Change of Direction Ability in Lacrosse Players During an Agility Drill With and Without the Crosse

This research study examined a change of direction task within collegiate lacrosse players by using a 5-10-5 agility drill to determine if the presence or absence of the lacrosse stick (crosse) affected change of direction ability. A literature review assessed the angle-velocity tradeoff, optimal ways to perform a change of direction, and additional factors that can influence change of direction performance. 10 male participants performed 10 total trials, 5 with their stick and 5 without and timing and leg angles were measured. There were no major differences between the two conditions except for the leg angle for turn 2, as a correlation stating an increase in leg angle results in an increase in turn time was found. A case study on one of the participants was performed, which aligned with the correlation between turn 2 time and turn 2 leg angle. Overall execution of the change of direction did not align with the optimal techniques found in the literature response. Momentum leading into each turn is an influencing factor in turn time and overall time and may be the reason for the correlation between turn 2 leg angle and time.