The Murphy Monitor's sports editor, Greg Ford, visits the Man-Up Lacrosse Camp on June 30th. Click HERE to read the full story.



Photo by Greg Ford

Blake Pearson and Noah Schwartz battle for the ball during a recent drill at the 2010 Man-Up Lacrosse Camp run by the East JR Panthers Lacrosse Association. The camp is one of the many ways the association is trying to develop young lacrosse players so they’ll be ready to play at the high school level when they reach the ninth grade.

Want a sick looking custom dyed stick head?

Check out this 2009 Dye Job Competition sponsored by E-Lacrosse.

Beginning January 1, 2010, all lacrosse stick heads used in NCAA play (and at the high school level) must meet a new set of dimensions, according to an NCAA press release referring to the rule change. Measuring from the throat up, at the 1.25-inch, and 3-inch marks the stick must be 3 inches wide. At the 5-inch mark, the stick must be 3.5-4 inches wide on that front and 3.5 inches wide on the back. At the head’s widest point, it must be 6-6.5 inches on the front, and 6 inches on the back. All of these measurements are minimum dimensions, so heads may exceed theses specifications and be wider, but they may not be more narrow.

The change was made to promote the free dislodgement of the ball, said Ty Halpin, the NCAA’s associate director of rules administration. The hope is to even the playing field between offensive and defensive players some. “It’s much harder than it used to be to get the ball out,” Halpin said. “We don’t want it to be because of the equipment…It certainly makes sense that if you widen the opening of the crosse the ball will come out more easily…The other key piece is balancing offense and defense in the game.”

The NCAA hopes to also promote safety with the new rule, Halpin said. If it is easier for a defender to dislodge the ball, then he wont have to be as forceful while checking the attacking player, decreasing relentless slashing in pursuit of the ball or just from frustration.

To view the entire article, please click HERE