As part of the recent National Youth Sports Week celebration hosted by the National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS), leaders from multiple youth organizations participated in an online discussion about the future of youth athlete safety and how all stakeholders – program leaders, coaches, parents, and volunteers - can help to make a difference.

For players and parents just getting started in lacrosse, we know that finding the right equipment can be a bit confusing, and perhaps, even a little intimidating. It’s important to know that there are key differences in the required protective equipment between the boys’ and girls’ game, as well as between field players and goalies. Also, box lacrosse has its own unique gender-neutral equipment requirements.

In the boys’ field game, perhaps the most perplexing piece of equipment to purchase is the helmet. All major rule sets require a NOCSAE certified lacrosse helmet.

The following article is part of a content partnership with TrueSport, a positive youth sports movement powered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). TrueSport has partnered with more than 20 sport NGBs to promote a positive culture of youth sport with expert content and programming.

Of the 60 million youth athletes throughout the United States, an estimated 4.8 million may be victims of sexual abuse. This is why the main priority for the Athlete Protection & Safety program at USA Lacrosse is implementing policies and procedures that promote safe environments for all participating athletes.  Having best practices in place ensures USA Lacrosse is doing everything possible to help prevent youth athletes from experiencing any type of misconduct or abuse. 

Editor’s note: As the fall season approaches and many kids either return to, or perhaps begin for the first time, fall ball lacrosse activities, we thought it may be helpful to once again share this article from 2021 about the varied pace and process of physical literacy development among kids. Physical literacy is one of the six core values in USA Lacrosse’s Athlete Development framework.

The following article is part of a content partnership with TrueSport, a positive youth sports movement powered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). TrueSport has partnered with more than 20 sport NGBs to promote a positive culture of youth sport with expert content and programming. 

The following article is part of a content partnership with TrueSport, a positive youth sports movement powered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). TrueSport has partnered with more than 20 sport NGBs to promote a positive culture of youth sport with expert content and programming.

As a former collegiate player and now a longtime men’s lacrosse referee, Jim Loffredo, 50, knows what it feels like to be ‘in the zone.’ 

It’s a unique and often rare feeling of being singularly focused on just one task. All distractions and background noise seem to disappear as you develop laser sharp connection to just one function.

The following article is part of a content partnership with TrueSport, a positive youth sports movement powered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). TrueSport has partnered with more than 20 sport NGBs to promote a positive culture of youth sport with expert content and programming.

Athlete Protection and Safety has always been the highest priority at USA Lacrosse and some recent updates in processes have been made to keep that priority at the forefront of the organization’s mission. USA Lacrosse believes that these updates, outlined below, will enrich the experience for all lacrosse participants.