Honor the Game

Honor is the Game is a motto that US lacrosse uses in promoting the game of lacrosse. Several times recently, at both high school boys and girls games, this theme seems to have been forgotten. When checking gets out of hand, it becomes dangerous for the players on the field. It also gives an unfair advantage to the player or team that is playing not just aggressively but out of control. At my son's recent high school game, many dangerous checks went uncalled. As the game progressed, players on both teams became more aggressive. Finally, in the third quarter, a teammate of my son's, was called for being in the crease after taking a shot. The young man was laying injured in the crease because he had just been illegally checked and fell into the crease. As the coaching staff and trainer ran onto the field, the head coach was yelling at the referee for not making correct call(s). I couldn't hear all of the conversation but the coach was eventually given a yellow card. Normally, I don't condone coaches yelling at referees but I think the coach was entirely correct in sticking up for his players. Silence ensued on the field, in the sidelines, and in the stands. I think everyone understood that the game was getting out of hand. No one wants to see an athlete get hurt. After that the game settled down and my son's team scored a few quick goals that sealed the game.

In two recent girls's games, the other teams were very aggressive and committed many fouls that were not called by the referees. Our team started the season very competitively and while we didn't see a lot of wins, we were scoring 12-15 goals per game and kept the score close. In the last two games we scored 3 and 5 goals respectively. Our players were handicapped by the incessant fouls committed against them. It is difficult to maintain possession with three players on your back and then getting checked into your head or across the body. We had five players with bloody fingers and knuckles from getting checked in their hands and one bloody lip. If you don't know the game, checking is generally aimed at the crosse or head of the stick with the intention of knocking the ball loose, not at players hands.

I do wish the referees had called tighter games but the responsibility lies with the coaches as well. Coaches should not condone or encourage "dirty" play. As one of our players came off the field, she commented that our team was classy and better than the other team. Another player noted that lacrosse is a game of finesse and that what we just played was not lacrosse. It is frustrating to see that our players' skill is not awarded and they are not given a chance to actually play the game. However, I am proud of them and they walked away with their heads held high. They honored the game.