Lacrosse is a fast-paced, high-skills sport that’s played by people all over the world. The basic objective of the game is to use your stick to catch or push the ball into an opponent’s goal. Along with simply playing Lacrosse, there are also many other ways you can enjoy this game as well!
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10 Benefits of Playing Lacrosse
1. It’s a great workout! Lacrosse is a high-intensity sport that requires a lot of running, dodging, and jumping. All of these motions work your entire body, helping you stay in shape.
2. It’s fun! Lacrosse is an exciting game to play. There’s always something happening, whether it’s a fast-paced offensive rush or a tense defensive stand.
3. It develops teamwork skills. Lacrosse is a team sport that requires players to work together in order to be successful. This can help you develop important teamwork skills that can be used in other parts of your life.
4. It helps improve your hand-eye coordination. Handling a lacrosse stick takes practice and skill. The more time you spend with your stick in hand, the better your coordination will be!
5. It gives you hours of enjoyment. Whether you’re playing pickup lacrosse at the park or competing in a weekend tournament, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and play lacrosse.
6. Fraternity/sorority rush is a great way to meet new people while showing off your Lacrosse skills! Explore Greek life by attending fraternity and sorority rush events so you can meet new people and enjoy the game!
7. Build lasting friendships with fellow players throughout high school and beyond! There’s nothing like having familiar faces cheering for you when it matters most. Create relationships that will last beyond graduation through high school sports teams such as Lacrosse.
8. Lacrosse is an international sport! Lacrosse originated in North America but has since spread all over the world with about 375,000 registered members within the United States and Canada alone.
9. It can be a great experience for young boys and girls to develop their physical coordination skills as well as social skills through playing Lacrosse on school or community teams. This helps build teamwork which they will need throughout life in order to accomplish goals.
10. Family participation adds another element of fun to this wonderful game! Everyone loves spending time with their family so why not take advantage of this by introducing your future athlete to one of the most exciting team sports there is?
How to Get Started with Lacrosse
Picking up the Basics
Lacrosse might seem a bit daunting at first glance. What with all the running, dodging, catching, throwing, and let’s not forget, the “cradling.” But hey, don’t worry! It’s actually quite straightforward when you break it down.
Lacrosse is a team sport, with the basic goal of getting a small rubber ball into the opponent’s goal, pretty much like soccer or hockey. But here’s the fun part – instead of using your feet or a hockey stick, you’re equipped with a lacrosse stick (or ‘crosse’), which has a little mesh pocket at the end to catch, carry, and shoot the ball. Now, I won’t lie, it takes a bit of practice to get the hang of it, but once you do, it’s an absolute blast!
Equipment Essentials
So, you’re ready to give lacrosse a shot? Awesome! But first, you’ll need some gear. Let’s go shopping!
A lacrosse stick is your top priority. There are different types of sticks, varying in length, based on the position you play. For beginners, it’s recommended to start with a versatile, middle-of-the-road stick, just until you figure out your preferred position.
Next, you’ll need a lacrosse ball for practice. These are made of solid rubber and are available in various colors.
Don’t forget your helmet! Safety is key, my friend. Lacrosse helmets are designed with a full-face mask, similar to hockey helmets, and are mandatory in most leagues.
Other protective gear includes gloves, shoulder pads, elbow pads, and for the fellas, a protective cup. Gals, you’ll need a pair of goggles. While this gear might feel cumbersome at first, you’ll get used to it. Plus, it’s all about keeping those precious bones and muscles safe and sound!
Brush Up on the Rules
Before you step onto that field, it’s a good idea to get acquainted with the rules. The specifics can vary depending on the version of lacrosse you’re playing (yes, there’s more than one!), but here’s the gist:
- Each team has ten players (in field lacrosse) or six players (in box lacrosse), including the goalie.
- Players use their stick to catch, carry, and pass the ball with the aim of scoring goals.
- Physical contact is part of the game, but there are restrictions on what is allowed. No slashing with the stick or body-checking an opponent who doesn’t have the ball!
- The game starts with a face-off at the center of the field.
Find a Lacrosse Community
Now, you’re almost ready to play, but playing alone isn’t much fun, right? Time to find your team!
Many towns and cities have local lacrosse clubs or leagues that are welcoming to newcomers. Some even offer beginner classes or pick-up games where you can learn the ropes without too much pressure.
Safety Tips for Beginners
1. When player is wearing a helmet, they must wear a face mask or want.
2. The lacrosse stick should not have any sharp objects on the end of it.
3. Shin Guards are highly recommended when playing Lacrosse to protect your lower legs from injury during Checking (pushing an opponent with your body).
4. Goalies will need gloves and protective equipment such as chest protectors and leg pads to help prevent injuries while protecting the goal.
5. Any player who has suffered a head, neck or back injury in the past could be subject to severe injury if hit in that area again without proper protection, thereby restricting their ability to play and/or cause future health problems for them (i.e. chronic headaches, dizziness, seizures).
Now that you know how to play and are aware of the safety precautions, it’s time to find some friends who also want to play! You can either join a team at your school or in your local community, or start your own. If you’re not sure where to start, there are many YouTube videos that will show you how to play.
Once you have learned the basics, you can start playing in tournaments. There are many different levels of tournaments, so find one that is appropriate for your skill level. Playing in tournaments is a great way to improve your skills and meet new people.
If you’re not interested in playing competitively, there are still plenty of ways to have fun with Lacrosse. One of the best ways to have fun is by playing games with friends! These can include both indoor and outdoor games. Indoor games are typically played in a gymnasium, while outdoor games are played on open fields or tennis courts.