As a lacrosse coach, whether you're leading high school lacrosse or college lacrosse, safety should always be at the forefront of every practice session. Lacrosse is a fast-paced, physical sport, and while injuries can’t be completely avoided, creating a safer environment for your players can significantly reduce risks. From ensuring proper use of lacrosse equipment to structuring practice drills with safety in mind, here’s how you can foster a safer practice.
Start with the Right Lacrosse Equipment
One of the most essential elements of any safe practice is having the right lacrosse equipment. For both high school and college lacrosse players, equipment should be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure it offers the necessary protection.
Helmets and Eye Protection
Head injuries are a major concern in any contact sport, including lacrosse. Ensure your players are equipped with well-fitting helmets that meet the right equipment standards. Regularly check for wear and tear on players' helmets, and encourage replacement of any that are showing signs of damage.
Shoulder Pads and Arm Guards
Pads protect against body checks and errant balls, which are common in high school and college lacrosse. Emphasize that players wear properly sized shoulder pads, rib pads, and arm guards. Ill-fitting or worn-out equipment can leave them vulnerable to injuries. Encourage your team to upgrade their gear if it's showing signs of wear.
Gloves and Mouthguards
In lacrosse, hand protection is crucial, especially for players involved in a lot of stick handling. Ensure that all players wear gloves that allow flexibility while still offering protection. Finally, remind players to wear mouthguards at all times. A properly fitted mouthguard can prevent a range of oral injuries, which are common in the sport.
Structure Your Practice with Safety in Mind
Beyond equipment, the structure and flow of your practice are critical for maintaining player safety. As a lacrosse coach, you set the tone for how players engage with other players on the field.
Emphasize Warm-ups and Conditioning
A well-prepared body is less likely to get injured. Start every practice with a proper warm-up, including dynamic stretching and cardio exercises that get the heart rate up and the muscles warmed. Conditioning is just as important in high school lacrosse as it is at the college level. Stronger, well-conditioned athletes are less prone to injuries like sprains and strains. Incorporate agility drills and strength training into practice to build resilience in your players.
Teach Proper Technique
Safe play starts with proper technique. Whether it's body checking, stick handling, or shooting, bad habits can lead to unnecessary injuries. Make sure you spend time reviewing and practicing the fundamentals, especially for contact drills. Focus on teaching players how to check safely, move their feet properly, and engage in the game without reckless behavior. These skills are essential to reducing dangerous collisions and keeping players safer on the field.
Limit Contact in Drills
Lacrosse is a contact sport, but that doesn’t mean every drill needs to be full contact. Be strategic about when and how you include physical drills in your practice sessions. Incorporate non-contact drills that focus on stick skills, speed, and positioning. When contact is necessary, monitor players closely to ensure they’re engaging safely and not taking unnecessary risks.
Educate on Hydration and Heat Safety
Lacrosse practices, especially early in the season or in hot weather, can be physically demanding. Hydration plays a huge role in keeping players safe during practice. Encourage players to drink water before, during, and after practice. If you're coaching in hot conditions, ensure there are regular hydration breaks and consider reducing the intensity of practice to avoid heat-related illnesses.
Encourage your players to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion, such as dizziness, fatigue, or nausea. As a lacrosse coach, it’s your responsibility to balance pushing your athletes with their physical well-being.
Establish a Culture of Communication
Creating a safe practice environment also means fostering open communication between you and your players. Encourage players to speak up if they feel any discomfort or suspect an injury. Too often, high school and college lacrosse players push through minor injuries, which can escalate into more serious issues. Make it clear that their safety comes first and that reporting any discomfort is crucial.
Stay Up to Date on Safety Guidelines and Best Practices
As the sport evolves, so do safety standards and best practices. Make sure you stay informed about the latest lacrosse safety guidelines, especially from organizations like US Lacrosse or your state’s high school or college athletic association. Attending coaching clinics or taking continuing education courses can help you stay current on safe coaching methods.
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