NVTYLL - honor the gamE

Summary: 

In order to encourage sportsmanship and build a tradition of ‘Honoring the Game’ of lacrosse at an early age, the NVTYLL Board has borrowed a system for recognizing and rewarding sportsmanship previously implemented by the Washington State Chapter of US Lacrosse. We hope that this will have a lasting positive effect on both lacrosse players and teams.

Before each game, the coaches remind their players that they will be responsible for the selection of two players from the opposing team whose actions, behaviors, and play ‘honor the game’ of lacrosse. Players should know that this is not an MVP award. They should watch for more subtle occurrences that embrace sportsmanship and make lacrosse such a fun game to play. The selected players are given a small “Honor the Game” sticker. For Boys, these can be worn for the rest of the season on the back of their helmet. (In Washington, two rotating Honor the Game Captains were named each game to be responsible for selections at the end of the game.)

Before season:

Helmet stickers and guidelines distributed to all teams at the annual coaches’ meeting.

Coaches discuss the plan with players and parents at a pre-season meeting / email newsletters. At practices before the season, coaches explain to the players how the system will work. Then challenge the players to focus on coming up with a list of individual and team actions that would honor the game. Discuss also actions that would not be acceptable. Perhaps have a practice where players choose teammates for their actions at the end of the session.

Before each game, coaches greet one another. Verify that the exchange of compliments and stickers will take place following the game. Officials can be invited to be a part of the ceremony. It’s their option to join or not. 

Following the game:

In the post-game huddle, select two players based on team input. Following the handshake line, if allowed, or postgame cheer, all players from both teams face each other. Parents / spectators form a larger circle or semicircle around the outside of the lines. With the support and assistance from coaches as needed, each team’s designee steps forward, introduces themselves, and announces the number of the player to be recognized. He or she then shares the specific details about the actions that honored the game. The recipient steps forward, introduces herself or himself, and is given a sticker by his or her own coach. (Boys Note: Please take care not to place the sticker over the safety information on the helmet.)

Post season:

At your year-end party, please consider taking the time to recognize the players who received this award and review their specific actions that “Honored the Game.”

How do lacrosse players ‘Honor the Game’? 

Perhaps you will want to review the sorts of actions which might earn recognition. The following is a brief list of examples. As the year progresses, encourage your players to think of additional ideas.

• Seeing a player who goes out of his way to encourage and support his or her own teammates.
• Noticing a player who consistently gives their all, playing hard but fair.
• Recognizing verbally a good play, shot, or save by an opponent.
• Helping an opponent up off of the ground.
• Friendly banter between attackers and defenders when the ball is on the other end of the field.
• Reminding an opponent about a missing mouth guard or a loose piece of equipment.
• Seeing an opponent who readily accepts a being called for penalty and makes a conscious effort to learn from their mistake.
• Players who apologize for a slash that was not called.
• Recognizing players who willingly switch teams to help out an opponent who is short of players.
• Congratulating an opposing goalkeeper for making a great save.
• Gracious acceptance of defeat and appropriate happiness in victory.  

Thanks very much for your support.