This is a perfect example of the Great Lax Age Debate:

http://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/fall-club-wrap-up-madlax/30318

First, is IL proud to feature Madlax and publish a visual reference of the player imbalances we all see every tournament? In essence, IL Editing staff is supporting such practices by featuring Madlax in a 'fall club wrap up', while featuring the disparities. The art department did a great job however. The vignette effect is pretty, it really brings out the contrast of the dark leg hair.

Second, Madlax, you couldn't find a better image? In this shot, one could actually superimpose the smaller player in the larger player's body! If you're going to promote yourselves as 'one of the top teams in the country at every graduation year', at least provide a picture that supports the statement. You may have just proven it false.

A reader's perception may very well be Madlax is great beating down the smaller players-and that is a bad way to market yourselves Madlax! Furthermore, when looking at this image, the eye immediately follows the line downward, left to right, to the smaller Thunder player. Credit goes to him, going step for step against a Madlax big gun. Thunder is being promoted, not Madlax.

Worst of all, Madlax did a disservice to one of it's talented athletes by featuring him in this light.

IN CONCLUSION, this image may help perpetuate the age vs grad year debate in the youth lax circuit. But for the purpose of this article...shame on you IL Editors & Madlax! If IL uses an image like this, make sure it's worthwhile and feature it in an exposé to help the safety of the players, the negatives of recruitment, and most importantly, honoring the game.