How To Play Women’s College Lacrosse
Deciding whether or not to play women’s college lacrosse can be a difficult decision. Many players aren’t ready to give up the sport they love, but they have questions. Knowing where to play isn’t a cut and dry answer. Even deciding on which NCAA women’s lacrosse division to play in is tricky. You may want to play in the highest division, but are you committed enough? Is D3 competitive enough for you? Do you really know what to expect? I interviewed three girls who play women’s college lacrosse in Ohio, and got their insight into each division. All three girls play NCAA lacrosse, but this may help you understand the difference between that and club lacrosse.
What to Expect When Playing D1 NCAA Women’s Lacrosse
- Anna Seanor
- Class of 2018
- The Ohio State University
- Defense
Did you always know you wanted to play in college? If so, did you always know you wanted to play at the Division 1 level?
No, I didn’t always know that I wanted to play lacrosse in college because I didn’t even know that was an option. Once I hit high school and colleges and started to recruit me, I made a pact to myself. If I was going to play collegiate lacrosse, I might as well try to play for the best, most competitive program that could.
What was the process of recruiting you went through like? How did you become noticeable to schools and coaches?
Thankfully, my recruiting process was pretty seamless. Ohio State was the first and only school I talked to. When I committed, there were barely any age restrictions on when players could verbally commit. That being said, I was fortunate enough to commit at a fairly young age. Ohio State was the first offer I received and I accepted two days later.
I was noticed by the Ohio State campus. I attended a small clinic at OSU in the winter with about 50 other players. Since it was a much smaller, more intimate camp, I was able to stand out. I also played club all summer which helped me develop and grow as a player.
What was your collegiate lacrosse life like with practices, games, and overall time commitment?
Playing a collegiate sport is a full-time job. You are committing at least 40 hours of your week if not more to that sport. Whether it be 6 AM lifts, or flying across the country in the middle of the week for an away game, you are constantly on the go.
Can you talk about juggling school while playing lacrosse?
It’s all about managing your time and prioritizing. Freshman year, I had a really tough time adjusting to the lifestyle of a student-athlete. But over the years I got much better at balancing school and lacrosse as well as my social life.
What were some benefits of playing D1 lacrosse?
Well, there are obvious benefits like scholarship money, free food, athletic apparel, tutors, and extra resources to help you academically succeed.
But really the biggest benefit is how playing lacrosse shapes you into a better person. Over the past 4 years, I learned how to be not only a follower but, also a leader. I learned how to speak my mind and how to bite my tongue. I learned how to be patient and wait for my shining moment as well as how to fight and earn what’s yours.
I believe the skills and life lessons I’ve learned through athletics correlate directly with those used in the professional world. Playing D1 lacrosse at Ohio State gave me the best four years of my life, at the best school, with the best people.
Do you have any advice for girls looking to play in college?
College coaches want to see athletes. Any good coach can teach a player skill but they can’t teach athleticism. Work on your speed and agility as much as you can. I would also recommend going to smaller clinics/camps. You will have a much better chance of getting noticed.
Favorite part of playing D1 lacrosse?
All the little victories we celebrated together as a team.
Any advice for those going into D1 athletics?
Have fun and work as hard as you can but don’t let it consume you. Make friends outside of your team, it’s always nice to have other people to go to. Join clubs and get involved as much as you can.
What to Expect When Playing D2 NCAA Women’s Lacrosse
- Sarah McCormick
- Class of 2018
- Walsh University
- Midfield
Did you always know you wanted to play in college?
Playing in college was never a thought of mine throughout high school. However, when I was accepted into Walsh University, I saw they had a lacrosse team. I did not like the thought of not playing ever again, so I decided to check the team out and I loved it!
What is the D2 college career like (practices, time commitment)?
For our team, we would usually practice 6 out of 7 days a week. Sometimes twice a day. Practices would be for 2 hours at a time. If we had two-a-days then we would either be lifting or running for an hour or so before we had our actual practice on the field. We would also be expected to do workouts and wall ball on our own time multiple times a week!
What were some pros and cons of playing D2 lacrosse?
One of the cons of playing D2 is commitment! Balancing classes and lacrosse is always tricky, but doable! However, the amount of time spent playing lacrosse at Walsh was also a pro! Getting to spend all that time with a great team is a true blessing and breaks up your day to have some fun and blow off some steam from the stresses of school.
What was the team dynamic like? Coaching dynamic?
Since we are together every day, our team is super close! I personally made some lifelong friendships with my teammates. We all worked hard for ourselves but more importantly for the rest of the team. We would always be happy for each other’s achievements and cheer one another on. Our coach was the same way! She is a great mentor to us and also a great friend. She pushed us always to do our best as well as be the best people we could be off the field too.
Can you talk about balancing school while playing collegiate lacrosse?
It was extremely hard to balance throughout all four years of school. I want to say it got easier, but there was always struggles and late nights of studying after games. But playing lacrosse helped me stay very structured with my work ethics and time management, which I feel like I wouldn’t have had if I didn’t play lacrosse.
Favorite part of playing D2 lacrosse?
My absolute favorite part of playing D2 lacrosse is all the time I got spend playing the game I love while building some great relationships with my teammates. There is nothing quite like working so hard together at practice to build the chemistry needed to win games.
Any advice to girls looking to play in college? Advice on being recruited and choosing schools?
My advice would be to go for it! I was on the fence about whether or not I should play in college because of the commitment. I will admit there were times that were very hard and I wanted to quit, but looking back I wouldn’t change anything. Playing lacrosse for Walsh gave me so many amazing friendships, structure, life lessons, maturity, and unforgettable memories. I wish I could go back and live it all again! The recruiting process and picking schools might be stressful, but it is all worth it in the end when you find the place that is right for you!
What to Expect When Playing D3 NCAA Women’s Lacrosse
- Kara Hines
- Class of 2018
- Capital University
- Midfield
You had quite a different experience choosing a school to play for in college. Could you talk on committing D1 and where you went from there?
During the summer of my sophomore year, I was spending a lot of time traveling and playing in recruiting tournaments. Towards the end of the season, I got a letter from San Diego State’s lacrosse program. Granted that I was only halfway through my high school career, it never occurred to me that playing at the D1 level was on my radar, let alone in such a beautiful city across the country. So immediately I jumped on the opportunity and didn’t look back until halfway through my senior year. After returning from my official visit to San Diego, the incredible time commitment of a D1 program and the distance from home began to set in. Making the decision to go the D3 route and stay close to home was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but looking back on it I wouldn’t change anything.
What did you do to be recruited and prepare for playing in college?
In my opinion, joining a club team is the best way to approach the recruiting process. It provides you with multiple opportunities to showcase your talent in front of college coaches. In my experience, I was also coached by people that had played at the collegiate level and had been through that process, so they were able to offer a lot of helpful advice.
What is the D3 lacrosse life like in terms of practices, time commitment, etc?
The D3 time commitment isn’t one that should be taken lightly. It is a huge time commitment especially when you’re trying to balance school and have some sort of social life. We do get a longer offseason than D1, which was super helpful, but when the season came it could get overwhelming at times.
Can you talk about balancing school with collegiate lacrosse?
To be honest, it was not easy. I double majored in mathematics and business, so trying to juggle both of those and give my all to lacrosse was something that took time to adjust to.
What was the team and coaching dynamic like at Capital?
My experience was unique in that Capital was a second-year program when I came in as a freshman. We started out with girls that had never played lacrosse before, so the dynamic was constantly changing from year to year. Our coach was very receptive to what was working for us as a team and what wasn’t as the overall skill level changed, so that allowed us to have a closer relationship with her as well.
Pros and cons of playing D3 lacrosse?
Some pros were definitely having a built-in family. Also getting to play the sport you love and also making education a priority. Game days and trips are some of my best memories from college.
Favorite part of playing D3 lacrosse?
Definitely my team. The girls I got to play with became family and my entire experience wouldn’t have been the same without them.
Any advice to girls thinking about playing in college?
DO IT! You only get one chance to play at this level, so if you love the sport don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and see what opportunities come your way.
Should I Play Women’s College Lacrosse?
The resounding answer from the three girls I talked with was “yes.” If you find yourself playing wall ball until the sun goes down, missing the game when you’re on vacation, thinking about lacrosse during your classes, or wishing you got another chance to play, then women’s college lacrosse is for you. You’ll only have this time in your life to play, so you might as well take the opportunity and run with it. Once your time runs up, you don’t have any other chances to really play competitive women’s lacrosse and you’ll definitely miss it. So take a chance on yourself and do what you can to get yourself recruited because it isn’t just going to happen. Take charge, and put in the effort for yourself.
Women’s sticks and gear are Now Available at Stringers Lacrosse Shop!
Don’t wait any longer to get the best-in-class women’s lacrosse products – visit The Stringers Lacrosse Shop today to find the gear you need!
Girls Lacrosse 101 · Kell Junior Lacrosse
THE BASICS OF GIRLS LACROSSE
The sport of lacrosse is similar to the sports of basketball, soccer and hockey. Anyone can play lacrosse, no matter how big or how small. The game requires and rewards coordination and agility, not brawn. Quickness and speed are two highly prized qualities in lacrosse.
An exhilarating sport, lacrosse is fast-paced and full of action. Long sprints up and down the field with abrupt starts and stops, precision passes, and dodges are routine in girl’s lacrosse. Lacrosse is played with a stick, the crosse, which must be mastered by the player to throw, catch, and scoop the ball.
Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing team sports in the United States. Youth membership (ages 15 and under) in US Lacrosse has more than tripled since 1999 from 40,000 to over 125,000. No sport has grown faster at the high school level over the last 10 years and there are now an estimated 169,000 high school players. Lacrosse is also the fastest-growing sport over the last five years at the NCAA level and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are more than 400 college club programs, the majority of which compete under the umbrella of US Lacrosse and its “intercollegiate associates” level.
GIRL’S LACROSSE EQUIPMENT
- The Crosse: The crosse (lacrosse stick) is made of wood, laminated wood, or synthetic material, with a shaped net pocket at the end. A girl’s crosse must be an overall length of 35 1/2 – 43 1/4 inches. The head of the crosse must be seven to nine inches wide. The pocket of the stick must be strung traditionally; no mesh is allowed. The top of the ball when dropped in the pocket must remain even with or above the side walls. The goalkeeper’s crosse may be 35 1/2 – 48 inches long. The head of the crosse may be mesh and up to 12 inches wide. Click here to view what sticks are legal.
- The Ball: The ball must be yellow and made of solid rubber. The ball must be 7.75 – 8 inches in circumference and weigh 5 – 5.25 ounces.
- The Mouthpiece: All players must wear colored mouthguards.
- Protective Equipment: Eyewear is mandatory. Close-fitting gloves, nose guards, soft head gear are optional, and may be worn by all players.
- The Goalkeeper’s Equipment: The goalkeeper must wear a face mask and helmet with a mouth guard, throat protector and chest protector. The goalkeeper may wear padding on hands, arms, legs, shoulders and chest which does not excessively increase the size of those body parts.
GIRL’S LACROSSE POSITIONS:
ATTACK:
- The main job of these four players is to score goals. Spending the majority of their time in the offensive 2/3rds of the field, these players run the offense. With the help of the midfielders, they work to create scoring opportunities for their team. These players typically like to set themselves up behind the goal along the crease, or at the elbow of the 8-meter arc. However, that is not to say that attackers don’t ever drive to goal from the top of the arc. Along with scoring and running the offense, these four players also participate in the re-defend. This means that if the offense turns over the ball, these players work to slow down the opposing defenders and try to prevent them from moving the ball down the field.
DEFENSE:
- In contrast to the attackers, the four defenders work with the midfielders to prevent the opposing team from scoring goals. Most elementary level defenses play a man-to-man defense, meaning each defensive player marks one opposing offensive player throughout the whole possession. As well as playing man-to-man defense, more advanced defenses often play a zone defense as well. This means that rather than marking individual players, the defenders rather have a zone to cover. Therefore, any player that enters a defenders’ zone is her responsibility. Along with keeping the other team from scoring, the defense also plays a key role in transition. If the opposing offense turns over the ball or the goalie makes a save, the defenders must work to move the ball up the field to their midfielders and attackers.
Midfielders:
- Playing with a different type of stick and wearing different gear, the goalie position is much different from any of the field players. The goalie is considered the last line of defense and she is the protector of the goal. Set up inside the crease, something only she is allowed to do, the goalie uses her stick and body to keep the other teams’ shots from crossing the goal line. If the goalie does make a save, it is her role to clear the ball out to one of her teammates and initiate the transition. After making a save, the goalie only has ten seconds in the crease, or she must exit the crease, now allowing herself to be guarded by the opposing team. While the goalie is allowed to make her way all the way down the field if she wishes, she is not allowed to score a goal.
Goalie
- Playing with a different type of stick and wearing different gear, the goalie position is much different from any of the field players. The goalie is considered the last line of defense and she is the protector of the goal. Set up inside the crease, something only she is allowed to do, the goalie uses her stick and body to keep the other teams’ shots from crossing the goal line. If the goalie does make a save, it is her role to clear the ball out to one of her teammates and initiate the transition. After making a save, the goalie only has ten seconds in the crease, or she must exit the crease, now allowing herself to be guarded by the opposing team. While the goalie is allowed to make her way all the way down the field if she wishes, she is not allowed to score a goal.
GIRL’S LACROSSE RULES:
- Girl’s lacrosse is a non-contact game played by 12 players: a goalkeeper, five attackers and six defenders. The object of the game is to shoot the ball into the opponent’s goal. The team scoring the most goals wins.
- Girl’s lacrosse begins with a draw, which is taken by the center position. The ball is placed between two horizontally held crosses (sticks) at the center of the field. At the sound of the whistle, the ball is flung into the air as the crosses are pulled up and away. A draw is used to start each half and after each goal, and it takes place at the center of the field.
- The youth girl’s game is 40 minutes long, each half being 20 minutes. Teams are allowed two timeouts per game (including overtime).
- There are visual guidelines on the side of the field that are in place to provide a consistent indicator to the officials of what is considered the playing field. The minimum dimensions for a field is 120 yards by 70 yards. Additional markings on the field include a restraining line located 30 yards from each goal line, which creates an area where only a maximum of seven offensive players and eight defensive players (including the goalkeeper) are allowed; a 12-meter fan, which officials use to position players after fouls; and an arc in front of each goal, considered the critical scoring area, where defenders must be at least within a stick’s-length of their attacker.
- The boundaries are determined by the natural restrictions of the field. An area of 120 yards by 70 yards is desirable.
- When a whistle blows, all players must stop in place. When a ball is ruled out of play, the player closest to the ball gets possession when play is resumed. Loss of possession may occur if a player deliberately runs or throws the ball out of play.
- Rough checks, and contact to the body with the crosse or body, are not allowed.
- Field players may pass, catch or run with the ball in their crosse. A player may gain possession of the ball by dislodging it from an opponent’s crosse with a check. A check is a controlled tap with a crosse on an opponent’s crosse in an attempt to knock the ball free. The player must be one step in front of her opponent in order to check. No player may reach across an opponent’s body to check the handle of a crosse when she is even with or behind that opponent. A player may not protect the ball in her crosse by cradling so close to her body or face so as to make a legal, safe check impossible for the opponent.
- All legal checks must be directed away from a seven-inch sphere or “”bubble”” around the head of the player. No player is allowed to touch the ball with her hands except the goalkeeper when she is within the goal circle. A change of possession may occur if a player gains a distinct advantage by playing the ball off her body.
- Fouls are categorized as major or minor, and the penalty for fouls is a “free position.” For major fouls, the offending player is placed four meters behind the player taking the free position. For a minor foul, the offending player is placed four meters off, in the direction from which she approached her opponent before committing the foul, and play is resumed. When a minor foul is committed in the critical scoring area, the player with the ball has an indirect free position, in which case the player must pass first.
- A slow whistle occurs when the offense has entered the critical scoring area and the defense has committed a major foul. A flag is thrown but no whistle is sounded so that the offense has an opportunity to score a goal. A whistle is blown when a goal is scored or the scoring opportunity is over. An immediate whistle is blown when a major foul, obstruction or shooting space occurs, which jeopardizes the safety of a player.
GIRL’S LACROSSE SKILLS:
- Cradle: The act of moving the stick from side to side causing the ball to remain in the upper part of the pocket webbing.
- Checking: The act of using a controlled tap with a crosse on an opponent’s crosse in an attempt to dislodge the ball.
- Catching: The act of receiving a passed ball with the crosse.
- Cutting: A movement by a player without the ball in anticipation of a pass.
- Dodging: The act of suddenly shifting direction in order to avoid an opponent.
- Passing: The act of throwing the ball to a teammate with the crosse.
- Pick-Ups: The act of scooping a loose ball with a crosse.
- Shootings: The act of throwing the ball at the goal with the crosse in an attempt to score.
GIRL’S LACROSSE TERMS:
- Clear: Any action taken by a player within the goal circle to pass or carry the ball out of the goal circle.
- Critical Scoring Area: An area 15 meters in front of and to each side of the goal and nine meters behind the goal. An eight-meter arc and 12 meter fan are marked in the area.
- Cross (Stick): The equipment used to throw, catch, check and carry the ball.
- Cross Checking: Stick to stick contact consisting of a series of controlled taps in an attempt to dislodge the ball from the crosse.
- Deputy: A player who enters the goal circle when the goalie is out of the goal circle and her team is in possession of the ball.
- Draw: A technique to start or resume play by which a ball is placed in between the sticks of two standing players and drawn up and away.
- Eight-Meter Arc: A semi-circular area in front of the goal used for the administration of major fouls. A defender may not remain in this area for more than three seconds unless she is within a stick’s length of her opponent.
- Free Position: An opportunity awarded to the offense when a major or minor foul is committed by the defense. All players must move four meters away from the player with the ball. When the whistle sounds to resume play, the player may run, pass or shoot the ball.
- Free Space To Goal: A cone-shaped path extending from each side of the goal circle to the attack player with the ball. A defense player may not, for safety reasons, stand alone in this area without closely marking an opponent.
- Goal Circle: The circle around the goal with a radius of 2.6 meters (8.5 feet). No player’s stick or body may “break” the cylinder of the goal circle.
- Grounded: Refers to any part of the goalkeeper’s or deputy’s body touching the ground for support outside of the goal circle when she attempts to play the ball from inside the goal circle.
- Indirect Free Position: An opportunity awarded to the offense when a minor foul is committed by the defense inside the 12 meter fan. When the whistle sounds to resume play, the player may run or pass, but may not shoot until a defender or one of her teammates has played the ball.
- Marking: Being within a stick’s length of an opponent.
- Penalty Lane: The path to the goal that is cleared when a free position is awarded to the attacking team.
- Scoring Play: A continuous effort by the attacking team to move the ball toward the goal and to complete a shot on goal.
- Stand: All players, except the goalkeeper in her goal circle, must remain stationary following the sound of any whistle.
- Sphere: An imaginary area, approximately 18 cm (seven inches) which surrounds a player’s head. No stick checks toward the head are allowed to break the sphere.
- 12 Meter Fan: A semi-circle in front of the goal used for the administration of minor fouls.
- Warning Cards: A yellow card presented by an umpire to a player is a warning which indicates that she will next receive a red card and be suspended from further participation if she continues to play dangerously and/or conduct herself in an unsportsmanlike manner. A green card is presented by an umpire to the team captain indicating a team caution for delay of game.
Lacrosse Goalkeeper Works On The Field. Stock Photos
goalkeeper
team sports
sports and fitness
ASSISTANT
jaboardm
DESCRIPTION
Girls High School Lacrosse goaltender runs out on the field.
Similar images from iStock
| Save Now
Similar Free Photos of
lacrosse
close-up
horizontal
Lacrosse
lacrosse
athlete
lacrosse stick
Lacrosse runner
competitive sport
equipment
sport Team
Lacrosse
lacrosse
star shape
sport
lacrosse background
lacrosse
athlete
athlete
Girls lacrosse background
lacrosse
lacrosse stick
playing field
Lacrosse stick
lacrosse
women
teenage girls
Lacrosse crime – girls
lacrosse
lace
sport
Lacrosse Equipment
lacrosse
silhouette
protection
Lacrosse player – goalkeeper
lacrosse
teenage girls
lacrosse stick
Lacrosse Face Off – girls
Similar images from iStock
| Save now
Similar images from iStock
| Save now
KHL.
Season stop, Boucher scandal and Vovchenko’s lacrosse goal
Suffering from boredom, we recall the latest events in the KHL.
Coronavirus forced the KHL to cancel the season, but what to do with it is still unclear
The outbreak of covid naturally spread throughout the league and in just a week, dozens of players and employees passed positive tests in about half of the teams. The number of match transfers approached January 50 and on January 11, the KHL, which seems to have decided to play healthy, urgently paused the regular season with a promise to present a new calendar by the end of January.
That is, we still went to the Olympic break, but not as planned. The League reached an agreement with the FHR (it is amazing that it is needed at all) to play during the Olympic Games. Another question is whether everyone agrees to this and how to continue the season.
Judging by media reports and club comments, opinions vary. For example, Ak Bars will make any decision, CSKA wants to start the playoffs with the current top 8, Dynamo Minsk and Neftekhimik are against the play-in option, Jokerit refuses to play.
The amplitude of the number of games played reaches five. So, “Siberia” and “Tractor” played 50 matches each, and the Riga “Dynamo” with “Motorist” 45 each. The remaining matches are unlikely to radically change the entire table, but, for example, “Barys” with “Amur” fell for eighth place and nothing is clear from the top 4 of each conference. “Sculpt” technical defeats for everyone? Wait, what if we are talking about a match, for example, “Dynamo” Riga – “Avto”? And there, and there was a coronavirus, who loses – the first, or the one who catches it?
There is an answer – let the one who refuses to play pause be defeated, and in case of a disputable situation, no one will get points. We risk turning the first round into almost a pre-season in terms of the quality of hockey if we don’t play now. As a last resort, a play-in is needed for “overclocking”.
Time is melting. Many clubs stopped playing on January 7-9, or even earlier. At least decently ill clubs are recovering. At the time of writing, the infirmary is filled only at CSKA, Minsk and Riga Dynamo, almost all other teams have no more than three people on the injured list (4 for Spartak, 5 for Amur). That is, the clubs are ready to play. You just need to make a quick decision.
Sooner or later it would have happened. “Vityaz” removed the goalkeeper from the OT and let him into the empty
Boucher from Lokomotiv confessed to sexual abuse of a 12-year-old in 2011. The fate of the legionnaire will be decided by the court
Shock content. Yaroslavl forward Reed Boucher pleaded guilty to soliciting a 12-year-old girl for sex while participating in the US Player Development Program. Initially, the player was threatened with 25 years in prison, but “agreed to allow Bush to apply for reclassification of the article to a softer one and agreed to sentence him without prior imprisonment in accordance with the HYTA law.” The verdict will be handed down on January 31st.
It is striking that commutation of the sentence is in principle possible. But even in this case, the public reputation of the attacker is destroyed. It will be almost impossible to restore it. Do you think everyone will applaud him when his name is announced at the stadium?
Did the KHL, Lokomotiv, and Avangard that brought the player know about this? History is still silent. In Russian clubs, they could give up on some of the player’s sins – as you can see, Brandon Lipsik plays quite cheerfully for Magnitogorsk, Vyacheslav Voinov is doing well at Dynamo. But no one had ever been involved in pedophilia before.
If you look at the issue of pragmatic hockey – for Lokomotiv, the loss of Boucher will be quite significant. Yes, he does not blow up as much as for Avangard, but 12 + 15 in 46 games of the regular season is solid. Game Yaroslavl and so does not look stable.
The club does not explicitly comment on the situation, the League said that it condemns any form of violence.
Dynamo again lost to Jokerit (2:3), but the zone was beautifully drawn
Vovchenko’s lacrosse did not bring Severstal victory in Yekaterinburg. Avtomobilist played for the first time since 29December and won 5:2, breaking a streak of 6 defeats.
Transfers: Sibir forms the backbone, Torpedo and Spartak retained scorers
Novosibirsk management fired a clip of the necessary decisions that will help build the squad for 1-2 years ahead:
● Goaltender Harri Syateri (92.6% RH, sixth in the KHL) signed a new contract until the end of the season 22/23,
● Goaltender Anton Krasotkin (93.