Lacrosse is one of the nation's fastest growing youth sports. Since Lacrosse is a combination of many different sports, it’s no surprise that the game can improve athletes skills for other seasonal sports.
Check out the five other sports that Lacrosse players are probably better than you at and why!
Baseball
Baseball and lacrosse both require superb skills in both hand eye coordination and speed. Lacrosse players tend to have the upper hand in both categories as they more fluently and frequently combine both skills throughout their game. In baseball both hand eye coordination and speed are required in infrequent bursts.
As a result of faster paced games, Lacrosse players can easily transfer their skills to the ball field and be top athletes on the diamond!
Football
An athlete transferring to football from basketball, soccer, or baseball is going to really struggle with the physical aspect of the game, but not a Lacrosse player. Lacrosse is just as much of a hitting sport as football, with equal, but different techniques used in making contact.
Add in the use of angles, dodges, and cuts as common movements on the field and you’ll find that any Lacrosse player can easily add their athleticism to the football field. Not to mention, Lacrosse players wear similar protective equipment as Lacrosse players. The burden of more equipment won’t deter a Lacrosse player.
Basketball
Lacrosse players can easily adapt to the game of basketball because of similarities like the use of pick and rolls and constand progression of the game. Spacing on the Lacrosse field is similar to that on the basketball court. You look for open lanes, utilize a pick and roll, and have offensive plays that are all comparable between the two sports.
Similar to basketball, Lacrosse also depends on getting the ball to their best player for scoring opportunities on offense. This form of player isolation often gives the offense a higher chance of scoring. Don’t be surprised if a Lacrosse player schools you on the basketball court.
Hockey
Hockey and Lacrosse are both said to be ‘Canada’s national sport’. Unlike any of the other sports listed, hockey and lacrosse both utilize a stick and ball or puck. Stick handling is a difficult skill, but easily transfers between lacrosse and hockey.
Another unique aspect of both sports is players ability to move behind the net of the goaltender. Substitutions can be made at any time of the game in both sports and body checks are allowed in both sports. Look out for those crossover Lacrosse players lacing up their skates!
Soccer
Soccer is one of the most common past sports for a Lacrosse player. Since seasons are different between Lacrosse and Soccer a lot of players use both sports to maintain their similar skill levels between games. Keeping up both footwork and stamina is simple if you play both soccer and lacrosse.
Both sports have the same layout and positions: midfielders, defensemen, forwards, and goalies. The games are equally fluid and demand players with strong stamina. In fact, the skills required to handle a lacrosse stick are seen as more difficult than kicking a soccer ball. The next time you watch a talented soccer player, chances are they play lacrosse.
