In our series “Entry to Box” we’ll be speaking to members of the English Box Lacrosse community about how they found their way to Box Lacrosse. In this first blog, we’re talking to Jamie Sutton, who joined the Box Lacrosse ranks after time playing Rugby professionally!
When did you start playing lacrosse and when did you transfer to rugby?
I started playing lacrosse at junior school through a partnership with Sheffield lacrosse and I instantly loved it. From there on in it was a quick progression into field lacrosse through the age groups up through to the 1st team.
At the same time rugby was starting to become more serious and although I spent most of my teenage years playing both sports, (lacrosse Saturday and Sunday night, rugby Sunday morning!) and there came a point where I needed to make a choice.
I’d played both rugby and Lacrosse since I was 11 and with an opportunity to go professional I made the decision to commit fully to rugby and following time at Bath, Leeds and Harlequins Rugby before playing full time for Rotherham and then Stade Domontois in France.
Why did you decide to start playing lacrosse again?
I’d always kept my sticks (great for throwing balls for our dog!) and kept an eye on the game both here and in the US having toured upstate New York as a junior at Sheffield id fell in love with both the MLL and college lax.
Having just moved back to Manchester in 2015 I was keen to get playing again and knew that the lacrosse family would be a great starting point for me and my family to set roots and make new friends. Manchester WACS have become a regular part of both my wife and mine weekends!
I wanted to challenge myself and having given everything to rugby over the years was excited about playing lax again.
Playing professional rugby you must have a few injuries to boast, what has been the worst?
I’ve actually been pretty lucky! Ive broke my forearm twice,fractured my orbit, toes and fingers a few times and my nose more times than I can remember (even after getting it straightened!).
Both rugby and lacrosse can be hard hitting, do you feel certain skill sets are interchangeable between the two? If so, how?
Hugely, both sports are physical and combative in their nature, having said that the similarities extend further into the footwork, both in means of defence and attack.
Defending in both sports requires a low dynamic body position with power coming through the legs up through the upper body with an emphasis on avoiding ‘planting’ of the feet and staying on the toes to facilitate quickness.
In terms of attack footwork, dodging and beating players again is very similar though with lacrosse you have added challenge of controlling & maintaing the ball!
Having made the training squad for the 2019 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships (congratulations by the way) what are you most looking forward to on the journey to Langley, BC, Canada?
Training with the lads and learning a new game really. First and foremost I’m incredibly privileged and proud to be part of the squad. Moving forward I’m hugely excited about meeting up with the team as we work towards success in Canada. From a personal level I’m keen to develop my Box lacrosse through the quality coaching staff we have on board as well as the more senior experienced players within the squad.
So do you feel you’re rugby back round has helped getting on the training squad?
Definitely yes! I love the faster pace box lacrosse brings in the smaller area, you’re right in the think of it all the time, no hiding, similar to rugby so its perfect for me. Plus it has helped me hugely with my field game. Decision making and handling. the learning curve is steep so you learn quick, do your job and get stuck in.
I’m sure it has, there are so many transferable skills. The close environment of Box mirrors the physical close quarters of rucks, mauls and scrummaging. It’s what I love about both games… there’s no hiding.
I think that peripheral vision and the ability to see the field are also key skills that again have helped in the transition.
Away from the more technical aspects teamwork, communication and comradeship are synonymous with both Lacrosse and Rugby.
If you could hang one thing to your game what would it be, what could you improve on?
I’d say handling really, as a defender I’m there to do one job, stop the attack! A big part of my game is solid body positioning and contact on the attackers. Improving my handling will no doubtedlty assist the team especially through transition. Plenty of wall ball between now and October 2019!
Box lacrosse is still in it early stages here in the UK, where can you see it going in the next few years?
The recent development of Box Lacrosse has been fantastic for the country, there’s no doubt that the handling, Lacrosse IQ and continuous play of Box make it attractive to both new players and this playing predominantly field.
It’s a high energy sport where you’re constantly involved and the fast pace means there rarely a dull moment!
I see the sport growing from strength to strength and It’s great to see the work being down by both Andy Downing and the ELA. Over the next few years I’m hopeful that we can engage a new generation both at grass roots and university level.
England Box Lacrosse 