Name of your Lacrosse
Team/ League
Name of Meeting
Date/Time
LACROSSE
History
Deemed the fastest game on two feet,
lacrosse has a history that spans centuries
and is the oldest sport native to the North
American continent.
Rooted in Native American ritual and
religion, the game was often played to
resolve conflicts, prepare for war, heal the
sick and build strength.
LACROSSE
History
Until the mid-1930s, men's and women's
lacrosse were played under virtually the
same rules, with no protective equipment.
At that time, men's lacrosse rules began
evolving dramatically, while women's
lacrosse continued to remain true to the
game's original rules.
LACROSSE
General Overview
• Object of both men’s and women’s lacrosse is to
score more goals than the opposing team by
shooting the ball into the opponent’s netted goal
• Women's rules allow 12 players on the field, limit
stick contact, prohibit body contact and therefore,
require little protective equipment
• Men's lacrosse rules allow 10 players on the field
and some degree of stick and body contact but
violence is neither condoned nor allowed
LACROSSE
General Overview
• Lacrosse is played primarily in the spring
• Resembles strategies of basketball and hockey or
field hockey on a field similar to a soccer field
• Players use sticks with aluminum alloy or
titanium handles and plastic heads with mesh- or
leather-strung pockets to catch, throw, scoop and
shoot a solid rubber ball
• Games involve quick sprints, passes, a motion
offense and shots on goal
LACROSSE
Growth
Over the past decade, number of men, women
and youths playing lacrosse has increased
another 8.4% each year to reach the estimated
568,021 people playing today
Level
Youth
High School
College
Professional
Post-College
Total
2001
125,000
100,925
20,293
150
7,563
253,931
2008
265,214
218,823
29,822
300
10,071
524,230
__ 2009_
297,271
227,624
31,614
180
11,342
524,230
LACROSSE
Growth – College Snapshot
• Lacrosse is a fully-sponsored NCAA
championship sport for both men and
women
2009 US Lacrosse Participation Survey (Varsity and Club)
Men:……………………………………………………. 18,746
Women:……………………………………………….. 12,868
Total:…………………………………………………… 31,614
No. College Players Annually
2001:……………………………………………………… 20,293
2002:……………………………………………………… 23,179
2003:……………………………………………………… 24,331
2004:……………………………………………………... 23,162
2005:……………………………………………………… 24,502
2006:……………………………………………………… 26,251
2007:……………………………………………………… 28,282
2008:……………………………………………………… 29,822
2009:……………………………………………………… 31,614
LACROSSE
Growth – High School Snapshot
2008 US Lacrosse Participation Survey
(NFHS & USL Data)
Boys:……………………………………………………… 136,710
Girls:……………………………………………………… 90,914
Total:…………………………………………………….. 227,624
Growth Rates of NFHS Sports Boys 10-yr
1. Bowling ……………………………………………………....208.4%
2. Lacrosse……………………………………………………….175.0%
3. Indoor Track………………………………………………….. 53.5%
4. Ice Hockey………………………………………………….. …39.2%
5. Water Polo…………………………………………………………. 38.1%
Growth Rates of NFHS Sports Girls 10-yr
1. Lacrosse…………………………………………………….. 208.0%
2. Bowling………………………………………………………. 187.4%
3. Ice Hockey………………………………………………….. 78.9%
4. Water Polo………………………………………………….. 46.3%
5. Golf……………………………………………………………. 38.0%
LACROSSE
Growth – Youth Snapshot
• Data collected from the US Lacrosse’s 63 regional
chapters following the 2009 calendar year
indicated more then 297,000 youth players played
lacrosse.
Number Youth Players Annually
2001:……………………………………………….
2002:……………………………………………….
2003:……………………………………………….
2004:……………………………………………….
2005:……………………………………………….
2006:……………………………………………….
2007:……………………………………………….
2008:……………………………………………….
2009:……………………………………………….
125,000
137,500
150,000
186,048
204,384
220,797
241,581
265,214
297,271
US LACROSSE
One for All – and here to help
• Our Mission
Through responsive and effective leadership, US Lacrosse
strives to provide programs and services to inspire
participation while protecting the integrity of the game.
• Our Vision
We envision a future which offers people everywhere the
opportunity to discover, learn, participate in, enjoy and
ultimately embrace the shared passion of the lacrosse
experience.
US LACROSSE
One for All – and here to help
•
Largest, all-encompassing resource for lacrosse
knowledge
•
Volunteer-based organization - national board of directors
and executive committee with equal representation from
the men’s, women’s and youth games
•
Staff of more than 50, plus volunteers and interns

501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization relies on
membership dues, annual giving grants, endowments,
sponsorships to achieve organizational mission and vision

Membership base grown to 297,271 in 2009
LACROSSE
“So How Safe is Lacrosse?”
•
Research shows men’s and women’s lacrosse to be
relatively safe compared to other commonly played team
sports
•
Most injuries are minor strains, sprains and contusions,
but more significant injuries can and do occur
•
Sport Science and Safety Committee of US Lacrosse is
sponsoring research to monitor these injuries, better
understand their mechanisms and design preventive
programs
•
Visit www.uslacrosse/safety for helpful articles, links and
contact information regarding lacrosse science and safety
LACROSSE
“What about Concerns for a Negative
Impact on Our Other Sports?”
• Lacrosse offers sport option for athletes of all
weights, shapes and sizes
• Lacrosse is a great preparation for other sports that
require strength, speed and agility
• Lacrosse can offer coaches and officials of other
sports opportunities in off-seasons from other
sports
• Lacrosse offers opportunity for student-athletes one that may not be available in other sports - to
continue sports participation in college through
growing number of divisional and club programs
LACROSSE
“So How Do We Get Started?”
New Start Program
• Free, multi-level developmental assistance program
offering industry’s most complete package of startup materials for first year teams needing guidance
on getting started
• Details and tips on everything from budgeting
development to securing and lining fields
• Get a “To Do” checklist, promo DVD, manual, and
CD of helpful documents, plus more
LACROSSE
“So How do We Get Started?”
US Lacrosse Regional Chapters
• Connect one of our 63 regional volunteerbased US Lacrosse boards for assistance,
information and even grant assistance
specific to your location
• Most up-to-date contact list at
www.uslacrosse.org/chapters
LACROSSE
“What About Equipment?”
Outfitting boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams
costs less than football or ice hockey team
Boys’ lacrosse: Helmets, shoulder pads, rib pads,
Arm pads, gloves and mouth guards required (~$250$400 per player)
Girls’ lacrosse: Protective eyewear, mouth guard
mandatory, gloves optional; full protective equipment,
including a chest and throat protector, required only
for goalkeeper (~$125-$175 per player)
LACROSSE
“What About Equipment?”
Even
Evenififschool
schoolor
orparticipant
participantfunding
fundingand
andlocal
local
grants
grantsare
arenot
notavailable,
available,US
USLacrosse
Lacrossecan
canhelp…
help…
• Equipment Grant Program: Equipment grants
can provided sticks and protective gear to qualified
first year teams
The application is typically available on
www.uslacrosse.org in April and due to US Lacrosse
in mid-June
Special Thanks to our Sponsors
LACROSSE
“What About Coaches?”
• Coaches’ Education Program
- Online Courses: Interactive coaches’ resource to teach
new/developing coaches philosophy, skills and strategies for
boys’ or girls’ lacrosse ($25, available 24 hours a day through
www.uslacrosse.org)
- Instructional Clinics: These clinics provide the hands-on, inperson interaction based on the knowledge you received from
the course. For a schedule and to learn more please visit,
http://www.uslacrosse.org/cep/instructional.phtml
- Level 1 Certification: In 2006, the US Lacrosse Board of
Directors approved the first-ever, nationally recognized lacrosse
coaches certification initiative based on Level 1 of the Coaches’
Education Program
Components:
- CEP Level 1 Online Course completed
- CEP Level 1 Instructional Clinic completed
- PCA Double Goal Coach 1 Course completed
- Background check through National Center
Safety Initiatives
LACROSSE
“What About Coaches?”
• Positive Coaching Alliance - US Lacrosse offers
grants for workshops provided by partner PCA to
provide tools needed for coaches, officials,
administrators and parents to understand, educate
and communicate to players the balance between
athletic achievement and character development
• US Lacrosse Convention: 5,000 coaches, officials
and administrators come together annually in
January to expand their knowledge through helpful
educational sessions
• Numerous books, videos, manuals, etc. offered
through Online Gift Shop www.uslacrosse.org
LACROSSE
“What About Officials?”
• Men’s Officials and Women’s Umpires
Training Programs:
- Nationwide training clinics for men’s and women’s
officiating
- Resources such as manuals, videos and senior
officials’ mentorship
• Resources for Recruiting and Retaining
Officials: Resources such as a free publication to
help programs and leagues around the country plan
for and secure lacrosse officials; available through
www.uslacrosse.org
LACROSSE
“What’s Available to Help New Players?”
• Camp Scholarship Program: Special tuition
waivers from camp directors to connect players
aged 6-18 with financial need to camp experience
• US National Teams Clinic: Youth and high school
players learn from the world’s elite players—
members of the US Lacrosse-coordinated Men’s and
Women’s National Teams—annually at sites across
the country
US LACROSSE
Membership Benefits
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Retention & Acquisition
Lacrosse Magazine – 12 issues
Insurance
Staff Support/Information Center
Monthly E-mail Newsletter
Partnership Benefits
Access to Assistance Programs
Access to Special Events
Regional Chapter Network
Specific Benefits by Member Category
Resource Material Discounts
www.uslacrosse.org
And more!
Your Team
Put your team name as the title and explain what you have
done already to help form this team such as: developing your
mission, vision, and goals; securing some or all of necessary
funding, player interest and leadership, trained coaches and
officials; creating a board and booster club. Also provide
participation statistics fro the team if applicable, and what
you anticipate future growth to be.
Funding and Support for
this team
Explain how you will fund and support the cost of this
team with recommendations and ideas from the New
Start manual
US Lacrosse
and Community Support
Explain how you will use the support of US Lacrosse,
your local US Lacrosse Chapter and any other
outside support such as sponsors to start and
support your team. See the information about US
Lacrosse Chapters in your New Start manual.
Proposed Timeline
You’ll want to show that you are organized and have
a plan for forming your team. Present a proposed
timeline of events (including due dates for
registration, recruiting coaches, meeting dates,
fundraising events etc and a proposed game
schedule.
School Support
Explain what you will now need from the school
and/or town-remember make it as easy as possible
to say yes!
Acknowledgements
Be sure to thank the proper people for their time, for
listening and for their consideration, and others who
have helped you get started. Be sure to also list your
contact information at the end of the presentation.