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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
Parents’ Guide
To The Sport Of
Boys Lacrosse
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
Table of Contents
Page
Bill of Rights for Young Lacrosse Players 3
Role of Parents 4
Role of the Coach 6
History of Field Lacrosse 8
Lacrosse Field (outdoor) 10
Positions 11
Equipment 12
Rules 15
Skills 19
Glossary 20
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
Bill of Rights for Young Lacrosse Players
1. Every young lacrosse player has the right to participate in the sport of lacrosse.
2. Every young lacrosse player has the right to play in every game, regardless of
physical ability or the relative importance of the game.
3. Every young lacrosse player has the right to play as a child, and be treated on a
level appropriate with the emotional and physical maturity of the player’s age.
4. Every young lacrosse player has the right to participate in a safe and healthy
environment, and have access to proper medical treatment.
5. Every young lacrosse player has the right to be taught the fundamentals of lacrosse
by qualified adult leadership.
6. Every young lacrosse player has the right to have a coach who is more concerned
with fun, social interaction and skill development than winning.
7. Every young lacrosse player has the right to have a coach who is supportive and
patient, who takes the time to work with each player, and who allows players to
make mistakes.
8. Every young lacrosse player has the right to be treated with respect and dignity by
coaches and other players.
9. Every young lacrosse player has the right to report to the coach any physical pain or
emotional concerns without fear of rejection or ridicule.
10.Every young lacrosse player has the right to have fun.
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
The Role of Parents
You, the parent, are equally as important to your child’s positive lacrosse experience as
the coach of the team. In order for your child to get the most out of playing lacrosse, it
is important that you do the following:
1.
Be supportive of your child by giving encouragement and showing an interest in
his/her team. Positive reinforcement encourages learning and fun. Research has
shown that a ratio of 5 positive statements (compliments, positive recognition) for
each negative statement (criticisms, corrections) is ideal for helping athletes do their
best. Try to maintain a 5:1 ratio in your comments to your child.
2.
Attend games whenever possible. If you cannot attend, ask how your child did,
not whether the team won or lost. Some questions that you might ask before asking
about the final score include: “Did you try as hard as you could? Did you have fun?
Did you learn anything today that might make you a better player in the future?”
3.
Be a positive role model by displaying good sportsmanship at all times to
coaches, officials, opponents and your child’s teammates. “Honoring the Game” is
an important part of what US Lacrosse stands for. Help us by honoring the game in
your behavior as a spectator.
4.
Let your child set his own goals and play the game for himself. Be your child’s
“home court advantage” by giving him or her your unconditional support regardless
of how well he or she performs.
5.
Let the coach coach. Refrain from giving your child advice when he or she is
playing. Use positive reinforcement with your child’s coach. Let the coach know
when he or she is doing a good job.
6.
Respect the decisions of the referee or umpire. This is an important part of
honoring the game. Your child will pay more attention to how you act than to what
you say.
7.
Read the rulebook. A full understanding of the rules will help you enjoy the game
and educate others.
8.
Get to know who is in charge. Meet with the leadership of the program to
discuss topics such as cost, practice and game scheduling, insurance coverage,
emergency procedures, etc.
9. Get involved. Volunteer.
10. Sit back and enjoy the game. Remember, lacrosse is played for FUN.
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
A great way to support your child’s lacrosse experience is by becoming a volunteer for
the lacrosse program. It’s best to get started when your child first signs up for lacrosse,
so that you both can start together.
Volunteers are always need to do the following:
• Coach or assist the coach
• Keep score
• Run the clock
• Line the fields
• Manage equipment
• Chaperone trips
• Organize a booster club and manage booster activities
• Organize coach and player clinics
• Hold cookouts and social events
• Organize carpooling and practices and games
• Assist in making schedules
• Assist during registration
• Photograph players and games
• Create a yearbook or program
• Take children to local and national lacrosse games and events
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
The Role of the Coach
US Lacrosse and the WNC Youth Lacrosse Program is committed to the principles of
Positive Coaching and will work in partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance, a
national nonprofit organization based at Stanford University with the mission to
transform youth sports so sports can transform youth.
US Lacrosse and the WNC Youth Lacrosse Program wants every player to enjoy their
experience with the sport of lacrosse and to learn positive character lessons that will
help them in every aspect of their life. We expect our coaches to embody the principles
of the Positive Coaching Alliance, including the following:
1.
A Positive Coach is a positive motivator and refuses to motivate through fear,
intimidation or shame. He establishes order and discipline in a positive manner.
2.
A Positive Coach works to remain positive even through losing streaks. He
recognizes that it is often when things go wrong that a coach can have the most
positive impact and teach the most important lessons. Regardless of the adversity
involved, he refuses to demean him or his players by resorting to fear, intimidation or
shame. He always treats athletes with respect regardless of how well they perform.
3.
A Positive Coach coaches for mastery rather than victory, which he sees as a by-
product of the pursuit of excellence. He focuses on effort rather than outcome,
learning rather than comparison to others.
4.
A Positive Coach recognizes that mistakes are an important and inevitable part
of learning and encourages an environment in which players are willing to risk
making a mistake.
5.
A Positive Coach sets standards of continuous learning and improvement for
himself and his players. He encourages and inspires his players, whatever their
level of master, to strive to get better without threatening them. He is committed to
becoming the best coach he can be and continually seeks to improve his own
effectiveness.
6.
A Positive Coach “Honors the Game”. He feels an obligation to the sport he
coaches. He loves his sport and shares his love and enjoyment with his players. He
feels privileged to be able to take part in his sport.
7.
A Positive Coach respects his opponents, recognizing that a worthy opponent will
push his team to do their best.
8.
A Positive Coach understands the important role that officials play and strives to
show them respect even when he disagrees with their decisions.
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
9.
A Positive Coach values the rich tradition of his sport and works to honor the
spirit as well as the letter of its rules.
10.
A Positive Coach demonstrates personal integrity and would rather lose than win
by dishonoring the game. Dishonoring the game is worse than defeat.
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
The History of Field Lacrosse
With a history that spans centuries, lacrosse is the oldest continuously played sport in
North America. The sport is rooted in Native American religion and was often played to
resolve disputes, heal the sick and develop strong, virile men. To some Native
Americans, lacrosse is still referred to as “The Creators Game.”
Ironically, lacrosse also served as a substitute for war. Stories tell of as many as 1,000
players per side, from the same or different tribes, who took turns engaging in a violent
contest the Algonquians called baaga’adowe (baag means hit, a means be an
instrument, adow means ball and e is an abstract ending to the word.
Contestants played on a field as much as 15 miles in length and games sometimes
lasted for days. Some tribes used a single pole, tree or rock for a goal, while other
tribes had two goalposts through which the ball had to pass. Balls were made out of
wood, deerskin, baked clay or stone.
The evolution of the Native American game into modern lacrosse began in 1636 when
Jean de Brebeuf, a Jesuit missionary, drew attention to a Huron contest in what is now
southeast Ontario, Canada.
At that time, some type of lacrosse was played by tribes scattered throughout what is
now southern Canada and all parts of the United States.
French pioneers began playing the game avidly in the early 1800s. Canadian dentist
W. George Beers standardized the game in 1867 with the adoption of set field
dimensions, limits to the number of players per team and other basic rules.
New York University fielded the nation’s first college team in 1877, and Philips Andover
Academy (Mass.), Philips Exeter Academy (N.H.) and the Lawrenceville School (N.J.)
were the nation’s first high school teams in 1882. There are currently over 600 college
and 2000 high school lacrosse teams from coast to coast.
The first women’s lacrosse game was played in 1890 at the St. Leonard’s School in
Scotland. Although an attempt was made to start women’s lacrosse at Sweet Briar
College (V.A.) in 1914, it was not until 1926 that Miss Rosabelle Sinclair established the
first women’s lacrosse team in the United States at the Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore,
MD.
Men’s and women’s lacrosse were played under virtually the same rules, with no
protective equipment, until the mid-1930’s. At that time, men’s lacrosse began evolving
dramatically, while women’s lacrosse continued to remain true to the game’s original
rules.
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
Men’s and women’s lacrosse remain derivations of the same game today, but are
played under different rules. Women’s rules limit stick contact, prohibit body contact
and, therefore, require little protective equipment. Men’s lacrosse rules allow some
degree of stick and body contact, although violence is neither condoned nor allowed.
Field lacrosse is sometimes perceived to be a violent and dangerous game, however,
injury statistics prove otherwise. While serious injuries can and do occur in lacrosse,
the game has evolved with an emphasis on safety and the rate and severity of injury are
comparatively low.
Played by “boys” and “girls” who range in age from six to sixty, lacrosse is one of the
fastest growing team sports in the United States. In recent years, lacrosse has
experienced unprecedented growth throughout the world.
A unique combination of speed, skill, agility, grace, endurance, finesse, and historical
significance, lacrosse may just be, according to basketball inventor James Naismith,
“the best of all possible field games.”
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
Boy’s Lacrosse Field
60 Yards
110 Yards
Midfield Line
20 Yards
Crease
9 ft. Radius
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
Boys Lacrosse Field Positions
Attack
The attackman’s responsibility is to score goals. The attackman generally
restricts his play to the offensive end of the field. A good attackman
demonstrates excellent stick work with both hands and has quick feet to
maneuver around the goal. Each team should have three attackmen on the field
during play.
Midfield
The midfielder’s responsibility is to cover the entire field, playing both offense and
defense. The midfielder is a key to the transition game, and is often called upon
to clear the ball from defense to offense. A good midfielder demonstrates good
stick work including throwing, catching and scooping. Speed and stamina are
essential. Each team should have three midfielders on the field.
Defense
The defenseman’s responsibility is to defend the goal. The defenseman
generally restricts his play to the defensive end of the field. A good defenseman
should be able to react quickly in game situations. Agility and aggressiveness
are necessary, but great stick work is not essential to be effective. Each team
should have three defensemen on the field.
Goal
The goalie’s responsibility is to protect the goal and stop the opposing team from
scoring. A good goalie also leads the defense by reading the situation and
directing the defensemen to react. A good goalie should have excellent
hand/eye coordination and a strong voice. Quickness, agility, confidence and the
ability to concentrate are also essential. Each team has one goalie in the goal
during play.
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
Equipment for Boys
The Crosse
The crosse (lacrosse stick) is made of
wood, laminated wood or synthetic
material, with a shaped net pocket at the
end. The crosse must be an overall length
of 40-42 inches for attackmen and
midfielders, or 52-72 inches for
defensivemen. The had of the crosse
must be 6.5-10 inches wide, except a
goalie’s crosse which may be 10-12 inches
wide. The pocket of a crosse shall be
deemed illegal if the top surface of a
lacrosse ball, when placed in the head of
the crosse, is below the bottom edge of
the side wall.
The Ball
The ball must be made of solid rubber and
can be white, yellow or orange. The ball is
7.75-8 inches in circumference and 5-5.25
ounces. 99% of the time a white ball is
used.
The Helmet
A protective helmet, equipped with face
mask, chin pad and a cupped four point
chin strap fastened to all four hookups,
must be worn by all players. All helmets
and face masks must be NOCSAE
(National Operating Committee on
Standards for Athletic Equipment)
approved.
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
The Mouthpiece
The mouthpiece must be a highly visible
color and is mandatory.
The Glove
All players are required to wear protective
gloves. The cutting or altering of gloves is
prohibited.
Shoulder Pads
All players except the goalie must wear
shoulder pads.
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
Arm Pads
All players except the goalie must wear
arm pads.
Special Goalie Equipment
Chest Protector
Throat Protector
Straps onto the helmet to protect the throat
area.
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
Lacrosse Rules for Boys
The following describes FIELD lacrosse (not indoor lacrosse)
Boys (men’s) lacrosse is a contact game played by ten players: a goalie, three
defensemen, three midfielders and three attackmen. The object of the game is to shoot
the ball into the opponent’s goal and to keep the other team from scoring. The team
scoring the most goals wins.
Each team must keep at least four players, including the goalie, in its defensive half of
the field and three in its offensive half. Three players (midfielders) may roam the entire
field.
Collegiate games are 60 minutes long, with 15-minute quarters. Generally, high school
games are 48 minutes long, with 12-minute quarters. Likewise, youth games are 32
minutes long, with eight-minute quarters. Each team is given a two-minute break
between the first and second quarters, and the third and fourth quarters. Halftime is 10
minutes long.
Teams change sides between periods. Each team is permitted two timeouts each half.
The team winning the coin toss chooses the end of the field it wants to defend first.
The players take their positions on the field: Four in the defensive clearing area, one at
the center, two in the wing areas and three in their attack goal area.
Men’s lacrosse begins with a face-off. The ball is placed between the sticks of two
squatting players at the center of the field. The official blows the whistle to begin play.
Each face-off player tries to control the ball. The players in the wing areas can run after
the ball when the whistle sounds. The other players must wait until one player has
gained possession of the ball, or the ball has crossed a goal area line, before they can
release.
Center face-offs are also used at the start of each quarter and after a goal is scored.
Field players must use their crosses (sticks) to pass, catch and run with the ball. Only
the goalkeeper may touch the ball with his hands. A player may gain possession of the
ball by dislodging it from an opponent’s crosse with a stick check. A stick check is the
controlled poking and slapping of the stick and gloved hands of the player in possession
of the ball.
Body checking is permitted if the opponent has the ball or is within five yards of a loose
ball. All body contact must occur from the front or side, above the waist and below the
shoulders, and with both hands on the stick. An opponent’s crosse may also be stick
checked if it is within five yards of a loose ball or ball in the air. Aggressive body
checking is discouraged.
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
If the fall or a player in possession of the ball goes out of bounds, the other team is
awarded possession. If the gall goes out of bounds after an unsuccessful shot, the
player nearest to the ball when and where it goes out of bounds is awarded possession.
An attacking player cannot enter the crease around the goal, but may reach in with his
stick to scoop a loose ball.
A referee, umpire and field judge supervise field play. A chief bench official,
timekeepers and scorers assist.
There are personal fouls and technical fouls in boys lacrosse. The penalty for a
personal foul results in a one-to-three minute suspension from play and possession to
the team that was fouled. Players with five personal fouls are ejected from the game.
The penalty for a technical foul is a 30-second suspension if a team is in possession of
the ball when the foul is committed, or possession of the ball to the team that was fouled
if there was no possession when the foul was committed.
Personal Fouls for Boys
Slashing
Occurs when a players stick viciously contacts an opponent in any area other
than the stick or gloved hand on the stick.
Tripping
Occurs when a player obstructs his opponent at or below the waist with the
crosse, hands, arms, feet or legs.
Cross Checking
Occurs when a player uses the handle of his crosse between his hands to make
contact with an opponent.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Occurs when any player or coach commits an act which is considered
unsportsmanlike by an official, including taunting, arguing, or obscene language
or gestures.
Unnecessary Roughness
Occurs when a player strikes an opponent with his stick or body using excessive
or violent force.
Illegal Crosse
Occurs when a player uses a crosse that does not conform to required
specifications. A crosse may be found illegal if the pocket is too deep or if any
other part of the crosse was altered to gain an advantage.
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
Illegal Body Checking
Occurs when any of the following actions takes place:
A. Body checking an opponent who is not in possession of the ball or within five
yards of a loose ball;
B. Avoidable body check of an opponent after he has passed or shot the ball;
C.
Body checking an opponent from the rear or at or below the waist;
D.
Body checking an opponent above the shoulders. A body check must be
below the shoulders and above waist, and both hands of the player applying
the body check must remain in contact with his crosse.
Illegal Gloves
Occurs when a player uses gloves that do not conform to required specifications.
A glove will be found illegal if the fingers and palms are cut out of the gloves, or if
the glove has been altered in a way that compromises its protective features.
Technical Fouls for Boys
Holding
Illegally impedes the movement of an opponent with the ball.
Interference
Occurs when a player interferes in any manner with the free movement of an
opponent, except when that opponent has possession of the ball, the ball is in
flight and within five yards of the player, or both players are within five yards of a
loose ball.
Offsides
Occurs when a team does not have at least four players on its defensive side of
the midfield line or at least three players on its offensive side of the midfield line.
Pushing
Occurs when a player thrusts or shoves a player from behind.
Screening
Occurs when an offensive player moves into and makes contact with a defensive
player with the purpose of blocking the man he is defending.
Stalling
Occurs when a team intentionally holds the ball, without conducting normal
offensive play, with the intent of running time off the clock.
Warding Off
Occurs when a player in possession of the ball uses his free hand or arm to hold,
push or control the direction of an opponent’s stick check.
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
Withholding The Ball From PlayOccurs when a player clamps a loose ball against the ground more than
momentarily or clamps the ball against his body to prevent it from being
dislodged.
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
Skills For Boys
Catching The act of receiving a passed ball with the crosse.
Checking The act of attempting to dislodge the ball from an
opponents stick.
Cradling The coordinated motion of the arms and wrists that keeps
the ball secure in the pocket and ready to be passed or shot
when running.
Cutting A movement by an offensive player without the ball, toward
the opponent’s goal, in anticipation of a feed and shot.
Feeding Passing the ball to a teammate who is in position for a shot
on goal.
Passing The act of throwing the ball to a teammate with the crosse.
Poke Check A stick check in which the player pokes the head of his stick
at an opponent’s stick through the top hand by pushing with
the bottom hand.
Slap Check A stick check in which a player slaps the head of his stick
against his opponents stick.
Scooping The act of picking up a loose ball with the crosse.
Screening An offensive tactic in which a player near the crease
positions himself so as to block the goalkeepers view of the
ball.
Shooting The act of throwing the ball with the crosse toward the goal
in an attempt to score.
Wrap Check A one-handed check in which the defender swings his stick
around his opponent’s body to dislodge the ball. (This
check is only legal at the highest level of play and is not
recommended by US Lacrosse.
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
Glossary of Terms for Boys Lacrosse
Attack Goal Area The area around the goal defined by the endline, the
Goal Area Line and the two broken lines located 20
yards on either side of the goal. Once the offensive
team crosses the midfield line, it has 10 seconds to
move the ball into its attack goal area.
Body Check Contact with an opponent from the front – between
the shoulders and waist – when the opponent has
the ball or is within five yards of a loose ball.
Box An area used to hold players who have been served
with penalties, and through which substitutions “on
the fly” are permitted directly from the sideline onto
the field.
Check-Up A call given by the goalie to tell each defender to find
his man and call out his number.
Clamp A face-off maneuver executed by quickly pushing the
ball of the stick on top of the ball.
Clearing Running or passing the ball from the defensive half
of the field to the attack goal area.
Crease A circle around the goal with a radius of nine feet into
which only defensive players may enter.
Crosse (stick) The equipment use to throw, catch and carry the
ball.
Defensive Clearing Area The area defined by a line drawn sideline to sideline
20 yards from the face of the goal. Once the
defensive team gains possession of the ball in this
area it has 10 seconds to move the ball beyond the
Goal Area Line. Once beyond the Goal Area Line,
the defensive team may not pass or run the ball back
into the Defensive Clearing Area.
Extra Man Offense
(EMO)
A man advantage that results from a timeserving
penalty.
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
Face-off
Fast-Break
Ground Ball
Handle (shaft)
Head
Man Down Defense
(MDD)
Midfield Line
On-The-Fly Substitution
Pick
Pocket
Rake
Riding
Release
Unsettled Situation
A technique used to put the ball in play at the start of
each quarter, or after a goal is scored. The players
squat down and the ball is place between their
crosses.
A transition scoring opportunity in which the offense
has at least a one-man advantage.
A loose ball on the playing field.
An aluminum, wooden or composite pole connected
to the head of the crosse.
The plastic or wood part of the stick connected to the
handle.
The situation that results from a timeserving penalty
which causes the defense to play with at least a one
man disadvantage.
The line which bisects the field of play.
A substitution made during play.
An offensive maneuver in which a stationary player
attempts to block the path of a defender guarding
another offensive player.
The strung part of the head of the stick which holds
the ball.
A face-off move in which a player sweeps the ball to
the side.
The act of trying to prevent a team from clearing the
ball.
The term used by an official to notify a penalized
player in the box that he may re-enter the game.
Any situation in which the defense is not positioned
correctly, usually due to a loose ball or broken clear.
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Parents’ Guide To The Sport of Lacrosse
Resources
US Lacrosse
www.lacrosse.org
The national governing body for men’s and women’s lacrosse
Asheville Lacrosse
www.ashevillelacrosse.org
The source for information on lacrosse in Western North Carolina
Play It Again Sports – Asheville Store
Phone: 828-299-1221
The local source for lacrosse equipment in the Asheville, NC area
Bacharach Lacrosse
www.bacharach.com
800-726-2468
A lacrosse gear company based in Maryland. If you buy your gear from them tell them
you want the package for the “Asheville Youth Lacrosse Program”.
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