From hockey legends like Gretzky and Tavares to contemporary stars such as Shanahan and Stamkos, NHL players endorse the idea of engaging in lacrosse during the spring to enhance their hockey prowess.
Lacrosse & Hockey
Hockey players can reap numerous benefits from incorporating lacrosse into their athletic pursuits. Here's how lacrosse can be a game-changer for them:
-
The variety of lacrosse offers a refreshing change of pace, helping hockey players prevent burnout and maintain enthusiasm for both sports.
-
Lacrosse's smaller ball and stick foster enhanced hand-eye coordination, a skill transferable to the hockey rink.
-
Lacrosse encourages players to keep their heads up and be aware of their surroundings, promoting safer and more effective play in hockey.
-
The fast-paced nature of lacrosse reinforces the importance of quickness and agility, valuable traits around the hockey net.
-
Shooting at smaller targets and picking corners in lacrosse can sharpen a player's scoring abilities in hockey.
-
Lacrosse exposes players to creative techniques like fakes, back passes, and shots, enriching their offensive repertoire in hockey.
-
The use of both hands is vital in lacrosse and can help players become more versatile and skilled with their non-dominant hand in hockey.
-
Lacrosse requires intricate stick handling skills, which can enhance a hockey player's creativity in maneuvering the puck on the ice.
-
Lacrosse's confined playing space encourages creative plays and strategies, making hockey players more adept at navigating tight spots on the ice.
-
Lacrosse can improve a player's ability to read offensive plays, allowing them to anticipate and respond effectively in both sports.
-
The defensive aspects of lacrosse, such as protecting the goal, can bolster a player's defensive skills and tactics in hockey.
-
Playing lacrosse requires physical conditioning, contributing to overall strength and endurance, which is beneficial for hockey.
Lacrosse in Omaha
Youth: Boys ages 4-10; Girls ages 4-14
The Omaha Lacrosse Club (OLC) offers fun skill development, coaching and coordination for team and tournament play for these young participants.
The youngest of the players (Soft Stick) explore fundamental lacrosse skills in a fun environment. This group typically meets each Sunday of the OLC spring season.
Players in the 8U to 14U divisions have games each Sunday and typically practice 1-3 times per week.
Youth: Boys ages 11-14
In the Omaha area, there are several boys' youth lacrosse clubs, each with specific geographic boundaries. Club participation is determined by your residential address and alignment with a particular high school. Players residing outside the boundaries of these independent clubs or those who choose not to join them become members of the Omaha Lacrosse Club (OLC). OLC, assumes the role of governing and providing guidance for the youth recreational spring season.
It's important to note that all of these clubs are inclusive and embrace players of all skill levels. Prior experience with a lacrosse stick is not a prerequisite for joining any of these clubs.
High School: Boys and Girls
Lacrosse in Nebraska is not yet sanctioned by the Nebraska School Activities Association, which means that all high school lacrosse teams in the state operate as independent clubs. The governing body overseeing high school boys lacrosse in Nebraska is Nebraska Lacrosse (NELAX), and there are also teams from outside Nebraska that participate in the league. Midwest Girls Lacrosse League (MGLL) governs the girls league.
Participation in a high school lacrosse club is determined by the player's enrollment in a specific high school. While not every high school has its own lacrosse club, there are clubs available to accommodate players from any high school.
It's important to note that every club welcomes players of all skill levels. You don't need any prior experience with a lacrosse stick before entering high school; these clubs are open and inclusive to all. Many successful high school players did not pick up a stick before their freshman year.