A Sport on the Rise—Balancing Growth with Safety
Lacrosse continues to grow at both the youth and adult levels, with leagues, tournaments, and camps now thriving year-round. The sport’s fast pace and physicality bring excitement—and exposure to serious risks.
It’s critical to implement proactive risk management strategies to protect players, coaches, volunteers, and your organization.
Key Risks in Lacrosse (and How to Manage Them)
1. Concussions: A Fast Game with High Impact
The Risk: Lacrosse has one of the highest concussion rates among amateur sports. While helmets are required for boys and men, concussions still occur from stick checks, body collisions, or unexpected ground impacts. Female players, who typically don’t wear helmets, are particularly vulnerable due to differences in rules and contact expectations.
Mitigation Strategies:
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Enforce proper technique for checks and contact.
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Require coaches to complete concussion awareness training.
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Follow return-to-play protocols and baseline testing for all athletes.
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Educate players and parents on recognizing concussion symptoms.
2. Heat Illness: A Hidden Risk in Warmer Months
The Risk: Tournaments and practices in the spring and summer can expose athletes to heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion or heatstroke, especially when wearing full gear.
Mitigation Strategies:
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Schedule frequent water breaks and provide shaded rest areas.
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Implement a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature policy for practice/game cancellations.
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Educate players and coaches on early signs of dehydration and overheating.
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Have a cold water immersion tub readily available.
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Use cooling towels and misting fans during high-heat events.
3. Lightning Strikes: A Sudden and Deadly Threat
The Risk: Outdoor events are vulnerable to fast-moving storms. Lacrosse sticks and metal bleachers increase the danger when lightning is nearby.
Mitigation Strategies:
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Create and enforce a lightning safety protocol.
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Monitor real-time weather with apps and devices.
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Immediately suspend play at the first sign of thunder or lightning—follow the 30/30 rule (30 seconds between lightning and thunder = suspend play; wait 30 minutes after last thunder to resume).
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Identify safe shelters in advance (vehicles or buildings, not tents).
4. Child Sexual Abuse: A Silent Crisis That Demands Action
The Risk: Youth sports are a top setting for potential abuse, due to close coach-player contact and travel situations. The Federal Safe Sports Act was enacted in 2017 to address this risk.
Mitigation Strategies:
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Require third-party criminal background checks for all adults in contact with minors.
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Implement the “Rule of Two”—never allow one-on-one adult-minor interaction.
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Adopt a written abuse prevention policy and provide training to comply with the Safe Sport Act.
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Having policies to prevent “grooming” is the key to preventing sex abuse.
5. Injuries from Contact, Overuse, and Equipment
The Risk: From ankle sprains to shoulder injuries and broken fingers, lacrosse is tough on the body. Improper technique or worn-out gear can worsen the odds.
Mitigation Strategies:
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Conduct pre-season equipment checks (helmets, goggles, pads).
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Provide regular conditioning and mobility work to prevent overuse.
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Maintain safe playing surfaces and perform regular field inspections.
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Require certified officials for all sanctioned games.
6. Legal Liability: The Cost of Being Unprepared
The Risk: A single lawsuit can jeopardize your club’s future. Whether it’s an injury, abuse allegation, or volunteer misconduct, lack of proper coverage could leave board members and coaches personally liable.
Mitigation Strategies:
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Carry General Liability and Participant Accident Insurance.
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Use waivers for minors and adults that clearly outline participation risks.
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Have a written risk management plan to cover all the major areas of risk and response. a
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Train all staff and volunteers on your risk management plan and document their agreement to comply with electronic signatures.
Why Insurance Matters for Lacrosse Programs
The stakes in lacrosse are high—and not just on the scoreboard. A player concussion, heat stroke incident, or abuse allegation can lead to serious financial fallout for even well-intentioned programs. Want real-world examples of the types of claims sports programs face? Check out our blog, Based On Actual Horror Story Claims That Our Sports Clients Have Suffered. Sadler Sports Insurance provides coverage designed specifically for the needs of amateur lacrosse operations. With over 65 years of protecting sports organizations, we understand the exposures that many programs overlook—until it’s too late.
Our coverage includes:
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General Liability Insurance for lawsuits related to bodily injury, property damage, personal injury, and advertising injury. Coverage options can be added for Sexual Abuse and Non-Owned and Hired Auto Liability.
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Participant Accident Insurance to help cover medical bills for injured participants. Coverage is excess of any existing family health insurance.
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Free Risk Management Tools like safety checklists, abuse prevention policies, and training guides. See our free Risk Management Content for the best in industry protection.
Don’t Wait Until an Incident—Protect Your Program Now Through Sadler Sports
Whether you’re running a team, league, camp, or tournament, having the right protection gives your organization—and the families you serve—peace of mind. Click on Get Quote now to access our best-in-industry insurance programs, where you can:
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Single source for Accident, General Liability, D&O Liability, Crime, and Equipment
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Instant online quote/pay/print of proof of coverage docs and certificates for field owners.
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High limit protection with custom coverage enhancements.
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Current clients can access our all-in-one doc on league risk management, which serves as both educational awareness training and your written policies and procedures.
Managing Risks, Supporting Players
Lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in North America—but with growth comes responsibility. From concussion management to lightning safety, every club must take proactive steps to protect their athletes and its organization.
Risk management isn’t just about avoiding lawsuits—it’s about fostering a safe, respectful environment where players can thrive. With the right tools, training, and insurance, you can confidently face the challenges of a year-round lacrosse season.
Sources:
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CDC Concussion Stats: https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/index.html
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National Weather Service Lightning Safety: https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning
