Lacrosse 101 Presented by Justin Jenkins

Intro

From Scituate, MassachusettsDefensemen at Elmira College, in Elmira, NYDiv. III Empire 8 ConferenceTeam Captain Junior and Senior year

Past Work:Lacrosse Director at Camp Takajo in Naples, MELacrosse Instructor at Powell Brothers Lacrosse CampHead Coach at Beaver Country Day School in Boston, MA

I've been involved with the sport for over 16 years.

Tonight's Agenda

1. Introduction2. History of the Game 3. Field Layout4. Positions5. Quick Overview of Common Penalties6. Players Do’s and Don'ts7. Parents Do’s and Don'ts8. Key Words/Terms9. Questions and Answers

History of the Game Lacrosse dates back to 1100AD, and was played by Native Americans

Nicknames: “Creators Game” “ Baggataway” “Little Brother of War” “Fastest Game on Two

Feet”

First documented by French Jesuits in 1637 and they called it la-crosse (the stick).

History cont’d

Reasons for the Game:• Please the “Creator”• Settle land/border disputes between neighboring

tribes• Prepare the tribe for war

Games were played for several days with 100-1,000 players, the field would be 400 yards - 2 miles long and would be played on foot or on horseback.

The ball was usually made from a rock wrapped in deer hide, and Parents - there was no equipment !!!

Field LayoutField is 110 yards long x 60 yards wide

Positions on the Field Attackmen: Typically spend their entire lives in the opponents end of the field. There are always at least 3 attackmen in the offensive end, and do not typically cross midfield.

Midfielders:(also commonly known as Middies) roam the entire field. They play both off offense and defense. There are always 3 middies on the field during the game

Defensemen: (Long Poles) They play defense, they are responsible for stopping the offense. There are always 3 defensemen on the field during the game

Goalie: Responsible for stopping the opponents shots.

Each team is allowed only 10 players on the field

Common Penalties

• Illegal Stick• Body Checking• Stick Checking• Loose ball push

Stick Rules Stick Length:Attack/Middy: 40”-42” longDefense: 52”-72” longGoalie: 40”-72” long

Lacrosse Head:Width: 6.5” or greaterThroat: 3.0” or greater

Strings- 2” maximum

Illegal Pocket – The entire ball cannot be below the bottom sidewall

All butt ends must be covered

Body CheckingAny hits or blows to the head or neck will be a 1, 2, or 3 minute Unsportsmanlike Penalty and will be non-releasable (If the opponent scores the team still remains a man down)

Legal Hitting Area – Shoulder to Waist• Player must keep both hands on his stick when he hits• Any player who has any part of his body other than his feet on the

ground may not be checked.• Ball must be within 5 yards(3 steps) of the player to make a hit

These hits sound brutal, loud, and extremely painful, but if the hit is between the shoulder and the waist it is legal!!!!

Illegal Hit Legal Hit

Stick CheckingWhat a player may do legally with the stick on defense is to strike an opponent's stick when that opponent has possession of the ball or is within five yards of a loose ball or a ball in flight.Slashing: Illegal stick check to the body of a player, that does not result in striking the stick or gloves.Remember the gloves are considered part of the stick. So hitting the gloves should not be a slash, unless it is done maliciously and repeatedly.

Offensive side of stick checking is a term called WardingWarding is defined as:  when an offensive player deliberately makes contact with a defender's stick to interfere with the attempted check

Loose Ball Push(Push from Behind)Occurs when there is a loose ball on the ground, a member of one team pushes or shoves the opponent from behind resulting in the player falling over.

Players Do’s and Don’tsDo’s:• Wear your mouth guard• Wear your cup• Encourage good

sportsmanship• Listen to officials and coaches• Hustle and work hard • Inform coaches of any

injuries• Hydrate… a lot• Have Fun !!!!

Don’ts:• Take your helmet off on the

sidelines• Wear jewelry while playing• Talk back to officials, or

coaches• Talk to your parents on the

sideline during a game• Don’t have a bad or negative

attitude• No cell phones during games• Never retaliate against

another player

Parents Do’s and Don’tsDo’s:• Encourage your student –

athlete• Encourage good

sportsmanship• Hydrate your athlete• Report any injuries to the

team director• Encourage practice

participation, (their playing time depends on it)

• Have fun and enjoy the game !

Don’ts:• Belittle, harass or intimidate

players, officials or coaches• Walk across the field during

quarter or halftime breaks• Stand on the end lines, or

coach area• Don’t talk to officials under

any circumstances

Lacrosse Terms

Handout

Q and A