Inner City LacrosseInner City Lacrosse

LACROSSE LACROSSE History History

Deemed the fastest game on two feet, lacrosse has a history that spans centuries and is the oldest sport native to the North American continent.

Rooted in Native American ritual and religion, the game was often played to resolve conflicts, prepare for war, heal the sick and build strength.

Until the mid-1930s, men's and women's lacrosse were played under virtually the same rules, with no protective equipment.

At that time, men's lacrosse rules began evolving dramatically, while women's lacrosse continued to remain true to the game's original rules.

LACROSSE LACROSSE History History

• Object of both men’s and women’s lacrosse is to score more goals than the opposing team by shooting the ball into the opponent’s netted goal

• Women's rules allow 12 players on the field, limit stick contact, prohibit body contact and therefore, require little protective equipment

• Men's lacrosse rules allow 10 players on the field and some degree of stick and body contact but violence is neither condoned nor allowed

LACROSSE LACROSSE General Overview General Overview

• Lacrosse is played primarily in the spring

• Resembles strategies of basketball and hockey or field hockey on a field similar to a soccer field

• Players use sticks with aluminum alloy or titanium handles and plastic heads with mesh- or leather-strung pockets to catch, throw, scoop and shoot a solid rubber ball

• Games involve quick sprints, passes, a motion offense and shots on goal

LACROSSE LACROSSE General Overview General Overview

Over the past decade, number of men, women and youths playing lacrosse has increased another 8.4% each year to reach the estimated 568,021 people playing today

Level 2001 2008 __ 2009_Youth 125,000 265,214 297,271High School 100,925 218,823 227,624College 20,293 29,822 31,614Professional 150 300 180Post-College 7,563 10,071 11,342Total 253,931 524,230 524,230

LACROSSE LACROSSE Growth Growth

• Lacrosse is a fully-sponsored NCAA championship sport for both men and women

2009 US Lacrosse Participation Survey (Varsity and Club)Men:……………………………………………………. 18,746Women:……………………………………………….. 12,868Total:…………………………………………………… 31,614

No. College Players Annually2001:……………………………………………………… 20,2932002:……………………………………………………… 23,1792003:……………………………………………………… 24,3312004:……………………………………………………... 23,1622005:……………………………………………………… 24,5022006:……………………………………………………… 26,2512007:……………………………………………………… 28,2822008:……………………………………………………… 29,8222009:……………………………………………………… 31,614

LACROSSE LACROSSE Growth – College SnapshotGrowth – College Snapshot

2008 US Lacrosse Participation Survey (NFHS & USL Data)

Boys:……………………………………………………… 136,710Girls:……………………………………………………… 90,914Total:…………………………………………………….. 227,624

Growth Rates of NFHS Sports Boys 10-yr1. Bowling ……………………………………………………....208.4%2. Lacrosse……………………………………………………….175.0%3. Indoor Track………………………………………………….. 53.5%4. Ice Hockey………………………………………………….. …39.2%5. Water Polo………………………………………………………….

38.1%

Growth Rates of NFHS Sports Girls 10-yr1. Lacrosse…………………………………………………….. 208.0%2. Bowling………………………………………………………. 187.4%3. Ice Hockey………………………………………………….. 78.9%4. Water Polo………………………………………………….. 46.3%5. Golf……………………………………………………………. 38.0%

LACROSSE LACROSSE Growth – High School SnapshotGrowth – High School Snapshot

• Data collected from the US Lacrosse’s 63 regional chapters following the 2009 calendar year indicated more then 297,000 youth players played lacrosse.

Number Youth Players Annually

2001:………………………………………………. 125,0002002:………………………………………………. 137,5002003:………………………………………………. 150,0002004:………………………………………………. 186,0482005:………………………………………………. 204,3842006:………………………………………………. 220,7972007:………………………………………………. 241,5812008:………………………………………………. 265,2142009:………………………………………………. 297,271

LACROSSE LACROSSE Growth – Youth SnapshotGrowth – Youth Snapshot

• Our Mission Through responsive and effective leadership, US

Lacrosse strives to provide programs and services to inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the game.

• Our VisionWe envision a future which offers people everywhere the opportunity to discover, learn, participate in, enjoy and ultimately embrace the shared passion of the lacrosse experience.

US LACROSSE US LACROSSE One for All – and here to helpOne for All – and here to help

• Largest, all-encompassing resource for lacrosse knowledge

• Volunteer-based organization - national board of directors and executive committee with equal representation from the men’s, women’s and youth games

• Staff of more than 50, plus volunteers and interns

501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization relies on membership dues, annual giving grants, endowments, sponsorships to achieve organizational mission and vision

Membership base grown to 297,271 in 2009

US LACROSSE US LACROSSE One for All – and here to helpOne for All – and here to help

• Research shows men’s and women’s lacrosse to be relatively safe compared to other commonly played team sports

• Most injuries are minor strains, sprains and contusions, but more significant injuries can and do occur

• Sport Science and Safety Committee of US Lacrosse is sponsoring research to monitor these injuries, better understand their mechanisms and design preventive programs

• Visit www.uslacrosse/safety for helpful articles, links and contact information regarding lacrosse science and safety

LACROSSE LACROSSE ““So How Safe is Lacrosse?So How Safe is Lacrosse?””

• Lacrosse offers sport option for athletes of all weights, shapes and sizes

• Lacrosse is a great preparation for other sports that require strength, speed and agility

• Lacrosse can offer coaches and officials of other sports opportunities in off-seasons from other sports

• Lacrosse offers opportunity for student-athletes - one that may not be available in other sports - to continue sports participation in college through growing number of divisional and club programs

LACROSSE LACROSSE ““What about Concerns for a Negative What about Concerns for a Negative Impact on Our Other Sports?Impact on Our Other Sports?””

New Start Program

• Free, multi-level developmental assistance program offering industry’s most complete package of start-up materials for first year teams needing guidance on getting started

• Details and tips on everything from budgeting development to securing and lining fields

• Get a “To Do” checklist, promo DVD, manual, and CD of helpful documents, plus more

LACROSSE LACROSSE ““So How Do We Get Started?So How Do We Get Started?””

US Lacrosse Regional Chapters

• Connect one of our 63 regional volunteer-based US Lacrosse boards for assistance, information and even grant assistance specific to your location

• Most up-to-date contact list at www.uslacrosse.org/chapters

LACROSSE LACROSSE ““So How do We Get Started?So How do We Get Started?””

Outfitting boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams costs less than football or ice hockey team

Boys’ lacrosse: Helmets, shoulder pads, rib pads,

Arm pads, gloves and mouth guards required (~$250-

$400 per player)

Girls’ lacrosse: Protective eyewear, mouth guard

mandatory, gloves optional; full protective equipment,

including a chest and throat protector, required only

for goalkeeper (~$125-$175 per player)

LACROSSE LACROSSE ““What About Equipment?What About Equipment?””