The face-off is a key feature of lacrosse that starts play at the beginning of each quarter, after goals, and after certain stoppages. It is a one-on-one contest between two midfielders (often called “FOGOs” – Face-Off Get-Offs). The goal of a face-off is to gain possession of the ball for one’s team and initiate an offensive play. Here’s a comprehensive look at how face-offs work in lacrosse.

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When Do Face-Offs Occur?

• Start of Game: A face-off takes place at the opening whistle of the game.
• Start of Quarters: At the start of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters.
• After Goals: Every time a team scores a goal, play restarts with a face-off at midfield.
• Certain Penalties/Play Stoppages: In NCAA men’s lacrosse, after certain technical fouls (like crease violations or illegal clear), a face-off may be awarded. Most commonly, however, a face-off is triggered by a goal.

In women’s lacrosse, a similar contest called a “draw” happens after each goal, but that’s a different procedure. We’ll focus on men’s lacrosse face-offs here.

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Player Positions and Setup

At the center of the field, midfielders line up for the face-off:

• Face-off Players: Two midfielders face each other with their sticks touching the ground at the center.
• Wing Players: Each team has two supporting midfielders positioned on the left and right sides near the face-off area (the restraining boxes or lines, about 4 yards away from the center). These “wings” must stay outside the restraining box until the ball is free.
• Other Players: The four other midfielders (two for each team) stand behind the restraining line on their side, ready to move once the ball is played. Attacking and defensive players on both ends of the field must remain outside the restraining lines that extend to the endlines until the whistle.
• Initial Position: Both face-off players stand (not kneel) with no part of their body touching the ground. Their feet and bodies are behind the ball, with sticks lying horizontally on the ground. Both players must be on their own side of the midfield line and between the ball and the restraining lines.

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Face-Off Procedure

1. Whistle Signals: The referee will say “Set,” and on the whistle, the face-off begins. There may also be a verbal “down” command to get players ready.
2. Clamping the Ball: When the whistle blows, each player quickly attempts to clamp or flick the ball with the head of their stick. A clamp is pinching the ball between the sticks of both players, which is then lifted or pushed to a teammate. Players may strike or swipe at the ball to gain control.
3. Releasing the Ball: Typically, one player will successfully dislodge the ball to one side. As soon as the ball moves or is free, players (and their wings) fight for the loose ball. In men’s lacrosse, once the ball is free, players can pick it up or pass it to a teammate.
4. Wing Play: Once the ball is in play, the wing players and the back lines of each team can cross the restraining line and enter the midfield area to help gain possession.

If the ball becomes trapped between the sticks and is not playable (if it stays stuck in a clamp after a few seconds), the referee will stop play and call for a re-face (reset) in the same spot. A re-face can also occur if the whistle was unclear or an infraction happened.

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Face-Off Rules and Violations

There are several rules that both face-off players must obey:

• No Early Movement: Neither player may move or use their body/stick before the whistle. If one player does, it’s a violation (called “false start”) and usually results in giving the other team the ball with a cleared restart.
• Sticks: Players’ sticks must be placed horizontally with the ball between them on the ground. The bottom of the handle and the head’s center should be behind the restraining line. The ball is placed by the referee, not the players.
• Hands on Stick: Hands must be on the stick in the correct position: the bottom hand is usually near the end of the shaft, and the top hand cannot touch the head (especially the right hand on the head is illegal).
• Arms and Body: Players must be standing and not kneeling or sitting. No part of the body should touch the other player’s stick or body before the whistle.
• Offsides: If any of the eight other midfield players or any attackers/defenders enter the face-off area early, an offsides violation is called and possession is awarded accordingly.
• Clamping or Trapping: Holding onto the ball after clamping it (without releasing it quickly) is illegal. It is known as “withholding the ball.” If a player traps the ball under the head of his stick, the ref can call a violation.
• Clamping Opponent’s Stick: Illegally twisting or holding the opponent’s stick is not allowed.
• Kicking or Dangerous Play: Using feet to kick the ball or dangerously strike the opponent is a foul.

Common face-off violations include jumping the whistle, incorrect hand placement (like gripping too high or touching the head), or moving a wing player early. If a player commits a second face-off violation in the half, they must serve a timeout (in some leagues, a timeout or penalty called “extra man offense” is enforced).

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Winning the Face-Off

The team that secures the loose ball wins the face-off and starts its possession. Often, a face-off specialist (a player skilled in face-offs) will try to clamp the ball to his own teammate. It is an advantage play – the winning team can quickly transition to offense. Face-off winners are pivotal in controlling game flow, especially for teams with fast, scoring midfielders.

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Summary

• A face-off starts play at the beginning of quarters and after goals. Two players battle for the ball placed on the center line.
• On the whistle, both face-off specialists clamp or swipe at the ball to gain control. Wing players then join to pick up the free ball.
• Key rules include no early movement, correct stick placement, and positioning behind restraining lines. Violations (like false starts or trapping the ball) result in possession for the opposing team.
• Winning the face-off gives a team immediate possession and a chance to mount an attack.

Understanding these procedures and rules is essential for players and coaches, as face-offs happen frequently and can significantly influence momentum in a lacrosse game. Referees closely monitor all players at the face-off until possession is clear, ensuring a fair start to each play.