Answer Key

There are many ways playing lacrosse has affected my body. The first way has been positive because lacrosse has made me stronger and more fit. When I was young, I was a skinny and clumsy kid who mostly stayed inside playing video games. Lacrosse gave me a good reason to be active. Between working out to be better at it and the many hours of practice league play involves, I am now very athletic and strong. While there has been that benefit, a second effect has been the harm it has done to my limbs. As a part of regular game play, I get whacked and slashed by a metal lacrosse stick. I have broken an arm and a finger, twisted my left ankle three times, and almost always have deep bruises and cuts up and down my arms and legs. The last time I twisted my ankle, I had to take a season off and needed crutches to get around for a whole month. The effect that worries me the most is the damage lacrosse has done to my brain. Since a lacrosse ball is made of hard solid rubber, I have had three different concussions from being hit with it. Concentrating on tasks and remembering what I need to do has been harder since I had these injuries. I do love playing lacrosse, but I need to be more careful so the negative effects don't cause me long term damage.