Why Do Lacrosse Players Drop Their Sticks?
It looks like a mic drop, but there's a rule behind it. Here's why women's lacrosse players drop their sticks after scoring, and why the men don't.
The scorer has to drop her stick so officials can check the pocket. No drop, no goal.
Men's rules don't require it. Sticks still get checked, just not after every goal.
Ever watched a lacrosse game and wondered why players drop their sticks after scoring? I'll admit, the first time I saw it, I thought it was a mistake. It looks strange at first, but they do it on purpose.
It's not a requirement in men's lacrosse. In NCAA women's lacrosse, though, the scorer has to drop her stick for the goal to count. Under the rules, officials check the stick to make sure the pocket (the part that holds the ball) is legal.
Simple, right? But there's more to the story than just the rules. Let me tell you about it.
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The rules behind stick-dropping in lacrosse
In women's lacrosse, the rule keeps the game fair and stops players from gaining an edge with an illegal stick. When a player scores and drops her stick, the officials check that it meets the rules:
- Is the pocket depth legal?
- Do the stick's dimensions meet the rules?
- Has the stick been modified in a way that gives an unfair advantage?
Under NCAA rules, a goal doesn't count if the scorer doesn't drop her stick or hand it to the nearest official, and if she adjusts her stick before dropping it, the goal is waved off and the stick is ruled illegal. That can turn a big moment into a lot of frustration for the team.
Read more: What makes a lacrosse stick illegal
Why does only women's lacrosse require it?
You might wonder why this rule is only for the women's game. In NCAA women's lacrosse, officials check the scorer's stick after every goal to make sure the pocket is within legal limits, and dropping the stick is how that check happens.
Men's lacrosse doesn't check sticks after every goal, partly because the rules on contact and pocket depth are different. Men's sticks still get checked, just not after every goal.
Stick checks can also be requested during the game, though the timing depends on the rule set. In high school girls' lacrosse, for example, officials don't do mandatory checks after every goal, but coaches can request one at any stoppage. That's why you'll still see high school and youth players drop their sticks out of habit.
Men's players aren't even allowed to throw their sticks during play. That's a penalty.
Read more: Rules of lacrosse
Where the stick drop came from
Lacrosse has been around for centuries. It was first played by Indigenous nations in North America, who call it "The Creator's Game." It was deeply spiritual and was often played to settle conflicts or as part of ceremonies.
As the sport grew, fairness and respect stayed at the heart of it. The stick drop itself is much newer, though. According to USA Lacrosse, players used to tighten their strings right after scoring to avoid illegal-stick calls, so the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Rules Committee made the drop part of the rules after the 2013 season. It's been a part of every goal ever since.
More than just a rule: the emotional side
Scoring in any sport is a big deal, and scoring in lacrosse isn't easy. It takes skill, strategy and teamwork. It's not official, but when a player drops her stick after a goal, it's like a mic drop. It says, "I did my job. Now check it, it's clean."
It's a mic drop with a rulebook behind it.
Now that you know why lacrosse players drop their sticks after scoring, let's see how lacrosse compares to other sports when it comes to celebrations.
How lacrosse stick-dropping compares to other sports
I've always been fascinated by celebrations in different sports. Some players have signature celebrations that take over the internet.
In soccer, players take off their jerseys (and get a yellow card for it). In basketball, there's the slam dunk, followed by fist pumps or chest bumps.
In lacrosse, you celebrate by letting go of your stick. It's unique, isn't it? You won't see a field hockey player drop her stick to have it checked after a goal.
Lacrosse makes it its own without going overboard on the celebrating. It keeps things exciting and classy.
How often do stick checks take away goals?
Looking at the table below, it's clear that stick checks rarely take goals off the board. Dropping the stick is as much about the emotion of the moment as anything else.
If we're talking lacrosse fans, I count myself as one of the biggest. Dropping the stick is an important part of women's lacrosse that keeps the game fair. It can be confusing for new fans at first.
Players, on the other hand, see it as routine.
Keep your stick legal
Coach's note: I've seen it at every level, from upstate New York girls' programs to Virginia Beach club teams and Ontario field lacrosse: a pocket that bags out over the season costs you a goal at the worst possible time. Check your pocket before every game, drop the ball in and make sure the top of it sits above the sidewall, and if you're not sure, ask your coach or the official to take a look before the draw.
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BallsPearl X Greaseless Balls (3-pack)$19.99 at BattleLaxRead more: How scoring works in lacrosse
People also ask
Why do lacrosse players drop their sticks?
In NCAA women's lacrosse, the player who scores has to drop her stick (or hand it to an official) so the officials can check that the pocket is legal. If she doesn't, or if she adjusts her stick first, the goal doesn't count.
What is an illegal lacrosse stick?
An illegal stick has a pocket that's too deep, dimensions outside the rules, or modifications that give an unfair advantage, like strings set up to hold the ball. Illegal sticks are removed from the game.
Why do girls throw their stick after scoring?
In college women's lacrosse, the scorer has to drop her stick so officials can check it after every goal. Plenty of high school and youth players do it too, even though their rules don't require a check after every goal.
Why are boys' lacrosse sticks deeper than girls'?
Men's lacrosse allows more contact and checking, so men's pockets are deeper to protect the ball. Women's rules require a shallower pocket, which puts more emphasis on stick skills.
Why don't men's lacrosse players drop their sticks?
Men's rules don't require the scorer to drop his stick after a goal. Stick checks still happen in men's lacrosse, just not after every goal, and throwing your stick during play is a penalty.
So why do lacrosse players drop their sticks? Because in college women's lacrosse, it's the rule: no drop, no goal. It keeps the game honest, and it's become one of the sport's signature moments.