What is Lacrosse?
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Lacrosse is a team sport that is played with both a lacrosse stick and a lacrosse ball. Some experts consider lacrosse to be the first organized sport in North America, with its roots in a tribal game played by Native Americans. Eventually, this tribal game was extensively adjusted to reduce the violence and create what today’s current collegiate and professional format are.
Players of the game use the head of the lacrosse stick to catch, pass, shoot, and carry the lacrosse ball. Currently, there are four different variations of Lacrosse that are played. These four different versions of Lacrosse have different sticks, fields, rules, and equipment. These four different versions of Lacrosse include field lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, box lacrosse, and inter lacrosse.
Field Lacrosse
The men’s versions of Lacrosse, known as field lacrosse which is played outdoors, and box lacrosse which is played indoors, involve contact, and as a result, all the players in the game wear protective gear. The protective gear consists of a helmet, gloves, shoulder pads, and elbow pads.
The women’s version of the game is played outdoors but does not allow body contact. In the women’s game, the only protective gear required is eye gear, except for the goalies who wear helmets and protective pads. Intercross is s non-contact sport played indoors and is played with both men and women on the same team. Intercross also uses a softer ball and a plastic stick.
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What is Lacrosse?
What Sport is Lacrosse Most Like?
Lacrosse has similarities with many different sports, but many think it is most similar to basketball because of how the plays are set up in a similar way to basketball plays for advancing the ball into scoring position. Lacrosse is also like hockey and football because of the heavy protective equipment and frequent physical contact involved. At the same time, you can also find similarities with Lacrosse and soccer, specifically the field of play, which is much like a soccer field, except that the goal is not as big in Lacrosse as a soccer goal.
Is Lacrosse More Dangerous than Soccer?
Lacrosse is the fastest-growing high school sport in the nation, and in the last couple of years, varsity lacrosse teams have increased 200 percent across the nation. As a result of its increased popularity, its injury list has grown rapidly as well. Lacrosse is responsible for injuries in the ankles, upper legs, and knees. Additionally, it is estimated that one in every 10 injuries that occur during lacrosse games and practices is a concussion. Concussions are the sport’s most common above-the-waist injury and are slightly more common in Lacrosse than hockey. However, leg injuries, specifically ACL injuries, are more common in soccer than in Lacrosse.
What is the Most Common Injury in Lacrosse?
The most common injury for both male and female lacrosse players is general lower extremity strains and sprains, many non-contact injuries. The second most common injury is concussions, followed by hand/wrist fractures which are usually the result of stick checks/contact.
An injury that is far less common but can be very serious is commodis cordis, a rare cardiac arrhythmia directly related to ball/stick to chest contact. Overall, lacrosse is a moderate-risk sport in which the overwhelming majority of injuries are minor sprains, strains, and bruises.
How Can a Lacrosse Athlete Prevent Injuries?
Lacrosse athletes can prevent injuries in both practices and games by first and foremost wearing the correct equipment properly and by paying extra attention to making sure the protective equipment is appropriately sized. Both mouthpieces and gloves are two crucial equipment items that should not be forgotten.
It is also very important for lacrosse players to intermittently take a break from the sport, at least 1-2 days a week and 1-2 months a year away from the sport. Furthermore, taking a break from the sport allows the athlete to stay fresh and helps to prevent burnout and overuse injuries.
To schedule an appointment for physical therapy at one of the 12 JOI Rehab Centers, please call 904-858-7045.
Related Articles:
Lacrosse Injuries – Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute Sports Medicine
Don’t let an injury keep you sidelined. JOI’s sports medicine team can get you back in the game. To make an appointment or for more information call 904-JOI-2000, or make an online appointment or click the link below.
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