As a parent it is really exciting to watch your child's first lacrosse games. The games are action packed and you will never find yourself bored or not paying attention to the game. The hardest part is not fully understanding the rules and ethics of the game.

The best way to enjoy lacrosse is to learn the rules and support your child and all players in a positive manner. Learn as much about the game as you can and take advantage of several resources provided by US Lacrosse:

• Nationwide Parents Guide to Lacrosse
• Boys Rule Changes for 2012
• Raise Your Game Parent's Handbook
• US Lacrosse Parent's Resources
• Articles on Health and Safety and Lacrosse

The Flathead Lacrosse Club needs parent support with more than just a checkbook. There are several ways to get involved:

1. Volunteer to support the  Sideline Manager and Sportsmanship Card Program at games. Each game will require at least two sideline managers. 
             -Sportsmanship Card Information and Instructions
             -Sideline Manager Job Description
             -Sideline Manager Instructions
             -View the Sportsmanship Card



2. Volunteer to run the timers and score sheets at games. Two people per game are needed to run the timing table.

3. Volunteer to run our concession stand at home games.

3. Volunteer to deliver fliers or announcements to your child's school:

• Muldown Elementary:
  
• Whitefish Central School:
  
• Whitefish High School:
  
• Columbia Falls Middle School:
  
• Columbia Falls High School:
  
• Kalispell Middle School:
  
• Glacier High School: Coach Eric Hanson
  
• Flathead High School:
  
•  Any schools not listed above 
  

As lacrosse continues its meteoric rise in popularity, more and more people are discovering the sport, becoming fans, and attending games.  As a result of this popularity, the Montana Lacrosse Association has seen an incredible rise in the number of boy’s high school teams.  With this increase in teams comes an increase of spectators, both parents and schoolmates.

The Montana Lacrosse Association is happy to see this increase in fan support.  Nothing is more exciting than watching a good lacrosse game when the grandstands are full of enthusiastic spectators.  Since lacrosse is a relatively new sport for many of these spectators, however, some do not have a complete understanding of the rules, nor do they know the proper spectator etiquette for watching lacrosse. 

Because of lacrosse’s fast pace and physical play, many people liken it to watching ice hockey, and their sideline behavior reflects this.  Excited fans often yell, “Hit him” as the opposing midfielder runs up field with the ball, or they scream at the referees if they do not agree with a penalty call, much as they would at a football game, or any other sport that has overt physicality.  In actuality, lacrosse is a finesse game that allows physical contact.  It is considered by many to be a gentleman’s game, and the behavior both on the field and on the sidelines should reflect this. 

The coaches, players, parents, and officials of Montana Lacrosse form a great little community, and we should treat everyone in this community with respect.  Sportsmanship is key.  All too often, we hear fans engaged in a form of support that we do not condone, such as harassing officials, or taunting players.  In fact, such behavior can cost your team a game, in the form of an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

In an effort to keep games enjoyable for all, we offer the following guidelines for spectator conduct:

• Do not use profanity.  Lacrosse is a family sport and nobody wants to hear expletives when more acceptable words will do.  Encourage your team in a positive manner.

• Be politically correct.  There is no need to call into question someone's race, religion, sexual orientation, and/or parentage, or comment on someone’s appearance. We want people to appreciate our game, not resent attending because of a few inconsiderate and very vocal fans.

• Remember the children.  No matter what you want to believe about role models, the children are watching and listening. They hear what you say and see what you do. Be aware of their presence when you sit in the stands and be a good example.  Many of these youngsters are our next generation of Flathead Lacrosse players.  Let’s make sure that they learn proper lacrosse sportsmanship.

• Do not yell at the officials.  Referees are trained observers of the game and most likely know the rules better than you do.  In most cases they have a better view of the play than you do.  Officials are human, however, and they will make mistakes.  If you see a blown call by an official, let it go.  Nobody yells at the coaches for a missed substitution.  You shouldn’t yell at a ref for a missed call either.  It won’t change the call, and it will most likely lead to further crowd abuse of the officials.

"No one has ever played a perfect game, coached a perfect game, or refereed a perfect game, yet all honor the game by competing for the love of lacrosse. They respect and honor each other by the bond formed by the game.  We hope that all spectators and fans will respect and honor the game by displaying respect and sportsmanship toward all players, coaches and referees. For the Creators game!"
- Jim Carboneau, President, Men’s Division Officials Council