u/toadzky

Title correction: *pad" irritation

I'm playing in a men's league for the first time this summer, and I never played when I was younger. I'm wearing full shoulder pads (concession to my wife who isn't thrilled about me playing), and the bicep pad straps irritate my upper arm. I'm not in the best shape, and I'm sure losing weight would probably help, but I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for improving the situation for now.

Edit: Some clarification on the situation...

My wife is worried that I'll get hurt. She's from a lacrosse area and knows that people do get hurt, and news stories about the high school kids who die from the last couple years don't help. To help her feel better about it and make it easier on her, I'm wearing full pads - including the bicep pads that came in my shoulder pads and full sleeve are guards even though I'm playing a pole. It's not about what pads I'm required to wear, it's about wearing what makes her feel better.

The league is definitely full contact, we had some guys get blown up last night - though our opponents recognized the disparity in skill levels and toned it down as the game went along. People are shooting hard and fast, and I'm sometimes in the line of fire.

For all the people saying to either just ignore the agreement and lie to my wife, or to ignore her and do whatever I want, that's not helpful, doesn't answer my question, and isn't a good foundation for a healthy marriage. I'm not going to do it, don't waste the Internet space suggesting it.

Edit 2: I'm not taking the pads off. Please stop suggesting it. I'm asking for ways to improve the situation, not remove them. I know I don't have to wear them, I know I can take them off. Those comments aren't useful or helpful.

I coach youth, 5-8th grades, and I noticed a pattern on my poles (one of which is my son): they get their sticks into hands, and then immediately lose their footwork and start trailing the attacker. As far as I can tell, they are so focused on the stickwork, their legs go on auto-pilot and just follow the person in front of them.

Anyone have any drills that will help them keep their shuffling and spacing so they don't get beat by focusing so hard on stickwork?

Sitting here at the Archers/Outlaws game and one of the guys near me is just constantly screaming insults at the Outlaws and obscenities at the refs when he disagrees with a call. His companion (wife, mom, idk) got into it with a 12 year old sitting near me who was cheering for O'Neill.

What is wrong with people? Act like a freaking adult and provide a good example to all the kids around. You'd think lacrosse might have a better community of fans than some of the other sports.