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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My dd plays for a Baltimore team.  Her team has definitely played some teams, including Va teams, where neither the players or parents seem to understand that legal checking is allowed.  On the other hand, they have also played a team or two where the coach is screaming at their players to swing at player’s heads. The first group is significantly larger than the second, and it seems that most refs will err on calling a legal check illegal than the reverse, at least in the middle school years.[/quote]

As a parent of a middle schooler, I think that is the right balance. It’s a safety issue. Ideally, all refs would call illegal checking when it is and not call it when it isn’t[b]. But, that’s not going to happen, so better to err on the side of preventing dangerous play.[/b] [/quote]

Exactly.  The equipment the girls use, a stick and a mouth guard, do nothing to prevent a dangerous play from exacting significant damage.  If the play becomes much more aggressive then the girls will need pads and helmets like the boys.  I think that would hurt the game.  When girls lacrosse is played well it is a beautiful example of athleticism, skill, strategy, excellent hand-eye coordination, girls asserting themselves on the field and teamwork.  The aggressive actions become more about size, threat and intimidation with an unhealthy mix of injuries with the growing potential for even more horrible outcomes.

There doesn't seem much we can do at a local level about the travel teams since they play teams from all over the country.  However, there is a lot we can do at a local level with our high school and rec league teams to encourage and require that the games be played assertively while also playing safely with an emphasis on legal play.  As parents I believe it is our responsibility to assert with coaches and refs that games be played safely and legally.[/quote]

OMG. What a ridiculous and yet classic DMV parent response.  This reactive attitude is not going to help our girls. The coaches and teams and programs in this area need to keep up with the national trends and style of play. We aren’t special. We don’t get to determine how girls lax is played. College programs determine the style and pace of change.  If you don’t like the way girls lax is developing go start your own sport. Holding local girls back from becoming stronger, better, more aggressive and confident lacrosse players only hurts them. Being tougher and more aggressive does NOT have to equal more injuries or more protective equipment if the skills are taught properly. Stop treating our girls like it’s the 1950s and they are fragile, incapable flowers.

Bottom line is if a girl wants to play college lacrosse, and many many girls from our area DO, they need to be taught to play at the same level and with the same skill, intensity and grit as the best middle and high school programs around the country. Holding them back from playing this way will result in fewer and fewer girls making the move to top college programs. What is going on with Capital lacrosse right now is case-in-point. [/quote]

Just reading this thread but as best I can tell no one has suggested the girls not be taught to play aggressive. It sounds like most agree the girls can learn to play more aggressively, but do so within the confines of the rules. Everyone seems to agree there are SOME teams, coaches, and players that may stretch the rules. Not all. If the USL decides to make changes to the rules that allow for some of the unsportsmanlike behavior mentioned then players will need to adjust or find a new sport to play. But right now the rules in place don't support overly aggressive dangerous play, which some on this thread clearly feel teams are exhibiting. The USL has the rules in place to protect the game and players. And keep the playing field level. The refs need to enforce the rules and be willing to call out those who don't follow them. Consistency seems to be an issue with refs from what I've seen at tournaments. You make a very good point in that the girls need to be taught properly. Properly is the key word because it seems some feel the coaches are not teaching their players properly; thus, the issue at hand. If girls are being penalized by colleges for playing within the rules and labeled as soft for doing so then that is a whole different topic the USL needs to address.[/quote]

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