Team Organization

LEAGUE FORMAT BY GRADE:

 

Lil Laxers (coed ages 5 through 1st grade):

An intro for kindergarten and 1st grade children to lacrosse. Soft lacrosse will be all about fun and learning. Sessions will be one hour per week. We will use a soft ball. Our goal is to teach kids the basics of catching, throwing, cradling and picking up ground balls through the use of fun drills and games run by an experienced coaches and current HS players.

Equipment: stick and mouthguard only

 

2nd Grade:

Practices twice per week. Should play 2-3 games against other towns and 1 festival. Practices continue to focus on the fundamentals.

Equipment needed: Boys: Full gear (helmet, chest pads, arm pads, gloves, mouthguard, athletic cup, and cleats. Girls: Eye goggles, mouthguard, and cleats). Participants will also need a stick and will be given a practice pinnie to wear over their pads. (No uniforms)

 

3rd Grade:

Practices 2-3 times per week or 1-2 practices per week with games on the weekends. We anticipate 10-12 games against nearby towns and 3-4 tournaments. The objective for 3rd grade lax is to continue to teach the fundamentals of the game and introduce the boys player positioning and field layout.

Equipment needed: full gear (see above) and stick; uniform required

 

4th Grade:

Practices 2-3 days per week. Players may play multiple positions throughout the season. The team will play approximately 10-12 games with 3-4 tournaments and the goal is to provide equal playing time to those who come to practice, display a good
attitude and show an interest an in developing their lacrosse skills. Players may play other spring sports but missing practice will result in reduced playing time in games. There is little contact at this level. Players should be working on individual skills outside of practice (ex. wallball).

Equipment needed: full gear (see above) and stick ; uniform required

 

5th Grade:

Still an emphasis on basic skills instruction as well as a shift toward more focused position instruction and advanced team concepts. Contact is introduced as well as man up/man down “special teams.” Practices held 2-3 times per week and missing practices will likely result in reduced playing time during games. Players who demonstrate good practice participation and good attitudes will see equal playing time regardless of skill level. 10-12 games with 3-4 tournaments. Playing other sports is still tolerated but practice is much more important at this level due to advanced team concepts being introduced. Some players may and should be encouraged to participate in club lax at this level. Players should be working on individual skills outside of practice (ex. wallball).

Equipment needed: full gear (see above) and stick; uniform required

 

6th Grade:

Practices up to 3x per week. More position specific instruction at this age as players will more than likely have only one position. 10-12 games anticipated with 3-4 tournaments.  Players may be assigned to an A team and B team based upon skill level and commitment. Players playing in 2 spring sports should choose 1 as the primary sport at this level. Playtime will be based on practice attendance and will be adjusted depending on skill and strength of opponent for safety considerations. Some players may and should be encouraged to play in club lax at this level. Players should be working on individual skills outside of practice (ex. wallball).

Equipment needed: full gear and stick; uniform required

 

7th Grade:

Practices up to 3x per week. Position specific instruction at this age as players will more than likely have only one position. 10-12 games anticipated with 3-4 tournaments. Players may be assigned to an A team and B team based upon skill level and commitment. Playing time may be adjusted depending on skill and strength of opponent for safety considerations. Players playing in 2 spring sports should choose 1 as the primary sport at this level, practice attendance will affect playing time. Some players may and should be encouraged to play in club lax at this level. Players should be working on individual skills outside of practice (ex. wallball).

Equipment needed: full gear and stick; uniform required

 

8th Grade:

Practices up to 3x per week. Team will use pod system to adjust strength of roster according to opponent. Playtime will be determined at coaches discretion with skill, effort, attitude, and attendance being significant factors. Expectations are for players to have a full commitment to lacrosse as a primary sport. 10-12 games anticipated with 3-4 tournaments. Players should be working on individual skills outside of practice (ex. wallball).

Equipment needed: full gear and stick; uniform required

 

TEAM LEVEL PLAYING TIME POLICY:

 

1st & 2nd Grade - Equal playing time.

3rd Grade - Equal playing time except the last 5 minutes of the game which is the coach's discretion.

4th & 5th Grade - Equal playing time for the first 3 quarters of game (excluding man-up/man-down situations where designated players will be used). Final quarter of the game is the coach's discretion.

6th - 8th Grade - Every player plays a minimum of the equivalent of ¼ of the game (excluding man-up/man-down situations where designated players will be used). Final 5 minutes of the game is the coach's discretion..

*** Head coaches have the latitude to withhold playing time from a player who is deficient in either their attendance or behavior, as long as that requirement is clearly stated, is reasonable, and is applied consistently to all players.