New England Lacrosse Journal

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Chuck Jaffe

Jaffe: Oh, mercy! What to do about all these blowout games?

The sport of lacrosse needs a mercy rule. Those are words that, until recently, I would never have imagined saying about the game I love. In fact, I would have raged against it. I would have told a story of the worst defeat I was ever involved in – a 30-2 loss in high school – and how my team … [Read more...]

Jaffe: Winning lacrosse is about moments much more than stars

The current issue of New England Lacrosse Journal is dedicated to coverage of the region’s best players, as we debut our “Best of New England” series. This column is for and about everyone else. It’s not that I don’t love watching great players at their best. It’s just that having a dominant player … [Read more...]

Jaffe: Don’t look now, but civility is making a comeback

In the time of TikTok and Facebook videos showing horrific parent and player behavior involving game officials in all sports, here’s something you’ll be surprised to learn: In the last few years, parents, players, coaches and fans have — in general — gotten better. I know a few of my colleagues in … [Read more...]

Jaffe: Lacrosse can’t be taken away — unless you allow it

I have had lacrosse taken away from me several times in my life. There were seasons — first as a player and later as a ref — when I was shut down by injury and coming back was no certainty. There were times I was coaching when the opportunity dried up. Life has interfered, both with family and work … [Read more...]

Jaffe: Power of the handshake has never been more critical

If I was the king of lacrosse for a day and could change one thing about the game, I’d mandate a pregame handshake. Wish the other team good luck, thank them for coming together so you can have the shared experience in the game we love, then go out and play hard. Yes, cheer the other team — and … [Read more...]

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Jaffe: How officiating shortage has become an age-old problem

Here’s the craziest lacrosse statistic I heard this year. You won’t find it in the record books, but I lived it, so I know it’s true. I officiated 30 girls varsity lacrosse games in Massachusetts this past spring. The average age of the officiating duo in 29 of those games was 60 or higher. In six … [Read more...]

Jaffe: Why controlled growth is the sport’s only way forward

I was at a skills clinic recently when a coach bragged about how lacrosse is the country’s fastest-growing sport. It’s a line that’s been used for years by proponents of the game, an exciting statement about a bright future. It’s also false. A widely-quoted report from the Sports & Fitness … [Read more...]

Jaffe: Here’s a sure way to expose yourself as an ignorant fan

Of all the things lacrosse officials hear from the crowd, the one that seems most sure to draw a reaction is this: “Just let ‘em play.” It’s typically coming from parents and fans -- although it occasionally is tossed out there by coaches – and there’s a reason why it sets refs off. Maybe if you … [Read more...]

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