Comments on: The BIG Lacrosse Debate: Box Vs. Field

By: zachary jasinski

zachary jasinski — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 03:02:00 +0000

I recently read an article in Lacrosse Magazine abouta”box/field hybrid” in training new players. Each form helps the other, Canadian box players do wonders in NCAA attack, and the endurance of a field middy helpsin indoor. Neither NEEDS to be better than the other, box and field need to be viewed as lacrosse, not as two sports.

By: Gregory Rose

Gregory Rose — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 18:27:00 +0000

When trying to think of how one game may be better than the other, it always brings me back to the thought of what you, yourself, actually get out of the game during that specific moment in your life and lacrosse career. Perhaps, box is better for you right now because it is helping you change your image of what “lacrosse” is, or maybe you are playing and you’re getting better at specific skills more needed in box; this works both ways.

Thinking one is “better” than the other is denying the use of applying different types of skills and learnings from both games into each other. I say remain open to any type of new skill or style that you may learn to be your best from – from both a viewing and playing perspective.

By: connorwilson

connorwilson — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 13:29:00 +0000

oh man… working on that.

By: connorwilson

connorwilson — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 13:28:00 +0000

Thanks for reading through all the way before commenting! Haha. I know you may disagree with some of what I said, but I really appreciate your willingness to see the bigger picture. Great comment, Ryan.

By: connorwilson

connorwilson — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 13:27:00 +0000

I do think fighting in the NLL has gotten better recently. It got really bad, but they did seem to tighten up on it.

I’m personally with you, in the belief that fighting is not required in the game, but I doubt we will ever eradicate it. There does seem to be a chippy mentality though in some places, and I wonder if fighting promotes that, as you seem to suggest. Interesting comment. Thanks!

By: connorwilson

connorwilson — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 13:25:00 +0000

so you think the little scrapping and fighting is good? Interesting! Would you like to see fighting in the MLL? Or college?

I for one would not…

By: connorwilson

connorwilson — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 13:24:00 +0000

great comment. Ignorance to what the other version of the game means is dangerous!

By: connorwilson

connorwilson — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 13:23:00 +0000

thanks for this link! I hope more people watch these games instead of just the fight videos online. There is SO much more to box than that.

By: Patrick McMillan

Patrick McMillan — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 04:41:00 +0000

Please, for any future reference on real box lacrosse, watch any of these videos:

http://www.livestream.com/jvivideoproduction

By: Patrick McMillan

Patrick McMillan — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 21:06:00 +0000

Unfortunately, all that people see of “box” lacrosse is simply the NLL. This is a brand of indoor lacrosse, the idea that the players are going out to hurt and kill each other (mild exaggeration). This is definitely NOT the case in ‘real’ box lacrosse. And when I say ‘real’ box lacrosse I mean the game that’s played in almost every city from mini-tyke age to the Jr’s and Sr’s.

One of the many misconceptions, as proven in above comments, is about fighting; fighting in ‘real’ box lacrosse, from the age groups of mini-tyke to midget, is NOT tolerated. And, in most cases, players face suspensions and game misconducts after fights in the minor system. It isn’t until players reach Intermediate, Junior or Senior ranks where fighting is ‘permitted’. People need to understand that even at this age players who fight are often doing it out of frustration or anger. Trust me, I have played the box game for over 10 years, and in that time I have never had an altercation with another player where I have been issued a game misconduct or a 5 minute major (which is the penalty issued to players from intermediate upwards).

However, when comparing the two sports, or trying to decide which is better, it is almost impossible: You can’t settle a debate when it’s completely based on preference. You’re always going to have people ignore the differences in skill and athleticism or not understand the full game, and base their opinion on which they like better. I agree with Ryan Conwell, best for what?

By: bear1993

bear1993 — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 20:40:00 +0000

In my opinion field lacrosse needs to allow players to have their little tussles and sit the 5 for fighting. After that ejection. Box lacrosse is hard to follow unless you know all of the rules because I’ve watched Colorado Mammoth games where the off ball defenders are slashing the gloves of off ball offenders without penalties. In field lacrosse the flag is thrown right away. Is it so that no fighting breaks out? If so then maybe box should implement that rule. Overall I am more of a field lacrosse guy than box lacrosse.

By: Lou Rader

Lou Rader — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 19:03:00 +0000

My only real problem is box is it’s tolerance of fighting. There are player control issues in all sports and they seem to be getting worse instead of better. For a sport to allow fighting (at any level) sends the wrong message and does not honor the game. It is a not a “5 for fighting” penalty; it should be ejection from the game.

If this single aspect could be removed from box, I believe a lot of the animosity towards it would go away. It has to stop at the highest levels so the youth and HS don’t try to emulate it.

By: Ryan Conwell

Ryan Conwell — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:53:00 +0000

Great points. I had to stop myself several times and kept thinking “But, but, but…”. Ultimately if you love lacrosse, you’ll love both versions of the game if you can bring yourself to appreciate their own nuances. I’m a season ticket holder for 2 field teams (NCAA & MLL), 1 box (NLL) and play box as well. I also go to plenty of NCAA games including the final 4 every year. I do have to say though that I personally have grown to prefer box over field. I think if you want to talk about best though, there has to be context. Best for what? Best for growth? Best for skill development? Best fan experience? If either one helped growth better than the other, I wouldn’t care which one wins. But as long people try to make one win out over the other, this debate will go on. As long as people (I’m looking at you, 412 blog) try to make arguments that box goalies aren’t athletes or good at what they do, this debate will go on. No matter what people argue about, I’ll still watch both, play both, maybe coach both and as long as I can walk into sporting goods stores anywhere in the county and see lacrosse sticks on the walls, I’ll be happy.

By: Josh "Chewy" Acut

Josh "Chewy" Acut — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:46:00 +0000

Amen. The two versions still end with the word lacrosse… The difference now is, whether people see that the growth of either is more important than trying to figure out which is better. I will say that over the past couple of weeks, my preference has leaned towards Box, but getting on the field with the guys in South Texas was still just as fun. I don’t like the 3/4 or full sleeves of BOX. I like having the extra time to crank up a shot on the field, but I really like that box is more fast paced and I can got more shots off, albiet none that fast. My point is that, lacrosse is lacrosse is lacrosse. Just freaking play and grow the game. You wanna start some real drama… talk about the Warrior #Ninja_Please campaign. #BOOM!!!!