Lacrosse Unit Plan

Sam Smith
Central Organizer:

Lacrosse is a contact team sport played between two teams using a

small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse
stick. It is often considered as a rough sport. The head of the lacrosse
stick is strung with loose mesh designed to catch and hold the lacrosse
ball. Offensively, the objective of the game is to score by shooting the
ball into an opponent's goal past the goalie, using the lacrosse stick to
catch, cradle, and pass the ball to do so. Defensively, the objective is
to keep the other team from scoring and to gain the ball through the
use of stick checking and body contact or positioning.

National Standards:

Standard 1: Demonstrates competency in motor skills and movement

patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.
Standard 2: Demonstrates understanding of movement concepts,
principles, strategies, and tactics as they apply to the learning and
performance of physical activities.
Standard 3: Participates regularly in physical activity.
Standard 4: Achieves and maintains a health-enhancing level of
physical fitness.
Standard 5: Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that
respects self and others in physical activity settings.

Unit Goals:

1. Psychomotor:
Students will be able to use the skills of lacrosse (cradling, scooping,
throwing, catching, shooting, goaltending, offensive, & defensive
strategies) to participate with competence in various modified and
regulation games of lacrosse.
-Standard 1: Demonstrates competency motor skills and movement
patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.
-7.1.1: Demonstrate the acquisition of basic modified (changed)
movement forms.
-7.1.2: Demonstrate more complex combinations of movement forms
in different sports, rhythm, and dance activities.

2. Cognitive:
Students will demonstrate understanding of the rules, regulations, and
strategies of the game of lacrosse.
 -Standard 2: Demonstrates understanding of movement concepts,
principles, strategies, and tactics as they apply to the learning and
performance of physical activities.
-7.5.1: Contribute to the development and maintenance of rules that
provide for safe participation in physical activities.

3. Affective:
Students will exhibit social skills that respect the values of the game of
lacrosse such as sharing responsibilities, mutual cooperation, and
strategic discussion.
-Standard 5: Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that
respects self and others in physical activity settings.
-Standard 6: Values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge,
self-expression, and/or social interaction.
-7.5.2 Accept responsibilities of being a part of a team and attempt to
make contributions toward team success.
-7.6.3 Participate in cooperative games that require a contribution
from all team members.

Essential Questions:

What is the correct method for me to hold my stick/cradle?

Should I hold the stick to where its most comfortable for me?
 Skill Test Results

Pre-Assesment Scooping
3

2
Pre-Assesment Scooping
Skill Levels

Student Names

Chart Title
3

Skill Levels Pre-Assesment Cradling

Student Names
 Chart Title
3

Skill Levels
Pre-Assesment Passing
1

Student Names

Chart Title
3

Skill Levels
Pre-Assesment Shooting
1

Student Names
 Chart Title
3

Skill Levels

1 Pre-Assesment Catching

Student Names

From this Data:

Based on the pre-testing of the basic skills of Lacrosse, it is clear that my
students are all pretty much at a precontrol level with a lacrosse stick. It
could be argued that one or two students are at the control level, but all
students in my class will need a lot of work before they can be skilled and
proficient at the skills of lacrosse. In order to help everyone understand the
skills, I will be breaking down the skills each day and slowly building onto
them one after the other. Students will learn a new skill every day, and the
skills will build off of one another daily. I will start with the most basic
mechanics like cradling and scooping, and then I will move onto more
complex skills like passing, catching, and shooting. These students are fairly
competent at other skills, so I imagine they will grasp the lacrosse skills
easily. Before tournament play begins, students will go through a review day
to brush up on their skills and I will be able to assess whether or not they are
ready to proceed into tournament play or if they need more practice.
Skills and Concepts
Scooping

Scooping is the act of picking a ball up off the ground and is the most
commonly used ball recovery technique. While running toward the ball, the
player's knees are bent. The head of the stick is dropped to the ground and
the stick handle is positioned a few inches higher. A quick forward motion
with the head of the stick toward the ball will scoop it into the pocket of the
head.

When Students get to the ball, they should place their dominant foot next to
the ball. The must get low to the ground by bending their knees. Their top
hand should be near the head with the bottom hand at the bottom of the
shaft, positioning the stick so it is parallel with the ground. They must quickly
move the head of the stick forward and scoop up the ball. When the ball has
been scooped, they should bring the stick toward their chest.

Cues: Low Ready Stance, Hands wide, Stick Parallel, Scoop (Shovel the snow)
and pull up.

Passing

To move the ball down field, a player with possession of the ball will place the
stick at his side with the stick head next to his face. One hand will be at the
end of the stick while the other is placed in the middle of the stick. While
facing the stick head in the direction the ball will be passed, the player
quickly snaps the stick to fling the ball from the pocket in the head to another
player.

Students should keep their dominant hand near the middle of the stick and
their other hand near the bottom. They should align their body with the
sideline, but look at the target. Bring the stick up to the outside of their
shoulder, parallel to the ground. They should turn so their hips are square
with the target. Push the stick away with their top hand and pull the stick
toward them with their bottom hand.

Cues: Ready Position, Stick up, twist the trunk, push & follow through.

Catching

Catching a passed ball requires concentration. The stick is positioned to the

side of the body with the head of the stick up next to the face. One hand is at
the base of the stick, while the other is near the throat of the stick. As the ball
comes to the player, the stick head is positioned in the ball's path and the
ball is received in the pocket. The player will move the head of the stick
backwards to absorb the impact of the ball and allow it to settle in the pocket.

Catch the ball by holding the stick near their ear with their top hand near
their head and the bottom hand just below the middle of the shaft. The
students should move in the direction of the person passing the ball. They
should catch the ball softly in the mesh, pretending it's a water balloon that
they don't want to pop. They should do this by moving the head of the stick
backwards to absorb the impact of the ball and allow it to settle in the pocket.

Cues: Ready Position, Stick Up, Move to Ball, Absorb and Catch

Cradling

Cradling is used by a player to maintain possession of the ball. While the ball
is in the pocket of the stick head, the wrists of the player are twisted back
and forth to keep the ball in the pocket. This technique should be practiced
while standing or running to gain proficiency in maintaining possession of the
ball at all times.

Students should put their dominant hand on the top of the shaft of the
lacrosse stick with their palm facing up and their other hand near the bottom
with the palm facing toward their body. They should hold the stick with
fingertips and keep their bottom hand slightly open. They should position the
stick so the head is by their shoulders and have them to twist their wrists
back and forth. The open-face of the stick that holds the ball should be facing
their face, like the sun rising and setting over the Earth.

Cues: Handshake Grip, Ready position, loose wrists, twist back and forth.

Shooting

Shooting is the actual act of trying to score a goal. When shooting, the player
will take a low, wide and stable stance. The shoulder and hips of the lower
hand on the stick are aimed at the goal with the torso rotated away. The torso
and upper hand on the stick are then brought forward, forcefully, to propel
the ball at the goal.

Students should stand facing the sideline with their upper hand near the head
and their bottom hand just below the middle of the shaft. As they get ready
to shoot, students should rotate their torso and upper hand forward to
forcefully propel the ball to the target using a low shot or bouncing in the ball.

Cues: Ready Position, Hands Set, Twist Trunk, Point to target and follow
through.
Culminating Performance/Product Description:
The primary culminating performance assessment will take place during the
final two days of the unit while the tournament play will take place. Students
will play small sided (4v4 or 5v5) lacrosse games, where I will monitor and
assess the students skills. In addition to skills, students will also be assessed
on their ability to understand and apply proper gameplay. If students use
proper gameplay and teamwork, all students should get opportunities over
the two days where I could properly make accurate assessments of their
skills.
Students will be given example rubrics the class before play begins, so they
are aware of what will be assessed on. They will be placed into teams that I
have created to even out play, and then they will play small sided games as a
team where they can demonstrate their skills.

Culminating Performance/Product Rubric:

Always: 4 Usually: 3 Sometimes:2 Needs
Points points points Improvement:
1 Point
Passing Always Usually Sometimes Needs
Player is Player usually Player does Improvement
always steps with the not always Player does not
stepping with correct step with the step with the
correct foot when right foot when right
foot when passing the passing the foot when
passing the ball. He/she ball. He/ passing the
ball. He/she rotates their she forgets to ball. He/she
rotates their hips and snaps rotate their forgets to
hips and snaps the wrists hips rotate their
the wrists to fling the sometimes hips and snap
to fling the ball accurately and has the wrists
ball often. trouble forward for an
accurately. remembering accurate
to snap the pass all of the
wrists to time.
fling the ball
accurately.
Shooting Always Usually Sometimes Needs
Player is Player usually Player does Improvement
always steps with not always Player does not
stepping with correct foot step with the step with
correct when shooting correct foot correct foot
foot when the ball. when shooting when shooting
shooting the He/she rotates the ball. the ball.
ball. He/she their hips and He/she rotates He/she does
rotates their snaps the their hips and not rotate their
hips and snaps wrists to fling snaps hip and snap
the wrists the ball the wrists the
to fling the accurately. sometimes to wrists to fling
 ball Player also has fling the ball the ball
accurately. dominant accurately. accurately.
Player also hand on top of Player Player can not
has dominant stick and struggles with properly hold
hand on top of non-dominant hand the
stick on bottom of placement on stick.
and non- stick. the stick.
dominant on
bottom of
stick.
Scooping Always Usually Sometimes Needs
Player always Player usually Player does Improvement
has feet staggers feet not always Player never
staggered correctly, stagger feet staggers feet
correctly, with with knees correctly, correctly,
knees bent, bent and holds bends knees bends the
holding the the stick in minimally, and knees properly,
stick in their their non- does not and does
non-dominant dominant concentrate on not hold the
hand. hand. Player is holding stick stick correctly.
Player successful correctly. Player
consistently scooping the Player success has little to no
scoops the ball ball off of the is minimal success when
off ground most when scooping scooping the
the ground. times. the ball off the ball off the
ground. ground.
Catching Always Usually Sometimes Needs
Player holds Player holds Player has Improvement
the stick the stick difficulty Player cannot
correctly and correctly and holding the hold the stick
catches the catches the stick properly
ball tossed to ball tossed to and catching nor catch a ball
them with him with the the ball tossed tossed to him
the lacrosse lacrosse stick to him using
stick or carton and rarely the lacrosse
every drops the stick.
time. ball.
Cradling Always Usually Sometimes Needs
Player is able Player is able Player has Improvement
to hold the to hold the trouble Player cannot
stick stick properly determining hold the stick
properly with with the which properly
dominant dominant hand goes on nor catch a ball
hand on top hand on top top of the stick tossed to him
and non- and and using
dominant on non-dominant which hand the lacrosse
the bottom. on the bottom. goes on the stick.
Player is also Player bottom.
able to cradle carries a ball Player can
a ball in in the lacrosse cradle the ball
 the stick stick but with the
without drops the ball lacrosse stick
dropping it. occasionally. or drops ball
more often
than holding
on to it.
Game Play Always Usually Sometimes Needs
Understandin Player Player Player does Improvement
g understands understands not understand Player cannot
and abides by and abides by all of the hold the stick
the the rules set forth properly
rules set forth rules set forth by the coach nor catch a ball
by the coach. by the coach and tossed to him
usually makes some using
with few mistakes. the lacrosse
mistakes. stick.
 Skills Test Results
Scooping: Pre vs Post Test
3

2 Pre-Assesment Catching
Skill Level Post-Assessment
Scooping
1

Student Names

Cradling: Pre v Post Test

3

2
Post-Assessment
Skill Level Scooping
1 Post-Assessment Cradling

Student Names
 Passing: Pre v Post Test
3

Skill Level Post-Assessment Cradling

Post-Assessment Passing
1

Student Names

Shooting: Pre v Post Test

3

Skill Level Post-Assessment Passing

Post-Assessment
1
Shooting

Student Names
 Catching: Pre v Post Test
3

Skill Level
Post-Assessment
Shooting
1
Post-Assessment
Catching

Student Names

Analysis/Data:
From these graphs, we can clearly see that students were able to grasp the
skills of lacrosse, and advance from their precontrol levels to control or
utilization levels. All students improved in at least 3 categories, and some
students even improved in all 5 categories. Students improved most in
passing, but overall students improved very well across the board in all 5
categories.
Critical Resources:
Basic Lacrosse Skills. (2015). Retrieved April 06, 2016, from
http://www.livestrong.com/article/93511-basic-lacrosse-skills/

PEC: Lesson Plans for Physical Education. (n.d.). Retrieved April 05, 2016,
from http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/ViewLesson.asp?
ID=6566#.VwegD_krLIUPEC: Lesson Plans for

Physical Education. (n.d.). Retrieved April 05, 2016, from

http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/ViewLesson.asp?
ID=7551#.VweTz_krLIV

PEC: Lesson Plans for Physical Education. (n.d.). Retrieved April 05, 2016,
from http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/ViewLesson.asp?
ID=6566#.VwegD_krLIU

http://www.uslacrosse.org/