2018 Madison Youth Lacrosse Boys Program

Madison youth lacrosse is broken out into the following programs: Senior team, a Junior team, a Lightning team, or a Bantam team whose players are not members of a team from another CONNY member program.

*We will have a parents/coaches meeting prior to the season  with a free equipment swap.

Division Descriptions

Pending registration numbers, there is the possibility of having 2-3 teams at each level. The player evaluations (see below) will be used to determine a player’s placement on a team.  CONNY is still in discussion on grade/age based programs as well as the playing format.  We should know by the end of November.

Kindergarten

• This division is operated in a clinic environment. Basic skills like throwing and catching will be taught, along with basic fundamentals of the game. We will meet one day a week most likely Sunday.  The kindergarten team will not have games due to the fact that no other towns have their kindergarten teams playing games so we have no one to match up with. Contact is limited at this age group, though at any age lacrosse remains a contact sport and full equipment is required.

• 8 vs 8 format

Bantam 6U/7U/8U (1-2nd grade)

• This division is operated in a clinic environment. Basic skills like throwing and catching will be taught, along with basic fundamentals of the game. We will meet two days a week, consisting of practices and games as the season progresses.  . As the season progresses the 1st and 2nd grade teams may play modified scrimmages/games against neighboring towns. There may be times when the 1st and 2nd grade teams play on another day during the week to accommodate a game or tournament but this will be rare. Contact is limited at this age group, though at any age lacrosse remains a contact sport and full equipment is required.

• Tiger Cub 8th Grade Commitment – we are in the beginning process of constructing a plan where the 8th graders will help with the K-2nd grade program.

• 8 vs 8 format

Lightning 9U/10U (3rd and 4th Grade)

• Based on preliminary registration numbers we are planning to field 2 teams of equal talent.

• Teams will practice and play games 2 - 3x per week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday; Dates & time subject to change)

• Games will be home and away versus local towns 

• 10-12 games and (2) Tournaments or Jamborees will be included – Additional tournament/jamborees will be an extra fee 

• Emphasis is on building fundamental skills, learning positions, sportsmanship, and understanding the game of Lacrosse 

• Season to begin late March and run through early June. Schedule with specific times and dates will be provided once established.

• 8 vs 8 format

Junior 11U/12U (5th and 6th Grade)

• Teams will practice and play games 2 - 3x per week

• Games will be home and away versus local towns 

• 10-12 games and (2) Tournaments or Jamborees will be included – Additional tournament/jamborees will be an extra fee 

• Emphasis is on building fundamental skills, learning positions, sportsmanship, and understanding the game of Lacrosse 

• Season to begin late March and run through early June. Schedule with specific times and dates will be provided once established.

• 10 vs 10 format

Senior 13U/14U (7th and 8th Grade)-

• Teams will practice and play games 2 - 3x per week

• Games will be home and away versus local towns 

• 10-12 games and (2) Tournaments or Jamborees will be included – Additional tournament/jamborees will be an extra fee 

• Emphasis is on building fundamental skills, learning positions, sportsmanship, and understanding the game of Lacrosse 

• Season to begin late March and run through early June. Schedule with specific times and dates will be provided once established.

• 10 vs 10 format

House Day with the High School

We are planning to have house clinics with the High School players.  The house clinic will be for grades 3-8.  The exact time and format will be determined at a later date. 

Practices:

Practices are mandatory for all players. Playing time will be affected for players that miss practice. If you have a conflict, please discuss with your son’s coach as soon as possible.

**All programs are subject to change**

Player Evaluations

The Madison Youth Lacrosse program is committed to providing a positive and productive lacrosse experience for our youth players. To ensure players are placed in the proper playing situation, evaluations will be held in advance of the season for all players in grades 3rd-8th.

2018 Evaluations/Team Placement (Grades 3-8) will take place on will take place early March 2018 at the Surf Club.

Evaluation Notes:

Madison Youth Lacrosse does not cut players; everyone will be on a tea

We recognize that the evaluation process can be a difficult for players, parents and coaches alike. It is not an exact science, but we are committed to doing our best to make the appropriate, objective selections. We must emphasize to our young players and parents that team placement is not a permanent decision and players will have plenty of opportunities to move up levels as they progress. We will re-evaluate the players the first two weeks of practice to see if any of players should move up.  Please note that no player will be moved down.  Our goal is to grow the kids in every way possible during their time in youth lacrosse.  All registrants will be notified of their team placement in late February.  

If a parent has a question or concern after the players are put on their prospective teams they can contact their grade leaders first.  The grade leaders will be assigned once the teams are published.  If the problem is not resolved, it will then be passed on to the youth director of lacrosse and if need be to the board.

We all volunteer to ensure the boys have fun and that winning is secondary to the development of ALL players.  If you have a future suggestion how this process can be improved, we are always open to new ideas.

* Travel Commitment – All players selected for A and B travel teams must agree to make MYL travel lacrosse their priority sport for the entire course of the season.  Given the number of highly qualified players we have at each grade level, it is not fair to have roster spots go to players who are less than 100% committed to lacrosse in the spring.  We expect and encourage all of our athletes to play other sports during the rest of the year, as it both increases athletic development and, more importantly, adds to players’ enthusiasm for all of the sports they play.  But we do ask that during our relatively short season where conflicts arise, you choose MYL travel lacrosse over other sporting events. 

* Communication – In order to encourage players to develop as young men, players should communicate directly with their coaches, and by the travel level this is a requirement.  This includes concerns or questions regarding playing time, positions, team placement and suggestions for improvement/feedback.  An exception is for health issues such as allergies, asthma, ADD/ADHD, diabetes, etc., which parents should communicate directly with coaches if they feel the need.  All health issues will be kept strictly confidential.

If parents have issues with a coach, they should discuss the issue with the boys’ grade coordinator, after observing the 24-hour waiting period.

Please remember that most of our coaches are volunteers.  Please respect their time and dedication to creating a fun, learning experience for all of our players.

* BOYS REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:

~ Lacrosse Helmet

~ Mouth Guard

~ Shoulder Pads with upper arm pads attached

~ Elbow Pads

~ Protective Cup

~ Lacrosse Gloves

~ Boy's Lacrosse Stick

Notes

The spring season starts as close to the end of March\beginning of April as weather and field conditions permit. If the weather permits, we may start in mid-March. The season runs until the middle of June.

US Lacrosse insurance is required for each league that we play in and for all tournaments. Without this insurance your child will not be allowed to participate.

We stress that winning is secondary to the development of ALL players. 

If you have any questions or concerns:

Derek Clinton                         – 

Michelle Menard         - 

Kevin Flanagan                      -