One of the great joys of summertime is the opportunity to spend time outside. Visits to the pool, gatherings with friends and family, or simply playing in the yard under the warm sun are just a few of the many activities we enjoy. 

For many lacrosse athletes, summer also includes more time engaged with the sport they love, including camps, clinics, and tournaments. Some of these events require many hours spent on the field under a blazing sun. Taking the proper precautions to be sun safe is vitally important.

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 we all know, the COVID pandemic has caused a major interruption in lacrosse activity. No games, no practices, lost seasons. 

The stoppage of play has not only impacted players, coaches and officials, but it’s also disrupted the work of researchers like Dr. Dan Herman at the University of Florida, who study the game for scientific purposes.

As the 2021 lacrosse season draws ever closer and optimistically, players of all ages return to play, it’s important to note that there are some equipment guidelines that players, parents, coaches and officials should keep in mind. Use of required and certified equipment ensures the highest levels of safety for all participants.

Lacrosse Balls

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.  

“I felt comfortable talking to my friends and teammates about it, but not my coach, who wasn’t the best with injured people anyway,” said Taylor, a female lacrosse player referenced by first name only. She shares her personal concussion story as part of a new online resource produced by TeachAids.

“Coaches have to understand that we want to be playing, but sometimes we need more time to let ourselves heal,” Taylor said. “We need support.”

Over the past two decades, the growth of lacrosse in the state of Florida has been as strong as virtually any other part of the country. From the rise of new collegiate programs to the sanctioning of the game at the high school level, Florida reflects wonderful growth in virtually all corners of the state.

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 use of protective equipment is an important element in many sports, including lacrosse, to ensure the safest possible environment for players and to reduce the risk of injury.  

Some protective lacrosse equipment – helmets and chest protection for men’s and women’s goalies, helmets and chest protection for men’s field players, and eyewear and optional headgear for women - have a required performance standard that must be met in order to be certified for play. Other equipment, such as mouthguards and gloves, have no standard.  

In an effort to keep expanding the sport of lacrosse and appealing to new participants, many leading organizations having begun thinking outside of the traditional parameters of the game. 

They are learning that slightly modified versions of the sport can help remove some of the most commonly cited barriers to participation, such as cost, access, field space, and qualified coaching.