Bulldog Camp Helps Grow Lacrosse
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DULUTH - With a combination of running, hitting and scoring, it's no wonder why so many have taken a liking to the sport of Lacrosse.
"Ten years ago it wasn't a varsity program. There were about six programs, but now there's approaching 70 high school varsity programs and that number just exponentially grows when you talk about the youth," said Frank Clark, head coach of the Minnesota Duluth Lacrosse team.
Some of that youth was on display in Duluth for the 7th Annual Bulldog Lacrosse Camp, where 150 players from around the country got a chance to test their skills against one another.
"There are different styles around the country. Up here it's kind of hockey style, you know hitting people. But out east, it's a lot of finesse, passing, catching, dodging, and a lot like basketball," said Connor Simpson, attacker for Eagan High School.
Clark said, "They love the contact, but they like the speed of the game, the flow, the balls moving constantly and they're moving. It's a high energy sport."
Lacrosse consists of three attackers, three midfielders, three defenders, and a goalie per side.
Each position has a unique stick to be used to the players advantage.
"Shorter ones are mostly for offensive players, middies and attackers. Defenders have longer poles because it's easier to poke check guys and get the ball away. And goalies also have bigger sticks to save the ball," said Simpson.
Like most team sports, success is often determined by working together, moving down the field as one unit.
"You have to rely on your teammates for one's and two's, slides and everything like that, especially on defense and also on offense. A lot of communication is needed," said Charlie Fredericks, a midfielder from Burnsville High School.
The goal of the Bulldog Camp is to give players the knowledge and skills to become a better player, and maybe someday groom the next generation of lacrosse players.
Clark said, "Hopefully, they take the skills and they can grow the game and really get it out there. That's what it's about."
