Why Women’s Lacrosse Needs a Better Way to Track Draw Performance

When you watch a men’s lacrosse game, one stat jumps off the page: faceoff percentage. From youth leagues to the NCAA, every team and fan knows exactly who’s dominating at the X. The numbers are clear—faceoff wins, losses, and percentages are tracked in real time and analyzed after every game. This data drives coaching decisions, player development, and even recruiting.

But in women’s lacrosse? The draw—arguably the most pivotal play in the game—doesn’t get the same statistical spotlight. Most teams and leagues track total draw controls, but that’s where the data usually stops. We rarely see stats for individual draw takers, percentages, or breakdowns by matchup. Great draw takers don't always "self draw" but will place the ball into a space to give their teammates an advantage.  That means coaches, players, and fans are missing out on valuable insights that could change the way the game is played and understood.

The Case for a Faceoff-Style Stat System in Women’s Lacrosse

Here’s why women’s lacrosse should adopt a more robust, faceoff-inspired system for recording draw statistics:

• Player Development: Just like men’s faceoff specialists study their win rates and technique, draw specialists in women’s lacrosse deserve detailed feedback. Tracking who takes each draw, who wins, and against whom helps players see patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement.
• Strategic Adjustments: Coaches in men’s lacrosse can quickly spot when a faceoff man is struggling and make in-game changes. With better draw stats, women’s coaches could do the same—adjusting personnel, tweaking technique, or shifting matchups based on real data.
• Recognition & Recruiting: The best men’s faceoff specialists become household names in the lacrosse world. Imagine if women’s draw specialists had their own leaderboards, accolades, and recruiting buzz. It would elevate the position and inspire the next generation of players.
• Game Analysis: More granular draw data would help teams break down wins and losses. Did a key run start with a draw win? Which player dominated the circle? These insights could reshape postgame analysis and storytelling.

What Would This Look Like?

Borrowing from the men’s game, here’s a simple framework for draw statistics in women’s lacrosse:

• Draws Taken: Number of draws taken
• Draws Won: Number of possessions won after taking the draw credited to the draw taker
• Draws Lost: Number of possessions lost after taking the draw credited to the draw taker
• Draw Percentage: Draws won divided by draws taken credited to the draw taker
• Opponent Matchups: Tracking results against specific opposing draw specialists

With this level of detail, every player and coach would have a clear picture of draw performance—game by game and across a season.

The Bottom Line

The draw is too important to leave in the shadows. By adopting a faceoff-style approach to draw statistics, women’s lacrosse can empower players, inform coaches, and engage fans like never before. It’s time for the draw to get the attention—and the data—it deserves.

At Draw Pro Lacrosse, we’re passionate about helping players and coaches maximize their performance in the circle. Better stats are just one way to move the game forward.