The fastest growing sport in the U.S. is… Lacrosse! Yes you read that right. With over 1.6 million participants last year, lacrosse has quickly grown into one of the most popular sports in America. Combining hockey, soccer, and football into one, lacrosse appeals to many with its fast and high scoring games and availability to both genders. Luckily for you, getting started in lacrosse is fairly easy, so here is a quick guide to get you started in the great sport of lacrosse.

Equipment and gear

The first thing that comes to mind when you see a lacrosse player is all the crazy gear they have. The lacrosse stick is of course the primary piece of equipment you will need. Made to be light and durable, the lacrosse sticks aluminum shaft allows the player to effortless carry your stick and easily shoot. Other equipment such as gloves, helmets, and pads are necessary only for competitive lacrosse, but with lacrosse sticks and balls flying around, it is wise to invest in said gear.

Rules and mechanics

Much like soccer and hockey, the main goal of lacrosse is to get the ball into the net for a goal. However, there are various limitations on how many people can be on each side of the field as well as stick length. Games typically have 12-15 minute quarters, with a sudden-death overtime if the game is tied. Goalies are protected by a lined halo around their net in which opposing players cannot travel, making scoring more difficult.  Shooting and passing is more difficult than it looks, but with the proper training equipment, like the lacrosse rebounder, you can quickly master these skills.

Lacrosse is quickly growing all around the country as more and more athletes are picking up this spring time sport. Being one of the cheaper sports to get into, lacrosse is sure to be a major part of the U.S. sports scene for years to come.