Lacrosse
th
8 Grade (24 lesson plans)
I.
DESCRIPTION
Lacrosse is a team sport where players try to get a rubber ball into a net or goal. Players use a
long stick with a net on the end of it called a lacrosse stick. They can run, carry, catch, shoot, and
pass the ball with the net of the stick. The lacrosse team with the most points or goals at the end
of the time period wins the game.
Lacrosse is a very athletic and active game. It provides good exercise and competitiveness. There
is a lot of running in Lacrosse and speed and endurance are great assets to the Lacrosse player.
The sport's nickname is "The fastest game on two feet". Lacrosse has become popular with high
schools, colleges, and has had some success as a professional sport.
Grade: 8th Grade
Number of Students: 35 students
Facilities: Soccer/Football field
Time and Length: 4 times a week, 4-week unit
Equipment: 35 Lacrosse Sticks, 35 Lacrosse balls, 10 pop up nets and standards for 5 fields.
Skill Level: Varied
II.
GOALS
Through a unit of lacrosse, the students will be able to:
1. 1.3 Demonstrate basic offensive and defensive skills and strategies in lacrosse.
2. 1.4 Apply locomotor, nonlocomotor, and manipulative skills to lacrosse.
3. 2.1 Describe and demonstrate how movement skills learned in lacrosse can be
transferred and used to help learn another physical activity.
4. 2.5 Diagram, explain, and justify offensive and defensive strategies in lacrosse.
5. 3.1 Assess the components of health-related physical fitness (muscle strength, muscle
endurance, aerobic capacity, flexibility, and body composition) by using a scientifically based
health-related physical fitness assessment.
6. 3.4 Participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity a minimum of four days each week.
7. 4.3 Identify ways of increasing physical activity in routine daily activities.
8. 5.1 Abide by the decisions of the officials, accept the outcome of the game, and show
appreciation toward participants.
9. 5.2 Organize and work cooperatively with a group to achieve the goals of the group.
10. 5.7 Model support toward individuals of all ability levels and encourage others to be
supportive and inclusive of all individuals.
III.
OBJECTIVES
Through a unit of lacrosse, the students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate triangle strategy in lacrosse.
2. Demonstrate pass to open teammates in lacrosse.
3. Demonstrate goalie defense in lacrosse.
4. Demonstrate stay between you man and the goal defense in lacrosse.
5. Apply triangle strategy in lacrosse.
6. Apply pass to open teammates in lacrosse.
7. Apply goalie defense in lacrosse.
8. Apply lacrosse positions in game play.
(Standard 1.3, 1.4, 2.5)
9. Demonstrate the grips in lacrosse.
10. Demonstrate throwing in lacrosse.
11. Demonstrate catching in lacrosse.
12. Demonstrate scooping in lacrosse.
13. Demonstrate dodging in lacrosse.
14. Apply the grips in lacrosse.
15. Apply throwing in lacrosse.
16. Apply catching in lacrosse.
17. Apply scooping in lacrosse.
18. Apply dodging in lacrosse.
(Standard 1.4, 2.1)
19. Play lacrosse by adhering to the rules and regulations that govern this sport.
(Standard 5.1, 5.2)
20. Display proper etiquette and lacrosse conduct during all game play.
(Standard 5.1, 5.2)
21. Converse about the game with knowledge and command of the terminology.
(Standard 2.1, 2.5)
22. Demonstrate appropriate warm-up exercises and be able to verbalize the importance of a
warm-up and a cool down.
(Standard 3.1, 3.4, 4.3)
23. Identify how pickle-ball helps improve each of the health-related physical fitness
components including muscle strength, muscle endurance, aerobic capacity, flexibility,
and body composition.
(Standard 3.1, 3.4, 4.3)
IV.
SCOPE AND SEQUENCE
1. History and evolution of Lacrosse
The game of Lacrosse is the oldest sport in North America, and its origin dates back to the
1400’s played by the Native American Indians. The games were originally played with
massive groups as much as 100 to 1000 braves on each team. The size of the field varied in
distance because of the massive numbers of players. The field size ranged from 500 yards to
1 half mile apart. On occasion the goals were several miles apart. The goals were designated
by a rock or tree, and a score was recorded by hitting the designated goal. Some tribes used
goal posts 6-9 feet apart and the ball had to travel between the posts to score a point. The
game lasted from sun-up to sun-down and was often played over the course of 2-3 days.
These games were often played originally to toughen braves for war, sometimes tribes would
use the games to settle tribal disputes over territory and it was used as an alternative to war.
In the late Nineteenth century, Lacrosse was banned because of betting and violence that
resulted in eroding traditional values. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons for the banning of
Lacrosse was when the Choctaw Indians attached lead weights to the end of their sticks.
These sticks were called skull-crackers, which resulted in the outright banning of Lacrosse.
2. Rules of lacrosse
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The object of the game is to pass the ball down the field while avoiding the defense and
shoot the ball into the opponent's goal. The team scoring the most goals wins.
The game starts with a face-off at the midfield line, much like hockey.
At the start of the game or when face-off occurs, the players participating in face-offs are
the only players allowed to touch the ball unless the ball is moved outside of midfield line
or area.
Face-offs are also used after a goal is scored or after each quarter.
The only player allowed to touch the ball with his or hers hands is the goalie.
Players may gain possession of the ball by dislodging the ball from an opponent’s Crosse
by stick checking their opponent’s stick in a safe manner (i.e. controlled tapping).
Body contact is not permitted in Physical Education class but it is permitted in a
regulation game of lacrosse due to the use of proper padding and helmets.
If the ball or the player who has possession of the ball steps out of bounds, the other team
gains possession of the ball. This is known as a turnover.
An attacking player may not enter the crease area around the goal but may reach in with
their stick to gain possession of a lose ball.
3. Elements of fitness, including: flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, muscular
endurance, muscular strength, and body composition
4. Lacrosse Skills:
1. Gripping the stick
2. Throwing
3. Catching
4. Scooping
5. Dodging
4. Knowledge:
1. Explanation of the game
2. History and languages
3. Triangle strategy
4.Pass to open teammates
5.Goalie defense
6.Stay between you man and the goal defense
7. Play your positions
8. Etiquette
V.
HEALTH AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
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Both hands must remain on the Crosse at all times.
A player CANNOT intentionally throw the ball at another player in a malicious
manner.
Players CANNOT block the opponent, no contact is allowed.
No player can enter the goal area except the goalie.
Goalies must wear protective gear.
Players CANNOT dive for loose balls rolling on the ground.
Players CANNOT go within five feet of another player.
Do not bang or hit the Crosse on the ground or anywhere else.
A loose ball goes to the nearest player.
VI.
UNIT BLOCK TIME PLAN (see attached)
VII.
MODIFICATIONS for Student with Special Needs including ELL students
Strategic and intensive students (i.e.: special needs students (504-IEP), students struggling
academically and/or socially)
Academically: If possible, strategic and intensive students will be helped by offering one on one
help by the teacher, an aide, or a classroom volunteer. These students could also benefit from
pre-teaching some of the important concepts, vocabulary or ideas that will be presented in the
lessons. This can be done with vocabulary flashcards that utilize pictures and basic words so the
students have a visual representation on what is being taught (i.e. pictures of foods with
carbohydrates, proteins, etc.). When working on worksheets, they might be allowed to work in
partners, or even have a less intensive worksheet. While doing the jogs around the school, these
students could have a buddy from the class run with them.
Socially: The teacher can insure that these students are placed in desk groups with helpful and
supportive peers. While doing group work the teacher can walk around the room and monitor if
these groups are helping and incorporating these students
English Language Learners and/or students struggling with English fluency that impacts
academic and/or social progress.
For English language learners I will use demonstrations before each activity to ensure they
understand what they are expected to do. There will also be picture cards demonstrating the
appropriate activity at each station during any station activities. I will also have this student
work with a partner who is a positive example and a good listener. This partner will help the
English language learner take their pulse.
VIII. EVALUATION PROCEDURES
Knowledge test
Skill test
Journal
Visual assessment based on a rubric
IX. References
Sports. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2019, from https://www.ducksters.com/sports/lacrosse.php