Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Lil Laxers
Q: When does Lil Laxers meet
Lil laxers meet on Saturdays and one weekday evening. The dates and times will be determined based on field and coaching availability and will be made available as soon as possible.
Q: Who can join the Lil Laxers program?
The Lil Laxers Program is designed for 5-year-olds up through and including 1st Graders of any gender. It is designed to introduce players to basic lacrosse stick skills in a fun atmosphere.
Q: When does the Lil Laxers registration start and end?
The registration generally opens up mid December. Because the Lil Laxers program is not base on teams, we allow players to join even after the season starts. We generally end the registration late April as the cost for registration at that point is not worth the few weeks left.
Q: How much does Lil Laxers cost?
The current cost in 2023 is $89 and includes a Lil Laxers t-shirt.
Q: Why does registration ask for a USA Lacrosse member ID number?
Every player at all levels needs to first get a membership for USA lacrosse with an expiration date ending at the first week of June. This membership is how we have insurance coverage for all our players which is why it is mandatory in the registration process to have an active USA Lacrosse membership.
Q: How come I have an active USA membership now but it won’t accept it in the registration forms?
Most likely, your registration from last year is still active but ends before the end of this season. You should go to the USA Lacrosse website and extend your membership for another year. Don’t worry, it will add to the end of your current membership so you will not lose any money.
Q: When does the Lil Laxers season start?
The season begins in early April and finishes at the end of May?
Q: How often do Lil Laxers meet?
The Lil Laxers program currently has clinics on Saturday mornings (location and times TBA) and sometimes one weekday afternoon depending on coach availability.
Q: What equipment do I need for Lil Laxers?
Your player will need a lacrosse stick. Girls’ sticks are designed differently than boys’ sticks an the Boys games are different in many respects once they hit 2nd grade. However, at Lil Laxers level, it does not
matter. Any stick you can buy or borrow will work. We will provide a cool t-shirt that has a number on the back (to mimic the uniform jerseys the older kids in the program have). Make sure your player is dressed appropriately an wearing comfortable sneakers as well as a water bottle (no sharing please!) an make sure they are ready to have fun.
Q: My child has never played lacrosse- can s/he still join Lil Laxers?
Perfect! We welcome kids at any experience level. Actually, this goes for all grades including 8th grade in SHLC.
Q: What is SHLC?
Somerset Hills Lacrosse Club is a nonprofit club that provides lacrosse programming serving children through 8th grade in the Somerset Hills region.
Q: My child does not go to the Somerset Hills Schools District but wants to join Lil Laxers. Help!
We serve all kids in the Somerset Hills towns. If your town does not have a Lil Laxers program, please contact us and we can discuss on a case by case basis.
Q: How do I contact you?
From November through June, you can contact us through our email somersethillslax@gmail.com. After the season ends, we are only checking this email sporadically and you may want to reach directly out to a board member.
Q: Who coaches Lil Laxers?
The Lil Laxers program is run by volunteer parents in the community. No experience is necessary and we love to have more parent volunteers to help make this program a success.
Q: I really want to spend more time with my player and I feel like volunteering as a coach is a great way to do that plus it’s a great way to meet my kid’s friends. What do you think?
That is awesome! It’s why this parent run organization is such a success. SHLC is always looking for volunteers. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. We have training as does USA Lacrosse to help you in your coaching journey. Just contact us at somersethillslax@gmail.com to inquire about volunteering.
Q: I am not really sure that coaching is for me. Is there any room on the SHLC Board?
First of all, none of us who coach are Olympic athletes. So luckily there is no fitness requirement to become a coach at any level- although volunteering to coach may start you on your fitness journey. However, we would love to get some new blood on the SHLC Board as many of us will be aging out as our kids begin to head to high school (yikes!)
2nd Grade
Q: What grades do you have for Boys’ Lacrosse?
We have a 2nd grade team that has a lighter season schedule with fewer games and then grades 3 to 8.
Q: Why is 2nd grade registration cheaper than 3rd to 8th grade?
2nd grade Lacrosse is $139 while grades 3 to 8 are $225 for the 2023 season. This is because at 2nd grade we have fewer games scheduled and the coaches act as referees. This allows them to stop play at times and coach as needed. At 3rd grade and older, we have 1-2 official referees per game who we pay. Also, at most there may be two tournaments 2n Graders play in while in the upper grades they can be entered into 3 to 5 tournaments which all have entry fee costs that are included in registration fees.
Q: What equipment does my player need for Boys’ lacrosse?
All players will need to have: a boys’ lacrosse stick, lacrosse gloves, elbow pads, NOCSAE approved chest pads, helmet, and mouth guard. Recommended items include protective cup and water bottle. You can generally purchase a while starter kit (which would not include a helmet) from Universal Lacrosse in Somerville. You could go to other lacrosse stores or a sporting goods store to get the same equipment.
You are welcome to borrow equipment from friends/family who no longer need their equipment but please make sure the chest pads are NOCSAE certified to protect the heart from commotio cordis. Approved pads will have a little ECG tag on them. Any pads from 2021 or earlier will not likely be certified and cannot be used on the field. A word about mouth guards- they are mandatory an refs will remove players who do not have them in on the field. In older grades, this can result in a penalty.
Q: What equipment does my player need for Girls’ lacrosse?
All players need a Girls’ lacrosse stick, lacrosse goggles, and mouth guard. A helmet is recommended but currently not required.
Q: Do 2nd graders need a uniform?
No! 2nd graders will be provided a practice pinney which they will also use for games.
Q: My child has never played lacrosse- can I still register?
SHLC (Somerset Hills Lacrosse Club) welcomes all players of any experience levels. Coaches will help get each player up to speed and in games will put each player in the best position for success. However, all players of any level are expected to practice on their own to improve their performance.
Q: When is the season for SHLC Lacrosse?
The season generally starts end of March with indoor practices then first games in beginning of April running until the first weekend of June.
Q: When are practices for 2nd grade lacrosse?
Generally, Girls practice Tuesdays and Thursdays, usually at the Polo Fields behind Bernardsville Middle School. Boys practice on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays either at the Polo Fields or at River Road Park, Bedminster. However, practices are dependent on the coach’s schedule and availability.
Q: How many games do 2nd graders have?
You can expect 6 to 8 games against teams from surrounding towns and 1 to 2 same day tournaments that will have 3 to 4 games in the day. Games will be either on weekend or on a weekday in place of a practice.
Q: How will I know the schedule for games and practices?
Once you register your player, your player will automatically be rostered on his team via TeamSnap. You will then have access to the game schedule which is entered by our schedulers. Practices will be entered by your coach.
Q: What if I have conflicts with other sports/events?
We know everyone has busy lives and we offer a lot of practices and games knowing you might not make it to everything and that is OK! Just make sure to let your coach know beforehand if you cannot make it to something.
Q: What is TeamSnap?
TeamSnap is the software SHLC uses for registration, rostering players onto teams, inputting schedules, and sending out emails and alerts. Once you have registered your player, you will receive an email invite to join the team on TeamSnap. You must accept this invite. You then have the ability to add any other contacts to your player’s profile. You can also email or text your coach and/or your team through TeamSnap. Also, your coach can send out alerts for sudden changes in plans, such as if a thunderstorm is suddenly on its way and you need to pick up your player, or if a venues has changed. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU UPATE AVAILABILTY FOR PRACTICES AND GAMES. This allows your coach to plan accordingly for games/practices based on how who will be present.
Q: How come I am not getting any emails from TeamSnap?
After careful research into this matter, we have determined that, as long as you entered your email correctly during the registration process then the only way you are not receiving emails is because your email is sending TeamSnap messages to spam. Please go into your spam folder and unblock TeamSnap.
3rd - 8th grade
Q: What equipment does my player need for Boys’ lacrosse?
All players will need to have: a boys’ lacrosse stick, lacrosse gloves, elbow pads, NOCSAE approved chest pads, helmet, and mouth guard. Recommended items include protective cup and water bottle. You can generally purchase a while starter kit (which would not include a helmet) from Universal Lacrosse in Somerville. You could go to other lacrosse stores or a sporting goods store to get the same equipment.
You are welcome to borrow equipment from friends/family who no longer need their equipment but please make sure the chest pads are NOCSAE certified to protect the heart from commotio cordis. Approved pads will have a little ECG tag on them. Any pads from 2021 or earlier will not likely be certified and cannot be used on the field. A word about mouth guards- they are mandatory an refs will remove players who do not have them in on the field. In older grades, this can result in a penalty.
Q: What equipment does my player need for Girls’ lacrosse?
All players need a Girls’ lacrosse stick, lacrosse goggles, and mouth guard. A helmet is recommended but currently not required.
Q: My child has never played lacrosse- can I still register?
SHLC (Somerset Hills Lacrosse Club) welcomes all players of any experience levels. Coaches will help get each player up to speed and in games will put each player in the best position for success. However, all players of any level are expected to practice on their own to improve their performance.
Q: When is the SHLC season for Lacrosse?
A: The season generally starts end of March with indoor practices then first games in beginning of April running until the first weekend of June.
Q: Do 3rd to 8th graders need a uniform?
Yes! All 3rd to 8th grade players are required a uniform to play in games. You can purchase a uniform prior to the start of the season, usually in mid December to January. The store will reopen in February for a couple of weeks for late registrants but these orders may not arrive in time for this start of the
season. You are welcome to get a hand-me-down from another player if you can find one.
Q: When are practices for Boys Lacrosse?
Practices for Boys are generally every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday either at the Polo Fields behind Bernardsville Middle School or River Road in Bedminster. However, practice days and times are fully dependent on team coach’s availability and schedule. Official schedule for practices will therefore be determined and given to the players directly.
Q: When are practices for Girls Lacrosse?
Practices for Girls are generally Tuesdays and Thursdays usually at the Polo Grounds behind Bernardsville Middle School. However, practice days and times are fully dependent on team coach’s availability and schedule. Official schedule for practices will therefore be determined and given to the players directly.
Q: How many games are played in the season?
For 4th to 8th Grade: You can expect 10-12 league games in the season. Boys play against local towns in NJJLL (NJ Junior Lacrosse League) and games can be home or away. Girls play in the JGLA (Jersey Girls Lacrosse Association) games can be home or away. These games are scheduled on a weeknight in place of a practice or on weekends. There will also be 3 to 5 single day tournaments in which you can expect to play anywhere from 3 to 5 games. For 3rd grade: Expect 6 to 8 games and will have 3 tournaments.
Q: What if I have conflicts with other sports/events?
A: We know everyone has busy lives and we offer a lot of practices and games knowing you might not make it to everything and that is OK! Just make sure to let your coach know beforehand if you cannot make it to something.
Q: How will I know the schedule for games and practices?
Once you register your player, your player will automatically be rostered on his team via TeamSnap. You will then have access to the game schedule which is entered by our schedulers. Practices will be entered by your coach.
Q: What is TeamSnap?
TeamSnap is the software SHLC uses for registration, rostering players onto teams, inputting schedules, and sending out emails and alerts. Once you have registered your player, you will receive an email invite to join the team on TeamSnap. You must accept this invite. You then have the ability to add any other contacts to your player’s profile. You can also email or text your coach and/or your team through TeamSnap. Also, your coach can send out alerts for sudden changes in plans, such as if a thunderstorm is suddenly on its way and you need to pick up your player, or if a venues has changed. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU UPATE AVAILABILTY FOR PRACTICES AND GAMES. This allows your coach to plan accordingly for games/practices based on how who will be present.
Q: How come I am not getting any emails from TeamSnap?
After careful research into this matter, we have determined that, as long as you entered your email correctly during the registration process then the only way you are not receiving emails is because your email is sending TeamSnap messages to spam. Please go into your spam folder and unblock TeamSnap.