Lacrosse Skills
There are a number of skills that are needed to help you play lacrosse at a high level. Catching the ball, throwing it, cradling it, shooting it and checking are all skills that players can demonstrate even when they are playing with ankle injuries. However, when there is a loose ball from an errant pass or a rebound that has been played off to the side of the goal, a player with weak ankles or ankle injuries will have a hard time making a play. When a player's cutting ability is impaired by pain he won't be able to move as quickly and will be at a disadvantage.
Ankle Support
Injuries are frequent over the course of a lacrosse season. Many players will suffer sprained ankles, and while that injury may force a player out of the game from time to time, most players will come back and play the next game. Players wear supporting ankle braces in addition to socks that provide some extra support and allow the player to compete despite the injury.
Causes of Ankle Injuries
The lateral ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries in all of sports. It is perhaps even more frequent in lacrosse because players are in close proximity to each other, and stepping on an opponent's foot may cause you to roll your ankle. A lateral ankle sprain causes damage to the ligaments just below the ankle, and the injury may be coupled with an audible popping sound.
Symptoms
There are several notable symptoms associated with an ankle sprain. You will likely see some swelling to the area due to increased blood flow and tissue fluid content. The nerves in the area will become more sensitive, and pain is also frequently a symptom of an ankle sprain. Additionally, the area can change color because of increased blood flow. At first the injury may look red, and eventually it will turn purple.
