Lacrosse Makes Its Way West
Try asking a lacrosse player if he thinks that football is the toughest sport around. He would probably tell you to play in a lacrosse game, after which he would ask you to continue along the same line of questioning.
Lacrosse is one of the most popular sports on the East Coast, and has recently been making a name for itself in the desert too. While I had heard of lacrosse, I wasn’t jumping out of my seat to try it until a friend encouraged me to go to a clinic. At first, it was extremely intimidating because I was completely clueless as to what was going on. I had no idea how the game worked and I was terrified of embarrassing myself, but after watching a scrimmage and getting an overview of the rules, the main objectives and positions became just as fun as the game itself.
Lacrosse is truly the ultimate game because it’s hockey and soccer wrapped into one. The best part is that you don’t have to be an ice skater or worry about getting kicked in the shins during a game.
And don’t worry ladies, you can play lacrosse too! The main differences between girls and boys lacrosse are the sticks and rules. The girls’ stick is usually shorter with a smaller net. This makes the ball harder to catch, so girls are only allowed to hit an opponent’s stick when they have the ball, which is known as checking. Boys, on the other hand, have a longer stick with a deep pocket, so they are allowed to be more aggressive when getting the ball away from an opponent. As a safety precaution goggles and a mouth guard are required for girls. In addition, boys need padding and a helmet for extra protection. The required uniform isn’t exactly sporty fashionable but they are definitely worth it when it comes to avoiding an injury.
The intense physical activity is one of the greatest benefits of lacrosse. The constant running during games and practices is a fantastic way to stay in shape. If you are an athlete in search of a new sport, lacrosse is definitely the next hot way to stay cool in Arizona. Lacrosse gives everyone on the field a chance to be a part of the extreme team effort needed to pull out a win. Another reason that lacrosse totally rocks is that it is a huge pipeline into college scholarships. So the next time you hear something about lacrosse at your school, don’t be afraid to take a chance and experience it for yourself.
Whether you are roughing it out on the field or cheering for your favorite team from the sidelines, you don’t want to miss out on lacrosse because there’s nothing like it.
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