Lacrosse is a super-fast, contact sport where 10-man teams try to shoot a ball into the opponent’s goal. Players carry a stick that has a “pocket” made of string mesh and the ball is held within the pocket. Our regular season is during the Spring; about the same as baseball. Most find it impossible to play both sports and often we find the kids that love “dynamic” sports (ie: basketball, football, soccer) absolutely love lacrosse over just about everything else!
This is a lacrosse player (and a really good one).
When passing, the ball frequently reaches 40-50 miles-per-hour. When shooting, 90+ miles-per-hour is common (high school). The point is, this game is ridiculously fast. It is a blast to play and to watch. Our sport has a terrific following and once you get involved, this game will stick with you throughout your entire life. Very few kids ever quit playing lacrosse which is a testament to the purity of the game and how special we all feel to be a small part of it.
The game is played on a field roughly the size of a soccer field.
3 players are “defenders”, 3 are “midfielders”, 3 are “attackmen”, and one is the goalie. In general, the 3 defenders and 1 goalie stay on the defensive half of the field and the 3 attackmen stay on the offensive half of the field. The midfielders, or “middies”, roam the entire length of the field and control possession of the ball. They substitute off the field regularly to stay fresh.
The physical nature of the game is a common source of questions. The best way to describe the contact is by age group.
Our 3rd and 4th graders are combined onto one team that we call the “34 Team”. At that level, you are allowed to hit other player’s sticks with your stick if they have the ball or are near a loose ball on the ground. Hitting an opponent’s stick is called a “stick check” or “checking”. Quite often a well-meaning player misses the opponent’s stick and hits their arms or hands. That is the reason for the gloves and arm guards. Occasionally, an errant check lands on the shoulders or head. This is an immediate penalty, but the protective gear is there to make sure no injuries occur.
The 5th and 6th graders, or “56”, players allow for limited body checking. This is something like blocking on a football line of scrimmage in that you are allowed to slam your body into the opponent’s body if they have the ball or are close to a loose ball on the ground. At this level, no “take out” body checks are allowed, and referees are quick to throw a flag to keep things in control.
At 78, things get considerably more rough. Take out body checks are still not allowed, but you will notice a much higher level of contact. This has the opposite effect from what you might think. Low quality teams focus on the physical contact. High quality teams emphasize passing the ball and finesse to stifle the opponent. The finesse mentality carries on throughout the game all the way through college.
Kirkland Youth Lacrosse, and Lake Washington High School Lacrosse, are programs that emphasize skills over brute force. We do this because it is the best way to build a quality program. A side effect is that lacrosse is a game that does not reward size and physicality nearly as much as quick thinking, teamwork, and speed. All players can find a role in this game and it has taught many of us lessons that carry us through life even today.
To go deeper in your understanding of the game, consider following some of the links below. Also, feel free to email us with any questions. Ultimately, the key is to get involved either through signing up, or attending our no-commitment skills clinics that happen in the offseason. If you are considering lacrosse, please contact us and let us expose you to the fastest sport on two feet!
Lacrosse 101 document
I’m super excited and want to get involved!