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DUXBURY YOUTH LACROSSE
What is the House League? The house league will be comprised of equally weighted teams. Rosters will be 10-12 players depending on overall sign-up numbers. They will be broken down as they have been in the past: 3rd and 4th graders will play together and 5th and 6th graders will play together. Games will be 7 on 7 otherwise known as “small ball”. Games will be 4 10 minute stop time quarters. Games will be against other Duxbury teams and be played Saturdays throughout the day.
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What is “small ball”? Small ball means we play on a much smaller field (approximately 60 x 35yrds) as opposed to the current fields of 110 x 60yrds. This size field is more appropriate for the size of the player’s lungs and the size of the legs. We want to promote catching and throwing and movement; not wind sprints without the ball! On a smaller field, players are closer together, which promotes shorter passes, which promotes easier catches, which facilitates more quality play and enjoyment. There is also more scoring by more players which makes the game enjoyable and more interesting to learn. There is not happier more teachable kid than the one who just scored!!!! With small rosters kids will get many opportunities to be on the field and thereby get the quality game touches that help develop their skills, but more importantly their self-esteem. Small ball will produce big results!!!!
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Practice for our House League will be 1 time per week for 1½ hours. Practices will be structured primarily in a “station format” with all kids receiving equal instruction.
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Our Grade level Program will also undergo changes. Changes that we believe enhance the experience of each player. As was the case last year, all kids are welcome. There will be, NO CUTS BASED ON SKILL. There are however some requirements: In order to participate in this program you must be entered into the House League. You must also be willing to make a commitment to make lacrosse your Spring sport. This means a commitment to show up to practices and not just games. In order for the program to be successful for the PLAYERS, all PLAYERS must work together and develop not only individual skills, but team concepts as well! Grade level games will be played on a big field, 10 vs. 10 format.
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Why big field? As we travel to other towns and tournaments or invite teams in, they will not be prepared for small ball.
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Our 3rd and 4th graders will play on equally weighted (skill wise) teams. They will be playing in their respective grades (Same as last year.) Practices will be up to 2 times weekly for 1 to 1 ½ hours each session. April will be practice only with games starting in May. We will again be participating in some very exciting, worthwhile tournaments such as Albany and UMASS. Games will be on Sunday.
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Our 5th graders will play on evenly weighted teams and the numbers will depend on the number of sign-ups. Practice will be twice a week. All other aspects of the 5th grade program are the same as the 3rd/4th grade.
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Our 6th graders will play on tiered teams. Why? We want all our kids developing and participating at a rate and level that is appropriate both in age and skill. This allows the “lesser” developed kids to play with their peers and again have more quality touches on the ball. At this age level, kids begin their own process of selection; and the tiered format will help keep kids be in the game not just on a team!!! Practice will be 2 days a week and be 1½ hours. Games will be Sunday and there will be 2 or 3 additional travel tournaments.
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All the teams will play against other towns with similarly constructed teams and may also play against some skill level appropriate are all-star teams.
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Our 7th and 8th graders will have the same format as the 6th graders. Each grade will have a tiered team(s) format. They will however practice 3 days a week with games on Saturday and or Sunday. Practices will be 1½ hours each. Additionally, They will participate in 3 to 4 tournaments.
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Because of the time required to develop these age groups there will be no house league. There will be only a Grade Level Program. REMEMBER ALL PLAYERS PLAY, NO CUTS.
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