A parent recently reached out to me about restringing his 6 year old daughter's lacrosse stick.
Although he was a former men's lacrosse player, he was not sure where to start for his daughter and it was clear to me that he just wanted to set her up for success. I've coached so many youth lacrosse lessons, clinics, camps, & games to identify that the EQUIPMENT can have the most significant impact on confidence, success, and longevity in lacrosse.
This question got me thinking about the role of youth sports in a young person's lifE.
As a new mom, I think constantly about how I want Rigby to grow up and what life lessons are important for her to learn. My goal for encouraging Rigby to grow up around and to play sports (when she is of age) is for her to be healthy - physically, mentally, and emotionally.
SO, What is the goal of youth sports, or at least - what should it be?
If you came here to learn how to mold your child into a Division 1 scholarship recipient, I don't know the answer to that! (yet...I kid, I kid) Obviously, I would love if Rigby followed in my footsteps, but I would be happy enough for her to be passionate about anything. I've seen too many parents put unnecessary pressure on their kids only for them to resent the sport and the toll takes on their mental health. More on this topic at another time.
I recently read a Friday Forward article by Robert Glazier called Slow and Steady. It was an astounding take on today's youth, burnout, and sacrificing their childhood all for them to become "excellent sheep." It is worth the read. It dovetails perfectly to what I was thinking about as it relates to youth lacrosse equipment. The most important thing is to develop confidence, be outside, run around amongst peers, and {gasp} HAVE FUN. Slow and steady wins the race. If you're thinking about how your daughter is going to be the next Charlotte North, or get a full ride to UNC, or perhaps investing in a house for your future summers in Maryland for all of the upcoming summer tournaments...you're doing it wrong!
what is the most important thing RIGHT NOW?
When young girls start playing lacrosse they can be quickly discouraged and setup for failure if their equipment is not appropriate for their skill level. It's not enough to just hand them a stick and send them out onto the field. This also does NOT mean you need to spend ridiculous amounts of money on their first stick. Lacrosse sticks are expensive. If and when your daughter wants to play at the next level, I would suggest investing in a high quality stick at that time.
This brings me to the topic of youth lacrosse sticks for girls.
An ideal stick for a youth player is very different than a stick for an elite player, and the goals of a youth player should be to build confidence and develop fundamental skills.
Here are some tips for parents to help your daughter start playing, build confidence, and learn the fundamentals!
1. Give your daughter a "pocket."
Youth sticks remind me of a tennis racket. How are they supposed to catch the ball when the "pocket" is that flat??? Take some time to "bag out the stick" and create a "pocket." At the youth level, there are no rules about pocket depth. The focus should be on cradling and being able to catch the ball. The deeper the pocket, the easier it will be to learn those skills, and the more enjoyable the sport will be.
Having a deeper pocket will significantly increase the ability to actually get a ground ball! Ground balls are one of, if not the most important skill in a lacrosse player.
2. Cut down the length of the "shaft"
Sticks for kids are WAY too long. You don't need the extra length to win balls out of the air first or have an extra edge on ground balls. What youth players need to learn are important fundamentals! Your non-dominant hand should be at the very bottom of your stick. That is nearly impossible on a stick that is too long!
3. Tie off those pesky strings
Mostly, they just whip you in the hands or head and can be an annoying distraction.
4. Put tape on the shaft where the players hands should go! (This one is optional)
The non-dominant hand should go at the bottom of the stick. (i.e. if a player is a righty, their left hand should go at the bottom). The dominant hand should be three quarters of the way up the stick. This is also helpful when teaching youth players about switching hands because they tend to choke up when playing with their non-dominant hand.
It's so flattering when parents reach out to me and ask questions. As a parent, I know that all we want is the best for our kids. The idea that I can help a parent feel like they are helping their kids be their best self and be part of their lacrosse journey means so much to me.
Quote of the Week: (borrowed from Robert Glazier's blog post)
“Life is a marathon, not a sprint, so pace yourself accordingly.” – Author Unknown
Have an awesome week :)
Erin Chase Founder & CEO of Lax Free or Die