Parents, I'm going to try to sell you something. Let me set the stage first...
This spring, I decided to get back into lacrosse as a coach. I played midget lacrosse in Calgary, junior lacrosse in Victoria, and encouraged my 9 year-old to give it a try. I bought him a stick, showed him the fundamentals, introduced him to Roughnecks lacrosse, and he was hooked. So this season he's playing, and I'm coaching. He loves it.
So, I'm here to sell you the game of lacrosse as a spring sport for your kid. I'll give you the skill lacrosse requires, and the crossover benefits that skill has for other sports or endeavors.
Skill: Passing, catching and shooting the ball with a lacrosse stick.
Crossover: Hockey, Baseball, Tennis.
The lacrosse head, or basket, is not exceptionally huge, which forces the kid to develop dexterity to ensure they control the ball with skilled manipulation of a stick..
Skill: Hitting
Crossover: Hockey, Football
Lacrosse teaches you to hit hard and clean when appropriate. Defend FIRST, if the hit is there TAKE IT. If you hit too soon, your opponent can blow past you. If you miss your hit, he advances towards your net. The same type of concept applies to both hockey and football.
Skill: Taking a hit for the good of the team
Crossover: Hockey Football.
My son learned this the hard way. Sometimes to get the pass off, you have to steer yourself towards the boards to create open space in the middle. This creates two sure-things: (1) you'll have a good target to pass to, and (2) you're going to get creamed. Success in #1 means #2 just doesn't matter.
Skill: Running
Crossover: Soccer, Hockey
Lacrosse bills itself as the "fastest game on two feet". This means alot of running. Repeat. Alot of running. Does much more need to be said? Is running ever bad?
Skill: Flow of the game
Crossover: Basketball, Hockey
Lacrosse allows for pick plays, end-to-end rushes, fast-break offences. Basically, it encourages creativity on the fly. For games that rely on on-the-fly playmaking lacrosse is an excellent complement.
So, if you're looking for an alternative to the usual soccer or baseball for your kid for next spring, give lacrosse a try. Newbie parents are encouraged. If you child excels, then maybe a US collegs scholarship is in your future. We currently have 35 kids under scholarship from our district.
Anyhow, my sales pitch is now over.
But, think about it, eh?
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8 comments:
Skill: Shameless Sales Pitch
Crossover: Used Cars, Vacation Condos, Vacuum Cleaners, Alternative Lifestyle Lounges, Alternative Religions, Politics
Skill: Dealing with the lacrosse groupies.
Crossover: increased focus filtering out the screaming girls, fitness from fast walking to get to dressing room without getting mobbed by chicks, learn about telecom with girls throwing phone numbers his way.
Skill: Explaining what lacrosse IS to foreigners, the ignorant, uninformed and people from Winnipeg.
Crossover: Explaining anything at all.
Skill: explaining sports to past inhabitants of Turner Valley
Crossover: Daycare, baby-sitting, 'poopie bum' wiping, cleaning up vomit, explaining the benefits of bodily cleanliness.
... and that's just at the local Turner Valley Tavern.
It's called Kickers, and yes, cleaning up vomit is probably not a bad crossover skill to have if you work there. No place for a couple of city gals like you two, Patti and Selma.
why, is it a gay bar?
It is about as gay as the Riverbend Pub. (pretty gay)
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