Dover Sherborn Youth Lacrosse

Team Goals Help players learn skills and develop understanding necessary to become successful lacrosse players Provide a fun, safe and supportive environment in which players develop a love for the sport of lacrosse Teach, exemplify and value respect for the game of lacrosse by demonstrating respect for players, coaches, opponents and officials. We are committed to maintaining a player development philosophy. This means that the growth and development of our players will be the benchmark by which we judge success;

Coaches’ Commitment Each player’s experience with this team is important to me. I will treat players with the respect that I will expect to receive from them. I will be prepared for practices and games so that the time players and their families invest in this team will be used well. I will be committed to player’s growth and development regardless of their present level of skill.

Team Rules for Players When a coach is speaking, players are to make eye contact with the coach. This is true whether the coach is speaking to groups or to an individual. During lacrosse practices and games, players are to concentrate on lacrosse. Other activities and conversations will be re-directed by the coaches. Each player and coach will conduct him or herself in a positive and supportive manner. Older, more skilled players are expected to help and encourage younger or less skilled players. Swearing will not be tolerated and will result in warning and subsequent expulsion from practice or the game. Appropriate protective equipment is mandatory for participation.

Field

Lacrosse Positions Attack: The attackman’s responsibility is to score goals and help his teammates score goals by passing the ball. The attackman generally restricts his play to the offensive end of the field. A good attackman demonstrates excellent stick work with both hands and has quick feet to maneuver around the goal. Each team has three attackmen on the field during play.

Positions Midfield: The midfielder’s responsibility is to cover the entire field, playing both offense and defense. The midfielder is a key to the transition game, and is often called upon to clear the ball from defense to offense. A good midfielder demonstrates good stick work including throwing, catching and scooping. Speed and stamina are essential. Each team has three midfielders on the field.

Positions Defense : The defenseman’s responsibility is to defend the goal. The defenseman generally restricts his play to the defensive end of the field. A good defenseman should be able to react quickly in game situations. Agility and aggressiveness are necessary, but great stick work is now the way to go. Each team has three defensemen on the field

Positions Goal: The goalie’s responsibility is to protect the goal and stop the opposing team from scoring. A good goalie also leads the defense by reading the situation and directing the defensemen to react. A good goalie should have excellent hand/eye coordination and a strong voice. Quickness, agility, confidence and the ability to concentrate are also essential. Each team has one goalie in the goal during play.

Equipment Helmet with face mask Lacrosse players wear a protective helmet with a chin pad and strap firmly attached to the mask as designed. All face masks must have a center bar from top to bottom to help prevent injury. Lacrosse Stick Rib Pads Gloves Elbow Pads Mouthpiece Cup Shorts and DS issued Jersey

Stick position and Cradling Hand Placement – bottom hand at butt end of stick, top hand near throat of head Shaft held loosely in hands to allow for wrist movement Stick held vertical – less exposed, “triple threat position” Cradle stick with wrist of top hand

Throwing Slide top hand down from throat of shaft Draw stick head back Two motions: Top hand push, bottom hand pulls Step with opposite foot, creating forward momentum

Catching Communication: Make your teammate aware, “Here’s your help” or “One More” Give teammate a target Head of stick open to your target, with stick vertical  Triple threat position Do not stab at ball, but softly accept it –Catching an egg, hockey pass

Field Thoughts Regardless of offensive formation, it is important to use field. Make defenders cover more ground. Allow space to dodge Have an attackman prepared to back up cage on missed shot Midfielder prepared to drop back for defensive purposes Maintain balance on both sides of the field, avoid “bunching up” in the same area Traditional offensive formations: 1-3-2, 2-2-2, 1-4-1

Perimeter Play Body is always between your stick and defender Turn to the outside and switch hands so that stick is always toward the sideline Switching hands : bottom hand slides up the shaft and top hand replaces Shorten the distance of the pass – Run toward the player you are throwing to – Run toward the player you are receiving the pass from

Playing around the Perimeter Stick is always to the outside, never exposed to defender Body works as shield against defender One-handed carry Against pressure –Change speeds (sprint, jog, sprint, jog, etc.) –Don’t run in a straight line –Step away to create space “USE YOUR FEET TO FREE YOUR HANDS”

Perimeter Play The ability to safely and successfully handle the ball on the perimeter is dependent upon our ability to catch and throw with both hands!! Ball is transferring clockwise – Catch right, throw left Ball is transferring counter clockwise – Catch left, throw right

4 corner passing drill Ball is transferring clockwise – Catch right, throw left Ball is transferring counter clockwise – Catch left, throw right B A C

Playing without the Ball Simple Rules: Never stand still –Don’t be a spectator or a “ballwatcher” –Know your teammates tendencies: Is he in a carry/pass mode or dodge mode? –Occupy your defender  back of the helmet –If the ball is carried toward you, clear through to create space for the carrier –If the ball is carried away from you, follow the carrier “1-3-2 Motion Offense”

Ground Balls Call "ball" to alert your teammates you are going to scoop the ground ball. This will keep players from bunching up around the ball and perhaps provide you with someone to throw to once you have control. If members of the other team are in the area your teammates can body block them to give you an open shot at the ball. Step2 Hold your stick with one hand close to the head and the other near the end of the handle. The handle should be off to the side of your body for a free range of motion. Step 3 Bend at the knees and waist as you approach the ground ball. If your right hand is closest to the stick head, your right foot should be closest to the ball. Reverse this for the left hand.

Ground Ball Step4 Drop the head of your stick to ground level a few inches behind the ball. The handle of your stick should also be kept low to create a flat approach. Bring your body over the top of the ball. Step5 Scoop under the ball with the head of your stick. As you bring your stick up through the ball pull it close to your body, cradle the ball and gradually straighten up to a normal running position. Look to pass to an open teammate. Drill: 2 lines 20 yds apart. Player with the ball runs towards other line and rolls ball towards line. Player in front scoops it up and runs opposite line.

Playing TEAM Defense 1. PURE HUSTLE! 2. All great teams play great defense and have great communication. 3. All seven defenders must have ownership of the defense. Defense is not a series of one-on-one confrontations. 4. Defensive pressure on the ball should be highlighted by great footwork and crisp stick checks. Defense is a healthy blend of body and stick. When in doubt, poke check! 5. Defenders adjacent to the ball must talk and anticipate back up and slide situations.

Playing Team Defense 6. The farther removed your man is from the ball, the more you should be sagged in to help your teammates in the crease. 7. Adjust your approach when playing defense on the crease; tighten up, talk, listen for “check” call from the goalie. Stay between your man and the ball. Never lose your player in the crease. 8. Avoid switching defensive match-ups. Try to fight through or slide under picks. 10. COMMUNICATION! The field should be alive with talk on the defensive end of the field.

Playing Defense Keep your head “on a swivel.” See the man and see the ball. Stay in CONTROL TALK to your teammates

Lacrosse Penalties Lacrosse Personal Fouls: The penalty for a personal foul is a one to three minute suspension from play and possession to the team that was fouled. Players with five personal fouls are ejected from the game. SLASHING: Occurs when a player's stick contacts an opponent in any area other than the stick or gloved hand on the stick. TRlPPlNG: Occurs when a player obstructs his opponent at or below the waist with the crosse. hands. arms. feet or legs. CROSS CHECKING: Occurs when a player uses the handle of his crosse to make contact with an opponent.

Lacrosse Penalties UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS: Occurs when a player strikes an opponent with his stick or body using excessive or violent force. ILLEGAL CROSSE: Occurs when a player uses a crosse that does not conform to required specifications. A crosse may be found illegal if the pocket is too deep or if the crosse was altered to gain an advantage. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT: Occurs when any player or coach commits an act which is considered unsportsmanlike by an official, including taunting. obscene language or gestures. and arguing.

Lacrosse Penalties ILLEGAL BODY CHECKING: Occurs when any of the following actions take place: (a) body checking of an opponent who is not in possession of the ball or within five yards of a loose ball: (b) avoidable body check of an opponent alter he has passed or shot the ball; (c) body checking of an opponent from the rear or at or below the waist; (d) body checking of an opponent by a player in which contact is made above the shoulders of the opponent. A body check must be below the neck, and both hands of the player applying the body check must remain in contact with his crosse. ILLEGAL GLOVES : Occurs when a player uses gloves that do not conform to required specifications. A glove will be found illegal if the fingers and palms are cut out of the gloves, or if the glove has been altered in a way that compromises its protective features.

Technical fouls The penalty for a technical foul is a thirty second suspension if a team is in possession of the ball when the foul is committed. or possession of the ball to the team that was fouled if there was no possession when the foul was committed. HOLDING: Occurs when a player impedes the movement of an opponent or an opponent's crosse. INTERFERENCE: Occurs when a player interferes in any manner with the free movement of an opponent, except when that opponent has possession of the ball, the ball is in flight and within five yards of the players, or both players are within five yards of a loose ball.

Technical fouls OFF SIDES: Occurs when a team does not have at least four players on its defensive side of the midfield line or at least three players on its offensive side of the midfield line. PUSHING: Occurs when a player thrusts or shoves a player from behind. SCREENING: Occurs illegally when an offensive player moves into and makes contact with a defensive player with the purpose of blocking him from the man he is defending. STALLING: Occurs when a team intentionally holds the ball. without conducting normal offensive play, with the intent of running times off the clock. WARDING OFF: Occurs when a player in possession of the ball uses his free hand or arm to hold, push or control the direction of an opponent's stick check.

Referee Signals

GO RAIDERS