Frequently Asked Questions
Prepared for Players and Parents
1. How old does my child need to be? Is it based on age, grade or weight?

2. What skills does my child need to play lacrosse?

3. Will the new players have an opportunity to learn basic skills before the season?

4. Are there girls teams?

5. When does Lacrosse start – what season is it played in – will it conflict with other sports?

6. Can my child also play baseball?

7. Does my child need to be an experienced player or are new players welcome?

8. Does my child need to be a Davie Resident?

9. How may players are on a lacrosse field at any point in time and what are the positions?

10.How big is a Lacrosse Field? Will my child have to run a lot? What are good corresponding or
complimentary sports for Lacrosse?

11. What equipment do Boys wear?

12. What equipment do Girls wear?

13. Will Davie Lacrosse provide player equipment?

14. How often will the teams meet for practice and games?

15. Where will practice and games be held?

16. Can I sponsor a team or make a donation to the league?

17. Can I coach?

18. How is game playing time decided?

19. Does my child need to attend every practice?

20. What lacrosse programs are available in the off season?

How old does my child need to be? Is it based on age, grade or weight?
   The South Florida Youth Lacrosse League goes by school grade not by age. 

BOYS
   Kindergarten through Second Grade – Bantam Division 

   Third and Fourth Grades – Lightning Division
   Fifth and Sixth Grades – Junior Division
   Seventh and Eighth Grades – Senior Team
GIRLS

   Kindergarten through Second Grade - Bantam Division  

   Third and fourth Grades – Lightning Division
   Fifth and sixth Grades – Junior Division
   Seventh and Eighth Grades – Senior Division
  
What skills does my child need to play lacrosse?

   Lacrosse can be played by athletes of all skills.  Proficiency in throwing and catching will yield the most fun and allow other aspects of the game to be enjoyed.  We expect most players will have little experience. We will teach them the skills.

Will the new players have an opportunity to learn basic skills before the season?
   Players are not required to know how to play prior to the start of the season but it is helpful to have some knowledge.  In October we held the Davie Lacrosse Experience to show kids the game.   There are no other free clinics planned at this time but we may consider one.  We recommend Fast Start Lacrosse Clinics to get quickly up to speed with the experienced players.  Fast Start has a session in Davie in December and we expect to to have another session in Davie in January. 

Are there girls teams?
   YES!  We started girls teams in the spring 2010 season.  We need players and coaches.  Spread the word.

When does Lacrosse start – what season is it played in – will it conflict with other sports?
   Lacrosse is considered a spring sport and will start on January 23, 2012.
Lacrosse typically overlaps with Baseball.

Can my child also play baseball?
   Many have asked if lacrosse will conflict with rec baseball (if your child wishes to play both). The answer is pretty much yes. When we set practice times or days those may conflict with baseball practice and games. Our games will be on Saturdays. That also may conflict.  It means playing almost every day.   It is possible to play both if the practice days aren't the same.  You can try if you wish. Our experience is that once the kids play lacrosse, they see that it is much more fun to play than baseball (and MUCH more fun for the parents to watch). You make that call.
   It may be a little premature but also keep in mind that the number of college scholarships available per high school player is higher in lacrosse than any other sport. You never know.  We see kids out there that are naturals. Just as an example, a Davie boy who started in the Weston youth program (before our time) and went to St. Andrews School is now playing lacrosse at U. of Virginia under scholarship! It CAN happen.  He even won a NCAA Div 1 National Championship in 2011!
 
Does my child need to be an experienced player or are new players welcome?
   New players are very welcome! Experience is always preferred, however it is not a requirement. Our coaches will stress fundamentals: scooping ground balls, passing, and catching. Our intention is to educate the players and to have fun. It is our intention that all players will play regardless of capabilities. We want this to be a fun and interactive experience for all players at all ages.  Broward Lacrosse Advantage offers new and experienced player training.  Go to www.faststartlacrosse.com.

Does my child need to be a Davie Resident?
   No, however, preference will be given to Davie residents and we will attempt to maintain a sixty-forty demographic split. Non-residents pay an additional $35 fee.
 

How may players are on a lacrosse field at any point in time and what are the positions?
   Boys lacrosse is played with ten players on each side. Lacrosse positions break down to four basic roles,  they are:
    Attack (3) – Offensive players focused on scoring goals
    Midfielders (3) – Players that play both offense and defense
    Defenders (3) – Defensive players focused on defending the goal
    Goalies (1) – Last line of defense committed to preventing the ball from entering the goal

How big is a Lacrosse Field? Will my child have to run a lot? What are good corresponding or
complimentary sports for Lacrosse?
    Boys lacrosse fields are the same length as full size soccer fields but slightly narrower. Girls lacrosse fields are slightly larger than a full size soccer field. Lacrosse is considered the fastest game on two feet and children on the Lightning, Junior and Senior divisions will play on a full size field. Soccer and Football are excellent complimentary sports for lacrosse! However, Hockey and Basketball players have the best understanding of plays and the transition game from defense to offense.  Lacrosse serves as a great off-season training sport for tackle football helping with agility and speed.
 
What equipment do Boys wear?
   Boys wear the following mandatory equipment:
     Lacrosse Helmet
     Lacrosse Shoulder Pads
     Lacrosse Arm Guards
     Lacrosse Gloves
     Lacrosse Stick
     Mouthpiece
     Cleats
     Cup
     Uniform Shirt and Shorts
 
What equipment do Girls wear?
   Girls wear the following equipment all of which is mandatory:
     Girls Lacrosse Gloves
     Girls Lacrosse Stick
     Girls Lacrosse Goggles
     Mouthpiece
     Uniform Shirt and Skirt/Shorts

Will Davie Lacrosse provide player equipment?
   Davie Lacrosse will not furnish player equipment.  All players are responsible for their own equipment including purchase and maintenance.   We hope to have equipment available for purchase at our free clinics.  You can purchase from any local vendor.  See our links pages for options.  We recommend Lacrossewear in Coconut Creek.  They are very knowledgeable and support our program financially.

     NOTE:  WE HAVE EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE FOR BANTAM PLAYERS ON A LOANER BASIS FOR THE SEASON UPON REQUEST.  A $75 REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT IT REQUIRED.  FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS.

 
How often will the teams meet for practice and games?
   Players will practice two evenings per week with games played on Saturdays.

Where will practice and games be held?
   All practices and home games will be held at Bamford/Pine Island Park in Davie. 
 

Can I sponsor a team or make a donation to the league?
   Yes! Davie Youth Lacrosse Foundation, Inc. is a 501.c.3 non-profit corporation.  All contributions are tax deductible.  We are actively seeking sponsorships at all levels!  Please see or Sponsors page or contact Pete Dunne for information on all Sponsorship levels.    Pete’s email is: pete@davielacrosse.com.

Can I coach?
   Yes! We prefer to have lacrosse knowledgeable coaches (former players or coaches) but that is not required.  We will train new coaches.  Please email pete@davielacrosse.com.

How is game playing time decided?

   Equal game play time in our program is not guaranteed but rather earned through attendance at practice and effort displayed in practice and games.  Skill or talent level is not used as the basis for game play time, except possibly during the last two minutes of a close game or during overtime.  The full policy can be found here.

Does my child need to attend every practice?

   We would like players to attend all practices.  Game play time for players who attend all of the practices may be more than those who miss a lot of practices.  Please see game playing time policy in question above.

What lacrosse programs are available in the off season?

  Davie Youth Lacrosse Foundation manages only the spring rec season.  Broward Lacrosse Advantage (BLA) was formed by the Davie Lacrosse founders to offer more lacrosse in other times of the year.  Davie Summer Lacrosse League takes place during June.  Barracudas Position/Team Training takes place from Sept-Nov.  Barracudas Spring Travel takes place May-June.  BLA also offers camp, clinics and private instruction.