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Lacrosse 101

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

How do I know what level my child will play?

For both boys and girls, the lacrosse year starts on September 1.  Your player’s age on September 1 determines his/her age group.  Age levels will be determined by USA Lacrosse:  https://www.usalacrosse.com/age-eligibility-guidelines

 

Before I register, what else do I need to know?

For girls, 8U will be equal teams.  10U, 12U, and 14U will have both A and B levels.  

For boys, 8U and 10U will be equal teams.  12U and 14U will have both A and B levels.  

BOYS Only:  Player time requirements (length of practice, days of practice) are more at the A level.  You will have the option to accept or decline consideration for the top (A level) team.  If you do not want to commit to the requirements for extra practice and travel of the A team, you can check the box declining a spot at that level during registration.

You will need a USA Lacrosse number to play.  An active USA Lacrosse number is required by the state lacrosse league (YLM for boys and MSLax for girls).  All players and coaches are covered under USA Lacrosse’s insurance with a valid membership.  USAL is also an organization worthy of your support.  They invest time and money into promoting the game and making it safer to play.  The cost of an annual youth membership is $35 and there is a link in our registration session.  Our club name is P.L.A.Y. Lacrosse.

How are teams organized?

12U/14U girls & boys:  We take player evaluations very seriously at P.L.A.Y. Lacrosse.  In April of each year, our Development Directors and their staff will evaluate all the boys and girls registered to play lacrosse.  All players are evaluated for multiple reasons, including A/B team placement and team balancing.  We are committed to fielding as balanced of teams as is possible to be in compliance with league guidelines and to ensure equity for all of our participants.  The Development Directors and their paid coaches may use high school players to assist in rating players on individual skills and drills, but these high school players will not be involved in any part of the decision making process.  Evaluations for levels with A/B teams are considered closed.  The only the parents allowed into evaluations are those parent coaches who are assisting run the drills for players being being evaluated.  Those parent coaches are NOT involved in any portion of rating or the decision-making process.  Although you have the option to decline a spot on the A team, your child will still be evaluated to ensure even teams.   

8U/10U girls:  All players are evaluated for team balancing in April, by our Development Directors and their staff.  If the number of players allows, we will have a team at A and B levels at the 10U level.  

8U/10U boys:  All players are evaluated for team balancing in May by coaches.  We are committed to fielding as balanced of teams as is possible to be in compliance with league guidelines and to ensure equity for all of our participants.  

Who coaches my child’s team?

Each of our travel teams will have a combination of volunteer parent and paid high school or college coaches.  Parent coaches will assist the paid coach(es) with skill development and team management and will be primarily responsible for organization of the team and communication.  The paid coaches will be responsible for proper skill development, game strategy, and position specific skills.

How many teams are at each age group?

We do not turn away anyone who wishes to play lacrosse, therefore, we will develop as many teams as the numbers at registration allow. Typically, we have 3­-4 teams at each level on the boys side and 2 teams at each level on the girls side.

What is included in our summer registration fee?

Your registration fee covers all fees associated with regular season practices and games, including referees, field rental, balls, nets, jerseys, coaching, etc.  In addition, your registration covers entry into two tournaments (Prior Lake Invitational and one additional away tournament) for levels 10U, 12U, and 14U.  Additional costs you may be asked to pay over the season include things such as team specific events, additional tournaments, uniform shorts, and/or equipment rental (if you choose not to purchase your own).

Where are practices held?   Where are games played?

Pre­-season group practices and evaluations for 12U/14U boys & 10U/12U/14U girls will take place in April at the Savage Sports Dome.

Once we get outside (early May) -

Girls Lacrosse:

Once the outdoor fields have opened for the season and teams have been assigned, team specific practices will begin.  Practices take place on Prior Lake fields, typically at TOMS.  You can expect to practice between 2-4 days per week.  Games are played throughout the Twin Cities with an equal number of home and away games. Girls play between 6-8 weeknight games from early June through the end of July.

Boys Lacrosse:

Once the outdoor fields have opened for the season and teams have been assigned, team specific practices will begin.  Practices take place on Prior Lake fields, typically HOMS and McCann Park.  You can expect to practice between 2-4 days per week.  Games are played throughout the Twin Cities with an equal number of home and away games.  Boys play between 6­-10 regular season games on weeknights from early June through the end of July.  

What is the time commitment for travel lacrosse?

Boys:

8U/10U will practice for 75 min two nights per week.   Games will begin the first week of June, and mainly be played typically against SW Conference teams (Waconia, Shakopee, Chan/Chaska, Bloomington, and Eden Prairie).  The season will end in July at their respective YLM Jamborees.  8U will play in the Prior Lake Invitational the weekend of June 29-June 30.  10U teams will participate in two weekend tournaments (one of which will be the Prior Lake Invitational the weekend of June 29-June 30).

12U B teams will each practice and/or play games three nights per week.  Practices will be 75 minutes in length.  Games will begin the first week of June, and mainly be played typically against SW Conference teams (Waconia, Shakopee, Chan/Chaska, Bloomington, and Eden Prairie).  The season will end at the end of July.  Each team at these levels will also participate in two weekend tournaments (one of which will be the Prior Lake Invitational the weekend of June 26-28).

12UA team will practice and/or play games four nights per week.  Practices will be 90 minutes long.  Games will be played all over the Twin Cities (not just in the SW conference) as you will only play other A teams.  You may travel as far as Rochester for weeknight games.  Additionally, this team will play in at least two weekend tournaments (one of which is the Prior Lake Invitational the weekend of June 26-28) and the State Tournament (end of July or beginning of August).  

14UB teams will practice and/or play games three nights per week.  Practices will be 90 minutes in length.  Games will typically be played in the SW conference (Waconia, Shakopee, Chan/Chaska, Bloomington, and Eden Prairie).  The regular season will end with District Playoffs at the end of July.  Depending upon the outcome of Playoffs, the State Tournament the last weekend of July  may be available to you.  Additionally, these teams will participate in at least two weekend tournaments (one of which is the Prior Lake Invitational the weekend of June 26-June 28). 

14UA teams will practice and/or play games four nights per week.  Practices will be 90 minutes long.  Games will be played all over the Twin Cities (not just in the SW conference) as you will only play other A teams.  You may travel as far as Rochester for weeknight games.  Additionally, these teams will participate in at least two weekend tournaments (one of which is the Prior Lake Invitational the weekend of June 26-28). 

Girls:

8U and 10U will practice twice a week for 60 minutes.

12U will practice twice a week for 90 minutes for the first half of the season and then move to three times a week for the remained of the season.

14U will practice twice a week for 90 minutes for the first half of the season and then move to four times a week for the remainder of the season.

How can I help the program or volunteer?

We need you!  Send an email to Dan Kallberg (VP of Lacrosse) if you are interested in helping.  We depend on volunteers for just about every aspect of leadership.  

Hey, I’m from Shakopee (or Lakeville, New Prague, etc), can I play in Prior Lake?

No. The only exception is if your local association has no offerings at a level that we offer. Several associations now have growing programs that offers lacrosse at every level.  We are committed to supporting our neighboring associations by keeping residents playing in their home associations.

Equipment Needs:

Boys: Helmet, shoulder/elbow pads, gloves and stick.  Must Provide: protective cup, mouth guard, reversible practice pinnie (available for purchase if you do not have one from last year). Cleats are optional but highly recommended.  Game shorts are required.  Helmet should be blue or white and not display other team, organization or association logos.

Girls: Goggles, stick, mouth guard (not clear), uniform, and reversible practice pinnie (available to purchase if you do not have one from last year). Cleats are optional but highly recommended

Equipment Rental will be an option again this year.  Please watch for the registration link.

 

Further questions?

Please make sure to read the FAQ's first, but if those do not answer your question please reach out to the appropriate level director:

Mark Bouressa, Director Girls Lacrosse

Sam Kepner, Director Boys Lacrosse

Dan Kallberg, Vice President Lacrosse