Sticks UP! Girls lacrosse rocks.

Here in the monkey household, we've gone ga-ga over a sport that's new to us, but so very old: girls lacrosse.  Liv is finishing her first season (undefeated until last Sunday, boo) and enjoying this team sport more than any other.

In celebration of the end of a first season, here's ten reasons why monkeys love girls' lacrosse:

#10: We just saw "Crooked Arrow" and learned about the sport's fascinating Native American roots. Check it out. LOL to best line in the movie: "So when did Indians start playing lacrosse, anyway?"
#9: The game is easy to follow and the rules are not as complex. We don't like complex rules.
#8: The practices are pretty fun - lots of "hit the net, shoot for the bucket... don't hit the coach" games.
#7: Pretty affordable - cleats, basic shorts/tee uniform, some initial equipment costs (mouthguard/goggles) but that lasts a long time. Sticks are easy to find and a "used" one is no different than a new one.
#6: The national league has a great website: www.uslacrosse.org and joining a local league gives you magazine subscription, a great parents' guide, and lots of discounts and information. Monkey thumbs up to US Lacrosse.
#5: It's different, yet surprising similar... the stamina/running of soccer, the agility of track & field (dodging sticks!) and dance, the shooting accuracy you need in basketball/field hockey/hockey... skills learned in lacrosse can apply to other sports easily. Cradling the ball, passing to teammates, shooting on the net... sound familiar? (Sorry if I'm not getting the right lacrosse lingo - I'm new too!)
#4: The parents and coaches are really nice - pretty laid back and interested in skills over status, in my opinion.
#3: The game is short and intense. About an hour with two 30-minute halves. Seriously, that's awesome.
#2: The balls are fast, but that makes the game really fast and fun to watch. Fast turnarounds, too.
#1: Girls lacrosse is safer and gentler than the boys version - no hitting/checking. Phew!

Safe and gentle doesn't mean there aren't some sweet moves and tricks in girls lacrosse... check this girl out! (PetersVilla6 on YouTube).  Try doing some of these with a basketball or soccer ball!