Anyone's kids play lacrosse?

[Lilacs4Me]

DS16 announced tonight that there is a lacrosse team being formed st his high school, and he wants to play. I know nothing.

There is a parents meeting tomorrow night at the school - what do I need to know? I want to make sure all my questions are answered, but I don't even know what to listen for or what to ask!

Typically, what kind of equipment will he need, and how much does it cost? I'm talking basics....football is DS's main sport and we shell out enough cash for that. He doesn't need top of the line for a sport he is just starting!

Also, DS10 perked up at thought of lacrosse....he also plays football, but would like to play lacrosse too. Is this normally a spring sport or does it go year round? What age does it typically start?

Thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

When I was in school, starting in 5th grade, it was mandatory for everyone to play lacrosse in the spring - therefore, know that I played but was NOT GOOD, it was required haha. I basically just ran up and down the field to look involved. Unfortunately, guys require more equipment than girls so it will be a bit more pricey. I'd expect to start with at least $500 or so for stick, helmet, mouth guard, pads/shin guards, cleats, and gloves if those aren't provided by the school. You can sometimes find these things used. I know I got a used stick which saved a bit - but make sure that you talk to the coach before purchasing ANYTHING because there are many options out there and different equipment for different positions/skill levels so don't just go the store and pick something off the shelf.

For us it was just a spring sport. I guess if you're very serious about it and plan to play in college you could find a club team and play year-round.

 

[StephMK]

DS started playing his freshman year in HS and he's in his sophomore year now. It was about $400 for a combo of new and used equipment. Then about $125 fees for the season and another $125 because this year he is now playing a series of box games.

The official season is spring but his team does workouts all year. They have practices and off season games in the fall. There are several on the team who play football or hockey and don't play in fall. As of November, they meet for weight training 2x week and he has a box game 1x a week. He really likes it. He did a camp last summer and played on a summer league.

It's been a great form of exercise and another group of kids to know at school. He likes it enough to continue through HS and hopes to find an intramural team in college. I'm happy to answer any questions.

 

[Lilacs4Me]

DS started playing his freshman year in HS and he's in his sophomore year now. It was about $400 for a combo of new and used equipment. Then about $125 fees for the season and another $125 because this year he is now playing a series of box games.

The official season is spring but his team does workouts all year. They have practices and off season games in the fall. There are several on the team who play football or hockey and don't play in fall. As of November, they meet for weight training 2x week and he has a box game 1x a week. He really likes it. He did a camp last summer and played on a summer league.

It's been a great form of exercise and another group of kids to know at school. He likes it enough to continue through HS and hopes to find an intramural team in college. I'm happy to answer any questions.

Thanks! DS6 trains all year for football (mandatory weight room started yesterday again for the off season and it's 5 days/week) and attends camps/clinics in the spring and summer, but the kids are also highly encouraged to play other sports too, which count toward the weight room requirements. Football works closely with the track team, but DS did that already and honestly hated it. He's a 6 foot, 210 lb lineman, not a runner lol And he hasn't played baseball since 5th grade and you pretty much have to leave the womb as a 6'5" basketball star to make our HS's team, so he is happy to try lacrosse.

There is a $150 2nd sport pay to play fee, and I was hoping the school would provide some of the equipment, but I'm sure they won't since it's a brand new program.

Thaks!

 

[Klayfish]

Yes, all 3 of my kids play lacrosse. My oldest son, who is 12, and my 9 year old twins, one boy and one girl. Both of my boys are also long time football players, so I know the drill of football season well.

First, lacrosse is so much fun!!

We bought all the gear used from used sporting goods stores. We probably spent roughly $150 each on the boys...stick, helmets, elbow pads, chest protectors, mouth piece. We spent less on my daughter...for reasons I'll never understand girls don't wear helmets or chest protectors. Our schools' fee is $400 per kid, I think...my wife handles that part of it.

If your son isn't a runner, he will want to consider what positions he plays. Lacrosse has a goalie, who doesn't run much. There are defenders, who mostly stay on their side of the field, so that's less running. There is also "attack", who mostly stays on the offensive side of the field, so that's less running too. Then there is a middie, who runs the entire field. Those kids are usually the track stars. Since it helps for comparison, my two boys are: My DD12 is an offensive lineman in football, plays a few snaps on defensive line. He's not athletically gifted, has 3 left feet. He plays strictly defense in lacrosse. My DD9 is a better athlete. He's a middle linebacker in football (two time defensive MVP), also plays offensive line and special teams...never comes off the field in football. In lacrosse, he's attack, because he's a good athlete but will get tired quickly if he has to run, run, run. He's also a goalie. My daughter is not athletic at all, and she's mostly defense, with some attack time.

For boys, lacrosse is also a very physical sport. If your boys play football, then it's nothing new to you to have physical contact, but it is a contact sport. So be ready for that. They hit hard.

Have fun!!! I think they'll be hooked. Best advice I can offer is practice, practice, practice. Cradling the ball (holding it in your stick) isn't as easy as it sounds. My kids all practice at home...cradling, scooping ground balls, passing, catching.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

DD started playing lacrosse in high school and ended up being a 4 year starter at a D3 school in college that won three undefeated league championships. She loved it and we loved it. I agree to look around for used equipment as it can be pricy for boys. I am sure at the meeting they will tell you what you need to buy and what the school will provide, or if not, be sure to ask. Boys also have long sticked defensive players and other players have short sticks. I would start with short, but you may have to add later. If you know any former players who have graduated you may be able to borrow a stick. DD used some cheaper sticks in HS that she gave to her cousin as we upgraded her equipment for college.

At the high school my boys (my kids went to single sex high schools) attended lots of football players played lacrosse in the spring to help stay in shape. Their school actually provided some of the equipment, but as our boys were swimmers I can't say exactly what. At my daughter's school they provided nothing so we had to buy it all.

Not sure where you live, but DD was one of the few girls that had a wooden stick in college in addition to a metal one. Slightly heavier, but as college lacrosse starts in February, and it seemed like every game it was freezing, she preferred the wood. I am assuming they offer wooden sticks for boys too, but not sure. Just a thought if you live in a northern state.

DD played lots of soccer and basketball and played defense in lacrosse. The tactics she learned playing soccer and hoops translated well to lacrosse.

 

[tvguy]

DD's high school started a girls Lacrosse team in 2005. DD tried out for soccer, and the deal was, anyone cut from soccer was automatically on the Lacrosse team. They did seminars to teach the girls the same, but DD decided soccer and Lacrosse at the high school level was not her cup of tea.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

One thing to consider about lacrosse is how it might help getting into college. And the fact that far fewer people play it, compared soccer, football, basketball, and baseball. And that many academically top-ranked universities and liberal arts colleges have teams. Yale, Duke, and Johns Hopkins were among the top-25 D-I teams nationally last year (Duke and Hopkins usually are championship contenders). Among D-III liberal arts colleges, Williams, Amherst, and Middlebury are top-25 lacrosse teams.

Put those things together and being a good lacrosse player can be a boost into getting into some of the nation's top colleges. I have a nephew who was a starter on his HS team, but by no means a superstar. The college lacrosse coach helped him get-in to (one of those top liberal arts colleges) because my nephew’s academic/athletic mix helped the coach’s overall group of players make it through the admission process.*

* Not sure whether it was this coach or another, but it was explained to my BIL that the coach can basically get-in 8 players a year. That group of 8 players has to have a certain average SAT/ACT/GPA. If the group the coach submits meets that average threshold, the whole group can be admitted. So the coach has the incentive to recruit a few good students who might not be the best-est players, but fulfill the coaches needs to get in better-players who are lesser-students. Same thing applies for other sports, there’s just a lot more players out there in the country, compare to lacrosse.

 

[Patch'sD]

Basic Equipment is Gloves, Helmet, Cleats, and a Stick. All can be had for about 200 to 300 Dollars. Don't skimp on Helmet or Gloves as they are the only protection they will get. Sticks can run from about $ 50 for basic, to a few hundred for Special Heads and Poles. If your son is Defense Orientated he might want to play long stick which is defense. These are the guys that do most of the hitting and checking. Mid fielders and Attack can be more offensive and will get the abuse from Defense and Defensive Mid fielders. Greatest game and fastest game on foot.

 

[Lilacs4Me]

Yes, all 3 of my kids play lacrosse. My oldest son, who is 12, and my 9 year old twins, one boy and one girl. Both of my boys are also long time football players, so I know the drill of football season well.

First, lacrosse is so much fun!!

We bought all the gear used from used sporting goods stores. We probably spent roughly $150 each on the boys...stick, helmets, elbow pads, chest protectors, mouth piece. We spent less on my daughter...for reasons I'll never understand girls don't wear helmets or chest protectors. Our schools' fee is $400 per kid, I think...my wife handles that part of it.

If your son isn't a runner, he will want to consider what positions he plays. Lacrosse has a goalie, who doesn't run much. There are defenders, who mostly stay on their side of the field, so that's less running. There is also "attack", who mostly stays on the offensive side of the field, so that's less running too. Then there is a middie, who runs the entire field. Those kids are usually the track stars. Since it helps for comparison, my two boys are: My DD12 is an offensive lineman in football, plays a few snaps on defensive line. He's not athletically gifted, has 3 left feet. He plays strictly defense in lacrosse. My DD9 is a better athlete. He's a middle linebacker in football (two time defensive MVP), also plays offensive line and special teams...never comes off the field in football. In lacrosse, he's attack, because he's a good athlete but will get tired quickly if he has to run, run, run. He's also a goalie. My daughter is not athletic at all, and she's mostly defense, with some attack time.

For boys, lacrosse is also a very physical sport. If your boys play football, then it's nothing new to you to have physical contact, but it is a contact sport. So be ready for that. They hit hard.

Have fun!!! I think they'll be hooked. Best advice I can offer is practice, practice, practice. Cradling the ball (holding it in your stick) isn't as easy as it sounds. My kids all practice at home...cradling, scooping ground balls, passing, catching.

It sounds fun!

DS has always been a defensive player, whether it was soccer, basketball, or football, so he already said he wants to play defense in Lacrosse. He used to play both sides of the line but now that he's older and focusing on college goals, he mainly starts as either D-tackle or D-end, depending on scheme, although he wants to switch to middle linebacker for his senior year since he's come to terms with the fact that he will probably only be 6 feet tall for life now. Contact is his thing as a D lineman so he (we) are not worried about that part. I'm mostly worried about the stick/ball, lol, DS definitely has been more of a gross motor skill kid - he has absolutely no finesse and cannot catch or throw a ball accurately to save his life! Definitely not quarterback or receiver material! But he hits hard and although small-ish for a d-lineman (6', 210 lbs), he is usually quite a bit bigger than most of his "non-football" peers.

I'm glad to see that we can get away with about $150 for equipment. DS16 has a clinic tonight and the announcement says to bring a LAX stick if you have one, so it sounds like they might have some equipment already - or at least enough so that kids can share tonight and get a feel for it. The parents will meet with the coaches and kids at 6:30pm. I'm getting excited about it!

 

[sam_gordon]

Here's what I would want to know (hopefully they'll answer most of them):

• How long is the season?
• How often are practices?
• How many games in the season?
• When are the games (during the week vs weekend)?
• Who's responsible for transportation for away games?
• Who's responsible for equipment?
• Who's responsible for uniforms?
• Are there extra clothing requirements (specific bags, jackets, sweatshirts, etc)?
• Where will they practice?
• How long will the practices be?
• How many coaches?
• How many kids on the team?
• Who will they be playing?

 

[Albort]

played lacrosse in 2002-2004 season. I forgot how much i paid for equipment but each position honestly is different. Attack usually have have more pads on. they have one that covers down to the stomach because they will always get whacked by the defenders. they use their bodies to hide the stick and ball. Midfielders are the runners, they run back and forth doing attacks and defenses. need to go as light as possible. Then you got defenders. They will have a extra long stick to use to defend.

Our school never sponsored out sport because it was just too new. I recall each player had to play close to $750 for the buses and we didnt actually get our own jerseys, just generic ones with our school colors in it. (no name).

 

[mamamary]

My daughter played lacrosse her sophomore year. Her sports were fall and winter so she wanted to try a spring sport. Anyway we lucked out that she had a friend on the team that had an extra stick. We only had to buy goggles and a mouthpiece. She decided one season of it was enough so I was glad we didn't spend too much on it.

 

[Hrhpd]

Since your daughter plays/played Lacrosse for more than 3 years, you should be familiar with the basics of the game. The actual play is pretty similar but Men's Lacrosse is more aggressive and the sticks are different.

Here is a good article that explains the difference.

http://laxworld.com/lacrosse-blog/2014/10/difference-between-mens-womens-lacrosse/

DS played from 7 through HS. Most of the football players played football in the fall and lacrosse in the spring. I loved it, so much fun to watch.

 

[Hrhpd]

It sounds fun!

DS has always been a defensive player, whether it was soccer, basketball, or football, so he already said he wants to play defense in Lacrosse. He used to play both sides of the line but now that he's older and focusing on college goals, he mainly starts as either D-tackle or D-end, depending on scheme, although he wants to switch to middle linebacker for his senior year since he's come to terms with the fact that he will probably only be 6 feet tall for life now. Contact is his thing as a D lineman so he (we) are not worried about that part. I'm mostly worried about the stick/ball, lol, DS definitely has been more of a gross motor skill kid - he has absolutely no finesse and cannot catch or throw a ball accurately to save his life! Definitely not quarterback or receiver material! But he hits hard and although small-ish for a d-lineman (6', 210 lbs), he is usually quite a bit bigger than most of his "non-football" peers.

I'm glad to see that we can get away with about $150 for equipment. DS16 has a clinic tonight and the announcement says to bring a LAX stick if you have one, so it sounds like they might have some equipment already - or at least enough so that kids can share tonight and get a feel for it. The parents will meet with the coaches and kids at 6:30pm. I'm getting excited about it!

I think $150 is a bit light. You will spend close to that on a good helmet. One thing our coaches (Tierneys) always stressed was to never buy a helmet used. Any other equipment was fine used, but a helmet could have hidden cracks that would make it useless for protection and very dangerous. You know how hard those ball are from your daughter's experience

How did the clinic go? Did he enjoy it?