Introduction to USA Lacrosse – History and growth of lacrosse in the US
Lacrosse has exploded in popularity across the United States over the past few decades. Often referred to as the fastest growing sport in America, lacrosse has seen participation numbers skyrocket since the formation of USA Lacrosse in 1998. USA Lacrosse serves as the national governing body for men’s and women’s lacrosse in the U.S. As the primary advocate for the sport, USA Lacrosse is responsible for training coaches, officials and program administrators, maintaining the rules of the game, managing national teams, and providing insurance for players and teams.
While lacrosse has its origins in indigenous cultures, modern lacrosse was formalized in the mid-1800s in Canada. From the 1880s to 1930s lacrosse enjoyed a brief period of popularity as a major professional and amateur sport before seeing a decades-long decline. Lacrosse saw resurgence in the 1970s and 1980s, especially in hotbed areas like New York, Maryland, New England and pockets of the mid-Atlantic and Midwest.Participation at the youth, high school and college levels skyrocketed over the late 1990s and 2000s. Today it is estimated over 800,000 players of all ages play organized lacrosse across the United States. Still considered an emerging sport in most regions, lacrosse participation rates continue to grow 7-10% annually.
Benefits of playing lacrosse – Exercise, coordination, teamwork
Beyond just being fun, playing lacrosse provides numerous physical, social and mental benefits. As a fast-paced game similar to soccer, lacrosse builds endurance, coordination, speed and quickness. The constant motion associated with lacrosse leads to an incredible full-body workout. Lacrosse relies heavily on hand-eye coordination, especially related to stick skills like cradling, catching, throwing and shooting. The game’s reliance on using both hands to control the stick improves coordination and activates neural connections.
While lacrosse can be played casually, most play the game as part of an organized team. Lacrosse provides an opportunity to be part of a team, make new friends and learn important social dynamics. Team sports teach the values of communication, responsibility, work ethic, accountability and leadership. The fast pace of lacrosse rewards creativity, strategy and quick-thinking.
Lacrosse equipment needed – Stick, gloves, helmet, pads
Lacrosse requires a unique set of equipment, with the most identifiable piece being the lacrosse stick. Also known as a crosse, lacrosse sticks consist of the head (shaped like a triangle or teardrop), shaft, and pocket. Sticks vary in size based on the player’s position and age group. For example, defenders use longer sticks than offensive players. Youth players may use sticks with smaller heads and softer materials. Goalies use specialized sticks with oversized heads to help block shots.
In addition to a stick, lacrosse players wear protective equipment including gloves, helmets with full face masks, shoulder pads, elbow pads, and mouthguards. Rib pads help protect the core areas. Cleats help provide traction similar to soccer or football cleats. Goalies wear additional padding on hands, arms, legs and chest area along with thicker gloves.
Finding a local lacrosse team – Club, youth, high school, college
For youth interested in playing lacrosse, many options exist to join a team. Local recreation departments, churches and community centers may offer youth lacrosse leagues starting as young as kindergarten. More competitive club programs like Team Snap Lacrosse also provide elite training and competition. Most public and private high schools offer boys and girls lacrosse teams. At the college level, over 700 men’s and women’s college lacrosse varsity programs compete across 3 divisions in the NCAA, NAIA and junior college levels.
The best way to find a team is to check lacrosse websites like US Lacrosse that list teams, camps, clinics and tournaments by zip code. Reaching out to local lacrosse coaches or sports directors provides guidance on teams appropriate for your age and skill level. Attending a clinic, camp or showcase allows you to try lacrosse while networking with coaches.
Lacrosse skills to develop – Cradling, shooting, passing, scooping
Success in lacrosse requires developing key skills associated with stick handling, passing, catching, and movement. Known as cradling, players constantly rotate the stick to maintain control while running down the field. Quick hands and wrist strength contribute to effective cradling. Players pass and catch by launching the ball out of the pocket and controlling the ball with the head of the stick. Accuracy, touch and hand-eye coordination make for great passers.
Shooting combines power, aim and quick release. Generating shot speed starts with the legs and transfers up through the body. Shooting accuracy relies on head positioning, release point and practice. Ground balls require scooping the ball by getting the head of the stick under the ball in one fluid motion.
Lacrosse drills and practice plans – Wall ball, dodging, conditioning
Mastering lacrosse skills requires dedicated practice, usually by repeating drills focused on specific skills. Wall ball drills involve throwing and catching against a rebounder to build stick skills. Cradling and dodging drills in small spaces with cones builds coordination and agility with the stick. Conditioning drills like sprints, agility ladders and core exercises develop stamina and fitness essential for the fast pace of lacrosse.
Practice plans systematically build skills week-by-week over a season. Coaches follow practice plans covering stick work, catches/passes, ground balls, shooting, situational drills focused on offense and defense, and conditioning. Consistently following practice plans leads to skill mastery.
Getting recruited to play in college – Skills, academics, exposure
Top high school players have opportunities to play at NCAA colleges. College coaches recruit based on skills, academics, potential and exposure. Standout technical skills, lacrosse IQ, fitness and coachability get noticed. Strong academic records meet NCAA standards for admission. Showcasing talent through camps, showcases and recruitment videos provides exposure. Contacting college coaches directly expressing interest also helps. Resources like NCSA provide guidance on college lacrosse recruiting and scholarships.
Top college lacrosse programs – Johns Hopkins, Syracuse, Virginia
The most storied men’s lacrosse programs competing at the NCAA Division 1 level include Johns Hopkins, Syracuse, Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina. Perennial powers on the women’s side are Maryland, North Carolina, Syracuse, Northwestern and Boston College. Top lacrosse programs attract elite talent, have experienced coaches, and boast extensive histories and traditions around the sport of lacrosse.
Professional lacrosse leagues – PLL, NLL, Athletes Unlimited
College lacrosse graduates and standouts have opportunities to play professionally in leagues like the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), National Lacrosse League (NLL) and Athletes Unlimited. The touring model PLL launched in 2019 featuring stadium play. The indoor box lacrosse NLL began in the 1980s. Athletes Unlimited started in 2020 as a complement to the PLL and NLL, featuring weekly team drafts and individual awards.
Becoming a lacrosse coach – Certification, clinics, playbooks
From youth leagues to the pro level, qualified coaches are critical for teaching skills and strategy. USA Lacrosse offers certification programs for coaches at various levels. Online clinics provide X’s and O’s. Building a customized playbook and drilling system based on lacrosse coaching books and resources helps lead organized, productive practices. Effective lacrosse coaches positively motivate players, communicate concepts clearly, and create a fun, competitive environment.
Lacrosse events to attend – Tournaments, showcases, camps
For athletes and fans alike, lacrosse events provide competitive fun and great spectating. Tournaments like the Vail Shootout and Sandstorm bring together top teams for high-level competition. Recruiting showcases allow players to showcase skills for college coaches. Instructional and competitive camps run by coaches provide immersive skills training. Events build exposure for players while celebrating the fast-paced sport of lacrosse.
Lacrosse websites and resources – US Lacrosse, heads, gear
Websites like US Lacrosse provide news, rules, drills, coaching tips and more for players, coaches, officials and fans. Inside Lacrosse covers the college, pro and international lacrosse scenes. Lacrosse unlimited websites offer gear like heads, shafts, gloves, pads, cleats, bags and apparel. Lacrosse blogs and podcasts provide strategy, interviews and lifestyle content around the sport.
Lacrosse hotbeds in the US – Maryland, New York, New England
Participation and popularity of lacrosse continues to grow nationally, though some geographic hotbeds boast the most teams, talent and passion for the sport. areas like Baltimore, Long Island, upstate New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts forged the foundation for modern lacrosse. These hotbed areas produce many top players and teams at the high school and college levels. Youth leagues in these regions feed middle and high school teams with experienced players.
Health benefits of lacrosse – Endurance, hand-eye coordination
Beyond the fun and competitive aspects, playing lacrosse provides excellent health benefits. The constant movement required in lacrosse builds cardiovascular health, endurance and stamina. The variety of motions enhancecoordination, flexibility and balance. Eye-tracking drills associated with passing and catching hone visual skills. Quick reactions and explosive speed developed on the field translate to improved agility and response times.
Growing the sport – Youth programs, diversity, inclusion
While already one of the fastest growing sports, work remains to continue expanding lacrosse at the youth and high school levels. Adding lacrosse to more recreation departments and community club offerings introduces the sport to new athletes. Diversity and inclusion initiatives bring lacrosse to underrepresented communities. Exploring less expensive equipment options reduces barriers for entry. With proper training and opportunity, lacrosse can continue growth as a mainstream participatory and spectator sport.