We’ve all faced different decisions in regards to sports through our lives. Which sport should I put my kid into? Which sport will I choose when the seasons overlap? When should I get started? Maybe it’s all of the above. Everyone has their opinions, and every individual is different. In our completely unbiased opinion, our answer will always be Lacrosse, and here’s why…
Athletic Development
Lacrosse is just different. In turn, lacrosse players are simply built different. What we’re getting at here is that developing your lacrosse skills means developing every facet of your athletic ability. First up you need agility. Every player on the field will be changing direction at a fast pace and trying to get a step on their opponent. Agility is one of the main skills that translates from sport to sport, and lacrosse is probably the most efficient way to develop this attribute.
Hand-eye coordination is another aspect of your athleticism that will greatly develop from playing lacrosse. You’re not only seeing a ball into your hands and throwing at a target with your hands, you are actually using an extension of the hands – your lacrosse stick – to do so. Doing this takes another level of hand-eye coordination beyond your normal throw and catch.
On top of the top-tier athletic skills developed, you have your speed and endurance as well. Lacrosse is an up and down game with a consistent fast-pace. You can’t beat your opponent without being faster, and able to give it your all in the 4th quarter. There’s a reason why a lot of people – and not just us – say that lacrosse makes the best athletes.
Inclusivity
Some sports have inherent advantages for specific body types, and that is simply undeniable. You don’t have to be a six-foot-twenty gargantuan or a slippery ball of lightning to succeed in lacrosse. There is a large sample of success in all sizes (say that 5 times fast!). There are elite offensive players who are 6’4”+, as well as the short king legends under 5’6”. There really is an opportunity for any type of individual to shine out on the field, and that’s what lacrosse is all about.
The Future
Lacrosse is expanding, and it’s happening quickly. With the rise of the PLL and popularity of college lacrosse, there is a huge outlet to build your future through your athletics with lacrosse. Programs from DI to DIII are all willing to shell out cold hard (well, not really, it comes in the form of an athletic or academic scholarship) cash in order to build a winning roster. And listen, we’re not saying everyone gets a scholarship, you still have to work for it; but wouldn’t it be nice to have the opportunity to get paid to go to school and play a game you love? That journey starts the day you decide to pick up a stick.
Life-Skills
This may sound corny, and something that is said over and over again in regards to sports, but lacrosse truly does help build life skills off the field – particularly in teamwork and communication. No single player can win any game. Every player needs the player next to them in order to see success. Lacrosse teaches each player how to build a trust in one another and collectively win as a unit. Communication is key as well – have you ever walked past a lacrosse game? There is constant yelling, and not in an aggressive way (usually), but just so the players can hear each other. There has to be frequent and clear communication or plays, slides, coverages, clears, rides, and more. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and lacrosse will help develop your collaborative abilities.
We know, we know. We’re biased. Yes, we love lacrosse and there is absolutely no denying that. But there’s more to it than just the competition and fun of it all – even though those parts are great as well. Lacrosse will help to better you not only physically, but mentally as well, and we hope that if you choose to play, it brings you as much joy as it has brought us through the years.
