How to Do a Draw in Women's Lacrosse

Every game of women's lacrosse begins with a "draw," the equivalent of a face-off in hockey or a tip-off in basketball.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a women's lacrosse stick
• a partner or competitor with a lacrosse stick
• a lacrosse ball
• a referee or a friend to place the ball and call for the draw

1. If you are on a lacrosse field, stand at center position, facing your partner or opponent. Stand with feet at least shoulder-width apart.

2. Each player will hold up her stick, horizontally across the body, with the head of her stick facing into the middle.

3. The backs of the heads of the sticks are lined up flush against each other.

4. The referee places the ball between the two stick heads, and the players push the heads against each other to keep the ball sandwiched between. Bending at the knees and pushing with the arms puts the player in good position to win the draw. But be careful, if you push too hard, the referee will call you out—the stick must stay over the center line, not ahead of or behind it. And you cannot tip your stick-head back to hold the ball on the back of the net.

5. At the sound of the whistle, or the command "draw," the two players push their stick-heads together, then up and away. The goal is to "push" or fling the ball toward your teammates, to give them possession at the start of the game, at half-time or after each goal.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice makes perfect. Even experienced lacrosse players can have difficulty with the draw. It takes strength, coordination and balance.
• Typically, the player who takes the draw is called the "center," though some coaches may opt to place another attack player into the circle for the draw.
• Other players will be positioned around the center circle, ready to catch the ball after the draw takes place.