How To Play Lacrosse: A Beginners Guide

The fastest-growing sport on the planet, lacrosse, is not like any other commonly played sport. While it combines aspects of basketball, soccer, and football, it truly is it’s own. Women’s lacrosse is a dynamic and exhilarating sport that involves speed, agility, decision making, and teamwork. If you’re new to the game, here’s a simple guide to help you learn to play and get in on the fun of playing lacrosse.

1. Familiarize Yourself with Equipment

• Lets begin with understanding the basic gear required for lacrosse. Starting with a lacrosse stick. You’ll need a stick that you feel comfortable catching and throwing the ball with. The stick consists of a shaft, head, and stringing, the pocket where you’ll be catching the ball. You can get your stick restrung however you like and with any colors you want! You will also need a pair of goggles that cover your eyes so find one that feels comfortable for you. Lastly you will need a mouth guard. You will have to mold a mouthguard (using hot water) to your mouth so it fits snug. Proper equipment ensures safety and enhances your performance on the field.

2. Learn the Basic Skills

• Start with mastering fundamental lacrosse skills such as cradling, which is keeping the ball in the pocket of your stick, passing, catching, and shooting into the goal. You can practice either with a partner or by passing a ball off a hard outdoor wall. Practice these skills consistently to build confidence and proficiency.

3. Understand the Rules

• Familiarize yourself with the rules of lacrosse, including game regulations, player positions, and penalties. You can only have 12 players from each team on the field at once, 4 attackers, 3 midfielders, 4 defenders, and 1 goalie. Only the midfielders can play over the entire field, attackers and defenders must stay on their respective sides. Too many players on one side of the field will result in an offsides call. There are also rules on making illegal contact, cross checking another player in the back or towards their head will result in a foul or yellow card. Understanding the rules enables you to play the game effectively and make informed decisions during gameplay.

4. Focus on Footwork and Agility

• Lacrosse requires quick footwork and agility to maneuver around opponents and navigate up the field. You will have to dodge against defenders and react to the other team’s attackers. Practice agility drills with ladders, footwork exercises, and speed training to improve your mobility and responsiveness.

5. Embrace Teamwork

• Lacrosse is a team sport that thrives on collaboration and communication. The whole team will have to be on the same page on which plays are being run or a game plan. You will have to work closely with your teammates, support each other during competitions, and celebrate victories as a team.

6. Practice Regularly

• Learning lacrosse will not happen overnight, dedicate time to practice skills, participate in drills, and scrimmage with friends. Practicing consistently will be essential for improving your game and becoming a better teammate.

By following these six steps and staying driven to learn, you will be able to play lacrosse with your friends and enjoy the competition and excitement that the sport offers.

Image by Keith Johnston from Pixabay