Participating in a high school sports team can serve as a meaningful experience, and girls’ lacrosse remains without exception. Girls should join this sport because lacrosse offers improvement in speed, agility and strategy, as well as creating a team easily comparable to a sisterhood that values discipline, teamwork and friendship. Students will receive open arms and a safe space to grow and adapt courage for future games and later seasons.
Although girls’ lacrosse stands as beneficial to students’ health and developing physical skills, there also remains a significant risk for injury. This includes concussions, ACL tears and spraining of various joints. Stick checks and accidental contact to the head serve as one of the main causes of injury, along with the fact that this sport consists of sticks and balls traveling at fast speeds, which implies the need for protective measures. Additionally, the competitive nature of the sport, along with pressure from coaches and teammates, can increase injury due to players over-exerting their physical capabilities. Heat can also pose an issue during spring and summer seasons, especially with the issue of players not consuming enough water at times. All of these factors lead to the fact that girls’ lacrosse persists as a dangerous sport and can affect students’ daily lives.
“Some of the cons in this sport are the fact that we have practices every day in spring and the injuries involved. A lot of players got injured in the previous season, like ACL problems with people tearing them, spraining their ankles and concussions. I just feel like we need to be a lot more careful, and refs should be paying attention a lot more,” sophomore defensive player Queen Neya Holdorf (35) said.
While a handful of people may argue the disadvantages of playing lacrosse, these obstacles apply to every sport available. Lacrosse consists of challenges revolving around injuries, time and motivation. With that said, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages which should convince people enough that lacrosse brings an opportunity for character building. While someone could easily not play a sport or choose something else, students won’t gain the same experience when joining another sports team.
Girl’s lacrosse provides excellent team bonding exercises at practices and games and plenty of opportunities to bond outside of team business. This includes lacrosse camps, after-game meals and meeting outside practice to play with teammates. Students will find a sisterhood that encourages growth, keeps each other on track and celebrates individuality. This provides a profound opportunity to plenty of new people and build lasting friendships.
“I’ve definitely learned a lot, especially about teamwork and discipline, and it’s great for your health and gets you in shape. My relationship with my team is great and we’re very close, we all bonded over my previous season because during fall ball we were all getting to know each other, and it is kind of like a family. I definitely think you should make school your number one priority and put it before lacrosse since you need good grades to play. Get enough sleep, study and pay attention and make a schedule for yourself to manage time,” Holdorf said.
Additionally, girls’ lacrosse provides an excellent option for staying in shape by improving athletes’ cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, agility and strength. Practices consist of a variety of drills, endurance training and rotational movements which aid in core development. Playing lacrosse acts as an entertaining and multi-beneficial activity compared to working out at the gym once a week. Lacrosse involves encouraging each other on and off the field and playing a part in a team that values hard work, dedication and mutual respect.
“You learn responsibility by actively showing up every day, accountability by owning your mistakes and your teammates will hold each other accountable, and you make lasting friendships. I’ve grown to understand more about the sport, and I have great memories of being a part of the team. The game on March 1, which was one of our team member’s birthdays, was fun because we went after and celebrated at Waffle House,” senior defensive player Chanely Ramirez (4) said.
Overall, joining girls lacrosse offers a unique blend of physical fitness, personal growth and an opportunity to build essential life skills. This sport offers a supportive community where individuals can challenge themselves and grow physically and mentally. This can empower young women to build lasting friendships, confidence and leadership skills both on and off the field. When joining this team students will experience the thrills of competition and working toward a common goal as well as discovering a family.
