Every lacrosse game begins with a faceoff at the center of the field. The referee places the ball and one player from each team steps in and takes a squatted position with his stick flat on the ground. On the referee's whistle, both players compete for possession until one emerges with the ball. Center faceoffs also start each quarter and follow every goal scored. Knowing a few tips can make you more successful on faceoffs and help your team control the pace of play.
Attitude
A lot of the time, winning faceoffs comes down to attitude. You have to be in the proper mental state to compete for possession. A good faceoff man will do whatever it takes, sacrificing his body and absorbing untold punishment to come away with the ball. You can't be timid. Enter into each faceoff confident that you'll win, and above all else, never quit.
Grip
Always hold the stick in your fingers, not your palms. Keeping the stick in your fingers allows you a better feel for the shaft and lets you rotate the stick more quickly. Holding your hands too far apart or too close together also can be a problem, compromising your stick control and leverage. You want to place your dominant hand as close to the stick head as possible, with your other hand about halfway down the shaft. Proper hand placement would be roughly shoulder-width apart. Use tape to mark the location so you don't forget.
Approach
When stepping in for the faceoff, approach the ball and center line from a 45-degree angle. This angled approach allows you to generate more force over the ball and into your opponent, increasing your leverage and chances for success. Approaching the ball straight on will leave you vulnerable to getting knocked sideways off the ball.
Positioning
Make sure to crowd the ball as much as possible. By getting as close to the ball as you can each time, you won't tip your hand and reveal which move you're about to use. For this same reason, you need to find a comfortable stance that allows for freedom of movement. A correct stance will provide a strong, sturdy foundation and keep weight off the hands, permitting quick stick adjustments. If raising your hands off the ground causes you to lose balance, you need to alter your stance.
Feet
While faceoffs might seem like a battle of wills and sticks, don't overlook the importance of quick feet. Crafty faceoff artists will occupy their opponent's stick and use their feet to kick the ball free, allowing them to swipe possession. Agile feet also translate into better balance and body control, two important factors when fighting for the ball.
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