SAUCON VALLEY LACROSSE
PROGRAM STANDARDS
GOAL
Have fun and safely learn the game of Lacrosse, through teamwork and sportsmanship. Saucon Valley's Lacrosse Program promotes and practices equal playing time
PURPOSE
To provide a quality learning experience in a safe environment that encourages continued participation and combines sportsmanship, competitive and/or developmental skill enhancement and team and community spirit.
HISTORY OF LACROSSE
With a history that spans centuries, lacrosse is the oldest sport in North America. Rooted in Native American religion, lacrosse was often played to resolve conflicts, heal the sick, and develop strong, virile men. To Native Americans, lacrosse is still referred to as "The Creator's Game." Ironically, lacrosse also served as a preparation for war. Legend tells of as many as 1,000 players per side, from the same or different tribes, who took turns engaging in a violent contest. Contestants played on a field from one to 15 miles in length, and games sometimes lasted for days. Some tribes used a single pole, tree or rock for a goal, while other tribes had two goalposts through which the ball had to pass. Balls were made out of wood, deerskin, baked clay or stone. The evolution of the Native American game into modern lacrosse began in 1636 when Jean de Brebeuf, a Jesuit missionary, documented a Huron contest in what is now southeast Ontario, Canada. At that time, some type of lacrosse was played by at least 48 Native American tribes scattered throughout what is now southern Canada and all parts of the United States. French pioneers began playing the game avidly in the 1800s. Canadian dentist W. George Beers standardized the game in 1867 with the adoption of set field dimensions, limits to the number of players per team and other basic rules. New York University fielded the nation's first college team in 1877, and Philips Academy, Andover (Massachusetts), Philips Exeter Academy (New Hampshire) and the Lawrenceville School (New Jersey) were the nation's first high school teams in 1882. There are 400 college and 1,200 high school men's lacrosse teams from coast to coast.
The first women's lacrosse game was played in 1890 at the St. Leonard's School in Scotland. Although an attempt was made to start women's lacrosse at Sweet Briar College in Virginia in 1914, it was not until 1926 that Miss Rosabelle Sinclair established the first women's lacrosse team in the United States at the Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore, Maryland. Men's and women's lacrosse were played under virtually the same rules, with no protective equipment, until the mid-1930s. At that time, men's lacrosse began evolving dramatically, while women's lacrosse continued to remain true to the game's original rules. Men's and women's lacrosse remain derivations of the same game today, but are played under different rules. Women's rules limit stick contact, prohibit body contact and, therefore, require little protective equipment. Men's lacrosse rules allow some degree of stick and body contact, although violence is neither condoned nor allowed. Field lacrosse is sometimes perceived to be a violent and dangerous game, however, injury statistics prove otherwise. While serious injuries can and do occur in lacrosse, the game has evolved with an emphasis on safety, and the rate of injury is comparatively low. Ensuring the safety of participants is a major focus for US Lacrosse and its Sports Science and Safety Committee, which researches injury data in the sport and makes recommendations to make the game as safe as practicable.
Reference: US Lacrosse
HISTORY OF SV LACROSSE
In the summer of 2005 the idea of Lacrosse in Saucon Valley was brought to life. Several interested parents and supporters met to plan and orchestrate a possible Saucon Valley Lacrosse program. As a result, the 2005 Hellertown Halloween Parade marked the first public effort to spread and recruit players and parents in Saucon Valley to the great game of Lacrosse. A small group of determined parents and supporters rallied together to help form what we all know today as the Saucon Valley Youth Lacrosse Program. A banner carried by future players and a decorated Red, White and Black Mini Cooper led the contingent of would be players and coaches tossing candy into the crowd and demonstrating some basic lacrosse skills. Their work produced a non-profit youth sports organization with a $20,000 budget that provided U9, U11, U13, Middle School and High School teams for more than 175 players. The 2006 season, with numerous games, scrimmages, play days and tournaments, was a large success with unbridled enthusiasm by players, coaches and families. The crowded parking situation on Reservoir Road, above the playing fields, on Saturdays during the season was and still is a testament to the popularity of Lacrosse in the Saucon Valley area. The hallmark of the program was to include as many players as possible and immerse them safely into the tradition and skills of Lacrosse. The program grew in 2007 with more than 200 players in the same divisions for boys and the addition of an instructional program for more than 25 girls. After the 2007 season, the Saucon Valley School Board recognized the value and the participation level of the sport in the area and voted to make it a school-sanctioned sport for both boys and girls starting in the 2009 season. Already a PIAA sport for girls, boy's lacrosse will be sponsored for the first time in 2009. The 2008 season has more than 225 players in five divisions for boys and three divisions for girls. More than 100 people are volunteering their time and energy in every facet of the program. Long-term, the future of our Saucon Valley Lacrosse program relies on unselfish commitment and tireless effort from parents and supporters, like those that initiated this great sport to our children. Saucon Valley Lacrosse, although new to many of us, is growing and already part of our athletic community and culture.
RED HAWK
Lacrosse, derived from the Native American sport of Stickball, is one of the greatest and most popular team games on the American sports scene. As today's custodians of the game, we at Saucon Valley strive to preserve and pass on the history and lore of this great game to our next generation. One of many ways to do this is through the coveted "Red Hawk Award". The name "Red Hawk" was chosen after an Indian boy named Red Hawk in Neil Duffy's great book "The Spirit in the Stick" who, in the book, exemplified unselfish play, hustle and relentless pursuit and spirit for the game. The SV team's head coach will recognize a RED HAWK player at the end of every practice and game who best displayed strong performance with:
Coaches may chose to award a special jersey to be worn at the next practice or game, stickers to be placed on the helmet or other symbols for Red Hawk Achievement and recognition. The Red Hawk Award is the Saucon Valley way to enforce good principles and at the same time teach the history of this great Native American game.
RULES
Reference: Lehigh Valley Youth Lacrosse League (LVYLL)
(LVYLL)League rules follow NFHS rules
US Lacrosse rules of the game
SAFETY
As coaches and parents, safety is our first and foremost consideration in youth sports. We conduct our practices and games within this context and do our best to communicate this to the players and other parents. The U.S. Lacrosse organization has a science and safety committee, which continually looks at injury prevention and sports medicine issues. They include such issues as concussions, cardiac arrest, heat illness, proper protective equipment and the rules of the game. Our goal is to ensure we understand these issues and take appropriate measures to follow the U.S. Lacrosse organization's recommendations and requirements.
"Research has found both men's and women's lacrosse to be relatively safe compared to other commonly played team sports. Most injuries are minor strains, sprains and contusions. But as in any sport, more significant injuries can and do occur. The Sport Science and Safety Committee of US Lacrosse is sponsoring research to monitor these injuries, better understand their mechanisms and design preventive programs. Our goal is to expand the base of lacrosse specific sports medicine knowledge and provide objective guidance to enhance safety at all levels of play." Dr. Richard Hinton, Executive Committee member of the US Lacrosse Sports Science and Safety Committee
All players must be fully dressed with all necessary protective equipment including Helmet on and Mouthpiece in place before stepping on playing field. This rule will be strictly enforced. Player pick up and drop off must be done off Panther Way Road above Saucon Valley HS. Players must NOT be dropped off or picked up from Polk Valley Road or Reservoir Road. Park on far side of Panther Way Road, perpendicular to maximize space.
SKILLS BY PRIORITY/AGE
NOTE: All skills will be addressed on a more advanced level as the players move up in their respective age group.
U9
U11
U13
U15
SPORTSMANSHIP
Pre-game Meet in Center of Field by position and shake hands
Post game line up at mid field and congratulate opponent (win or lose)
Win as a team
Lose as a team
Always show respect to Officials on field
Head up and show Panther Pride!
PARENT CONDUCT
I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care, and encouragement for my child participating in youth sports by following this Parents' Pledge.
1. I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, and officials at every game, practice, or other team event.
2. I will not conduct, encourage, or condone unsportsmanlike behavior that demeans a player, coach, official, or spectator at a lacrosse practice, game, or event.
3. I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my child ahead of a personal desire to win.
4. I will support all coaches, board members and others working with my child, in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all.
5. I will do my very best to make youth sports fun for my child.
6. I will require my child to treat other players, coaches, fans and officials with respect.
7. I will never openly or maliciously criticize, badger, harass, or threaten a referee or official.
8. I, along with any guest of mine, will refrain from any vulgar, lewd, obscene or abusive language or gestures, including yelling criticism at the referees, while watching any team event, whether at home or away.
9. I will direct all my comments and criticisms to parents, participants, officials, board members, and coaches away from the children on the team, and conduct myself in a calm manner when doing so.