Westfield Lacrosse Club
Welcome to the Westfield Lacrosse Club! We have constructed this introduction to lacrosse packet to familiarize the children and the parents with the
basics of the game of lacrosse. While many of you may be new to the game, many consider lacrosse to be the oldest sport in America. So old, in fact,
that Native Americans were playing a game very similar to it before Columbus arrived in the New World in 1492. According to the 1981 book “Sports
Firsts,” lacrosse “is one of the few games whose roots are entirely in North America. ... The Indians may well have been playing baggataway (their
name for it) for centuries before the French discovered their game (in 1705).” Lacrosse was also an official Olympic sport in the 1904 and 1908 games.
For the throwback Dad’s, you might be interested to know that Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown, lauded by many as the greatest player ever in the
NFL, was also a standout lacrosse player at Syracuse University before gaining his glory with the Cleveland Browns.
Westfield also has a relatively long history in lacrosse. The high school fielded its first team in 1978 and won the state championship in 1986 and 1987.
The Blue Devils have produced numerous All-State and All-American lacrosse players and have taken home the coveted Union County Tournament
title on several occasions.
The goal of the Westfield Lacrosse Club, and specifically of our youth programs, is to promote the sport of lacrosse and provide a fun, positive, and
enriching experience for the youth and parents of Westfield. All players will be played as equally as possible without regard to physical ability or skill.
There are no standings kept, no league championship or playoffs. We play all players as equally as possible with the goal of teaching the sport and
providing a fun experience for all involved. Please take the time to review the contents of this packet with your child. In addition, we strongly
encourage each of you to catch either a high school or collegiate game this season (schedules attached) to experience a polished game first hand.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please refer to our website (www.westfieldlacrosse.com) or feel free to contact one of our volunteer
coaches.
Thank you for giving your child the opportunity to experience the game of lacrosse…. the fastest game one two feet!!
Sincerely,
Brendan Maher
Joe Loftus
Chris Moran
Hugh McGuire
Men’s Lacrosse Positions
Attack:
The attackman's responsibility is to score goals. The attackman generally restricts his play to the offensive end of the field. A good attackman
demonstrates excellent stick work with both hands and has quick feet to maneuver around the goal. Each team should have three attackmen on the field
during play. The 2nd/3rd grade teams will play with two attackmen.
Midfield:
The midfielder's responsibility is to cover the entire field, playing both offense and defense. The midfielder is a key to the transition game, and is often
called upon to clear the ball from defense to offense. A good midfielder demonstrates good stick work including throwing, catching and scooping. Speed
and stamina are essential. Each team should have three midfielders on the field.
Defense:
The defenseman's responsibility is to defend the goal. The defenseman generally restricts his play to the defensive end of the field. A good defenseman
should be able to react quickly in game situations. Agility and aggressiveness are necessary, but great stick work is not essential to be effective. Each team
should have three defensemen on the field. The 2nd/3rd grade teams will play with two defensemen.
Goal:
The goalie's responsibility is to protect the goal and stop the opposing team from scoring. A good goalie also leads the defense by reading the situation
and directing the defensemen to react. A good goalie should have excellent hand/eye coordination and a strong voice. Quickness, agility, confidence and
the ability to concentrate are also essential. Each team has one goalie in the goal during play.
Men’s Lacrosse Field
Boy’s Youth Lacrosse Rules Summary
The rules for youth boys' lacrosse are written by US Lacrosse and are included in the National Federation of State High School Associations
(NFHS) rule book and can be found at www.uslacrosse.org.
Each team must keep at least four players, including the goalie, in its defensive half of the field and three in its offensive half. Three players
(midfielders) may roam the entire field.
Generally, youth games are 48 minutes long, with 12 minute running-time quarters. Each team is given a two minute break between the first
and second quarters, and the third and fourth quarters. Halftime is typically ten minutes long.
Teams change sides between periods. Each team is permitted two timeouts each half.
Boy's lacrosse begins with a face-off. The ball is placed between the sticks of two squatting players at the center of the field. The official blows
the whistle to begin play. Each face-off player tries to control the ball. The midfield players in the wing areas can release; the other players
must wait until one player has gained possession of the ball or the ball has crossed the goal line.
Center face-offs are also used after a goal and at the start of each quarter. In any game, at any point during a game when there is a four-point
lead, the team that is behind will be given the ball at the midfield line in lieu of a face-off as long as the four-point lead is maintained.
Players may run with the ball in the crosse, pass and catch the ball. Only the goalkeeper may touch the ball with his hands.
A player may gain possession of the ball by dislodging it from an opponent's crosse with a stick check, which includes the controlled poking
and slapping of the stick and gloved hands of the player in possession of the ball.
Body checking is permitted if the opponent has the ball. However, Boys U11 is a NON-CONTACT game and no body checking of any kid is
permitted. All contact must occur from the front or side, above the waist and below the shoulders. An opponent's crosse may also be stick
checked if it is within five yards of a loose ball or ball in the air.
If the ball or a player in possession of the ball goes out of bounds, the other team is awarded possession of the ball. If the ball goes out of
bounds after an unsuccessful shot on goal, the player nearest to the ball when and where it goes out of bounds is awarded possession.
An attacking player cannot enter the crease around the goal, but may reach in with his stick to scoop a loose ball.
Any player or coach who uses derogatory or profane language on the field or bench, whether addressing a player, coach or referee may
receive an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Multiple infractions will result in an expulsion foul.
Fouls
The following describes the type of fouls in the high school lacrosse rulebook for reference. The application of these rules is stricter in the
youth game, especially when it comes to physical contact as described above. In the youth game, a player does not serve time for committing
a foul, but is typically substituted for and the ball awarded to the other team at the point of the infraction.
Personal Fouls: The penalty for a personal foul is a one to three minute suspension from play and possession to the team that was fouled.
Players with five personal fouls are ejected from the game.
SLASHING: Occurs when a player's stick contacts an opponent in any area other than the stick or gloved hand on the stick.
TRIPPING: Occurs when a player obstructs his opponent at or below the waist with the crosse, hands, arms, feet or legs.
CROSS CHECKING: Occurs when a player uses the handle of his crosse to make contact with an opponent.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT: Occurs when any player or coach commits an act which is considered unsportsmanlike by an
official, including taunting, obscene language or gestures and arguing.
UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS: Occurs when a player strikes an opponent with his stick or body using excessive or violent force.
ILLEGAL CROSSE: Occurs when a player uses a crosse that does not conform to required specifications. A crosse may be found
illegal if the pocket is too deep or if the crosse was altered to gain an advantage.
ILLEGAL BODY CHECKING: Occurs when any of the following actions take place: (a) body checking of an opponent who is not in
possession of the ball or within five yards of a loose ball: (b) avoidable body check of an opponent alter he has passed or shot the
ball; (c) body checking of an opponent from the rear or at or below the waist; (d) body checking of an opponent by a player in
which contact is made above the shoulders of the opponent. A body check must be below the neck, and both hands of the player
applying the body check must remain in contact with his crosse.
ILLEGAL GLOVES: Occurs when a player uses gloves that do not conform to required specifications. A glove will be found illegal if
the fingers and palms are cut out of the gloves, or if the glove has been altered in a way that compromises its protective features.
Technical Fouls: The penalty for a technical foul is a thirty second suspension if a team is in possession of the ball when the foul is
committed or possession of the ball to the team that was fouled if there was no possession when the foul was committed.
HOLDING: Occurs when a player impedes the movement of an opponent or an opponent's crosse.
INTERFERENCE: Occurs when a player interferes in any manner with the free movement of an opponent, except when that
opponent has possession of the ball, the ball is in flight and within five yards of the players, or both players are within five yards
of a loose ball.
OFF SIDES: Occurs when a team does not have at least four players on its defensive side of the midfield line or at least three
players on its offensive side of the midfield line.
PUSHING: Occurs when a player thrusts or shoves a player from behind.
SCREENING: Occurs illegally when an offensive player moves into and makes contact with a defensive player with the purpose of
blocking him from the man he is defending.
Boys Lacrosse Equipment Requirements
1. Lacrosse Helmet (Hockey helmet acceptable)
2. Mouth Protector
3. Lacrosse Shoulder Pads
4. Lacrosse Gloves
5. Lacrosse Elbow/Arm pads
6. Lacrosse Stick (length of the short crosse may be 37 to 40 inches)
7. Athletic Supporter & Cup
8. Rubber Cleats (baseball/soccer cleats are fine)
9. Water Bottle
10. Reversible Jersey
2010 Westfield High School
Varsity Boy’s Lacrosse Schedule
VARSITY GAME JV GAME
DATE DAY OPPONENT SITE TIME TIME
3-Apr Sat Livingston Away 4:30 6:00
6-Apr Tues AL Johnson Home 4:00 5:30
7-Apr Wed New Providence Away 4:00 5:30
9-Apr Fri Summit Home 4:30 6:00
12-Apr Mon Hillsborough Home 4:30 6:00
14-Apr Wed Columbia Away 4:00 5:30
16-Apr Fri Randolph Home 4:30 6:00
19-Apr Mon Watchung Hills Away 4:00 5:30
21-Apr Wed West Essex Away 4:30 6:00
24-Apr Sat West Morris Home 4:00 5:30
26-Apr Mon Seton Hall Prep Home 4:30 6:00
29-Apr Thus Ridge Home 4:00 5:30
1-May Sat Cranford Home 10:00 12:00
3-May Mon Madison Away 4:30 6:00
5-May Wed Montclair Away 4:00 5:30
7-May Fri Mendham Home 4:30 6:00
10-May Mon Pingry Home 4:30 6:00
13-May Thus Chatham Away 4:30 6:00
2010 ESPNU College Lacrosse Regular-Season Schedule
Sat, Mar 13 11:00 a.m. *Towson at Maryland
2:00 p.m. Georgetown at Syracuse
Sat, Mar 20 2:00 p.m. *^Maryland at UMBC
8:00 p.m. Syracuse at Johns Hopkins
Sun, Mar 21 12:00 p.m. *Virginia at Towson
Sat, Mar 27 12:00 p.m. Johns Hopkins at Virginia (ESPN2)
12:00 p.m. Duke at Georgetown
2:00 p.m. Maryland at North Carolina
Sun, Mar 28 2:00 a.m. *^Towson at Loyola (Md.)
Sat, Apr 3 12:00 p.m. *North Carolina at Johns Hopkins
8:00 p.m. Virginia at Maryland
Sat, Apr 10 12:00 p.m. *Navy at Maryland
2:00 p.m. Albany at Johns Hopkins
4:00 p.m. Big City Classic: North Carolina at Virginia
6:30 p.m. Big City Classic: Princeton at Syracuse
Sun, Apr 11 12:00 p.m. Notre Dame at Georgetown
Sat, Apr 17 12:00 p.m. *Georgetown at Loyola (Md.)
4:00 p.m. Smartlink Day of Rivals: Navy vs. Army
6:30 p.m. Smartlink Day of Rivals: Maryland vs. JHU
8:30 p.m. Duke at Virginia
Sun, Apr 18 6:00 p.m. Syracuse at Rutgers
Sat, Apr 24 11:00 a.m. ESPNU Warrior Invitational: Denver vs. Fairfield
1:30 p.m. ESPNU Warrior Invitational: UMass vs. Georgetown
Sun, Apr 25 5:00 p.m. *^Penn State at Towson
Wed, Apr 28 7:00 p.m. Towson at Johns Hopkins
Sat, May 1 12:00 p.m. *Hartford at UMBC
5:00 p.m. Cornell at Princeton
7:00 p.m. Syracuse at Notre Dame
Sun, May 2 12:00 p.m. Ohio State at Johns Hopkins (women)
Sat, May8 12:00 p.m. *Johns Hopkins at Loyola (Md.)
2010 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship Coverage
Sat, May 15 12:00 p.m. NCAA First Round – Game 1 (TBD) ESPNU
2:30 p.m. NCAA First Round – Game 2 (TBD) ESPNU
5:00 p.m. NCAA First Round – Game 3 (TBD) ESPNU
7:30 p.m. NCAA First Round – Game 4 (TBD) ESPNU
Sun, May 16 12:00 p.m. NCAA First Round – Game 5 (TBD) ESPNU
2:30 p.m. NCAA First Round – Game 6 (TBD) ESPNU
5:00 p.m. NCAA First Round – Game 7 (TBD) ESPNU
7:30 p.m. NCAA First Round – Game 8 (TBD) ESPNU
Sat, May 22 12:00 p.m. Quarterfinal #1 – Princeton, N.J. ESPNU
2:30 p.m. Quarterfinal #2 – Princeton, N.J. ESPNU
Sun, May 23 12:00 p.m. Quarterfinal #3 – Stony Brook, N.Y. ESPNU
2:30 p.m. Quarterfinal #4 – Stony Brook, N.Y. ESPNU
Sat, May 29 4:00 p.m. Semifinal #1 – M&T Bank Stadium ESPN2
6:30 p.m. Semifinal #2 – M&T Bank Stadium ESPN2
Mon, May 31 3:30 p.m. Championship – M&T Bank Stadium ESPN