Why Lacrosse? (London Minor Lacrosse Association)

PrintWhy Lacrosse?

“Being a part of the finesse and physicality of box lacrosse has been a great experience for me. I feel that I have learned and improved as an overall lacrosse player. Learning to adapt in tight space while reading defenders and offensive players has been the biggest improvement in my game.”

– Paul Rabil, NLL & MLL All-Star, NCAA All-American


“I knew that if I wanted to be one of the best players in the world, I would have to dedicate myself to both the indoor and the outdoor game. Playing indoor lacrosse has been a great thing for my career.”

-Casey Powell, MLL/NLL All-Star


“I believe that box lacrosse gives young people many more opportunities to excel in our game.  If I had my choice, I would have every player under the age of twelve play box lacrosse exclusively or at least a majority of the time.  The number of touches of the ball and the ability to develop better stick skills in a game of box lacrosse, far surpasses what happens to young people on a 110 x 60 yard field.  Learning how to pass and catch in traffic, understanding how to shoot, and developing a sense of physicality are all positive traits developed by the box game.” 

Bill Tierney, US Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Denver University Head Coach, Princeton 6xNational Champion, Team USA 1998


“When you watch Canadian kids [Box Lacrosse Players] score, when you see their skill level around the cage,  you wonder to yourself, ‘Jeez, are we teaching kids [in the U.S.] the wrong things?”

Dom Starsia, University of Virginia Head Coach


 “If box lacrosse were played by kids in the U.S. In the fall the way it is played in Canada, it would completely change the complexion of the game in terms of the quality of play and the balance of power. The trend of competitive balance at the DI level would be expedited. Now, the game is growing faster than ever, but one doesn’t see improvement in players from certain regions as expected with such large growth. Box Lacrosse would change all of that. You don’t have to be a good coach to make kids be better players in the box. Like a great drill, it just happens.”

Jamie Munro, former Head Coach of University of Denver Men’s Lacrosse


“American field players would really help themselves if they were exposed to a steady stream of box experience. Box lacrosse is an extremely valuable background for a young player, we need to incorporate more of the indoor skills in to the field game. It is almost a requirement to have a top player with indoor experience on your roster right now.”

University of Virginia Head Coach, Dom Starsia


“One of the biggest benefits of playing box for a young lacrosse player is in the development of lacrosse IQ.  Because everyone plays with a short stick [in box lacrosse], you have to focus on being a complete lacrosse player versus specializing as an attackman or d-man. That is how your IQ grows and skills improve.”

University of Hartford Head Coach Peter Lawrence