BOTC - US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums NORTHEAST LACROSSE BOTC MAIN FORUM (LI, CT, WC) Long pole

"Because other teams are using long poles" is a terrible reason to allow your 3rd/4th graders to use a pole. Let the kid develop his feet and instincts instead of relying on the pole as most end up doing. Ignore other teams and let the kid learn to play D with a short stick. Just my 2 cents.

I often have my young defensemen practice without a stick entirely. My mantra is, you shouldn't even need a stick to play effective defense. I must agree with the guy above, who cares what other teams or coaches are doing or saying?

Amen. Go ahead bring out a long pole you jack [lacrosse]. Instead listen many of us have been through this. Cut the darn stick down and have him use quick feet.

Both sides have good points. I have played every position. If these are club lacrosse crazies posting, I am sure the long pole will not be the only stick in the house. I never understood the hostility in the responses about having a stick a little longer (and heavier) if that is what excites the child. If having a long pole is going to keep a stick in his hands then it cant be all bad. Realistically, the stick can not be longer then 60 inches so it has to be cut anyway and shouldn't be taller then the player. But it takes tremendous strength to wield a pole, beginning to build those muscles and fell the weight isn't bad either. My .02.

Question for those out there that would know. My sons xmas list is very short. Really doesn't want much. He does want a pole which i got him. He's in 4th grade now and just thinks they look cool, who knows if he ends up using it. Question is it needs to be cut down- Can anyone tell me what length i should make it, head included? Thanks in advance.

Has to be total 5' for 5th grade PAL.

Having read the various philosophies, if you are comfortable putting a pole in the hands of a young player, the entire pole, including the head, should just about come up to the eyebrow/forehead of the child when the pole is stood on end.

if he wants touse a long pole at his age it should be cut so the head of the stick is about the heightof his forhead. It should be no taller than he is. If itis to big he will not use it properly and itwill hang at his side which will defeat the purpose of having a longer stick and he will lose the ball handling ability.