PLEASE SEE FALL BALL TAB ON MAIN PAGE AND REGISTRATION TAB FOR MORE INFO REGARDING BOYS FALL BALL 2023
Boys Program Description
Our goal is for athletes to have fun while learning the game of lacrosse. Sportsmanship and teamwork is emphasized at ALL levels. Beginners are taught basic skills and a broad sense of positioning. Experienced players are taught advanced skills, tactical play, and specific positioning. Travel teams are organized for athletes in grades 3rd through 8th to play teams in the Southeastern Pennsylvania League (SEPYLA). Grades 1st and 2nd will play intramural and some local programs. Note in addition to the Registration fee grade 3-8 which cover 4 home SEPYLA games and 4 away games. Players may need to pay more for additional games the league may sign
you up for and and any additional pick up games or tournaments. This is the only way i can budget sign up fees.
Grades K through 2nd
An athlete’s development at this stage is the key to a successful lacrosse experience in his later years. Boys can expect to learn the basic rules of lacrosse:
Skills --- cradling, passing, catching, dodging, and scooping up those ground balls.
Learn to play all positions.
Players will be taught to understand simple game plans.
Boys in Grades 1st and 2nd will play at their grade level. From April through May, the boys have one weekday evening practice and play every Sunday and/or Sunday morning or afternoon. In the beginning of the season, intramural games are played for at all levels
Note on First and Second Grader Participation
Not all first and second graders are physically and emotionally mature enough to play in a competitive lacrosse program. Parents must try to make an objective appraisal of their son’s athletic maturity. Key indicators are physical development (e.g. ability to keep his head straight while wearing a helmet) and emotional maturity (e.g. ability to maintain focus). It is important to us that he develops a life-long love of lacrosse.
Grades 3rd and 4th
In Grades 3rd and 4th, the teams play a travel schedule. Travel teams play in SEPYLA with a possible tournament and/or add-on games. We will have one C1 team (mostly 4th graders and split draft the remaining players to promote 2 or 3 equal teams C2 teams.
Grades 5th through 8th
In Grades 5th through 8th, the teams play a travel schedule. Travel teams play in SEPYLA with a possible tournament and/or add-on games. 7/8th graders play at the A Level and 5/6th graders play at the B Level. A1 and B1 teams play the most competitive teams in SEPYLA; therefore, the boys trying out for these teams should be committed to playing lacrosse as their first spring sport. Boys who are unsure of their commitment to lacrosse or for whom lacrosse is a second sport should make this known to the Director of Coaching during evaluations. A key component for A2/3 and B2/3 teams is equal playing time, although athletes who persistently miss practice without excuse may have their playing time affected.
SEPYLA - Guidelines for Youth Team Levels
There are three general levels of youth teams that exist in SEPYLA and they are: “A” level teams that represent 7th through 8th grade; “B” levels teams which represent 5th through 6th grade and “C” which represents 3rd and 4th grades. Within those general levels are a total of seven specific levels of teams: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3 and C. There is no requirement that clubs have teams at each level and it can change from year to year. The challenge and responsibility of each club is to evaluate their own programs and players and place their own teams into the proper level. Every attempt should be made to avoid significant mismatches of skill, age, and size which can result in discouragement for one team and lack of challenge for another not to mention the potential for physical injury to younger and smaller players. Mismatches are created when you place your team at a lower level than they belong.
Level: C - This is the youngest grade level team which was originally designed for the young beginners in the 3rd and 4th grade. Players in 5th grade may not be on this team. Any exceptions for 5th graders should be the result of a Competition Committee decision. Even if the Competition Committee permits a 5th grader or 5th graders to play on a C team, the permission may require the consent of the opposing team. In other words, the Competition Committee may allow 5th graders to play in C games only when the opposing teams’ coach has agreed to the 5th grader(s) playing in that specific game. Over the years it has become common for 3rd graders to play at this level and often the teams are a mix of 3rd and 4th graders. It is up to the discretion of the club, coaches and parents to allow 3rd graders to play with the understanding that this was designed to be a 4th grade level team and some of the teams you have occasion to play may be all or mostly 4th graders.
Level: B3 - Designed to be primarily a 5th grade team. However, your program may not be able to field a team of all 5th graders. If that is the case and you need 6th graders to fill out the team, you need to consider playing at B2 which is primarily a 6th grade team of average skill that does not rise to the B1 level of highly skilled players. Your decision should be made based on the number and skill level of your 6th graders. A good barometer to use should be greater than 25% 6th graders is a B2 team regardless of their skill because of the age and size difference. If you have a highly skilled and physically large 5th grade team you could consider moving up to B2. Moving up to B2 is not a problem for the other club teams. Moving down to B3 or staying down at B3 is the problem.
Level: B2 - Designed to be a primarily 6th grade team of average skill and experience who do not rise to the level of the B1 highly skilled and experienced players. If your program has a B1 team, your second team of less skilled 6th graders belongs here. Clubs who do not have a B2 and B1 team (meaning you only are fielding one “B” level team) will likely be in this level unless they have very few 6th graders. A good barometer to use should be greater than 25% 6th graders is a B2 team regardless of their skill because of the age and size difference. Players in 7th grade may not be on this team. Any exceptions for 7th graders should be the result of a Competition Committee decision. At some point in the growth of your program you will need to decide when a mostly 6th grade B2 team gets moved up to B1. Moving up to B1 is not a problem for the other club teams. Moving down to B2 or staying down at B2 is a problem because you end up taking advantage of B2 5th grade teams. Discretion and good judgment should be exercised.
Level: B1 - Designed to be a primarily 6th grade team of highly skilled and experienced players who are in this playoff division level. This level does not exclude 5th graders who possess those type of high level skills and experience. Players in 7th grade may not be on this team. Any exceptions for 7th graders should be the result of a Competition Committee decision. A program which has 10 to 15 6th graders who have played since 4th grade should field a B1 team.
Level: A3 - Designed to be a mix of 7th and 8th graders of beginning or average skill and experience. If this team is made up of greater than 25% 8th graders, you belong at the A2 level. If you have a highly skilled and physically large 7th grade team you could consider moving up to A2. Moving up to A2 is not a problem for the other club teams. Moving down to A2 or staying down at A2 is the problem.
Level: A2 - Designed to be a primarily 8th grade team of average skill and experience who do not rise to the level of the A1 highly skilled and experienced players. An A2 team may also be comprised of mostly 7th graders who were a highly competitive B1 team the preceding year with a few 8th graders. If your program has an A1 team, your second team of less skilled 8th graders belongs here. Clubs who do not have an A3 or an A1 team (meaning you only are fielding one “A” level team) will likely be in this level unless they have very few 8th graders. A good barometer to use should be greater than 25% 8th graders is an A2 team regardless of their skill because of the age and size difference. At some point in the growth of your program you will need to decide when a mostly 8th grade A2 team gets moved up to A1. Moving up to A1 is not a problem for the other club teams. Moving down to A2 or staying down at A2 is a problem because you end up taking advantage of A2 mostly 7th grade teams. Discretion and good judgment should be exercised.
Level: A1 - Designed to be a primarily 8th grade team of highly skilled and experienced players who are in this playoff division level and play high school rules. This level does not exclude 7th graders who possess those types of high level skills and experience. Evaluations for athletes are conducted in January and February to determine the best team placement for each athlete. In addition to skill and experience, friendships, and carpool circumstances may be considered when organizing teams at an equal level of skill and experience, e.g., when there are two teams at the B3 level. During March, athletes have one weeknight and one weekend practice each week. From April through early June, teams practice two evenings each week and play weekend games. Generally, B level games are played on Sundays and A level games are played on Saturdays.
Pre-Season for Grades 5th through 8th
Players will have two pre-season tryouts in January. You must attend if you want to tryout for an A1 or B1 team! In March, all teams will practice BOTH Saturday and Sunday. A week night will be added at the end of March.
Equipment
Stick, lacrosse helmet with NOCSAE approved safety seal, mouth guard (colored), shoulder pads, arm pads, gloves, cup, cleats and sneaks (for indoor).
Participation Policy
Our primary objective is to teach the game of lacrosse, teamwork, and good sportsmanship. Toward this end, recognizing the commitment that each individual (players, coaches, and parents) makes to the program is crucial to the long-term success of the program. A few important points to keep in mind when registering your child for the Central Bucks Athletic Association Lightning Lacrosse program.
The entire program is supported by volunteers who give of their time unsparingly.
Central Bucks Athletic Association Lightning Lacrosse works hard to make the team evaluations as objective as possible. If there is a question about team assignments, parents are encouraged to contact the Coaching Director.
We look to our parents for additional volunteer support, not only with our organization and team help but also with positive reinforcement for their young athlete.
Each team’s roster is limited in order to maximize playing time for each child.
In order to accommodate as many players as possible and to address the conflicts inherent in our children’s lives, Central Bucks Athletic Association Lightning Lacrosse has maintained three levels of teams in the 5/6th and 7/8th grades. A1 and B1 teams play a highly competitive schedule and therefore require a greater commitment from their players. With sufficient participation levels, there are two A2/3 and three B2/3 teams. The A2/3 and B2/3 teams are prepared to accommodate players who have occasional conflicts (other sports, music lessons, church, scouts, and other outside activities). Coaches will try to allocate playing time more evenly across all players on the A2/3 and B2/3 teams.
Out of respect for others (including your children, coaches and other parents), if you and/or your child are unable to make a complete 100% commitment to the Central Bucks Athletic Association Lightning Lacrosse, please do not encourage your child to occupy a spot on the A1 or B1 team. Players are required to list all activities that may pose conflicts with lacrosse at the time of registration.
If you are concerned about equal playing time for your child or wish to emphasize the development of fundamental skills, an A2/3 or a B2/3 team is the best choice for your son.
Final say in team selection will rest with the Central Bucks Athletic Association Lightning Lacrosse Coaches. Central Bucks Athletic Association Lightning Lacrosse reserves the right to make roster changes once the season commences if players have persistent unexcused absences from games or practices.
