coaches are evaluating, but treat your son’s actual development as the driver — not a position label. Talk with his coaches about what positions match his current development and where he might be most competitive in the recruiting process.

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Men’s lacrosse rules and position structures are governed by the NCAA at the college level, with high school and youth play governed by separate rule structures. This article focuses on NCAA men’s lacrosse. Families should verify specific program preferences and position evaluation criteria directly with the coaches at programs they’re considering.