Lacrosse Skills Essentials
•Year 8
•Lacrosse
•Checked before lesson for broken strings or damaged heads
Alternative: Tennis rackets with modified rules for schools without lacrosse equipment
Have spares ready at side of pitch
Alternative: Foam balls or tennis balls for students requiring softer equipment
Positioned at ends of pitches with 5m crease marked with cones
Alternative: Cones placed 2m apart to mark goal width
Organised into team sets before lesson
Alternative: Use existing team colours or markers
Mark pitch boundaries, centre lines, and goal creases
Alternative: Chalk lines on playground surface
One for teacher, extras for student officials
Alternative: Voice commands if whistles unavailable
For timing 7-minute games and transition periods
Alternative: Use phone timer or visible clock
For student officials to record scores
Alternative: Whiteboard or student memory
Offensive phase of play when team has possession and attempts to score
Defensive phase of play when team attempts to regain possession and prevent scoring
Positive actions that help the team in both attacking and defending situations
Having control of the ball, limited to 4 seconds in Pop Lacrosse
When the ball crosses the boundary line of the playing area
The 5m space in front of goal where only attacking players being defended may enter
Method of starting play from the centre line with one foot on the line
When two players commit fouls at exactly the same time
Passion, self-belief, respect, honesty, determination and teamwork demonstrated in sport
Relating to the strategic plans and decisions made to gain advantage in the game
Organised series of games where teams play against each other
Acting as referee to ensure rules are followed and game is fair
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Verbal communication skills essential in tactical discussions and officiating. Use of technical vocabulary accurately to describe play and tactics. Constructive feedback language during team huddles. Listening skills when receiving coaching and tactical instructions. Persuasive language when motivating teammates.
Tournament structure involves mathematical thinking: calculating win records, goal differences, and standings. Time management with 7-minute games and 90-second transitions develops temporal awareness. Spatial awareness and geometry evident in pitch positioning, angles of passes, and defensive formations. Statistics and data recording through score keeping.
Cardiovascular system response to sustained exercise during tournament - heart rate elevation, increased breathing, oxygen delivery. Biomechanics of throwing action - force generation, lever systems in arm movement, projectile motion of ball. Forces in play - friction, air resistance affecting ball flight, momentum in collisions. Fatigue and lactic acid build-up during repeated games.
Spatial awareness essential for tactical positioning on pitch. Understanding of directions and movement patterns - offensive spreading out, defensive compacting. Mental mapping of pitch space and teammate positions. Origins of lacrosse - Native American history and cultural geography.
Sporting values directly address personal development: self-belief builds confidence, determination develops resilience, honesty promotes integrity, respect teaches empathy, teamwork develops collaboration, passion encourages engagement. Managing emotions in competitive situations - dealing with winning/losing, frustration, pressure. Leadership development through captaincy and officiating roles. Conflict resolution during disagreements. Social skills in forming teams and working with various peers.
Position between two pitches at angle allowing visibility of both playing areas simultaneously. Move strategically to provide live coaching feedback but maintain overall supervision. During rule review, position centrally with pitch layout visible behind you for spatial reference.
Primary focus on sporting values - this is culminating lesson emphasising character. Secondary focus on tactical contributions in attack and defence. Note specific examples of excellent sporting values for recognition in plenary. Observe for Head (tactical understanding), Hands (skill application), Heart (sporting values) framework throughout.
Intervene immediately for: safety concerns, poor sportsmanship, rule misunderstandings by officials, exclusion or negative team dynamics. Provide live coaching during games but allow students to solve tactical problems themselves. Support officials if they're losing control but don't undermine their authority. Balance between allowing competitive flow and maintaining standards.
Demonstrate enthusiastic support for all teams equally. Model respectful language when disagreeing with officials' decisions. Show passion for lacrosse to inspire continued participation. Use specific recognition rather than generic praise. During rule review, use student volunteers for demonstrations to maintain engagement and check understanding.
Two pitches each minimum 20m x 30m, with 5m clearance between pitches and around perimeter. Indoor sports hall or outdoor field suitable. Clear of walls, posts, and obstacles.
Dry, even surface free from hazards, holes, or debris. If outdoor, check for wet grass creating slip risk. If indoor, check floor is clean and not slippery.
Whistle signal for immediate stop of all play if injury occurs. Students trained to freeze on emergency whistle. First aid kit accessible at side of playing area. First aider identified before lesson starts. Serious injury protocol: secure scene, assess casualty, send for help, provide appropriate first aid, complete accident report.
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