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Health and Safety

Submitted by gpohanian on Thu, 09/05/2024 - 11:20

The fall lacrosse season will be starting soon, and for those new to the game, or simply shopping for a new helmet, both USA Lacrosse and the CDC provide free online information to help guide consumers.

What should you look for and what should you avoid when picking out a helmet for your lacrosse player?

Submitted by gpohanian on Mon, 07/15/2024 - 11:50

“Taylor on three, one, two, three, Taylor” broke the huddle on a hot summer Saturday lacrosse tournament in Gainesville, Georgia. Taylor was Taylor Mundy, a player few of the boys had ever met but whose initials and number were prominently displayed on all their uniforms: TM21.

Taylor Mundy, the son of Ken and Jessica, was a friend, teammate, and lacrosse goalie whose battle with mental health came to a tragic conclusion on the eve of his departure to college to play the sport he loved.

Submitted by gpohanian on Fri, 07/12/2024 - 11:21

Sometimes, things happen for a reason.

Words like unimaginable or impossible are often associated with uncanny events or circumstances. In the lacrosse world, the ball bounces funny and goes in the cage. Or, it just catches a piece of the goalie and is flicked aside. You never know.

Initially, Joe Bottner wasn't sure if he was going to Vail this summer as he had in past years. However, a few weeks before last week’s Vail Summer Classic, Bottner committed to play with a conglomeration of veteran club teammates.

Submitted by blogue on Mon, 06/24/2024 - 15:12

SPARKS, Md. – USA Lacrosse has named the full coaching and medical staffs for the 2025 U.S. Men’s U20 National Team that will represent the United States at the world championship next summer in Seogwipo, South Korea.

Submitted by gpohanian on Fri, 06/21/2024 - 10:25

This Sunday, June 23, is National Hydration Day and a good chance to remind all lacrosse athletes that proper hydration is essential for helping you to stay in the game and compete at your best.

Did you know that 60-70% of the human body is made up of water? The body loses fluid through the skin as sweat, through the lungs while breathing, and through urination. Physical activity, especially in hot and humid conditions, increases the amount of fluid your body needs to stay properly hydrated.

Submitted by gpohanian on Tue, 05/14/2024 - 12:27

While advocacy regarding mental health should be year-round, May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a great reminder to athletes of all ages to prioritize mental wellness. From youth athletes to Olympians like Simone Biles and Michael Phelps, discussing mental health in athletics has become an increasingly valuable part of sport performance and overall well-being.

Submitted by gpohanian on Wed, 05/01/2024 - 09:32

Those who knew my son, Gordon, knew he was a tremendous hugger. Now understand, Gordon did not go around hugging everyone all the time. Gordon was a very reserved person, but when he hugged you, he meant it. The hug is what prompted me to write this post.

Submitted by gpohanian on Tue, 04/16/2024 - 10:16

Covering a wide gamut of topics, ranging from overcoming injuries to strength & conditioning, USA Lacrosse’s official medical partner, MedStar Health, has released a new educational podcast series focused on lacrosse sports medicine. The six-part series is available to health professionals and the general public, free of charge.

Rebecca Schumer, PT, DPT, a program specialist with MedStar Health, serves as host for the Let’s Get Physical Therapy podcast series.

Submitted by gpohanian on Thu, 03/14/2024 - 12:57

Is sugar ever good for you? You may have heard that sugar is bad and should be avoided, but for athletes in particular, this is not absolutely the case.

TrueSport expert Stephanie Miezin, a registered dietician, destigmatizes sugar and shares the four ways athletes should be using sugar for fuel: before, during, and after exercise, and as a fun treat (in moderation).

Submitted by gpohanian on Thu, 02/29/2024 - 15:15

Dealing with the preferences and needs of different family members at mealtime can be extremely difficult. You may have one child who’s going through a ‘picky eater’ phase, another who’s a vegetarian, and a third who comes home famished after two-a-day practices. You may have your own food preferences as well.

Often, parents try to solve this problem by making different meals for different family members, but doing this costs you time and money, and it doesn’t teach your young athletes how to create tasty meals for themselves.