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Lacrosse
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Lacrosse
Technique and Tradition
David G. Pietramala and Neil A. Grauer The Second Edition of the
Bob Scott Classic
The Johns Hopkins University Press Baltimore
© 2006 The Johns Hopkins University Press All rights reserved. Published 2006 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper 987654321 The Johns Hopkins University Press 2715 North Charles Street Baltimore, Maryland 21218-4363 www.press.jhu.edu Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Pietramala, David, 1967– Lacrosse : technique and tradition / David G. Pietramala and Neil A. Grauer.—2nd ed. p. cm. Rev. ed. of: Lacrosse / Bob Scott, c1976. Includes index. ISBN 0-8018-8371-7 (hardcover : alk. paper) — ISBN 0-8018-8410-1 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Lacrosse. I. Grauer, Neil A. II. Scott, Bob, 1930– Lacrosse. III. Title. GV989.S36 2006 796.347—dc22 2005027696 A catalog record for this book is available from the British Library.
To my wife, Colleen, and our sons, Dominic and Nicholas. —David Pietramala To the Hopkins lacrosse players, families, and fans whose friendship has been an honor. —Neil A. Grauer
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Contents Preface
11 Transition
ix
133
12 Man-Down Defense
Part I The Game and Its History
13 Goaltending
1
The Game of Lacrosse
2
A Brief History
3
The Rules
4
What Makes a Player
3
9
14 Clearing
195
16 Face-offs 39
17 Drills
167
183
15 Riding
31
151
205
215
Part II Techniques and Tactics
Part III Lacrosse at Johns Hopkins
5
Fundamentals
6
Individual Offense
18 Building the Tradition, 1883–1974 229
7
Team Offense
8
Extraman Offense
9
Individual Defense
10 Team Defense
49 61
19 The Modern Era, 1975–2000
77
117
93 105
20 Into the Twenty-first Century Index
285
249 265
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Preface As has been said by others whose efforts follow and build upon the work of prominent predecessors, we stood on the shoulders of a giant when writing this book. Bob Scott was and remains a giant in the world of lacrosse. His two decades as head coach at the Johns Hopkins University earned him the respect, admiration, and affection of countless players, fans, and fellow coaches. Writing the first edition of Lacrosse: Technique and Tradition made his name — and coaching principles — synonymous with the game wherever it is taught and played around the world. To update such a landmark book—considered by many the “bible” of lacrosse—has been a daunting task and has taken more than two years. We are indebted to Bob Scott for his encouragement and counsel throughout this process and are humbled by his approval of what we have done. At Mr. Scott’s urging, much of this book was rewritten. In some sections, however, we saw no reason to change what Mr. Scott wrote and have retained his original wording, with his approval. We were extremely pleased and honored to be asked by the Johns Hopkins University Press to undertake this project. After the press approached Coach Pietramala to revise the book in 2003, he asked Neil A. Grauer, a longtime Hopkins lacrosse fan, a friend since Pietramala’s days as a player, and a professional writer, to help. During lengthy meetings, Coach Pietramala and Mr. Grauer reviewed each chapter in the first edition. Coach Pietramala detailed t