SLA Boys Recreational Lacrosse Program for Fall 2021

SLA has adopted the Lacrosse Athlete Development Model (LADM) from USA Lacrosse, the national governing body for the sport.  The LADM emphasizes small sided instruction and games, resulting in more touches per player and greater opportunity to grow with the sport.  You can read more about LADM here.

Our fall recreation lacrosse program continues SLA's commitment to the principles of LADM and is designed to allow interested players to practice and increase their fundamental skills and knowledge of the game.  Players will be able to practice their skills through drills and small-sided games and use the fall program to prepare for participation in various spring lacrosse programs.  Our one-day-per-week fall program is also intended to avoid schedule conflicts with many other sports, particularly traditional in-season fall sports such as football.   

NOTE: For 2021-2022, a current youth membership in USA Lacrosse will be required for each player ($30, purchased separately).  This is an insurance requirement as SLA has changed the manner in which we insure players, volunteers and our organization.  Memberships are good for one year and must be current through at least November 9, 2021 to participate in SLA's fall program. 

You can look up your USA Lacrosse information here: USA Lacrosse | The National Governing Body of Lacrosse (uslacrosse.org) 

If you have questions, please reach out to the SLA Boys Commissioner at   

Please see the below age groups effective for boys lacrosse programs during the 2021-2022 seasons (September 1, 2021 - 31 August 2022).  To select the proper age group (and registration program) for your son, simply find the birthdate range in which your son's birthdate falls and proceed to that registration program.  Each registration program also lists the same age ranges as below as a final check to ensure proper placement.

Note: All players must participate in the appropriate age bracket based on their birth month and year. No waiver requests to ‘play up’ in an older age group will be granted on skill or ability; in unique cases of age/grade combination a waiver to ‘play up’ in an older age group may be considered.  No player will be allowed to play down an age group.

INFORMATION SECTIONS BELOW:

1. Fall Developmental Recreation Program
2. Cost and Schedule
3. Uniforms
4. Equipment (All equipment is required for the fall rec program) 

FALL DEVELOPMENTAL RECREATION PROGRAM

8U Age Group: will use soft lacrosse balls, and full protective equipment; fall program will focus on passing, catching cradling, shooting, ground balls and introduction of offensive and defensive team concepts

10U Age Group: will use regulation NOCSAE balls and full protective equipment; fall program will focus on improving basic fundamentals (passing, catching, GBs, etc.) with greater emphasis on dodging, shooting and offensive and defensive team concepts

12U Age Group: will use regulation NOCSAE balls and full protective equipment; fall program will focus on improving basic fundamentals (passing, catching, GBs, etc.) with greater emphasis on dodging, shooting and offensive and defensive team concepts (including rides/clears)

14U Age Group: will use regulation NOCSAE balls and full protective equipment; fall program will focus on improving basic fundamentals (passing, catching, GBs, etc.) with greater emphasis on dodging and shooting as well as footwork and positioning/spacing with offensive & defensive alignments (including rides/clears)

COST and SCHEDULE
 
Cost:
2021 Fall Registration Fees: $60 (+$30 USA Lacrosse youth membership fee, if player is not a current USA Lacrosse member; purchased separately)   

Each age group will practice for 1-1.5 hours each week. Exact age group practice times are posted below and are subject to change based on theweekly availability of our volunteers who coach.  Practice times will always be between 12pm - 4pm each week for either site this fall.                                                              

Sept. 19: Smith Lake Park, Field #1

• 8U: 1pm -2 pm
• 10U: 1pm - 2:15pm
• 12U: 2:30pm - 4pm
• 14U: 2:30pm - 4pm

Sept. 26: Embrey Mill Park, Field #1 

• 8U: 1pm -2 pm
• 10U: 1pm - 2:15pm
• 12U: 2:30pm - 4pm
• 14U: 2:30pm - 4pm

Oct. 3:     Smith Lake Park, Field #1 

• 8U: 1pm -2 pm
• 10U: 1pm - 2:15pm
• 12U: 2:30pm - 4pm
• 14U: 2:30pm - 4pm

Oct. 10:   No Practices this date; Federal holiday weekend

Oct. 17:   Embrey Mill Park, Field #1 

• 8U: 1pm -2 pm
• 10U: 1pm - 2:15pm
• 12U: 2:30pm - 4pm
• 14U: 2:30pm - 4pm

Oct. 24:   Embrey Mill Park, Field #1 

• 8U: 1pm -2 pm
• 10U: 1pm - 2:15pm
• 12U: 2:30pm - 4pm
• 14U: 2:30pm - 4pm

Oct. 31:   Smith Lake Park, Field #1

• 8U: 1pm -2 pm
• 10U: 1pm - 2:15pm
• 12U: 2:30pm - 4pm
• 14U: 2:30pm - 4pm

Nov. 7:    Embrey Mill Park, Field #1 

• 8U: 1pm -2 pm
• 10U: 1pm - 2:15pm
• 12U: 2:30pm - 4pm
• 14U: 2:30pm - 4pm

UNIFORMS

Players that already have a Stafford jersey/uniform are encouraged to wear it to fall workouts.  Players new to Stafford should wear any reversible lacrosse pinnie they may have with a light/dark side.  Should there be a need for complete uniformity, the Boys Program Commissioner will make the necessarry arrangements; we do have a limited quantity of SLA game uniforms in stock.  Red/white prqctice pinnies are available through our Blatant Lacrosse team store: https://blatantteamstore.com/collections/stafford-lacrosse-team-store

Game uniforms will not be ordered for the fall program through our Blatant Lacrosse Team Store.  Our next new uniform order will begin when registration opens for our spring 2022 programs.

EQUIPMENT All equipment is required for the fall rec program 

**Being new to lacrosse and trying to find the right equipment for an acceptable price can be challenging.  If you have questions, or need some pointers on what gear to get, where to get it and how to maximze your approach, please do not hesitate to ask the SLA Boys Commissioner at  .  Many of us have been doing this for a while and are happy to help point you in the right direction.

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS (Items are mandatory to practice or play):
    1.    Lacrosse Helmet - No hockey helmets
    2.    Lacrosse Shoulder Pads
    3.    Lacrosse Arm Pads - SLA recommends arm pads that cover the whole arm, not just the elbow
    4.    Lacrosse Gloves
    5.    Protective Cup
    6.    Mouthguard - Cannot be clear or white in color
    7.    Cleats - Plastic or rubber sole with cleats 1/2" or less in length. Recommend lacrosse, football, or soccer cleats. No baseball cleats.
    8.    Lacrosse Stick

  
Goalie Equipment - players must possess all the equipment listed above plus:
    1.    Throat Protecter is required (SLA can loan)
    2.    Goalie Chest Pad (SLA can loan)
    3.    Goalie Stick (SLA can loan)
    4.    Shin Pads - Optional (soccer type only)