There is more to April than Showers! It’s field lacrosse season

That’s right, the hockey sticks are being put away and the field lacrosse sticks are being dusted off; less equipment, but just as much body checking and fast paced action. For parents of lacrosse players, it is time to store away those arena seat cushions and get out the rain suits, umbrellas and lawn chairs. The season may be shorter, but it doesn’t always feel that way when the weather is often volatile. Field lacrosse games are very rarely cancelled due to weather; the players love it, the parents, not so much.

Field lacrosse is played with 10 players on the field – 1 goalie, 3 defenders, 3 midfielders, and 3 attackers. The attackers must always stay on the offensive side of centre, and the defenders must always stay on the defensive side of centre. The midfielders can go all over the field. If a team has less than 3 players in the attacking zone, or less than 4 in the defensive zone (3 defenders plus a goalie) the team is off-side and possession will be awarded to the other team. Sound complicated – not really, but this game is highly strategic.

Are Canadians making an impact in the Men’s American Field Lacrosse world? According to a recent Lacrosse Magazine article there were only 18 Canadian men in NCAA Division I teams in 2000. That number has increased steadily and in 2009 there were 74 Canadians including 10 alone on the roster at Bellarmine, in Louisville, Ky.

And what about on the international scene? Team Canada will be defending their world title – which was won on home turf in 2006 against the U.S. – in Manchester England this coming July.

The Canadian Women have also been making strides capturing bronze at the World Championships in Prague last summer.

We’re mighty! We’re crazy! We’re never, ever lazy!

We’ll beat you! Defeat you! We’ll even try to eat you!

We’ll cover you in hot sauce, cuz we’re the best at lacrosse.

Gooooo Team Canada
(Girl’s Lacrosse Cheer Courtesy of Prettytough.com)

For more information on the world of Canadian Field Lacrosse go to http://www.lacrosse.ca/.

Krome, Paul. Quality Control: behind LM’s research into high school alumni on Division I rosters. Lacrosse Magazine, April 2009, 33 (4), p.15.

Other field lacrosse references from Sport Discus:

• From Frances Jane Dove to Rosabelle Sinclair and beyond: the introduction of women's field lacrosse to North America. Forbes, S.L.; Livingston, L.A., Unpublished Paper Presented at the 10th Commonwealth & Scientific Congress, University of Victoria, BC Aug 1994: p. 1-4
• Physical and Mechanical Properties of Various Field Lacrosse Balls. Crisco, Joseph J.; Drewniak, Elizabeth I.; Alvarez, Martin P.; Spenciner, David B., Journal of Applied Biomechanics Nov2005, Vol. 21 Issue 4, p383
• ZAP THE ZONE With a Simple Sideaway 3-3. Kenney, John M., Coach & Athletic Director Apr2002, Vol. 71 Issue 9, p16
• Painting women's lacrosse fields quickly and accurately. Marcotte, Bob, SportsTurf Jun2009, Vol. 25 Issue 6, p18
• Lacrosse - the warrior's field sport. Bell, N., Golf & Sports Turf Australia Aug/Sept 2002: Vol. 10 Issue 4. p. 6-7;9-12

Mettre ses talents en pratique pour…

À la fin de chaque année scolaire, les élèves d'écoles secondaires de deuxième cycle doivent prendre d'importantes décisions au sujet de leur avenir. Il s'agit d'une période exaltante de la vie des étudiants-athlètes, car certains parmi eux auront l'occasion de devenir des athlètes collégiaux. Pour ces jeunes, le processus de recrutement et de bourses d'études, souvent concernant des universités américaines, peut être déconcertant. De nombreux choix doivent être faits, et, selon le niveau de talent de l'athlète, d'énormes pressions sont exercées.

Les aspirants joueurs de la NBA* qui souhaitent faire un jour partie du repêchage doivent respecter l'exigence d'être âgés d'au moins 19 ans et d'avoir terminé l'école secondaire depuis plus d'un an. Dans la NFL, un athlète doit avoir été diplômé du secondaire depuis au moins trois ans pour être admissible au repêchage*. Pour la plupart des athlètes qui aspirent aux ligues majeures, la meilleure option est de poursuivre les études post-secondaires. Les sports collégiaux permettent aux athlètes de tous les niveaux et de toutes les disciplines de continuer à pratiquer activement leur sport.

Si vous êtes un étudiant-athlète d'école secondaire qui espère combiner ses études à des compétitions sportives au collège ou à l'université, voici quelques facteurs à prendre en considération :

1. Prenez connaissance des exigences d'admissibilité relatives aux études du SIC, de la NCAA*, etc. Il y a certaines exigences essentielles que vous devriez connaître dès que vous commencez le secondaire. 
2. Lisez les règlements de recrutement* pour savoir à quel moment vous pouvez faire une visite officielle, quand un entraîneur peut communiquer avec vous et ce qu'est une période de repos. Sachez quels sont vos droits, ce à quoi vous devez vous attendre et ce qui n'est pas permis, tant de votre part que de la part de l'institution qui souhaite vous recruter. 
3. Faites les tests standardisés requis, comme le SAT* et l'ACT, et sachez quel est le score minimum nécessaire pour être admis dans une potentielle institution. 

La dernière année de l'école secondaire peut être très intense pour les futurs athlètes collégiaux. Quand on prend en considération le fait que ces derniers doivent achever leurs études secondaires, avoir de bonnes notes, bien performer sur le terrain et décider quelle institution post-secondaire correspond le mieux à leurs aptitudes scolaires et sportives, l'année peut s'avérer être une montagne russe remplie d'émotions. Si vous vous familiarisez avec les règles et règlements intercollégiaux et que vous savez ce à quoi s'attendent les institutions qui se battent pour avoir vos talents scolaires et athlétiques, le processus de recrutement sera beaucoup plus facile.

* Seulement disponible en anglais 

Références de la collection de SIRC:

1. Brown G. Knight panel urges educational 'intervention' for recruits. NCAA News. January 29, 2007;44(3):8.

2. Flett M, Gould D, Paule A, Schneider R. How and Why University Coaches Define, Identify, and Recruit 'Intangibles'. International Journal Of Coaching Science. July 2010;4(2):15-35.

3.Johnson G. Hamline course dissects art and science of recruiting. NCAA News [serial online]. September 25, 2012;:1.

4. Johnson G. Spotlight shines on student-athlete experience at summit. NCAA News. February 13, 2006;43(4):7-17.

5. Klungseth S. The Five NCAA Recruiting Rules That High School Coaches Should Know. Coach & Athletic Director. April 2005;74(9):75-81.

6. Trendafilova S, Hardin R, Seungmo K. Satisfaction Among International Student-Athletes Who Participate in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Journal Of Intercollegiate Sport. December 2010;3(2):348-365.

I will be taking my talents to........

At the end of each school year, senior high school students have to make important decisions about the future. For student athletes, this heralds an exciting time in their lives, since some will have the opportunity to be collegiate athletes. For these young people, the process of being recruited and offered a scholarship, often by an American university can be daunting. There are many decisions to be made and depending on your talent level, a lot of pressure.

For aspiring future NBA players who hope to eventually enter the draft, there is a requirement that they be at least 19 years of age and a year removed from high school graduation. In the NFL, an athlete has to be 3 years removed from high school to be eligible for the draft. For most athletes hoping to make it to the big leagues, the best option is the post secondary route. Collegiate sports enable athletes of all abilities and levels to remain involved in their chosen sport.

If you are a high school student athlete hoping to combine your studies while competing in college or university sport, there are a few things which you should take into consideration:

1. Figure out your academic eligibility requirements in the CIS, NCAA, etc. There are core requirements that you should familiarize yourself with as soon as you begin high school. 
2. Be aware of recruiting regulations such as when you can make an official visit, when the coach can contact you and what is a quiet period. Know your rights, what is expected and what is not - both on your end and that of the institution recruiting you. 
3. Take the required standardize test such as the SAT and ACT and know the required minimum score to be accepted at the prospective institution(s). 

For prospective collegiate athletes, the final year of high school can be hectic. With finishing up high school, maintaining good grades, performing on the field at a high level and deciding which post secondary institution best fits your academic and athletic abilities, the year can be a roller coaster of mixed emotions. Familiarizing yourself with the intercollegiate rules and regulations, and understanding what is required of you by the institutions vying for your academic and athletic talents, can make the process much smoother.

References from the SIRC Collection:

1. Brown G. Knight panel urges educational 'intervention' for recruits. NCAA News. January 29, 2007;44(3):8.

2. Flett M, Gould D, Paule A, Schneider R. How and Why University Coaches Define, Identify, and Recruit 'Intangibles'. International Journal Of Coaching Science. July 2010;4(2):15-35.

3.Johnson G. Hamline course dissects art and science of recruiting. NCAA News[serial online]. September 25, 2012;:1.

4. Johnson G. Spotlight shines on student-athlete experience at summit. NCAA News. February 13, 2006;43(4):7-17.

5. Klungseth S. The Five NCAA Recruiting Rules That High School Coaches Should Know. Coach & Athletic Director. April 2005;74(9):75-81.

6. Trendafilova S, Hardin R, Seungmo K. Satisfaction Among International Student-Athletes Who Participate in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Journal Of Intercollegiate Sport. December 2010;3(2):348-365.