How to Become a Professional Lacrosse Player
The major organization that governs professional lacrosse in the United States is the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The collective bargaining agency (labor union) for pro lacrosse players is the Professional Lacrosse Players Association (PLPA). The top salary for NLL players was about $25,000 per year in 2005. Only about ten professional lacrosse players are able to make a full-time living by playing in the NLL. The remaining players must supplement their incomes by having additional outside employment.
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Instructions
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Become a professional lacrosse player
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Buy a lacrosse helmet, cleats, pads, net and ball(s) to get started in lacrosse. There may be a sporting goods store near you where you can buy used lacrosse equipment, if you want to save some money in the beginning stages of your career.
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Join your school’s lacrosse team, if it has one. Although only a few high schools provide lacrosse teams, many colleges are now providing interscholastic lacrosse leagues.
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Apply for a sports scholarship to attend college and participate on its lacrosse team. You may even be able to get a sports scholarship covering all of the expenses for you to attend college. Participating in interscholastic lacrosse competition is the best way to prepare to launch your lacrosse career. With the increase in interest of professional lacrosse, more and more colleges are now offering lacrosse programs.
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Locate the lacrosse league’s teams through the NLL directory. Call teams to find out if and when they hold open try-outs. Be sure to prepare a press kit to include at least one action photo, contact information, newspaper and magazine clippings along with relevant statistics and any awards that you have won. Place all of these items in an attractive folder and give it to each team’s representative where you want to play.
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Try-out for a position with one of the NLL teams and with a little luck and a lot of skill, you just may become a professional lacrosse player.
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Tips & Warnings
Although the earnings of lacrosse players is presently low, as the sport grows in popularity, earnings will likely increase. Also, it is a good idea to read trade publications like “Inside Lacrosse” and “Lacrosse Magazine” to stay abreast of lacrosse events, competition and trends.
