I was at a skills clinic recently when a coach bragged about how lacrosse is the country’s fastest-growing sport. It’s a line that’s been used for years by proponents of the game, an exciting statement about a bright future. It’s also false. A widely-quoted report from the Sports & Fitness … [Read more...]
Jaffe: The big problem with publics vs. privates – and how to fix it
The worst loss of my lacrosse lifetime came in high school, when our biggest rival waxed us, 30-2. That squad from Columbia (N.J.) High School was legendary. It had guys that went on to start at Maryland, Johns Hopkins, Navy, Princeton, Brown, Rutgers, Loyola and Delaware, and those are just the … [Read more...]
Jaffe: New England pro lacrosse fans are anticipating their payoff
Near the end of the Premier Lacrosse League quarterfinals at Gillette Stadium on Labor Day, the massive scoreboard highlighted the PLL’s “Dude of the Day” in the crowd. The happy fan accepted a slick blue Atlas shirt, but he wanted the camera and the stadium’s enormous new Jumbotron focused on the … [Read more...]
Jaffe: Here’s a sure way to expose yourself as an ignorant fan
Of all the things lacrosse officials hear from the crowd, the one that seems most sure to draw a reaction is this: “Just let ‘em play.” It’s typically coming from parents and fans -- although it occasionally is tossed out there by coaches – and there’s a reason why it sets refs off. Maybe if you … [Read more...]
Jaffe: An insider’s guide on how to “work” the officials
Captains tend to say very little at the pregame coin toss. As an official, we talk first to the coaches and then the captains, asking if they have any questions before we start. Usually, that’s greeted with silence. But this year, one school’s captain asked a great question: “How can we tell you … [Read more...]
Jaffe: It’s time to mark our calendars to celebrate our game
If you love lacrosse, you can celebrate it any day. The start of the season — college, high school or youth — is a reason to rejoice. Head to a pro game for a party in the summer, or in the winter if you prefer box lacrosse. Club players get jubilant around the summer season. Old guys like me live … [Read more...]