Us lacrosse number lookup. Youth Lacrosse: Comprehensive Guide to USA Lacrosse Programs and Registration

How does USA Lacrosse support youth programs. What equipment is required for youth lacrosse players. How can parents volunteer in youth lacrosse programs. What are the registration processes and fees for youth lacrosse leagues.

Table of Contents

Understanding USA Lacrosse and Its Youth Programs

USA Lacrosse (USAL) serves as the national governing body for lacrosse in the United States. It plays a crucial role in supporting and developing youth lacrosse programs across the country. These programs aim to introduce children to the sport, develop their skills, and foster a love for lacrosse from an early age.

The Importance of USA Lacrosse Membership

All youth lacrosse players are required to have a current USA Lacrosse membership. This membership provides several benefits:

Player insurance coverage
Access to coaching resources and training
Equipment and uniform grants for local associations
Support for youth lacrosse development initiatives

How much does a USA Lacrosse youth membership cost? The annual fee for a youth membership is $30. This modest investment helps ensure the continued growth and support of lacrosse programs nationwide.

Youth Lacrosse Age Groups and Program Structure

Youth lacrosse programs are typically organized into age-based segments to ensure fair competition and appropriate skill development. One example of this structure is the Minnetonka Lacrosse Association (MLA) in-house program for 8U players.

The 8U In-House Lacrosse Program

The 8U program serves as a bridge between introductory 6U skills and the more structured 10U field lacrosse league play. It offers a balanced approach to skill development and competition:

Clinic-style drills for fundamental skill building
Small-sided in-house competition to apply skills in game situations
Potential scrimmages, jamborees, and tournaments with other associations’ 8U teams

When do 8U lacrosse programs typically run? Many programs, like the MLA example, operate from mid-May through the end of June, with weekly practice sessions.

Essential Equipment for Youth Lacrosse Players

Proper equipment is crucial for the safety and success of young lacrosse players. The required gear typically includes:

Lacrosse gloves
Helmet with face cage (lacrosse or hockey)
Shoulder pads (lacrosse or hockey)
Elbow pads (lacrosse or hockey)
Athletic cup
Mouthguard (not clear or white)
Lacrosse stick

Can hockey equipment be used for youth lacrosse? Yes, certain hockey gear such as helmets, shoulder pads, and elbow pads can be used for youth lacrosse, making it easier for families to get started in the sport.

Registration Process and Fees for Youth Lacrosse Programs

The registration process for youth lacrosse programs typically opens several months before the season begins. Using the MLA 8U program as an example:

Registration opens in December for the following spring/summer season
Rolling registration is often available
Program cost is $150 (may vary by association)

What does the registration fee typically cover? Registration fees usually include:

Team jersey
Field and facility fees
Coaching costs
Tournament fees (if applicable)

USA Lacrosse Membership Verification

During the registration process, parents will need to provide their child’s USA Lacrosse membership number. It’s recommended to look up this information before beginning registration. USA Lacrosse provides an online tool for membership number lookup and expiration date verification.

Volunteer Opportunities in Youth Lacrosse

Volunteer involvement is essential for the success of youth lacrosse programs. Associations actively seek parents and community members to fill various roles:

Coaching Opportunities

Coaching is a rewarding way to support youth lacrosse. Many associations offer incentives for coaches, such as:

Free USA Lacrosse Level 1 certification
Complimentary USA Lacrosse coach membership
Potential registration discounts for their children

Do you need to be a lacrosse expert to coach youth teams? Not at all. While having some lacrosse knowledge is helpful, many associations provide training and support for new coaches, especially at the younger age levels (6U, 8U, and 10U).

Other Volunteer Roles

Beyond coaching, there are numerous ways to contribute to youth lacrosse programs:

Team managers
Sideline managers
Equipment coordinators
Webmasters and IT support
Uniform and apparel coordinators
Event organizers

How can parents get involved in volunteering? Most registration processes include an option to select a volunteer role. Additionally, interested individuals can reach out directly to their local lacrosse association for opportunities.

Financial Considerations and Discounts

Youth lacrosse associations often offer various payment options and discounts to make the sport more accessible:

Payment Plans

Many programs allow families to pay registration fees in installments throughout the season, easing the financial burden.

Multi-Child Discounts

Families registering multiple children may be eligible for discounts. For example, some associations offer a $20 discount per additional child registered.

Volunteer Discounts

To encourage parent involvement, some associations provide registration discounts for head coaches, assistant coaches, and board members.

How can families ensure they receive applicable discounts? It’s important to follow the specific instructions provided by the association. This may include registering all children in one session or contacting the association directly for discount codes.

Expanding Youth Lacrosse: Fall Programs and Year-Round Opportunities

While spring and summer are the primary seasons for youth lacrosse, many associations are expanding their offerings to include fall programs. These additional seasons provide more opportunities for skill development and continued engagement with the sport.

Fall Lacrosse Programs

Fall lacrosse programs typically begin in September and offer players a chance to:

Maintain and improve skills during the off-season
Participate in a less intensive environment
Try lacrosse for the first time in preparation for the spring season

Are fall programs structured differently from spring/summer seasons? Fall programs often focus more on skill development and may have a more relaxed schedule compared to the primary season. However, the specific structure can vary by association.

Year-Round Development Opportunities

To support continuous player growth, many youth lacrosse organizations are implementing year-round development programs. These may include:

Winter indoor clinics
Off-season conditioning programs
Specialized skills camps
Youth lacrosse leagues for various age groups

How do year-round programs benefit young players? Consistent engagement with the sport can lead to faster skill development, improved fitness, and stronger team bonds. However, it’s important to balance lacrosse participation with other activities to prevent burnout and promote overall athletic development.

The Role of Technology in Youth Lacrosse Administration

Modern youth lacrosse programs leverage technology to streamline administration and improve communication. Key technological components include:

Online Registration Systems

Platforms like SportsEngine allow for efficient online registration, payment processing, and roster management. These systems often integrate with USA Lacrosse membership verification tools for a seamless registration experience.

Team Communication Apps

Many programs use mobile apps and web-based platforms to facilitate communication between coaches, parents, and players. These tools can be used for:

Schedule updates and changes
Practice and game reminders
Team announcements and news
Volunteer coordination

How do these technological tools benefit youth lacrosse programs? By streamlining administrative tasks and improving communication, technology allows program organizers to focus more on player development and the overall lacrosse experience.

Promoting Safety and Sportsmanship in Youth Lacrosse

Safety and sportsmanship are paramount in youth lacrosse programs. USA Lacrosse and local associations emphasize these values through various initiatives:

Safety Measures

Strict equipment requirements and inspections
Age-appropriate rules modifications
Concussion awareness and management protocols
Certified athletic trainers at tournaments and major events

Sportsmanship Initiatives

Codes of conduct for players, coaches, and parents
Positive coaching alliance partnerships
Recognition programs for exemplary sportsmanship
Educational resources on the importance of respect and fair play

How do these initiatives impact the youth lacrosse experience? By prioritizing safety and sportsmanship, youth lacrosse programs create a positive environment that fosters skill development, character building, and a lifelong love for the sport.

Transitioning Between Age Groups in Youth Lacrosse

As young players progress through the youth lacrosse system, they transition between age groups. Each transition brings new challenges and opportunities:

Key Transitions

6U to 8U: Introduction of more structured play and basic positioning
8U to 10U: Transition to full-field play and more complex strategies
12U to 14U: Increased physical contact and advanced tactical concepts

How do associations support players during these transitions? Many programs offer:

Pre-season clinics focused on new skills and rules for the upcoming age group
Gradual introduction of new concepts during the season
Mentoring programs pairing older players with younger ones
Parent education sessions on what to expect in the new age group

By providing support during these transitions, youth lacrosse programs help ensure players continue to develop their skills and enjoy the sport as they progress through the age groups.

Boys’ 8U In-House Lacrosse

The Registration “Boys’ 8U In-House Lacrosse” is not currently available.

Boys’ 8U In-House Lacrosse

The Minnetonka Lacrosse Association (MLA) in-house program for 8U players bridges the gap between the 6U introduction to lacrosse skills and field lacrosse league play, which begins at the 10U age segment. Players participate in clinic-style drills, small-sided in-house competition, and, where appropriate, scrimmages, jamborees, and potentially even tournaments with other associations’ 8U teams.

2023 8U In-House Season Details

Registration Opens: December 2022
Registration Closes: Rolling registration

Cost: $150

Practices have been scheduled for :

Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30pm, Manor Park in Shorewood
- Sessions begin mid-May
- Sessions end of June

Registration includes an MLA jersey and all turf and field fees, as well as all coaching costs and, if applicable, tournament fees.

Equipment Required:

lacrosse gloves

lacrosse or hockey helmet (with face cage)

lacrosse or hockey shoulder pads

lacrosse or hockey elbow pads

athletic cup

mouthguard (not clear or white)

lacrosse stick
- Stick available with registration.

US Lacrosse Membership

All participants must have a current USA Lacrosse (USAL) Youth Membership ($30).

We recommend that look up your child’s USAL membership information prior to beginning the registration process. See links below for USAL membership information and membership lookup tool.

USA Lacrosse Membership Information

Lookup USA Lacrosse Membership Number and Expiration

Call for Coaches and Managers

Call for Coaches: We’re always looking for new coaches! If you or someone you know would enjoy coaching or helping a coach during practices, please contact us at EMAILS@MTKALAX. ORG. Note that if you’d like to be a coach, MLA will pay for your USA Lacrosse Level 1 certification and USA Lacrosse coach membership.

Call for Volunteers: In addition to coaches, we always need volunteers in a number of capacities to keep Minnetonka youth lacrosse going. If you’re interested, check out our Volunteer Opportunities webpage.

A word about volunteers…

We need volunteers to make our programs run. PERIOD.

Every registration has an option to select a volunteer role. If you’re interested in volunteering in any capacity but don’t know how, please send us an email: [email protected].

It’s particularly beneficial for the program if we can get multiple parent-coaches, bench/sideline manager, and team managers for a given season. But we additionally need multiple assistant webmasters to help with SportsEngine admin tasks, equipment coordinators to help with getting goals to fields and getting nets strung up and gear delivered to coaches, apparel and uniform coordinators, and many others to make MLA successful for our kids!

You do not need to know lacrosse inside and out to coach for us. We typically have one or two “expert” coaches with each team, but it’s always helpful to have additional bodies to run practices, fill in when needed, and monitor sideline activity and playing minutes. Particularly at the 6U, 8U, and 10U levels, we’ll teach you everything you need to know to help out as a coach or volunteer!

MP Lacrosse Registration

US LACROSSE MEMBERSHIP

Member Number Lookup

All players will need a current USA Lacrosse number to complete the registration process. Being a USA Lacrosse member is important because they assist our local association with grants for equipment, uniforms, coaching training, and player insurance. Use the above link to USA Lacrosse if you need to look up your membership.

Registration Information and Payment Options

Fall practices will begin in September

Payment Plans are Available: You can either pay in full or in installments throughout the season.

Discounts:

Multiple Child Discount: If you are registering more than one child, in order for the registration system to recognize that your family is registering multiple players and receive the family discount ($20), please register all of your players in one session starting with the highest level player (ex. 7/8, 3/4, K-2). On the ‘Review Page’, there is a link near the bottom to “Register Another Player”, please click on this link to ensure that all of your family’s players are registered within the same session. Failure to do so may result in a forfeiture of your family’s discounted rates.

Volunteer Discounts: If you are planning on serving as a head coach or assistant coach and have confirmed that your service qualifies for a discount, please contact the MPLA Board ([email protected] or [email protected]) to obtain a discount code to use towards this registration before registering. Discounts for coaches and board members are not combined, will receiver the higher discount of the two offers.

Coach – 50% discount (for one player)

Board Member – $75 per player

Financial Aid/Scholarships: Should there be a situation where your child wants to play but you need support with the cost of registration or equipment, please contact the MPLA Treasurer for information on how we can help or apply here. All of these matters are handled confidentially.

Refund Policy: Cancellations for Fall Registration before midnight on August 31, 2023 will receive a 100% registration fee refund – cancellations that take place on or after September 1, 2023 will be reviewed and decided by the MPLA Board.

Season Registration Fees and What’s Included

What’s Included Each Season?
FALL	SPRING Practice 2 times per week 1 End of Season Tournament K-2 teams will play in the league games in the spring 8-12 Regular Season Games within the respective league Practice pennie (reversible) and MP Shooter Shirt Uniform: Reversible Game Jersey (plus shorts for boys) 7/8 players will have MP Lacrosse staff coaches with multiple levels of lacrosse experience to assist in preparation for High School play

Season Registration Fees

Division	2023-2024 Full Year	Fall 2023 ONLY	Spring 2024 ONLY
Girls K-2	$200	$100	$125
Girls 3/4	$350	$150	$250
Girls 5/6	$425	$150	$325
Girls 7/8	$550	$150	$450
Boys K-2	$250	$100	$175
Boys 3/4	$375	$150	$275
Boys 5/6	$500	$150	$400
Boys 7/8	$650	$150	$550

Uniform Information

New uniform style coming in Spring 2024!

Parents will be able to order uniforms in full-year and spring registration. Only 3rd-8th grade players receive a full uniform kit in the spring. K-2 players will use their reversible sublimated pinnie as their jersey.

Uniform fittings will occur in the winter to allow for updates to uniform sizes selected during registration. Select a size you think will be best and we can confirm at a fitting session before orders are placed.

2023-2024 Full-Year Registration

Fall 2023 and Spring 2024

Closed October 9, 2023

2023-2024 Full Year Registration

2023 Fall Registration

Fall 2023 ONLY

Closed October 9, 2023

Fall 2023 ONLY

2024 Spring Registration

Spring 2024 ONLY registration closed. Spring registration will open November/December.

Please contact us for late registration info

Spring 2024 Registration

USA Lacrosse Equipment Safety Update

Effective January 1, 2022, shoulder pads for boys’ field players must be designed for lacrosse and meet NOCSAE standard ND200.

Effective January 1, 2021, boys’ and girls’ goalie chest protectors must be designed for lacrosse and meet the NOCSAE standard, ND200.

All chest protectors and shoulder pads must contain the NOCSAE logo and SEI certification mark on both the packaging and the product to be legal for play.