Lacrosse may seem like it’s all about outscoring your opponent, but there are a lot of hidden facets that make the game more complex than meets the eye. From unique rules and strategies to specialized equipment needed – lacrosse is certainly no walk in the park!
It’s pretty wild that positional players in lacrosse don’t all use the same standardize stick – turns out, there are a variety of valid reasons why each player opts for one particular size over another. Talk about an interesting quirk!
Trying to understand lacrosse can be daunting, so it’s no surprise why the “who uses a long stick?” question is often heard in the tight-knit lacrosse community. Knowing who needs a longer length of shaft helps newcomers comprehend an integral element of this exciting game!
Defensemen and long stick midfielders (LSM) in lacrosse get an extra edge with their longer sticks. They can send out powerful checks from a distance, which creates the perfect balance between offense and defense! It’s like getting a protective cushion that helps even up the game.
Defensemen and long stick middies can thank their lucky stars for their long poles! You may not realize it, but these special sticks provide a plethora of benefits to make your game more successful. From subtle advantages that help up your skills to providing you with an edge on the competition – there’s no denying that having one of these bad boys is definitely worth its weight in gold when playing lacrosse.
Reasons Why Defensemen Use Long Sticks
Lacrosse defensemen carry around some seriously long poles – have you ever wondered why? Let’s explore the reason they endure that extra hassle.
Harder Check
Lacrosse sticks don’t just look longer, they can also hit harder. Get some extra length to give your defensive checks an added punch!
You’d think playing lacrosse with a long stick would just be about whacking your opponents, but it’s actually more sophisticated than that – there’s some serious physics involved! Torque is the real deal here: The longer the lever arm (your stick), the greater force you can generate and exert. And if more force means harsher hits? Get ready to hear those sore cries in morning practices after a night of vigorous athletic play.
Defensemen have embraced longer lacrosse sticks to unleash powerful checks while still staying safe and giving their opponents a wide berth. It’s an effective way of creating turnovers – sometimes with just one well-timed hit!
Dodging against a long stick defenseman was like tiptoeing on eggshells; the slightest misstep could mean getting crushed with an intimidating hard check. Anyone who’s felt it before can attest that they think twice about dodging after being stung too many times!
Defense is all about keeping your opponents from racking up points on the scoreboard. But if you really want to get ahead, generating turnovers is key – and long poles can make it happen. Just having those extra-long sticks out there gives your team an edge in any tight game!
More Cushion
Lacrosse defenders have a secret weapon! With their long poles, they get an extra layer of defense that gives them the upper hand against attackers.
In lacrosse, offense can be lethal – moving the ball at lightning speed and leaving defenders in a cloud of dust! In comparison to basketball for example, you won’t find many athletes able to sprint full court with such agility while keeping hold of possession; it takes special skillset when there’s someone dogging your every move.
Lacrosse players on offense can move fast and change direction quickly, making it a challenge for defensemen to keep up. It takes physical endurance just to stay in place, with the possibility of having your feet beat by those speedsters at any moment!
Defensive players can use their longs sticks to disrupt the stickhandling of offensive players, thus putting them in a precarious spot. With that extra length on hand they are able to keep opposing attackers at bay and slow down even those with breakneck speed!
More Recovery Time
Defensemen often opt for longer sticks to help balance out the negatives of being caught out of position. Extra length gives them a better chance at recovering before the offensive player makes their move with confidence and accuracy!
For defensemen, an extra half second can be the difference between a turnover and giving up a goal. Even though it may seem like just a tiny increment of time, that split-second head start is invaluable when trying to stay ahead of offensive players! By wielding long poles as their secret weapon against speedy attackers – electric reactions from defenders give them all the edge they need to keep attacks at bay.
The offense may think they’ve beaten the defense by dodging past, but if they don’t keep their stick close it could cost them big time. That’s because defenseman have a fail-safe move – known as the ‘trail check’ – to tomahawk flick away at an offensive player when chasing from behind! It might be last ditch effort…but it just might work too.
With its extra reach, the long pole makes it easy for a defenseman to have an advantage over their opponent – even if they seem way ahead. Even when you think you’re safe from being trail checked by putting some distance between yourself and your defender, that extended length still puts you at risk!
Offensive players have a surprise up their sleeve when they dodge past the defenseman – what if they don’t get to wind up on that shot? It keeps them from hurtling shots at full-force, meaning goalies may just be able to catch it in time!
Creative Checks
As lacrosse sticks get longer, defenders have the opportunity to implement a whole range of creative checks. This opens up an exciting new world for defense!
A top-tier defender is like a Swiss Army knife – they can adjust to any situation and think on their feet. With an arsenal of strategies at the ready, defenders are able to keep opponents guessing with slap checks, poke checks and other unexpected moves that create advantageous situations for them (and bad ones for offense players!). The power of having several options up one’s sleeve means effective defensemen have less need to rely on muscle memory alone; it makes them impossible prey!
Long sticks are the key to successful defensive checks! With their extended reach, poke and lift checks can help keep opponents in check while providing an extra bit of security for the defender. Slap checking is also a great option – just make sure it’s with that long pole!
Players with long sticks have an advantage when throwing a check – they’re able to keep their defenders in place, preventing any chances of opponents scoring easy goals. Short-stick handlers on the other hand are vulnerable since it’s easier for rivals to sweep straight through and score!
Instill Fear
Lacrosse players sought out defensive positions for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is intimidation. Long sticks certainly create an air of authority on the field that can be hard to ignore!
Defensemen take intimidation to a whole new level with their characteristic long poles. Like the legendary spear wielded by Achilles, these sticks were specially crafted for dishing out punishment on opposing offenses – and there’s no better weapon for an imposing defenseman!
Reasons Why Long Sticks Are Used by Some Midfielders
Defensemen aren’t the only ones getting an edge on their opponents with a long stick – LSM’s, or Long Stick Midfielders, are using them to dominate the game as well. These players have mastered controlling every inch of that lengthy pole for maximum effectiveness in all aspects of play.
Long stick midfielders opt for long poles to give them an edge. Not only do they benefit from the same advantages as defensemen when using a longer pole, like being able to exert more pressure and having better reach; but there are exclusive reasons why specifically midfielders choose it over short sticks too! We’ll have a look at those standout benefits in just moment…
Better Ground Balls Reach
When the whistle blows, battle lines are drawn for midfielders in lacrosse – it’s time to fight for ground balls! Face-offs can be intense as two players grapple to gain possession of the ball. As a result, plenty of loose rounds on the field mean that long stick midfielders have their work cut out taking control and securing valuable possessions.
In lacrosse, the long stick midfielders have a special assignment – they sprint in from what is called the ‘wing’ at each whistle. This area lies several yards away from center field and serves as prime position when it’s time to go for that free ground ball. The ensuing scrums are always thrilling to watch with multiple players moving around throwing checks while trying to take home possession of the lacrosse ball! Long sticks reign supreme here due their size advantage over short sticks when things get especially messy on the floor.
Long stick midfielders have a clear advantage when it comes to snatching up ground balls – an extra long reach! This lets them swoop in from further away and take possession of the ball before opponents even know what’s hit ’em. Plus, they can use their sticks for cleverly checking the other team too so victory is close at hand! With those little tricks up their sleeve, these players give their teams more chances to come out on top.
Help Stopping The Onslaught of Offensive Midfielder
Defensemen are the wall that stands between their team and a successful offensive attack. With long poles in hand, they face off against specialized players on offense who have one mission – to score!
Offensive midfielders can be a real threat when they don’t have to worry about long poles, but defenses are granted an extra one specifically for that purpose. The “long stick midfielder” focuses all of the power of the pole on keeping offensive stars in check – it’s their own personal bodyguard!
The presence of two offensive midfielders on the field certainly adds to an attack strategy, but with a long stick midfielder present it’s undeniable that opposition will be at a disadvantage. Not only can this player provide effective offense when necessary, they also act as reliable back-up in defense if any short stick defensive players get overwhelmed – acting like an extra security line!
Long Pole Presence Needed Up Top
Offensive players have developed a knack for sneaky maneuvers when they’re behind the net – so much so that defensemen stay extra vigilant in this area. It’s almost as if there’s an imaginary line drawn around it, and anything on the side of defense is their turf to guard!
The long stick midfielder is a vital part of the defense. They’re experts in shutting down evasive dodgers and foiling any shifty midfielders’ plans, while also providing invaluable help on other two offensive players. It’s no surprise that they are integral to stopping those pesky attacking plays!
Without the long stick midfielder controlling the upper half of the field, there would be no stopping an offensive onslaught. This essential midfield position serves as a shield to keep defenders safe and backs up short-stick middies when they are outmatched by opposition.
