A lacrosse faceoff is a contest at midfield used to determine possession at the start of periods and after most goals in NCAA men’s field lacrosse. NCAA men’s overtime periods also begin with a faceoff.
Not every version of lacrosse uses the same procedure. NCAA women’s field lacrosse uses a draw instead, while NLL box lacrosse has its own faceoff rules.
What Is A Lacrosse Faceoff?
A faceoff is a contest at center used to determine which team gains possession of the ball.
In NCAA men’s field lacrosse, faceoffs are an important part of the game’s possession structure. Instead of automatically giving the ball to the team that allowed a goal, play ordinarily resumes with another faceoff.
That gives both teams an opportunity to gain the next possession.
When Do Faceoffs Happen In Lacrosse?
NCAA men’s field lacrosse uses a faceoff at center to begin standard periods and after most goals.
Overtime periods also begin with a faceoff.
That makes the faceoff a recurring part of a men’s lacrosse game rather than something that happens only at the opening whistle.
How Does A Lacrosse Faceoff Work?
During an NCAA men’s lacrosse faceoff, opposing players contest the ball at center and try to gain possession for their team.
The initial contest does not necessarily produce immediate possession. The ball can remain loose, allowing other players to become involved before either team establishes control.
Once one team gains possession, the faceoff is over and normal possession rules apply.
What Is A Faceoff Violation In Lacrosse?
A faceoff violation occurs when a player or team breaks one of the rules governing the faceoff procedure.
NCAA rules regulate how faceoffs are conducted, and a violation can affect how possession or the restart is administered.
The exact type of violation and its consequence depend on the applicable rule. Faceoff violations should not be treated as though every infraction automatically produces the same result.
What Happens After A Faceoff Violation?
The result of a faceoff violation depends on the specific NCAA rule that was broken and how the violation is administered.
A violation can affect possession or the restart, but there is not one universal consequence that should be applied to every faceoff infraction.
That is also why numerical violation thresholds or automatic penalty escalations should not be assumed without reference to the specific rule.
What Is A Faceoff Specialist In Lacrosse?
A faceoff specialist is a player used primarily to take faceoffs and help the team gain possession.
Faceoff specialist is a strategic role in NCAA men’s lacrosse rather than an additional player position. The specialist is part of the normal 10-player lineup while on the field.
A faceoff specialist also may substitute out once the faceoff and immediate possession battle are complete.
What Does FOGO Mean In Lacrosse?
FOGO means “face off, get off,” an informal term for a faceoff specialist who often substitutes out shortly after the faceoff.
The term describes a player's strategic role. It is not an official NCAA position designation.
A FOGO may enter specifically to take the faceoff and then leave once possession is established, allowing another midfielder to enter the game.
Why Are Faceoffs Important In Lacrosse?
Faceoffs are important because winning one can give a team possession and an immediate opportunity to establish its offense.
The faceoff itself is only part of the battle. The ball can remain loose after the initial contest, meaning players still must secure possession before the team can begin its normal offensive sequence.
Teams therefore can use specialists specifically focused on helping them gain possession from these situations.
What Happens After A Team Wins A Faceoff?
Once a team establishes possession after an NCAA men’s faceoff, normal possession and clearing rules apply.
NCAA men’s lacrosse uses an 80-second possession clock. The team must advance the ball across midfield while 60 seconds remain, effectively giving it the first 20 seconds to clear.
Once possession is established, players also transition into their normal offensive and defensive responsibilities.
Do Women’s Lacrosse Players Take Faceoffs?
No. NCAA women’s field lacrosse uses a draw rather than the NCAA men’s ground faceoff.
The draw is the women’s center-start technique and should be treated as its own procedure rather than simply being called a different type of men's faceoff.
Current NCAA women’s rules also use a 30-second administrative draw clock after a goal once the required scorer’s-stick check has been completed.
Does Box Lacrosse Have Faceoffs?
Yes. NLL box lacrosse uses faceoffs as part of its game-start and possession procedures.
That does not mean an NLL faceoff should be treated as identical to an NCAA men’s field lacrosse faceoff.
The two formats operate under separate rulebooks and have their own procedures.
Do All Types Of Lacrosse Use Faceoffs?
No. Different forms of lacrosse use different center-start procedures.
NCAA men’s field lacrosse and NLL box lacrosse use faceoffs. NCAA women’s field lacrosse uses draws, while Sixes uses its own center-draw mechanics.
The simplest rule for a beginner is not to assume every center restart in lacrosse is a faceoff.
Frequently Asked Questions About FloLacrosse
What Do You Get With A FloLacrosse Subscription?
A FloLacrosse subscription combines live lacrosse with replays and year-round coverage of the sport.
The NLL gives subscribers a season-long professional box lacrosse property to follow, while FloLacrosse also carries additional college, high school and event programming. Beyond streaming, fans can use FloLacrosse for rankings, recruiting coverage, scores, schedules, highlights, interviews, news and analysis, creating a destination for following lacrosse rather than simply finding a stream on game day.
What Can You Watch On FloLacrosse?
FloLacrosse subscribers can watch professional lacrosse through the National Lacrosse League, along with additional college, high school and event coverage available on the platform.
The NLL significantly expands that offering by providing a professional league fans can follow across an entire season. FloLacrosse's broader schedule also features field and box lacrosse at multiple levels, though specific event availability can vary by competition and streaming rights.
Can You Watch The NLL On FloLacrosse?
Yes. The National Lacrosse League streams on FloLacrosse as part of FloSports' partnership with the NLL.
That makes professional box lacrosse one of the biggest reasons for lacrosse fans to consider a subscription. Fans can follow NLL teams, players and games throughout the season while using FloLacrosse's broader coverage to keep up with the league and the sport.
Can You Watch Lacrosse Live And On Demand On FloLacrosse?
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That gives fans flexibility to watch games live or return to available broadcasts afterward. Subscribers also can watch through supported FloSports apps and connected devices, making it easier to follow lacrosse throughout a busy weekend or season.
Does FloLacrosse Have Scores, Schedules And Results?
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These resources help fans track upcoming games and completed events while following leagues, teams and tournaments throughout the season.
Is A FloLacrosse Subscription Worth It?
FloLacrosse provides the most value to fans who want to follow lacrosse across multiple levels. The addition of the NLL strengthens that offering with season-long professional box lacrosse, while college, high school, recruiting and event coverage provides additional ways to follow the sport. Live games, replays, rankings, scores, recruiting coverage and original reporting extend the platform's usefulness beyond individual broadcasts.
How Do I Sign Up For FloLacrosse?
Fans interested in subscribing can visit the official FloLacrosse signup page to see current subscription options and sign up for access to available NLL games and other live and on-demand lacrosse programming.
What do you get with a FloLacrosse subscription?
Subscribers get supported live lacrosse and replays, including NLL coverage, plus rankings, recruiting coverage, schedules, scores, results, highlights, news and analysis.
Can you watch the NLL on FloLacrosse?
Yes. FloSports is an NLL streaming partner, giving FloLacrosse subscribers access to National Lacrosse League coverage as part of the platform's professional lacrosse offering.
What lacrosse can you watch on FloLacrosse?
FloLacrosse features professional box lacrosse through the NLL along with currently available college, high school and other lacrosse competitions.
Can you watch FloLacrosse on demand?
Yes. Supported games and events are available for replay, allowing subscribers to catch up on lacrosse they could not watch live.