Football has long been the number one sport that parents want their children to play, but we have seen this change over the past decade. There is no doubt that football is still a beloved sport, but with the increase in injuries, both small and significant, we can understand why parents are looking for other options. Sure! The game of soccer took the US by storm, but some kids need a sport that utilizes both their hand to eye coordination as well as their speed and agility. In 2021 more families will be leaning towards a somewhat less mainstream sport – Lacrosse. Are you considering lacrosse for your kids? Here’s what you need to know.
What is Lacrosse?
First, let’s talk about the game of Lacrosse; what exactly is it? Well, the history of the game may surprise you. Here’s how Wikipedia describes it: “Lacrosse is a team sport played with a lacrosse stick and a lacrosse ball. It is the oldest organized sport in North America, with its origins in a tribal game played by the indigenous peoples of the Eastern Woodlands and by various other indigenous peoples of North America. Wow! The oldest “organized sport in North America,” and the indigenous people enjoyed playing it. That’s pretty cool and by itself is a great reason to enroll your kids into lacrosse, but let’s talk a little more about the game.
The stick is long and has a net-like head used to scoop, catch, and pass the ball. It is a sport that requires superior skills in both hand-eye coordination and speed. Lacrosse is a fast game and physical (because of the constant running, passing, etc.) but without a lot of violent tackling and hitting. This may be the reason it is quickly gaining in popularity with families around the globe.
Benefits of Lacrosse For Kids
Playing sports and starting at a young age has many incredible benefits. Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is fitness and strength, but there are many other benefits your kids will experience from playing lacrosse.
- Improves teamwork skills
- It’s a full-body workout
- Improves strategic thinking
- Instills discipline
- Burns calories
- Boosts cardiovascular endurance
- Improves mental and physical fitness
- Socialization skills
- Make friends
- Fun for the kids and parents
What Skills Does My Child Need To Play Lacrosse?
Since the lacrosse game requires its players to run, catch, scoop, and toss all simultaneously, it requires coordination. If your child is a little on the less coordinated side, it may not be the right sport for them, but with some coaching and practice, it can be! Any child can excel at sports when given the proper training and encouragement, and the sport of lacrosse is no different.
Stamina
Because lacrosse is a fast-moving game, it requires that your child has stamina. If you find that your child has an exceptional ability to keep going even when they are hot, tired, and run down, it may be an excellent game for them. If you find they tire easy, well…maybe not.
Hand-Eye Coordination
Most sports require intense hand-eye coordination, and lacrosse is no exception. If your desire is for your youngster to play an organized sport, you have to cultivate this skill from a young age. Start at toddler age, tossing a ball, playing catch, throwing, etc. Things like this will help instill and cultivate skills that can be utilized across any sport, lacrosse included.
How to Decide if Lacrosse is Right For My Child
There are many factors to consider when trying to figure out if your child should join a lacrosse team. We have listed a few of them below. There is no doubt lacrosse is a fantastic sport, and your child will benefit from it, but some factors will impact the parents as well.
Time
Oh! If we only had a million hours every day. We want our kids to be involved and thrive in everything, but the truth is, most of that requires a considerable commitment from us as parents. Life is hard enough with work and everyday life that adding additional daily tasks can push you overboard. So when you are considering if lacrosse is right for your kids, you should take the time to understand the impact it will have on your life and routine. There will be practices, games, buying equipment, and possibly even meetings with the coach. It can add a lot of responsibility to your already busy life. Make sure you’re ready to take it all on before you enroll your child in lacrosse.
Investment
Many say lacrosse is the fastest game on two feet, and although it is considered a “contact sport,” it is not at dangerous as football or wrestling. One major thing you need to understand when considering lacrosse for your kids is the financial investment. Your child will need the following helmet, pads, cleats, shaft/head (the parts for the stick), mouth guard, goggles, and gloves in terms of equipment. Depending on the team or local league that you join, you may even have to invest in uniforms, team bags for equipment, and more. The best thing to do is to speak with the local league to see what sports equipment will be required.
As you can see, there are many great reasons for enrolling your child in a lacrosse program. Understanding the investment in both times and money can help you make the decision. Sports is an activity that will teach your children immeasurable traits and discipline, no matter which sport you select.