Gr 7 Up-The cover photo of a girl outfitted in a traditional pleated kilt and catching a ball with an outdated wooden stick belies the modern and timely instruction held within this book's pages. Well organized, clear, and concise, this guide begins with the basics that every player should know, but also delves into crucial team-related concepts, such as zone defense, offensive sets, and team transitional drills. Couching her teachings between two bookends-that of the history of the game and conditioning drills appropriate for the all-around lacrosse player-the author begins with fundamental one-on-one skills. Accurate (albeit black-and-white) pictures accompany the instruction in a logical and clear fashion. Swissler addresses progressively higher level concepts for every position on the field from the first attacker all the way back to the goalkeeper, and sprinkles the text with thoughtful comments from coaches practicing at all levels of competition. In the more team-oriented sections, the "X and O" diagrams complement the descriptions, making the concepts easy to grasp, and hence ideal for the beginning coach; the author also offers new and helpful ways of talking about these concepts for those who are more seasoned. This guide has been sorely needed for years, especially since this game is currently one of the fastest growing sports in our country, particularly for girls, and particularly at the youth level, and one that is changing, due to recent rule changes and the influence of the boys' game.-Kelly Berner Richards, St. George's School, Newport, RI Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
