Notre Dame lacrosse team learns grace, agility from Indianapolis Ballet dancers

A Notre Dame sports team is practicing with a more unconventional routine.

Dancers are in town from the Indianapolis Ballet, and in between performances, they made time to teach a few moves to the lacrosse team.

For first timers, we’d say they did all right -- but then again, we’re not dance experts. The team did seem happy to be trading the field for the stage today, though.

There's some crossover -- it helps with balance and coordination --but it's also just really fun to watch. Check it out...

“I don't know if it carries over exactly, but it certainly does help,” said Daniel Cassidy.

Instead of racing down the field, they're dancing with agility and grace.

“Today really is teaching them the basics,” said Chris Lingner. “A lot of it was revolving around posture, balance, coordination, and just kind of keeping everything smooth.”

But even the basics make you work hard.

“I was sweating a lot during that with some pretty difficult moves,” said Cassidy.

This is the first time these dancers have ever tried to train a sports team.

“They really did a great job,” said Lingner. “I was so impressed.”

The players, though, were not so quick to toot their own horns.

“No, I think they were very kind saying we did a good job,” said Cassidy. “I think we definitely gave it a good effort, but we were definitely very bad.”

Overall, the consensus is it's been a productive day.

“I love the camaraderie and just their willingness and openness to a completely different way of working,” said Lingner.

There were no injuries, but a few close calls...

“Somebody almost fell off the stage, for the most part because, they were a little dizzy,” said Lingner. “But outside of that, no, I think we stayed on our feet.”

The team said they're not sure if they're going to be doing this again, since the ballet dancers are leaving at the end of the week.

But the coach was quick to sign them up when they were given the opportunity to try it and they all said they're glad he did.

One of those ballet members -- Indiana Cote -- is from South Bend. The members are marking their trip with two performances this week at Notre Dame.

Those are tomorrow and Friday at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center starting at 7:30.