Lacrosse: stick to the nation's fastest growing sport and score a new program - National Programs: Fitness and Active Lifestyles - Cover Story - Statistical Data Included

Parks & Recreation, Oct, 2001 by Bryan Logue, Jennifer M. Allen

Tracing its roots to the Native Americans, lacrosse is America's oldest sport. The rich tradition is proudly cherished in the lacrosse community, but it's the fast-paced action of lacrosse that hits home with today's youths.

"Lacrosse has brought together kids and parents interested in something other than the traditional sports," says Tad Nunez of the Hartford (Vt.) Parks and Recreation Department. "The little town of Hartford, Vermont has really enjoyed this program and it's catching on like fire."

The National Recreation and Park Association and US Lacrosse, the national governing body for the sport, are engaged in a collaborative effort to encourage and support opportunities for youth across the country to participate in the `fastest sport on two feet.' Founded in 1998, US Lacrosse currently services nearly 90,000 members across the country with the help of 45 regional chapters. US Lacrosse exists to serve the sport from the youth to the international level through promotion, development, education, training, and resources.

Though unique, lacrosse is comfortably familiar for first-time spectators. The sport combines many of the elements of basketball, soccer, and hockey. The game requires and rewards coordination and agility, not brawn. Anyone can play lacrosse -- big or small. An exhilarating sport, lacrosse features sprints up and down the field, precision passes, dodges, and goal scoring. The game is played with a stick, the crosse, which must be mastered by the player to throw, catch and scoop the ball. Altogether, lacrosse is a great form of exercise for people of all ages. Lacrosse also provides an opportunity to help children improve their motor skills and coordination.

Over the last five to seven years, the number of active participants has grown on average of about 10 to 15 percent per year. US Lacrosse estimates that 300,000 people -- including 150,000 youths -- are currently playing lacrosse in the United States. More and more states are sanctioning the sport at the high school level (California and Georgia in the past year) and the number of college teams has grown more than 60 percent over the last decade.

Girls' lacrosse rules limit stick contact, prohibit body contact, and therefore, require little protective equipment. Boys' lacrosse rules allow some degree of stick and body contact, although violence is neither condoned nor allowed, and protective equipment is worn.

Field lacrosse is sometimes perceived to be a 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 of injury is comparatively low. The most recent data from the NCAA's Injury Surveillance System indicates that the rate of injury in both men's and women's lacrosse is lower than the rates in men's and women's soccer.

Although boys' and girls' lacrosse have different equipment and rules, the basic stick, skills, and field strategies are similar. If numbers do not permit separate teams, two options can be used: (a) play separately but with much smaller teams, or (b) play together. In both options, however, the game should be modified to accommodate the needs of the children. Examples of modifications that have worked with children include:

* Use of a modified stick (e.g., shorter, lighter, plastic head) for those children needing one (a softer ball may also be used to introduce the game)

* Pairing of children to equalize developmental differences

* Using a wider goal

* Allowing no contact

* Eliminating the goalie (if goalies are used, they should be physically mature and appropriately protected)

* Playing games of different lengths

These modifications, designed and applied carefully, allow for a coeducational, mix-aged group to play lacrosse safely and have fun. They use many of the basic skills and tactics need in both the women's and men's games. A summary of these recommendations, along with lesson plans, are provided upon request through US Lacrosse as part of the New Start Program.

The coeducational strategy worked for the Lawrence Township Recreation Department in Lawrenceville, N.J., which participated in the free US Lacrosse New Start Program. In addition to lesson plans, the program provides an administrative how-to manual, an introductory lacrosse video, a Parent's Guide to Lacrosse, rule books and discounts on the first-time purchase of sticks and other equipment. "The kit was helpful as we got started," said Recreation Superintendent Steven Groeger, who found that by reducing equipment needs through non-contact play, using fields secured through a strong relationship with a local Lawrenceville public school, and soliciting the help of volunteer coaches also helped to keep costs low.

"Since we held our registration early to determine the interest level, we were flexible and could adjust our program when we realized we did not have enough for separate, multi-team competition," Groeger noted. "We charged a nominal fee and provided instructional clinics to 35 boys and girls twice a week from April through May. Sticks were provided to kids who could not provide their own. The kids enjoyed themselves and we assume they will bring some friends out next year, which will help us to expand the program into multiple boys' and girls' teams."