1. Lacrosse is Different
Although lacrosse is the oldest sport in America, it is relatively new to the suburbs and cities of modern day America. Lacrosse is the new kid on the block. Not everyone knows about lacrosse or plays it, so, when you play lacrosse, you become a part of a small, select, and dedicated group of sportsmen and sportswomen. Thus, you are inherently special!
Everybody plays baseball. Everybody plays basketball. Lacrosse players, however, are the rebels. The different ones. Once you choose to identify with lacrosse, you choose to identify with awesomeness!
If you don't want to just run with the crowd, join the club. Play lacrosse!
2. Lacrosse Is A Unique Hybrid Of Other Sports
Lacrosse takes the best aspects of some of the world’s most popular sports and combines them.
Lacrosse requires the same endurance, speed, and agility as soccer. You must outwit and outmove your opponent in order to pass the ball up the field and to score. There is suspense for the fans in waiting to see if your team will make just the right moves to win. The crosswork of passing, picking, faking, and shooting is an art form.
Just like basketball, both teams will typically score a lot during any given game. Lacrosse players also have to be comfortable bodying up and making an opportunity to shoot versus waiting for one. A lacrosse player must know how to work around a defender and keep the defenders from stealing the ball.
And, just like hockey, the game is all about aggression, strength, speed, and sticks!
Because of these combinations, lacrosse is faster, stronger, and tougher than any other sport out there.
3. Lacrosse Is A Constant Challenge.
Playing lacrosse well is difficult. The game is exceedingly complex, and a player must master both personal stick skills and teamwork skills to succeed. Your lacrosse stick has to become an extension of your body. Becoming that comfortable with your stick takes time and practice.
You have to learn to catch and throw without ever dropping the ball. You have to see the ball, see your opponents, and see the best move you can make to get open all at the same time. You have to be fast, agile, and smart. You have to be able to fake out your defenseman and the goalie (usually at the same time). You have to be accurate at shooting. You have to have precise technique and timing when checking an opponent's stick. You have to learn to box out and to scoop a ground ball without losing running momentum.
And, these examples are just the beginning. There is always something to work on and improve in your game. You are never perfect, even when you become a professional.
If a challenge motivates you and dedication runs in your blood, then lacrosse could be for you.
4. (And, Most Importantly) Lacrosse Has Comradery And Community
As already established, lacrosse is a challenge. When you face the challenge of developing your skills in practice or playing a tough game together with your teammates, you develop a sense of comradery among those teammates. They are your brothers or sisters. You learn to trust and value them. They went through that terrible 6am conditioning practice on Monday together with you, so that you all were prepared for the big game on Saturday. They practiced catching, and they practiced wall ball with you. Then, you all worked together like a machine to score the winning goal in overtime against your rival school. Oh, sweet victory! And, you all celebrate by screaming and piling on each other in the middle of the field.
I've played on other sports teams where the teammates were standoffish. However, when I told a friend I wanted to play lacrosse for the first time in high school, he put me in contact with several lacrosse girls, many of them upperclassmen on the varsity team, who took the time out their lives to help me prepare for tryouts. They then continued to mentor me, helping me with wall ball and with my catching, for weeks after I made the JV team. I have found that humility and that openness in no other sport so far. Such is the attitude of most of the lacrosse players I have met. They genuinely love to bring newcomers into the sport.
Lacrosse is also the first sport I found a community outside my team. Other lacrosse players want to become your friend if they know you play the sport too. Last spring, I was waiting for the uptown subway, lacrosse stick in hand, and I noticed an African-American guy with a lacrosse defense pole on the other platform. When we noticed each other, we both smiled, laughed, and timidly waved at each other from across the platform. People just don't do that in New York City! But, lacrosse bridged that gap for us. I can't count the number of times I've made friends with other lacrosse players just because I brought my lacrosse stick to the beach or to the park with me.
If you value friendship and a community you will always belong to,
play lacrosse!
