Which Team Should My Child Join?

One of the most common questions is: Which team should you join when you register your child? Here are some guidelines. 

Most programs are based at the local intermediate schools, and we recommend that you join the program at the middle school your child is zoned to attend. This is considered your default program. That way your child will be playing on a team with their school classmates and neighbors. 

Fee and Costs to Play Boys Lacrosse

We get a lot of questions about what it costs to play lacrosse. This will give you a rough estimate and an explaination of all the fees and cost for someone starting out. 

US Lacrosse Membership You are required to become a member of US Lacrosse, the national governing body of the sport, which provides liability insurance, a subscription to Lacrosse Magazine, catastrophic health insurance, and it only costs $25 for an annual youth membership. 

Team Fees - The cost varies from program to program and ranges from $150-$400. This fee will cover practice field permits; custom game and practice uniforms; team equipment, like balls and goals; and other misc. administrative and overhead costs and is paid directly to the team. 

Equipment - This cost can vary depending on the level of equipment what you want to purchase. A stick alone can range from $30 to $335. The local lacrosse stores have bundled packages that start at $150, which include a stick, helmet, gloves, arm pads, and shoulder pads. Some of the programs have made arrangements with local vendors and/or equipment manufacturers for heavily discounted packages. All players will be required to have a mouthpieces and cleats. Your son can use soccer or football cleats and does NOT have to get lacrosse specific cleats. 

Fees and Costs to Play Girls Lacrosse

We get a lot of questions about what it costs to play lacrosse. This will give you a rough estimate and an explaination of all the fees and cost for someone starting out. 

US Lacrosse Membership You are required to become a member of US Lacrosse, the national governing body of the sport, which provides liability insurance, a subscription to Lacrosse Magazine, catastrophic health insurance, and it only costs $25 for an annual youth membership. 

Team Fees - The cost varies from program to program and ranges from $75-$300. This fee will cover practice field permits; custom game and practice uniforms; team equipment, like balls and goals; and other misc. administrative and overhead costs and is paid directly to the team. 

Equipment - The cost can vary widely, depending on what stick you want to purchase. The local lacrosse stores have starter packages that start at $50, which include a stick, googles, mouthpiece, and ball. Goalie eqipment costs more, and sometimes is provided by the program. Some programs have arrangements with local vendors and/or equipment manufacturers for discounted packages. Your daughter can use soccer cleats and does NOT have to get lacrosse specific cleats. 

Body Checks and Slashing Penalties

Penalties

The two most commonly mis-understood penalties are "Illegal Body Check" and "Slashing". This page will try to explain to new parent what physical contact is allowed and not allowed in lacrosse. There will be some subjective judgement of the penalty by the Referee. 

What is an "Illegal Body Check" Penalty?

According to the NFHS Rulebook

Body Checking 

RULE 5 SECTION 3

Body checking is permitted in 5th thru 8th grade; however, no take-out checks are permitted by any player. A take out check is defined as any check in which the player lowers his head or shoulder with the force and intent to put the other player on the ground.

Players in the 5th thru 8th grade may make contact in an upright position within five yards of the ball. No body checking of any kind (including man/ball "clear the body" type pushing) is permitted in the 2nd thru 4th grade. If a loose ball is not moving, the referee may re-start play following the alternate possession rule.


According to the US Lacrosse Parent's Guide

Illegal Body Checking occurs when any of the following actions takes place:

A. body checking an opponent who is not in possession of the ball or within five yards of a loose ball;
B. avoidable body check of an opponent after he has passed or shot the ball;
C. body checking an opponent from the rear or at or below the waist;
D. body checking an opponent above the shoulders. A body check must be below the shoulders and above the waist, and both hands of the player applying the body check must remain contact with his crosse.

What is "Slashing"?

According to the NFHS Rulebook

Personal Foul/Slashing 

RULE 5 SECTION 6

Personal Foul/Slashing - 2nd thru 4th grade: Any poke check making contact with an opponent (other than the gloved hand while holding the stick) will be considered a slash. Also, any one-handed check will be considered a slash for the 2nd thru 4th grade. Controlled one-handed will be allowed in the 5th thru 8th grade.

According to the US Lacrosse Parent's Guide

Slashing occurs when any of the following actions takes place:

Occurs when a player's stick viciously contacts an opponent in any area other than the stick or gloved hand on the stick. 
Occurs when a player's uncontrolled stick contacts an opponent in any area other than the stick or gloved hand on the stick.

How do I Become a Coach?

Interested in becoming a coach? The OCLA will provide training for all perspective coaches. All OCLA coaches are required to attend annual training sessions. Dates and locations TBA. 

How do I Become a Referee?

What to make so extra money? Become a refereee! There is always a need for trained referees. OCLax will provide training to anyone who wishes training to become a referee. There will be classroom and field sessions. Locations and dates TBA. 

History of Lacrosse

With a history that spans centuries, lacrosse is the oldest continually played sport in North America. Rooted in Native American religion and culture, lacrosse was a way to resolve disputes, heal the sick and train young warriors. 

The name lacrosse was given to the sport after French settlers viewed the sport and saw that the stick resembled a priest's cross. The sport began with the name baaga'adowe which roughly translates, 'hit with an instrument'. 

The first mention of the modern game was recorded in 1636, but it took over 200 years for the game to evolve into the sport we see played today. 

There are currently over 500 college and 1400 high school lacrosse teams from coast to coast. And those numbers continue to improve in the both the men's and women's game. And the sport is not limited to the US and Canada. It is growing in popularity in many other countries including: Australia, Germany, Scotland, England and Japan and, is in fact, Canada's national past time. 

With its combination of speed, stick skill, agility, grace, endurance, finesse and unique history, lacrosse may be, according to basketball inventor James Naismith, "the best of all possible field sports."