T
he season-ending play day for the Mid-Penn League mixed a little bit of traditional with a little bit of
new. The goal? Find out what works best for younger players. The league had five under-9 boys’ teams (Cumberland Valley, Carlisle, Central Dauphin, Hershey and Mechanicsburg) and five elementary school-aged girls’ teams (Cumberland Valley, Central Dauphin, Hershey, Mechanicsburg and State College). All season long they played 7-on- 7 games on a smaller field with regulation-sized goals. But after going 7-on-7, they mixed up the teams and played a series of 4-on-4 games. The field size roughly was the same, but they switched to smaller goals with
46 LACROSSE MAGAZINE » July/August 2016
no goalies and no predefined positions. There were simple rules to teach the game the right
The best way to
introduce the sport to younger players? US Lacrosse visited central Pennsylvania to test one new option.
BY BRIAN LOGUE
way, such as no raking allowed. They had to scoop through the ball, or the other team got possession. It didn’t take long for them to pick up the new format, and you might say they enjoyed it.
Just ask them.
“The 4-on-4 was much better because we had a lot of space to pass and move.”
“I liked the 4-on-4 better because it was really quick.”
“I got to touch the ball more, and I got to shoot more.” In about a dozen interviews with kids after the games, the only complaints were about having to sub
A Publication of US Lacrosse
©BRIAN LOGUE
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