AGE GROUP DEFINITIONS

US Lacrosse establishes eligibility guidelines to promote a safe and sportsmanlike environment. US Lacrosse believes that leagues, associations, and other organizers of youth lacrosse should provide playing opportunities that, as much as possible, aim to establish a "level playing field" among players of similar age.

  • U19: 18 or younger before August 31, 2017

  • U14: 13 or younger before August 31, 2017

  • U12: 11 or younger before August 31, 2017

  • U10: 9 or younger before August 31, 2017

  • U8: 7 or younger before August 31, 2017

  • U6: 5 or younger before August 31, 2017 (This is our Co-Ed "Pee Wee" Group)

teams

Brooklyn Lacrosse Co-ed Program (see equipment required)

  • Co-ed U8

Brooklyn Lacrosse Girls Program (see equipment required)

  • Girls U19

  • Girls U14

  • Girls U12

  • Girls U10

Brooklyn Lacrosse Boys Program (see equipment required)

AGE Specific Philosophies

U8 (Co-Ed)

U8 Co-ed lacrosse is the earliest experience with the sport of lacrosse for many young athletes. The players entering at this point have a vast difference in their physical and cognitive developments. The game they play should be designed to “level the playing field” and provide opportunity for any and every child that wants to participate. The emphasis at this age group should be to instill a love and excitement of playing, while developing fundamental movement skills that will be valuable in any future athletic endeavors. Careful planning must be used to ensure that the environment is inclusive of all athletes, provides multiple opportunities for each athlete to “touch” the ball, encourages experimentation, and is a place that the athlete will want to come back to again and again, helping to develop physical literacy. With respect to the competition at this level, coaches, parents, and officials should emphasize: - FUN - Simple rules of play - Good Sportsmanship

U10 Boys

U10 Boys lacrosse is where young athletes begin developing fundamental technical skills in lacrosse. The boys entering the sport at this point have a vast difference in their physical and cognitive development and the game they play should be designed to develop a combination of athletic movement skills, and fundamental technical skills for playing lacrosse. The emphasis at this age group is on instilling a love and excitement of playing, while developing the fundamental athletic skills that will be valuable in any future athletic endeavors. Careful planning must be used to ensure that the environment is inclusive of all athletes, provides multiple opportunities for each athlete to “touch” the ball, encourages experimentation, and a progressive development of existing technical skills. Athletes should be coached to have a “Growth Mindset” by having effort is praised ahead of results. With respect to the competition at this level, coaches, parents, and officials should emphasize: - FUN - Trying new skills in a team setting - Learning and exploring overall play of the game - Sportsmanship

U12 Boys

U12 Boys lacrosse is where young athletes are honing their technical skills and begin building the tactical skills needed in lacrosse. The boys entering the sport at this point have a vast difference in their physical and cognitive development and the game they play should be designed to reinforce fundamental technical skills and practical tactical applications for playing lacrosse. Essentially, they are preparing to be competitors. Careful planning must be used to ensure that the environment is inclusive of all athletes, provides multiple opportunities for each athlete to “touch” the ball, encourages experimentation, and a progressive development of existing technical skills. Additionally, the technical skills they are honing, are now being applied to the tactical aspect of the game. Athletes should be coached to have a “Growth Mindset” by having effort praised ahead of results. With respect to the competition at this level, coaches, parents, and officials should emphasize: - FUN - Using technical skills in game situations - Exploring and applying new tactical skills - Sportsmanship

U14 Boys

14U Boys lacrosse is where young athletes begin emerging into a competitive environment. With respect to the competition at this level, coaches, parents, and officials should emphasize: - Fun - Sportsmanship - Using technical skills in game situation. - Exploring and applying new tactical skills

U19 Boys

In-Progress

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U10 Girls

U10 Girls lacrosse is where young athletes begin developing fundamental technical skills in lacrosse. The game they play should be designed to develop a combination of athletic movements, skills, and fundamental technical skills for playing lacrosse. The emphasis at this age level is still on instilling a love and excitement of playing. The competition playing rules for 10U encourage multiple opportunities for each athlete to “touch” the ball, work with teammates, develop general physical literacy and a progressive development of existing technical skills. With respect to the competition at this level, coaches, parents, and officials should emphasize: - FUN - Good Sportsmanship - Trying new skills in a team setting - Learning and exploring overall play of the game

U12 Girls

U12 Girls lacrosse is where young athletes are honing their technical skills and begin building the tactical skills needed in lacrosse. The game they play should be reinforcing fundamental technical skills and practical tactical applications for playing lacrosse. With respect to the competition at this level, coaches, parents, and officials should emphasize: - Fun - Using technical skills in game situation - Exploring and applying new tactical skills - Sportsmanship

U14 Girls

U14 Girls lacrosse is where young athletes begin emerging into a competitive environment. The game they play should be reinforcing fundamental technical skills and practical tactical applications for playing lacrosse. Essentially they are preparing to be competitors. With respect to the competition at this level, coaches, parents, and officials should emphasize: - Fun - Using technical skills in game situation - Exploring and applying new tactical skills - Sportsmanship

U19 Girls

In-Progress

Lacrosse athlete development model

The LADM aim is to keep more players engaged with the sport longer, allowing the best players to emerge as they reach physical maturity. US Lacrosse Athlete Development. See BLC Resources section for detailed LADM Sheets. LADM Guidebook

Discovery (Birth to 6 years old): U6

Gives the youngest players the opportunity to develop basic movement skills like running, jumping, landing, kicking, scooping, throwing and catching in a fun setting built around informal play and positive reinforcement. Kids play and explore movement through many physical activities.

Fundamentals (6 to 9 years old): U8

Allows children to develop their movement ABCs-agility, balance, coordination and speed—and learn the basics of the game while emphasizing fun, cooperation, and maximum touches with the ball. Kids sample lots of physical activities and sports.

Foundations (8 to 12 years old): U10, U12

This is the “golden age” of learning and sport skill development. Children become less self-centered and are able reflect on their actions and learn from their mistakes. This is the optimal time to learn and build a large repertoire of lacrosse-specific skills and learn the basic principles of play in a fun, challenging environment. Players sample many physical activities and sports in addition to lacrosse.

Emerging Competition (12 to 14 years old): U14

This is the stage in which we make or break the athlete; when children choose to continue participation in the sport. This is the time for developing strong technical skills and is the dawning of tactical awareness. Players are also introduced to concepts like mental preparation, goal setting, and coping with winning and losing. Players learn advanced technical skills and position-specific techniques. The major focus is on applying skills, strategies and tactics from practice to competitive situations. Athletes participate in several sports throughout the year or a variety of physical activities.

Competitive (14 to 19 years old): U19

Players are now fine tuning their lacrosse skills under a variety of competitive conditions in a game format that mirrors adult play. Along with continued refinement of advanced techniques, players work to develop their tactical awareness, discipline and mental toughness. They are honing their performance in competition during this stage. Athletes may start to focus on one or two key sports or continue with a variety of physical activities.