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SPORT 095 Lacrosse – a quick guide
• The object of lacrosse is to use a long-handled racket to catch, carry and pass a solid rubber ball in an effort to score by hurling it into an opponent’s goal. The head of the lacrosse stick has a mesh net that allows players to hold the ball. Defensively the object is to keep the opposing team from scoring and to dispossess them of the ball through the use of stick “checking” and body positioning.
• Men’s lacrosse is a contact game played by 10 people – goalkeeper, three defencemen, three midfielders and three attackmen.
• Women’s lacrosse, where the rules are designed to allow less physical contact (protective clothing and equipment is modified accordingly), is played with a team of 12.
“We’re still a relatively small club with one men’s team, one women’s and a junior set up, with roughly 50 active members. Like a lot of sports our numbers fluctuate,” adds Joe.
Upping the profile
What’s the best way to get involved in a sport that isn’t immediately available on your doorstep? “There is a National Lacrosse Day every year – this year taking place on 16th September in time for the start of the new season – and there are plenty of ways anyone interested can get into the sport,” explains Angela Tupper. “There are websites listing regional clubs as well as those for juniors (see Getting Involved). And, as this is such a great family sport, there are also opportunities for parents to get involved by volunteering at a club in which a child plays or, for those wanting to take a more hands-on role, there is training available for people who’d like to become umpires.” The challenge facing those
interested in the sport appears to be lack of opportunities and, while the aforementioned investment will surely help, it’s a concern Joe Burnett shares. “The biggest barrier is travel. We
are the only senior club in Kent which means a lot of our players travel more
than an hour to train and compete,” he says. “If you can get yourself to Maidstone though you’ll be given a warm welcome and all the kit and encouragement you need. “We promote the club as much as possible to universities and adult groups and run an annual tournament allowing us to talk to players from outside the club, but our biggest recruitment tool at the minute is our junior programme. We have more than 25 on the books and hopefully a few will be playing seniors in years to come. There’s no question though, the sport needs more clubs and locations. “We work really hard to get
players. We’ve made the final of the play-offs for promotion to the premiership in the past and, more recently, our women played their first league fixture and our juniors made their tournament debut.” So, why might someone be inspired
to give Lacrosse a go?
“I know I would say this but the people who play lacrosse are great and there is a real family feel to the sport,” says Joe. “It has something for absolutely everyone. It’s fast, physical, skilful, fun and it’s easily the most addictive sport I’ve ever played. “And if you’ve ever watched
lacrosse you’ll know why it gets dubbed the fastest game on two feet.”
• Playing time by international rules is 4 x 20 minutes. Teams change sides between periods and each team is permitted two time-outs per half.
• The goals, which resemble those used in ice hockey, are located within the field (as in ice hockey). An attacking player cannot enter the crease around the goal but may reach in with his or her stick to scoop a loose ball.
• Male players wear a helmet and protective equipment because body contact is permitted. The player with the ball may be “checked” by an opponent’s stick and body. Illegal checks incur a time penalty.
• Body checking is permitted if the opponent has the ball or is within three yards of a loose ball. All body contact must occur from the front or side, above the waist and below the shoulders, and with both hands on the stick. Aggressive body checking is discouraged.
Getting Involved
www.maidstonelacrosse.com www.englishlacrosse.co.uk www.kentsport.org
www.southeastlacrosse.pitchero.com www.cobhamlacrosse.co.uk www.southlacrosse.org.uk
Photographs © Sport England
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