When my son told me that his school was finally getting a lacrosse team and that he was going to try out, I was not sure at first what to think or say. The only thing I really knew about the sport was that it could get pretty physical at times, and I cringed each day I knew that he had a soccer match. Of course he made the team and there I was trying to figure out how to keep my son as safe as possible when he was out there on the field. Luckily the lacrosse coach was incredibly helpful and sent home a sheet with guidelines on staying safe while playing, and after reading that and following his advice I know my son is safe when out there playing his new favorite sport, lacrosse. Like any sport there are many things to consider when thinking about safety but our focus was on proper equipment, conditioning, and nutrition. -Lacrosse requires the use of helmets and facemasks. Mouth guards and other things like that are also recommended for the players too. The important thing was to find a properly fitting helmet that would not spin around on impact or be too tight as to cause headaches. There is a chin strap that should be able to pull tight without any slack in it whatsoever. When his helmet is secure, I am a lot less worried than I would be otherwise. -As I mentioned earlier and as you most likely know, lacrosse is incredibly physical. Just like any other sport, a lacrosse athlete must properly condition and train so that he or she will be able to possibly avoid certain injuries that can occur from not being in the best condition. On the other hand, too much training is a big concern for me. As a parent I have unfortunately seen incredible athletes suffer from injuries that were primarily caused by their overzealous training. -Nutrition is one of the last pieces in the health and safety puzzle when it comes to lacrosse. Make sure that your lacrosse player is getting essential nutrients and vitamins that he or she needs in order to play healthy. Keeping hydrated throughout practice or a meet is also very important. Lastly, as a parent it is your responsibility to talk to the young adult lacrosse player in your life about the use of illegal drugs like steroids that many are using to enhance their performance.