Box Lacrosse

Many of you may know that I am more of a "field lacrosse" kind of guy - I play long pole, I like the strategy, etc. Basically, I prefer the Outlaws to the Mammoth. There is quite a bit of discussion going on these days about the value of the box game to skill development. This is why you'll hear TV commentators talk about Canadian players or the "Canadian style of play" - box is a lot more prevalent in Canada. I came across this interesting list and thought I'd share with you.

TOP 10 REASONS TO PLAY BOX LACROSSE

10.
FASTER PLAY | The speed is way faster than anything you would see   outdoors.  It makes playing outside seem like going in slow motion

9.
STICK HANDLING | Playing in closer spaces means your stick skills have to be tighter and quicker.  Your stick handling improves because there is no room for error, quite literally.

8.
TRANSITION | Ball moves from defense to offense with increased speed.  Players learn quickly to breakout and move the ball up the field.

7.
DEFENSIVE BODY POSITION | No D-Poles means that defensive players have to use good body position to be successful. 

6.
OFF-BALL MOVEMENT | Playing in such a tight area means it is that much harder to get open.  Running through people to go to goal just doesn't work.  Players learn to cut, pick and keep in constant motion.

5.
GOALIES SEE MORE RUBBER | Shots come hard and fast.  Goalies see more shots in a shorter period of time.  There hands and reaction time become much quicker.

4.
SHOOTING ACCURACY | Gary Gait is among many who have gone on record about the shooting accuracy that comes from playing box lacrosse. 

3.
REACTION TIME | Almost every point made deals with faster speeds.  A byproduct of playing faster is you have to react faster.  That means faster to a ground ball, faster in transition, faster to play the ball, faster to shoot the ball.  You name it, your reaction to it get faster.

2.
PLAYER SAFETY | When it comes to pre-season training, the goal is to get better for the Spring season, not get hurt.  Many indoor facilities boast full fields, which ultimately are surrounded by some sort of netting.  As one of the area's top orthopedic doctors pointed out, the box is a safer playing surface.  There is nothing to get tripped up on and in to.

1.
PROVEN SUCCESS | You can list as many of the benefits as you want, but the proof is in the success that box players have.  Look at the most successful players over the last decade.  The majority play box in the off season.  Paul Rabil, Casey Powell, the Gait brothers.  No matter who you identify with, the common thread is that they have or still do play box lacrosse.

Your thoughts? There are a few indoor leagues popping up around the metro area for HS players. These might be a good venue for skill development for some of you.