Old Man Question

[keyser_sose]

I'm 34 and have longed wanted to play lacrosse. My highschool didnt have it way back in the day, and my college (Lindenwood University) didnt get it until years after I had graduated. I finally got the nerve up to try and learn. I know, I'm a little late trying to pick up a lax stick and learn but I'm determined. I played linebacker in college all four years and was known for my aggressive play. I am still in great shape. I'm 5'9" and weigh 200lbs. I just ran a Half Marathon Sunday. I am a high school football, and wrestling head coach. I'm also the PE teacher so I stay active.

Am I wasting my time trying to learn how to play? There's a local club team here that invited me out to watch a practice. They are a bunch of older guys with experience. The goalie is 58 and a few of them played college lacrosse. I bought a used stick and have been playing catch off the wall of my gym. Any advice? Should I just write this off as a pipe dream or see what I can do?

[D3K0]

Dont get fustrated. Stick skills come withh time but aggression and heart cant be taught.

[gclark94]

You shuld definately start. You will love it and chances are that a couple of people on your will have just started also. Just keep practicing and you will never turn back.

[twin58]

The first time I ever got on a snowboard was at the Eldora ski area, outside Boulder, Colorado, back in 19xx. I was one of the older students, so I asked the instructor what was the oldest student he ever had. The instructor said that he had once had a class with an 81-year-old man.

Now that was impressive.

[gfkeeper28]

Does the school you coach for have a team? Once you get develop some skills and learn more about the game, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to push for a team and give kids the chance you never had.

[keyser_sose]

I just wish the opportunity to play presented itself while I was in high school or college. I really like the physical aspect of lax. Those hits remind me of playing football. As far as equipment goes, what are some good beginner sticks, helmets, gloves, and shoulder pad brands? We have a Play it Again Sports store and Stickhead here in town.

[keyser_sose]

Does the school you coach for have a team? Once you get develop some skills and learn more about the game, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to push for a team and give kids the chance you never had.


No the district I teach in is pretty poor and we have a gang problem. I dont mean poor as in the pay! I mean the families we have are in poverty and a few middle class. Mostly poor though. It would be awsome to start a team. The conference we are in has lax at every school but 2. Of course those two are 99% african-american and we both have gang issues.

[stegmakk]

keyser...
out east here in the masters divisions of lacrosse (30+), depending on the league, there isn't body checking (sometimes there is depending on league)...
then if you drop to the open (18+), while there is more physical play, the ability of most players is real high...

I don't think it is too late to play...I've seen many guys who played in HS get back into it now that their kids are getting into the game...
I would suggest hitting the wall a little so you can pass/catch (make sure you can scoop too).
Contact your local US lacrosse chapter (or national) and ask if there are any leagues in the area...ask other HS lax coaches...

[keyser_sose]

keyser...
out east here in the masters divisions of lacrosse (30+), depending on the league, there isn't body checking (sometimes there is depending on league)...
then if you drop to the open (18+), while there is more physical play, the ability of most players is real high...

I don't think it is too late to play...I've seen many guys who played in HS get back into it now that their kids are getting into the game...
I would suggest hitting the wall a little so you can pass/catch (make sure you can scoop too).
Contact your local US lacrosse chapter (or national) and ask if there are any leagues in the area...ask other HS lax coaches...

Yeah I've been playing off the wall during my lunch hour. I also contacted my local chapter and that how I found the mens club team. I'm going out to watch a practice this Sunday.

[The Doors]

just fyi... Lindenwood is hosting GRLC conference playoffs May 2-4. If you want to catch some solid collegiate games in StL, thats probably the place to be.

[keyser_sose]

Yeah, I saw that! Back to my Alma Mater! Its a shame that school got good after I left:angry: :angry:

[spenny]

just do it, as the commercial says.
weve had quite a few guys come out to our masters league with no experience.

you will have a blast, and you arent going to get any experience if you dont go out and play

[tomxtr]

Go for it. You aren't getting any younger. I'm 35 and play masters in Maryland. We have 24 teams in the masters league. I enjoy playing now more than I did when I was in grade school. Children and responsibilities tend to create a greater appreciation for playing a game.

We've got ex MLL players and newbies in the same league http://www.marylandmasterslax.org/index.php. Typically, the guys who stay in shape can hang with the better lax players who are way out of shape.

Its meant to be a good time and it is just that. Go for it.

[lax-crazy]

this is just my opinion and all but I don't think it is appropriate for Keyser Soze to be playing with anyone, in anything.

[spartacus9]

this is just my opinion and all but I don't think it is appropriate for Keyser Soze to be playing with anyone, in anything.

Come on, why do you have to rip on him like that? I say if you think it is something you would like to do for the rest of your life (which you will, i promise) then go ahead and try. Just don't let us be the deciding factor of whether you play or not.

[Hounds4life]

i think you should

[MadBomber]

No, you're not wasting your time. You seem athletic and driven enough to pick up the sport and have a good time. Go for it man.

[roycegracie47]

Come on, why do you have to rip on him like that? I say if you think it is something you would like to do for the rest of your life (which you will, i promise) then go ahead and try. Just don't let us be the deciding factor of whether you play or not.

Someone needs to go watch The Usual Suspects...


Anywho, as Spenny said, just do it. You have little to lose and lots to gain. You try it and don't like it then you can walk away, but if you get into it (as anyone on this forum will try and sell you on it) and you'll be even more miffed at what you've been missing all these years as you get more into it.

[keyser_sose]

Thanks for the advice guys. I just picked up an instructional from a lax store here near my house. The place is loaded with gear! The guy at the store said I can look to spend about 200 for a full set up of beginner gear. No problem really. No kids, no worries. The GF will flip but hey I aint no younger and it beats buying another car. Anybody know some good beginner gloves? I saw the K18s from Kyle Harrisons collection but dang that price!

[lax-crazy]

Someone needs to go watch The Usual Suspects...




at least someone got it lol

[roycegracie47]

Thanks for the advice guys. I just picked up an instructional from a lax store here near my house. The place is loaded with gear! The guy at the store said I can look to spend about 200 for a full set up of beginner gear. No problem really. No kids, no worries. The GF will flip but hey I aint no younger and it beats buying another car. Anybody know some good beginner gloves? I saw the K18s from Kyle Harrisons collection but dang that price!

For looking at beginner gear, I'd search both this site (there are many, many threads on beginner gear, so that's a good start) and I'd head over to www.laxshopper.com They'll show you all the gear that's currently on the market, have some reviews (for better or worse) and give you price ideas and who you can order from.

[laxer6]

I see you said your a wrestling coach, well I wrestled my whole life and those skills transfer to face offs real well. At first you can just get low and fight for the ball than work on all the other stuff.

[The Doors]

if you're looking for some beginner stuff, check out the FS/WTB forum here. Lots of decent stuff for way better than retail prices

[Lax4life528]

Here's my 2 cents as to good beginner gear:
STX AV8- $25
http://www.lax.com/shop/item.phtml?page=product_4003_front.phtml
or
Gait Triton- $39
http://www.lax.com/shop/item.phtml?page=product_2360_front.phtml

STX Vanadium- $48
http://www.lax.com/shop/item.phtml?page=product_5833_front.phtml

Warrior Hypno- $75
http://www.lax.com/shop/item.phtml?page=product_4427_front.phtml

Brine Supercrosse Slipons- $45
http://www.lax.com/shop/item.phtml?page=product_4271_front.phtml

Warrior Hitmen 4.5- $69
http://www.lax.com/shop/item.phtml?page=product_6530_front.phtml


This stuff is cheap, yet still you will see it being used by guys at all levels. I hope this helped. You may want to see some other opinions on gloves because they can go for pretty high. Also, you will get screwed when it comes to a helmet, so maybe you can find a used one or something.

[tomxtr]

Go on ebay. Seriously, kids are selling what were $100 gloves for $25 just because the g22s and k18s are what the colleges are sporting this year. I just sold my cpx ti for $103 which I thought was a steal for the kid that bought it. Again, it was perfectly good and barely used, but my club got new pro7s. Not that we needed them.

[mdlaxman]

Here's my 2 cents as to good beginner gear:
STX AV8- $25
http://www.lax.com/shop/item.phtml?page=product_4003_front.phtml
or
Gait Triton- $39
http://www.lax.com/shop/item.phtml?page=product_2360_front.phtml

STX Vanadium- $48
http://www.lax.com/shop/item.phtml?page=product_5833_front.phtml

Warrior Hypno- $75
http://www.lax.com/shop/item.phtml?page=product_4427_front.phtml

Brine Supercrosse Slipons- $45
http://www.lax.com/shop/item.phtml?page=product_4271_front.phtml

Warrior Hitmen 4.5- $69
http://www.lax.com/shop/item.phtml?page=product_6530_front.phtml


This stuff is cheap, yet still you will see it being used by guys at all levels. I hope this helped. You may want to see some other opinions on gloves because they can go for pretty high. Also, you will get screwed when it comes to a helmet, so maybe you can find a used one or something.

This is a pretty good list. I definitely like the warrior hypnos. great for the price. i like them better than some of the $!00+ gloves. they are very flexible.

and the av8 is the exact same shape as a proton+ and has the same warranty. not a bad head at all.

the vanadium will treat you well as long as you aren't cross checking people with it

those arm pads arent bad but you might want more protective ones depending on how physical the league you are in is and what position you end up playing.

[keyser_sose]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I was ready to be flamed (probably still) and got some great encouragement and advice. I picked up Mark Millon's Offensive Wizardry DVD yesterday. GOing to watch it today. Also, I found a guy selling a Proton + head on the local craigslist. Gonna meet up with him and get it for $10. Theres another guy selling some Brine Flight gloves for $85. Is that a fair price?

[laxkid44]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I was ready to be flamed (probably still) and got some great encouragement and advice. I picked up Mark Millon's Offensive Wizardry DVD yesterday. GOing to watch it today. Also, I found a guy selling a Proton + head on the local craigslist. Gonna meet up with him and get it for $10. Theres another guy selling some Brine Flight gloves for $85. Is that a fair price?

that is a very fair price for the gloves. that Proton is a steal. its a great head for cheap.

[keyser_sose]

I picked up the Proton head during my lunch break. Fairly new looking. Clean. It is traditional strung though. I may have to have it restrung with mesh.

Which is better for a noob? The traditional leather stringing or mesh?

[FlucoDpole]

Which is better for a noob? The traditional leather stringing or mesh?
Mesh.
Other old guys will probably play traditionals because it's what they have,but new lax players should go mesh,IMHO.
Don't get too caught up in all of the gear discussion until you learn to enjoy the game and see what works for you. I play with a hodgepodge of old beatup gear from my HS playing days (see avatar). It works just fine.
Welcome to the sport,BTW. In addition to coaching HS,I play in an impromptu over 30 men's full contact league (I'm 31),with players as old as 58. Some of our best players are late 40's ex DIII and DI players with unbelievable stick skills.

[keyser_sose]

Mesh.
Other old guys will probably play traditionals because it's what they have,but new lax players should go mesh,IMHO.
Don't get too caught up in all of the gear discussion until you learn to enjoy the game and see what works for you. I play with a hodgepodge of old beatup gear from my HS playing days (see avatar). It works just fine.
Welcome to the sport,BTW. In addition to coaching HS,I play in an impromptu over 30 men's full contact league (I'm 31),with players as old as 58. Some of our best players are late 40's ex DIII and DI players with unbelievable stick skills.

Thanks. I figured mesh. The store near my house will string it pretty cheap for me. I know I wont be as good with my stick as guys that have played for years but I still have plenty of pep in my step and once I take on a sport I dedicate myself 100%. One of the teachers here that I work with played lacrosse in high school and she is bringing her stick to work with me. Too bad shes already married:drool:

[In the corners]

I think it is awsome how people that don't even go to school anymore still want to learn to pick up a stick. Now that just speaks for how much this sport is growing. I's say try it. Why not? Welcome to TLF

[Dub C lacrosse]

You miss 100% of the shots you dont take, my friend.

Go for it. And if your playing masters, it won't be completely hardcore and serious, and you can meet a great bunch of guys and make some friends.

[lax@wwu21]

I picked up lacrosse three years ago as a beginner. I play on a college club team and absolutely love it.

Athletic ability is something that can't be taught. Rules and drills can be.

As for beginner gear, sounds like you got a good head.

I would personally check out the for sale section of this forum. Plenty of gear to be had at pretty good prices. I bet someone is selling their K18s right now.

Overall, I would refrain from buying most of my gear from stores until you know what you're looking at and just buy used from people here on the forums. There are also reviews and suggestions as to what the different gear is like.

[keyser_sose]

Had first practice yesterday! There are a bunch of guys in their 30s and 40s. Two of them are 50+. There were a few post college guys but they were the minority. Played catch and they were impressed that I never played but could catch and throw pretty well. As far as playing.......We played a half field pickup game and WOW! This is a pretty fast game! I kinda got lost in the flow but one of the older guys told me to think of it in basketball logic as far as the picks and screening away. That made sense after a while. I missed alot of passes cutting to the goal. I still need to work on cradling while moving too. I'm hooked! Here's my setup so far:

Stick-Proton+ on an aluminum shaft $30
Gloves- Old school Brine L33 $10
Arm Guards- Old School Brine Slash Pads $7

Still need to pick up a helmet and shoulder pads.