If you are reading this post, you are likely either new to lacrosse or new to New York City. In either case, welcome! Welcome to the best sport in the world in arguably the best city in the world.
So, you want to play lacrosse. You're excited about the sport, and you've started practicing a little wall ball with your lacrosse stick. You might even have aspirations of playing college and professional lacrosse. However, before you can play college or professional ball, you have to get a lot of experience and develop your lacrosse skills. And, as of yet, you have not connected to a team.
Here’s some suggestions to help you go from zero to hero at lacrosse all right here in New York City:
In New York City, there are actually a good number of lacrosse programs you can plug into, and that number is constantly growing. Many of our middle schools and high schools have lacrosse teams. You will also find intercollegiate or club teams at many of our colleges/universities. Not to mention a Major League Lacrosse Team right next door in Long Island. Right here in the city you can get your fill of lacrosse, if you know where to look.
So, you want to play lacrosse. You're excited about the sport, and you've started practicing a little wall ball with your lacrosse stick. You might even have aspirations of playing college and professional lacrosse. However, before you can play college or professional ball, you have to get a lot of experience and develop your lacrosse skills. And, as of yet, you have not connected to a team.
Here’s some suggestions to help you go from zero to hero at lacrosse all right here in New York City:
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| Harlem Lacrosse and Leadership Program |
Recreational Lacrosse:
For young players there are many recreation level programs in the city to help you learn the basics of lacrosse. Here are a few programs where you can get started.
- City Lax (www.citylax.com) is a non-profit dedicated to developing student athletes in under-served communities. Lacrosse is not just a white person’s sport. Lacrosse has a diverse origin and following. After all, lacrosse was invented by native Americans!
- There is a great lacrosse program in Harlem called the Harlem Lacrosse and Leadership Program (http://www.harlemlacrosse.org
). These guys are doing great things to open up lacrosse in a place where knowledge of the sport and resources to play are few. I have not had the opportunity to meet the the guys that run this program in person yet, but I continue to hear nothing but great things about their program.
- If you are in Brooklyn, check out Brooklyn Lacrosse (http://www.brooklynlacrosse.
org). I used to volunteer with these guys the first year the program was up and running. They are FANTASTIC. The coaches are fun, know the game inside and out, and can really break down the details of the sport for the kids.
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| Brooklyn Lacrosse |
- There are also recreation level leagues sponsored by Doc’s NYC Lacrosse (http://www.docsnyclax.usl.la) at several locations throughout the city. Several of the kids I currently coach started playing lacrosse with Doc's and were ahead of the game in my class because of it.
Private Instruction:
Once you get your feet wet playing lacrosse, you may want to get some group or private instruction. For elementary and middle school students, there are private sports programs.
- Corbins Crusaders (www.corbinscrusaders.com) where you can learn the game in a friendly and fun environment. I have been a coach at Corbin’s for over a year, and I know how valuable this kind of program can be for developing basic skills and a love for the game.
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| Corbin's Crusaders |
- There are many other places where you can get private lessons like Velocity Sports Performance – NYC (https://www.facebook.com/
VelocityNYC). Just Google “lacrosse lessons” in NYC and you’ll find many qualified mentors..
Club Teams:
As you improve in your lacrosse skills, you may be ready for more than just middle or high school level lacrosse. You can boost your development by getting involved in one of the many lacrosse clubs in New York City. Here are just a few:
- City Stars Lacrosse (http://www.citystarslacrosse.
com) - New York Hitmen Lacrosse Club (https://m.facebook.com/
profile.php?v=info&expand=1& id=239248971425) - Brooklyn Crescents (http://www.brooklyncrescents.
com) - Topside Lacrosse (http://www.topsidelacrosse.
com) is another private developmental club league just outside the city in Westchester County. Last year they provided free clinics for the Harlem Lacrosse and Leadership Program.
College and Beyond:
Just inside the five boroughs, you will find intercollegiate or club teams at NYU, Columbia, City College of New York, Manhattan College, Wagner College, St. John’s (men’s lacrosse), Queen’s College (women’s lacrosse), ASA College of New York City, and Pace University.
If you desire to play professionally, then why not aim to play Major League Lacrosse for the New York Lizards?! http://www.nylizards.com/
Hope this helps you take your game to the next level and helps you realize your every lacrosse dream in New York. Go get ‘em!
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