Lacrosse - Lacrosse: How To Be A Better Player

Lacrosse is actually an ancient sport, most likely starting with the 15th century North American Indians. They played it with a ball and stick, at first just for fun, but in time they realized it was a terrific way for young warriors to learn good fighting skills.

Today, Lacrosse is still played with a stick, although now made from titanium instead of wood, and a rubber ball. When the game was first developed, it was played by no fewer than 100 men but as many as 1,000. Games would last up to three days, starting at sunup and not stopping until sundown. For the goals, trees and rocks were used, typically set from 500 yards to one-half mile apart.

About 200 years after the sport began, Jesuit French missionaries learned about Lacrosse, and news of it began traveling to more people. This somewhat rough game is still played in the US, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and more. Players must be strong and smart. Read on for some tips on how to win.

First, remember that the more time the Lacrosse stick is in your hands the better it will work for you. In addition, make your stick your best friend, taking it with you running or walking so that you become comfortable handling it. Also, if you are right-handed, learn to work the stick left-handed and vice versa. You should also learn how to change the direction and speed of your cradle.

Some Lacrosse pros recommend doing a lot of sprints, as strong legs are a must, as is durability. Running and sprints provide the right kind of physical conditioning. Some of the experts also advise using a wooden stick rather than one made from titanium. Wood is more porous and therefore absorbs any impact more efficiently. Also, since titanium is metal, it will become cold to the hands and the plastic heads don’t hold up well.

For attackmen, keep moving all the time so your defenseman must keep his attention on you and not helping other defensemen. Then, when moving the ball around the goal, make sure your passes are short and sharp, keeping them to the outside away from the defenseman. For the passes, they should be hard and when you have the ball, NEVER stand still. In Lacrosse, it is important that you keep moving, even if it means running forward or backward.

Also when you’re in possession, make a lot of fake passes to keep the defense on their toes. Keep your stick moving so the defense will have to do the same as they keep you in their sights. Be careful to never pass the ball to someone who is well covered. Lacrosse is great fun but it keeps you thinking and moving every minute.

Copyright 2006, Tate Palumb, All Rights Reserved. This article may be published on web sites or in newsletters provided this notice and the resource box is included without ammendment.