Future Hornets

Interested in Lacrosse? Saline Offers Youth Teams Every Spring! 🥍

Lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports, and Saline provides a structured and fun environment for boys in grades 3-8 to develop their skills and love for the game!

📅 When Does the Season Run?
The Saline Youth Lacrosse Program runs every spring (March-May), with registration opening in winter through Saline Community Education. 

Teams are available for:
✅ 3rd/4th Grade
✅ 5th/6th Grade
✅ 7th/8th Grade

📋 What You Need to Know:
🏒 Practices: Held Monday-Thursday starting in March.
📅 Games: Played on weekdays & weekends (schedule provided before the season).
🥍 Equipment: Players must provide their own gear. Uniforms will be ordered for the team.
🛑 Registration Deadline: Usually around Feb. 1st

📌 Sign Up Here: Saline Community Ed Lacrosse Registration

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🏆 Required Equipment for Lacrosse

• 🥍 Lacrosse Stick – Youth-sized stick appropriate for their position

• ⛑️ Helmet – Cascade XRS or similar, NOCSAE certified 

• 🥊 Gloves – Lacrosse-specific gloves for hand protection

• 💪 Shoulder Pads – Must meet NOCSAE safety standards

• 🔄 Elbow Pads – Provides arm protection

• 😬 Mouthguard – Required for all players (no clear/white mouthguards allowed)

• 👟 Cleats – Football or soccer cleats work (no metal spikes)

• 🛡️ Chest Protector (Goalies Only) – Must meet safety regulations

📌 Where to Get Gear:
🛍️ Local Stores: Dicks's, Play it again sports,  313 Lacrosse Shop etc
🛒 Online: Lacrosse Monkey, Lax.com, DICK’S Sporting Goods etc

The History of Lacrosse

Lacrosse is one of North America's oldest sports, with origins dating back to the 1400s when Native American tribes played "baggataway" on massive fields with goals miles apart. French settlers later named the game "lacrosse" after the shape of the stick resembling a bishop's staff (crosse in French).

The modern rules of the game were established in 1867 by W. George Beers, a Canadian dentist. Once primarily an East Coast sport, lacrosse has exploded in popularity, reaching high school and college programs nationwide—including right here in Saline!

The Basics of Lacrosse

Game Objective

The goal of lacrosse is simple: score more points than the opposing team by shooting a rubber ball into their goal. Each goal is worth one point.

Game Structure (Based on MHSAA High School Lacrosse Rules)

📌 Game Length: Four 12-minute quarters (Total: 48 minutes of regulation play)
📌 Breaks: 2-minute breaks between quarters, 10-minute halftime
📌 Overtime: Sudden death – first team to score wins
📌 Start of Play: Every quarter and goal restarts with a face-off at midfield

⚠️ Note: For the latest updates, check MHSAA Boys Lacrosse Rules.

Lacrosse Equipment & Gear

The Stick (Crosse)

• Attack & Midfielders: Use shorter sticks (40-42 inches) for better handling

• Defenders: Use longer sticks (52-72 inches) for greater reach

• Goalies: Have larger stick heads for blocking shots

Positions & Team Roles

Lacrosse is played with 10 players per team on the field:

🏃 Attack – Fast, skilled scorers who handle the ball near the opponent’s goal
⚡ Midfielders ("Middies") – Play both offense & defense, covering the whole field
🛡️ Defense – Protect the goal and prevent the opposing team from scoring
🥅 Goalie – The last line of defense, stopping high-velocity shots

The Lacrosse Field & Key Areas

• Midfield Line: Divides the field; used for face-offs

• Crease: The goalie’s protected area—offensive players cannot enter

• Attack/Defense Zones: Teams must advance the ball past midfield in 10 seconds

• Penalty Box: Players serve time here after committing fouls

Common Lacrosse Rules & Signals

🚨 Offsides: A team must keep 4 players on defense & 3 on offense at all times
🚨 Penalties:
✔️ Personal Fouls (1-3 min) – Slashing, tripping, cross-checking
✔️ Technical Fouls (30 sec) – Offsides, interference, holding

Man-Up/Man-Down: After a penalty, the team with more players has a scoring advantage

Lacrosse Glossary: Key Terms to Know

• Cradle – The motion used to keep the ball in the stick while running

• Face-Off – A battle for ball possession at the start of each period & after goals

• Fast Break – A quick offensive attack before the defense can set up

• Ground Ball – A loose ball on the field

• Stick Check – A defensive move to knock the ball loose

• Ride – Pressure applied by the offensive team to slow down a defensive clear

Why Play Lacrosse?

Lacrosse is fast, exciting, and rewarding, combining elements of hockey, football, and soccer while emphasizing speed, skill, and teamwork.

🏆 Develop agility & endurance
🎯 Improve hand-eye coordination
🤝 Build teamwork & strategy skills
⚡ Compete in a fast-paced, growing sport

Join Saline Hornets Lacrosse and be part of the action! 🥍💙