So Your Son Wants to Play Lacrosse… by Scott Carruthers, BYC U11 Coordinator

About the Author Scott has been active as a player and a coach in lacrosse for over 30 years. He is returning to his fifth year as a BYC coach currently coordinating the U11 program. Scott was introduced to lacrosse his sophomore year at East High School in West Chester, PA. He graduated 1st Team All-State and was invited to play in the North/South All Star Games. Scott was awarded a scholarship to Drexel University where he switched to attack his junior year and earned First Team All-Conference honors his junior and senior years. 1

Following college, Scott played for Eagles Eye Lacrosse Club in Philadelphia during which time he was drafted by the Philadelphia Wings. There he played for 1989 World Championship team before ending his competitive career playing for the Pittsburgh Bulls. Living in Garnet Valley, Scott and his wife Kathy have three children Katie, Ryan and Caroline who all play and enjoy their time on local lacrosse teams.

Introduction How do you respond when your son mentions he wants to play lacrosse and all that comes to your mind is a small town in Wisconsin or perhaps a car made by Buick promoted by star golfer Tiger Woods? Well you might be surprised to learn that lacrosse is the only native sport of America – invented by the American Indians. Games were held between neighboring tribes some lasting weeks on end where the goals could be miles apart between territories. The ball was roughly the size of a golf ball and courageous braves would sometimes try to hide the ball from their opposition in their mouths. They were considered courageous because a common tactic employed by the opposing teams to dislodge the suspected ball would be to inflict a sharp blow to the back of the head with their stick. This not only caused significant injury but, in some cases, death. Needless to say the game has evolved into what many consider to be the “fastest game on two feet”. You might also be surprised to know that ice hockey is NOT the national sport of Canada, its lacrosse.

Lacrosse continues to experience tremendous growth and expansion. As your son may have already learned, one of the secrets to this growth is that there’s a place for every athlete in this game – fast, strong, quick, small, tough, fearless and smart. One of the greatest players I ever played with was 5’ 8” and weighed a mere 156 pounds –His name is Timmy Goldstein and he was a 1st team All American At Brown, 1st team USA and named to the All World Team several years. His success lied in his darting quickness, stellar ground ball game and laser feeding from anywhere on the field. This he achieved while often being defended by bodies many inches taller than he and most of the time 50-100 pounds heavier!

Lacrosse vs. Although the game may look a little unconventional, it’s quite easy to understand given a Other Sports little perspective. So here you go. When you watch lacrosse think of hockey, soccer, basketball and football: • Hockey - Lacrosse can be thought of as hockey in the air only with more men on the field. It’s little wonder that you’ll find many NHL players on the ice today with some form of lacrosse in their background. I’ve always thought of lacrosse as the poor man’s hockey – I couldn’t afford the ice time as kid so I found lacrosse and never looked back – well sometimes… • Soccer - It has many similarities to Soccer in terms of total players on the playing

field and on/off side violations. Both games have midfielders, defensemen and attack (or strikers in soccer). • Basketball - The offense and defense objectives are almost identical to Basketball. Player positioning, picks (where someone without the ball stands still in front of an unsuspecting defender who is then separated from the person he’s defending), give and goes, rolling off a pick, offensive and defensive rotations etc are very similar. • Football - Lacrosse offers the physical contact of Football which is gradually introduced in our BYC program. There is no hitting at U7 and U9 and then a modified hitting guideline introduced at U11. This means that hitting is restricted to 3-steps (meaning the player can not take more than 3-steps to make contact) prior to contact – any more and they are flagged for a penalty.

Lacrosse is a This area is of some concern and uncertainty to parents so I’ll give a quick overview of Contact and what you’ll see most often: Collision Sport • Ground Balls - contact can take place within 5 yards of the ball. It is important to understand that all contact to any player must NOT be from behind – that’s a penalty. A unique aspect to this 5-yard rule can be seen with ground balls where you may have two team players against one trying to gain possession of a ball on the ground. In this case, lacrosse players are taught instinctively to divide the duties – one player SHOULD take out (make contact) with the one opposing player screaming “MAN” leaving his other fellow teammate with a clean opportunity to scoop with no resistance – you SHOULD hear this person scooping the ball scream “BALL RELEASE” meaning he has possession and his teammate SHOULD release his contact from the opposition – remember if contact continues beyond 5-yards from the ball just scooped up, that interference and we turn the ball back over. • Picking - all picks MUST be stationary – you can not run into someone who does NOT have possession of the ball or within 5-yards of a loose ball. • Crease Contact – This is the highest goal threat area hence is treated as such – again very similar to hockey. Note any NHL game in the crease when the puck is near it – everyone is “locked on” to a man. Whenever the ball is in our goal crease area, whether possessed by the opposition or on the ground, players are instructed to get very physical – yes, you’ll see penalties here but the alternative could be the ball ending in our net which we don’t want. • Stick Checking – technically, your forearms and hands are considered part of your stick and can be checked in an attempt to dislodge the ball. What appears to be very painful to onlookers watching and hearing these stick checks is “often” not so – there are exceptions... Players are protected in the right places. Sometimes what you’ll as a defender continues to slap checking a ball carrier on the arm is the referee yelling – “get wood, get wood”. This is a warning call to that defender to make a better attempt at hitting the stick because, in his opinion, the defender is trying to intentionally inflict physical harm and not making a reasonable effort to go for the ball. Incidentally, “get wood” refers to the days when stick shafts were made of hickory wood as opposed to the ultra-light (and expensive) composites of today. Should the referee tire of the same defender practicing this tactic, he’ll introduce him to the penalty box.

The Field of Play Attached along with this document are a few pages laying out the more common elements of field play. We provide graphics and short explanations of face-offs, staying on sides, penalties and possession of the ball in out-of-bounds situations. Possession of the ball

going out of bounds can often create confusion to those new to the game. It basically comes down to if the ball going out of bounds was deemed to be a shot on goal or not. Simply stated, if it’s determined that the ball was a shot on goal, the team with the closest player to the BALL when it went out gains possession. That’s why you might see several shots on goal in any one possession without losing possession to the other team. This is also why you’ll see teams with a man behind the goal most all the time and you might see goalies immediately racing back to the line following a shot that went wide.

Penalties – When the other team gets a penalty, it’s commonly referred to as a Man-up situation – the Man-Up & Man- reverse of this is a man-down situation where your team is penalized. Similar to other Down sports, lacrosse has specialized units designed specifically to attack or defend against these situations. What is contained below is how the sport of lacrosse treats these situations in order to best position their opportunities to win games. At U11, your head coach will determine whether they follow this strategy not – sometimes with penalties, your coach may elect to just leave those already on the field in there and others may elect to substitute. • Man-up – this group typically represents 3 midfielders and 3 attackmen who demonstrate the highest offensive threat to the other team. They are typically a team’s best ball handlers and shooters and are sometimes spread across several lines on any particular team. As a coach, you need to balance the skill levels on each line. As such, you may see a man-up or man-down unit being comprised on several players from several different lines. Following a penalty, this can and does cause a challenge for the coach to re-balance his lines to return to a normal rotation of the 3 lines. • Man-down – it goes with out saying that this squad is comprised of players offering your team the highest defensive skills possible. The player causing the penalty is removed from the field of play but he is not necessarily required to serve the time in the penalty box. You may see other players in the penalty box serving the time for other reasons we don’t need to address here. Since a team ALWAYS needs to have 3 players in the defensive end of their field, the effect of the penalty causes you to lose one midfielder position. Consequently, a coach will place his strongest 2 defensive middies out there to essentially cover 3 midfielders from the other team who often represent their greatest offensive threats.

I went into this for this sole reason – playing time. In the ideal world there would be no penalties and every shift would run like clockwork and all players would see exactly the same playing time. However, games are just not like that and a coach is required to constantly adjust and balance his lines in order to position his team with best possible chances to win. Again, this aspect of lacrosse is almost identical to hockey.

A game with a lot of penalties will serve to significantly impact the regular rotation of lines and ultimately the playing times of many people on the team. In some cases, you may see players taking double shifts due to the fact that they’re assigned to a man-up or man- down unit. This can have the opposite effect as well. A particular midfielder (not on man- up or man-down) may get skipped in a regular rotation as the coach assesses the condition (are they too tired) of each athlete and makes a decision to balance with fresh legs (a completely new line) to give ample rest time to those needing it.

This happens all the time and is a fact of the game and mostly affects midfielders – I call it the life of a midfielder which another topic all to itself. It’s important to understand that

this does NOT MEAN players will sit the bench. It simply represents the reality that some games may be better than others and players need to understand that. This, among many other reasons, is why coaches are so focused on minimizing penalties. In my view, the penalties in the game lacrosse have a greater ability to rapidly affect the scoreboard more so than any other sport.

How Can I Help If you’re reading this, chances are you new to the sport and we welcome the support. My Son? There are many ways to improve your skills and I’m certain others world add to what I’ve listed below. However, provided below is some basic guidance that should serve well to follow in improving your son’s skills in lacrosse: • Copy Blatantly & Often – this is the only time out of school you’ll hear this. Lacrosse is a sport offering almost unlimited creativity. New shots, techniques and moves crop up every year. Sometimes these moves are so creative you see the governing body of the sport create rules to outlaw their use the following year. Point being, go to local area top program games (college - Villanova, Delaware, Drexel, Penn or high schools – GVHS, Malvern, Haverford, Downingtown East) – choose your role models, copy what and how they do things and incorporate them into your own game. Be relentless with practice. • Catching – proper stick position is vertical (not horizontal) with your top hand by the head of the stick and your bottom hand comfortably towards the bottom end. The head of the stick should be right by your ear (right ear for right handers, reverse for left handers) which is referred to as the catching “box” – a box outlined by the top of your head and your shoulders). This is where you want to attempt to catch ALL balls thrown to you. Treat the ball “like an egg” giving in as it approaches you stick – you’ll also hear this referred to as having “soft hands”. When asking for ball, try to remember calling out “here’s your help”. • Throwing – off a catch, slide your top hand down to about mid-shaft. Throw directly over overhand such that your bottom hand comes to rest directly under your opposing arm near you armpit. Variations of this throwing technique will be learned but its imperative this fundamental becomes 2nd nature. • Cradling The Ball – think centrifugal force. The reason we cradle the ball is to keep the ball in our stick when it or our stick or bodies are contacted. The big thing to understand when starting the cradle is that the top hand does all the work. Pull and curl your wrist towards you and then do the opposite to return it. The bottom hand serves merely to GUIDE (no gripping pressure) the butt end of the stick keeping it vertical and protected from checks. • The Wall – often referred to as a lacrosse player “best friend”. This is simply a hard surface (brick, concrete etc.) where every player who played this game spent a majority of their development time. Most skill drills can and should be replicated on the wall. The wall ALWAYS wants to play, NEVER complains and gives 100% ACCURATE feedback, 100% of the time without hesitation. • Ground Balls – it’s often said games are won and lost on the ground. Proper technique is to again place your top hand at the head of the stick, your back hand is on the butt end of your stick and low to the ground. For tight handers, your right foot should be as close to the ball when you pick it up as possible (opposite for left). ALWAYS, you “accelerate” through the scoop gaining control of the ball and running to open space. We never stop after picking up a ball since it is highly likely that a defender is VERY close by looking to get physical and regain possession. When scooping a ground ball, try to remember calling out “Ball” to indicate you’re your assuming the responsibility of scooping the ball and then

“Release” once you have successfully gained control of the ball. • Play Catch – ideally with a friend or parent. If the parent is a baseball fan, have them where the glove and your son the stick. Always encourage passing and catching on the run since a great majority of times this is the case on the field. • Developing Your Opposite or Weak Hand – In the US we teach the use of playing both right and left handed. Alternatively, Canada plays predominantly box (indoor) lacrosse and produces players using one hand only. Personally I’m a bit biased as to which way is better. There’s a strong case for two hands given that the U.S. has lost only 2 World Championships in the past 25+ years. A good practice discipline to follow is to double up on your weak hand. For example, if you thrown 50 right handed throws and that’s your strong hand, throw 100 left handed. It can become a game to end practice sessions where you don’t leave until you successfully execute passing and catching without dropping the ball – start small 5 right, 10 left, then 10 right, 20 left etc. Many top players will stand against wall and literally “dribble” the ball (called a “quick stick” where a player immediately redirects a pass without cradling) off the wall 50, 100 times in succession without a dropping – both right and left handed. • Shooting – goals are almost always available on GV fields or nearby schools. SHOOT HARD! Many top players shoot in excess of major league fastballs 100+ mph. Your chest, shoulders and important LEGS are critical for power. There’s no coincidence that Nolan Ryan – regarded as probably one the, if not THE hardest throwers in baseball history – was also the California Leg lifting champion while playing for the Angels. Push off your back leg just like pitchers do on the mound. Focus on shooting on the run with as much velocity as possible. Corners are always good targets as well as hip level to the side pipes. One of the most difficult shots for a goalie to make is opposite his strong hand, hip level high – it’s the furthest distance his stick needs to travel to make the save. Always prepare yourself following a shot – if it hits a pipe, attack the ball, gain possession and shoot again – remember, the crease are is a very ACTIVE place during a game. • Defense – believe it or not, one of the best drills to build good defensive skills without a lacrosse playing partner is probably basketball. Feet should be shoulder width apart, good lateral movement and positioning yourself between the man and the net. Most defensive coaches in lacrosse will teach their defenders to position their stick face down to the ground so that leading edge of the stick head does not slide up the offensive player (as it would if the stick was face up) when poke checking.

A 30 minute • Warm-Up – just get loose; throw the ball with a partner or your new best friend work-out – the wall. Throw right and left handed, scoop a few balls, taking some bounce shots and pick-ups off the bounce. • Throwing Accuracy (10 minutes) – 5 minutes right, 5 minutes left – good hard overhands. Focus on keeping the stick vertical to the ground and pulling that back hand hard into your opposite arm with your follow through. Pinpoint a target (or brick in the wall) to hit EVERY TIME. • Passing On the Move (5 minutes) – right & left with a partner, run parallel to each other passing the ball back and forth. Focus on good catching, soft hands and leading the runner with your passes. If all you have is a wall, run up and down the wall accomplishing the same thing. Remember, the wall give 100% accurate feedback without hesitation. In my early days, I spent probably as much time chasing balls as I did throwing and catching but don’t worry, it will come to Copyright © 2008, Brandywine Youth Club, All Rights Reserved Page 5 of 6

you. And when it does, it comes like flood – just like riding a bike. • Ground Balls (5 minutes) – Practice picking up balls rolling away from you, towards you (use a wall for this if you need to) and bouncing (again, use a wall is you need to). Focus on keeping the back hand low, clean pick ups, good form, acceleration through the ball, ball control and the ability to quickly transition/pass the ball off the ground. This can be done with a partner, a goal and a wall aiming for that brick or area. Remember; yell “Ball” and then “Release” as you gain possession. • Dodging & Shooting (5 minutes) – practice your moves the basics of what we teach in practice – roll dodge, split dodge and face dodge. Perfect the move(s) you’ve adopted as your own. Many successful players often have only 1 perhaps 2 moves at best that they ALWAYS resort to in any pressure situation. They have perfected these moves so well that it is seldom the case that they do not either work the first time or, worst case, allows them to retain possession of the ball and try again. • Redirection Passes or Quick Sticks (5 minutes) – this is sheer stickwork time. Either with a partner or a wall, practice quick sticks as efficiently as possible. In the beginning, form is as important as speed – that will come with time. Get close to a wall and simply throw it to a specific point – that being a brick in the wall or perhaps the “box” location of your partner – top of the head and shoulders. When the ball is returned to you, catch it BY YOUR EAR and immediately redirect back to your target again – without cradle but with soft hands. Allow the ball to ease into your stick which naturally brings the sticks position into throwing position and redirect. You just can’t do this drill enough – remember, do twice the quantity with your weak hand. Make it fun – keep a record of successful completions – strive to beat your record EVERYTIME you practice. Set minimum goals before you end your session – I need to warn you though I can’t tell you how many times this might impact ending in your 30-minute allotment of time…

Final Thoughts I hope that in some way this has been helpful. Our coaching staffs will always make themselves available to answer any questions you may have. IMPOTANTLY, please take this as an open invitation to get more involved with coaching your son. We’re constantly looking for fresh people to lead out next generation of athletes. This also comes with a healthy warning that once people see, play or get involved with this game; rarely do they ever look back. As mentioned, there’s a welcome home for everybody.

Best of luck….

Copyright © 2008, Brandywine Youth Club, All Rights Reserved Page 6 of 6 M = Midfielders Note: On the face off, no one is allowed out of the restraining box UNTIL a team gains A = Attackmen Face-Off Position possession of the ball – you’ll know this when D = Defensemen the ref call “POSSESSION” which signals the G = Goalie release of ANY player inside this box.

M M

Restraining Box Restraining Box

A A Midfield Line D Goal D

D A 60 G M M G Yards A D

Goal Crease D D 6 feet diameter A A

M M

110 Yards M = Midfielders On Sides A = Attackmen Teams must ALWAYS have three players behind the midfield D = Defensemen line whether on offense or defense G = Goalie

Three players on each team MUST stay behind (defensive end) when the ball crosses the midfield line – see note A M M below. D

D D A A G A M M G D

D A M M D A

Note: It doesn’t matter what position stays behind, just that a total of 3 remain behind. In other words, a defenseman can and does cross the midfield line occasionally BUT a midfielder would then need to “stay back” to keep the teams on side. You’ll generally know this is happening when you hear the coach is going ballistic “STAY BACK, STAY BACK”! Midfielders staying back are trained to hold up their stick yelling in the direction of the ref that they’re back so he does not stop the potential offensive break in progress. M = Midfielders A = Attackmen A penalty against the other team is called a Man-Up situation Penalties D = Defensemen and a Man-down situation for the reverse. G = Goalie

Objective – the attacking team is trying to get the Likely offensive set defense to over-commit to one side leaving a M player (hopefully your strongest shooter) with a point blank shooting opportunity. Consequently, you should see crisp passing, some rotation, A possibly a cut or two followed by a lot of screaming and hopefully a great shot. D M M D D A A G A G D M

M D D A

Penalties will generally be called fro either a 30 second minor or 1 minute major penalty with the 5 minute and game misconduct awards reserved for those very special violators. Calls you can expect to hear most common are slashing, hitting from behind or push, cross checking, moving pick or a hit to the head gear. When you hear a ref say “get wood” that refers to older times when shafts were made from wood but tell the player to start hitting the stick with his checks as the ref thinks they’re intentionally trying to inflict discomfort on the opposing player. M = Midfielders Possession A = Attackmen Ball possession is treated differently with shots-on-goal vs. D = Defensemen the ball going out-of-bounds. G = Goalie

Out-of-bounds – if a team causes the ball to Likely offensive set go out of bounds or a player steps out of M bounds while carrying the ball, possession is lost to the opposing team. Shots-on-goal though are treated differently – see below. A D M

M D D A A G A G D M

A M D D

A ball going out-of-bounds and determined by the referee as A a shot on goal, the team CLOSEST to the BALL when it went out of bounds gains possession. In the case above, the team shooting the ball retains possession since they have an Attackman behind the goal and closest to the ball when it goes out.

This opportunity to RE-GAIN possession of the ball is why you will see goalies sprint out of the crease to follow a shot or the coaching staff again screaming “who’s got the back-up?” This is a unique aspect to this sport and adds a dimension not found in other games.