Box Lacrosse Positions: Roles and Where to Play

At full strength, a box lacrosse team normally has five runners and one goalie on the floor. The main role labels are forward, defenseman, transition player and goaltender. A runner is simply any player other than the goalie. These are not five fixed assignments: the mix changes with possession and substitutions. The NLL’s introductory guide identifies these roles and explains the shift-based rotation.

You will also hear crease, corner or shooter, and point. Those describe spots in an offensive setup, not additional players. Understanding that distinction makes the game much easier to follow.

The four main roles

Think of a goalie making a save. A teammate receives the first pass, advances the ball and looks for a scoring chance while other runners change. That sequence connects all four roles.

Role	Main job	What to watch or practise
Goalie / goaltender	Stop shots, recover the ball and start the next possession with an outlet pass.	Track the ball, stay balanced and locate a clear first pass.
Forward	Create scoring chances through passing, shooting, cuts and picks.	After passing, move to help a teammate rather than standing and watching.
Defenseman / defender	Protect the dangerous space in front of goal, cover attackers and help teammates handle picks.	Keep inside position—between the attacker and your goal—and communicate early.
Transition player	Connect defense to offense: recover possession, advance the ball and recognize fast-break opportunities.	Look up after securing the ball; choose a useful pass or carry rather than forcing a rush.

An outlet is the first pass from a goalie or defender that starts the move from defense to offense. A pick is a legal screen intended to obstruct a defender from a set position. Those terms are explained in the NLL guide. Canadian coaching resources likewise teach goalie-started attacks, breakouts, loose-ball reactions and defending picks as connected parts of the game—not isolated position skills. See the Canadian Lacrosse Association’s coaching progression.

For a closer look at the specialist role, start with our box goalie guide.

Crease, shooter and point: where the offense sets up

A traditional five-player offensive shape has two low crease spots, two higher corner/shooter spots and one point at the top. The Canadian Lacrosse Association’s initiation coaching manual defines these locations, and its coaching progression introduces them through motion offense.

• Crease: Low on either side of the goal, outside the crease boundary. From here, look for a close-range catch, a timed cut or a pick that frees another attacker. “Playing crease” does not mean standing inside the goalie’s protected area.
• Corner or shooter: Higher and wider than the crease players. From here, threaten a shot, pass down to a teammate or work a pick-and-roll—a screen followed by a turn to become a passing option.
• Point: High and central, farther from the goal. From here, help move the ball between sides and read where the defense leaves an opening.

These are starting spots, not parking spaces. Motion offense depends on movement and keeping the floor balanced. Canadian coaching guidance teaches players to keep their sticks toward the middle; right-handed shooters commonly play the left side of the attack, and left-handed shooters the right, viewed while facing the opposing goal. This puts the stick toward the center. The initiation manual’s glossary describes that arrangement.

Do all runners play both ways?

Team systems differ. In the NLL, teams commonly substitute offensive and defensive units when possession changes. You are not necessarily watching two forwards, two defenders and a center stay together as a hockey-style line. The league explains this specialization in its substitution guidance.

For newcomers, learn both phases before treating a label as a permanent job. Youth and beginner formats may modify player numbers, contact and substitutions; ask your coach which system applies.

If you come from field lacrosse, do not expect a direct position-for-position transfer. NLL runners use short sticks—there is no long-pole defensive role. Transition is also a responsibility for every runner: react when possession changes, whether moving into attack or recovering to defend.

First-practice checkpoint: Ask where to start on offense, whom to cover on defense and when to change. Then check your first action after possession changes: find your defensive assignment when the ball is lost, or present a clear passing option when it is won. Our box defense guide develops the positioning and communication side of that task.