Northampton Youth Lacrosse

Northampton Youth Lacrosse Player's Code of Conduct

As a youth lacrosse player representing the City of Northampton, I understand that a high level of sportsmanship is expected from me. I will always:

• Play lacrosse for FUN.
• Practice hard and work hard to improve my individual stick skills and team play skills.
• Be on time for practices and games and concentrate on playing my best lacrosse.
• Be a team player and always support and cheer for my teammates.
• Respect and cooperate with my coach.
• Learn the rules of the game, and abide by them.
• Always respect the rulings and decisions of officials, even if I don't understand them.
• Treat opposing teams and players with respect and dignity, and never 'trash-talk' or taunt another player.
• Consider it an honor to play the great game of lacrosse.

Equipment You Will Need

As a player, you will get the most out of each practice if you come prepared. For example, it will be hard to concentrate on your cradle if you forgot your gloves, and your hands are so cold you can't feel your stick! Here is a list of what you will need for every practice and game:

• a women's lacrosse stick (more info here)
• protective eye-wear (provided at the beginning of the season by your coach)
• a properly fitted mouth-guard
  
• gloves (any knit glove with rubber 'stickies' on the palms to keep your stick from slipping are fine. If you can afford lacrosse-specific gloves, they will protect your hands from bumps and scratches)
• your reversible practice jersey
• soccer cleats
• weather-appropriate clothing suitable for running
• bottle of water

Ways to get better on your own

You don't need to be at practice to work at becoming a better lacrosse player.

Something as simple as twenty minutes of playing catch with a wall will make you into a better player. A great article on wall ball, with specific suggestions, by lacrosse legend Paul Carcaterra is here. When you play wall ball, remember to practice with your right and left hands. Everything you can do with your right hand, you should be able to do with your left hand too!

Lacrosse is played on a big field, and involves plenty of running and plenty of sprinting. Many players jog in the off-season, but few sprint, and it is sprinting that will make you a stronger, faster lacrosse player. You can sprint in your yard or down your driveway. For an extra work-out, find a gentle hill you can sprint up.Or, if it's too cold to exercise outside, get yourself a jump rope, crank up your radio, and jump!

Rules

Girls Lax Rules---This page from the US Lacrosse site has some good information.

Fields and Positions---This site has some information about fields and positions.

Equipment

What kind of stick should I buy?.........  Click for the file

Download WhatkindofstickshouldIbuy.doc