Maple Grove Lacrosse Association

Maple Grove Youth LacrosseAssociation(MGYLA)

CoachesHandbook

Overview of Program Levels

All Levels of Play: Required equipment by rule and MGYLA: Helmet, mouth guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, cup, cleats, and a full size stick. Game jerseys and shorts will be provided for most registrations, but coaches should be prepared if jerseys are not provided. When applicable, competition is against grade level teams in surrounding cities, both home and away. Play is governed by US Lacrosse and Minnesota rules explained on the following pages with for the respective program levels.

8U: This program is designed to introduce young athletes to the sport of lacrosse. It will be FUN; introduce the basic lacrosse skills, rules and concepts of play; and explore competition in lacrosse through good sportsmanship. The equipment is modified to allow for both lacrosse and hockey gear by rule and MGYLA: Helmet, mouth guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, cup, cleats, and a full size stick.

10U: This program is where young athletes begin developing a combination of athletic movement skills and fundamental technical skills for playing lacrosse. The environment should provide opportunities for each athlete to "touch" the ball, encourage experimentation and a progressive development of technical skills while being FUN. Athletes should be coached to have a "Growth Mindset" by having effort praised ahead of results. Coaches will use their best judgment to routinely rotate all players so that each team member plays significant time is each role of attack, midfield, defense, with various players playing goalie. No body contact is allowed.

12U: This program is where young athletes are honing their technical skills and begin exploring and applying the tactical skills needed in lacrosse. Essentially, they are preparing to be competitors. The environment should provide opportunities for each athlete to "touch" the ball, encourage experimentation and a progressive development of technical skills while being FUN. Coaches should allow players to experience various positions as requested while beginning to develop stronger skills in one specific position based on player talents, size, mobility, stamina, and interest. Incidental body contact is allowed.

14U: This program is where young athletes begin emerging into a competitive environment. The environment is designed to be FUN and to maintain good sportsmanship for the advanced level of lacrosse with emphasis placed on fine tuning player skills and teamwork oriented play with offensive and defensive schemes. Coaches should strive to develop players in one specific position for the majority of the season based on previous experience and current player talents, size, mobility, stamina, and interest. Body checking is allowed.

Coaches Responsibilities

Support MGYLA and GNLL philosophy.
Be positive, constructive, and development oriented with emphasis on team play.
Enforce all GNLL rules and policies without prejudice towards players or game outcomes.
Come prepared to all practices and games, on time, and with equipment and structure.
Properly dressed at all times in a clean and appropriate manner.
Maintain team discipline with full explanations to players, parents and coaches.
Always strive to develop your team, your players, and yourself as a coach. Be a role model.
Participate in GNLL certification as required and other coaches training when possible.
Hold a player/parent meeting in the first week to explain objectives, goals, and rules.
Work with Age Level Director to assign one parent as team manager to help with communication, assign adult volunteer roles (scorekeeper, timekeeper, sideline manager), and help plan events, parties, and tournaments.
Make It Fun!

GNLL Operational Guidelines

Typical School Grade Years / Program
Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade / 8U
3rd and 4th Grade / 10U
5th and 6th Grade / 12U
7th and 8th Grade / 14U
* Actual Level is determined by US Lacrosse DOB rules

Each Association is responsible for the following at each home game:

Game balls (including balls placed on the end lines)

Scorers table with:

Game clock and penalty clock, scoreboard, and horn
Copy of the GNLL Officials Guide and NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Book

Adult Sideline Manager, adult scorekeeper and adult time keeper

All balls must be labeled “Meets NOCSAE Standard.” A game cannot start nor continue without proper balls.

Prior to the start of every game, coaches will send all their players to midfield for a lineup, not just starters.

US Lacrosse/Minnesota Rules are provided at the end of the handbook

8U- Level Overview and Objectives

The field size will be approximately 60 x 35 yards. Teams may use a separate field or a field can be created by adding minimal markings to a full-sized field.

The preferred field setup is to play on a regulation field from sideline to sideline between the

endline and defensive clearing line. Goals would be placed on the lines defining the side of the

regular attack/goal area.

b. Alternatively the field can be set up with the goals on the defensive restraining line of a full 110 x 60 yard field. The sidelines would be the wing lines and sides of the attack/goal area from the full field. In this configuration, endlines need to marked by cones or additional lines painted.

c. Separate 8U fields may also be used as long at it is approximately 60 by 35 yards.

d. In any situation, only goal creases must be painted or taped (on artificial turf fields). The remaining boundaries can be marked by cones however painted/taped lines are preferred.

e. No midfield line is needed as there is no offsides however the midfield should be marked by a cone on the sideline opposite the benches.

f. The substitution area should be marked with cones and extend five yards each side of midfield.

g. Seven cones are required (four corners of the field, midfield on the non-bench side, and the

substitution area). If sidelines and endlines are not painted or taped, additional cones may be

added to help defined the playing field.

Skills - – It is critical to teach proper technique early for all the basics of the game including throwing, catching, passing, ground balls, and shooting.

Throwing – Teach proper hand position on the stick, stepping with the opposite foot, releasing the ball overhand from the imaginary box above your shoulder, and following through to your target.
Catching – Stress ready position with stick head in imaginary box above your shoulder. Stick head should “give” or twist as ball makes contact. Call for a pass with “Here’s your help”.
Cradling – Start with a single hand near the stick head flexing both wrist and elbow to create motion while standing. Next add 2nd hand near the waist as an anchor point and jog, then run.
Dodging – Introduce concept of beating your defensemen. Use bull dodge techniques.
Passing – Work on simple point to point passes in standing positions then add motion. Teach the concept of “V” cutting to get open for a pass.
Shooting – Begin with standing shots aimed at the outside edges of the net (including bounce shots), then introduce shooting off a pass or on the run. Step in to each shot with the opposite foot.
Footwork – Teach a constant orientation of keeping the player between the offensive player and the goal. A couple feet of separation between players is critical. Move feet as offense approaches.
Stick Checks – Demonstrate and practice proper techniques for poke, back hand lifts, and slaps. Emphasize controlled slap checks using both hands to avoid penalties frequently called at this level.
Ground Balls – Body position is important to prevent bad habits later. Bent knees, top hand near the throat, keep back hand low, and step through the ball. Don’t allow the standing sccop.

Offense

Field Position– Set up a circle offense and rotate the ball

Defense – This age level disallows any body contact so techniques must be taught to play defense by proper footwork and well executed stick checks which lay the foundation for body contact later.

Clearing – After a saved shot, focus on passing the ball outside or running up the sideline.
Riding – Teach a simple man to man for attack and middies after your offensive shots.
Field Position – Man to man setup. Explain the concept of a tight formation versus “chasing” offensive players to the edge of the restraining box. Stay 1 stick length away when in tight.

Goalie– Recruit early and often. Focus on effective stick movement in a “windmill” around the body. Stress staying near ball side posts or in the center as ball moves from sides to middle.

Positioning – Teaching the goalie to maintain proper positioning and angle out of the net.
Stance – Feet shoulder width apart and slightly turned out. Knees bent with weight on the balls of your feet. Chest upright and square to the ball. Hands shoulder width apart, soft, and away from the body. Stick on the side of your head with your top thumb even with your nose.
Footwork – Teaching the proper footwork. Step to every shot and drag second foot forward. Second foot should be even with the first very soon after the ball arrives.
Stickwork – Teach the goalie to control EVERY ball that comes to him. Chest over the low shots.

8USkill Development Objectives (continued)

Suggested Drills

Stretching–Dynamic or plyometrics
Conditioning – agility ladders, shuttle sprints, interval sprints, figure 8’s, 5/10/middle
Stickwork–1 handed passing, 2 ball Villanova, partner passing, star passing
Passing – box drill (add defender), North Carolina
Scooping – bridge drill, double dip, butt to butt GB’s, ball bag ground balls
Shooting – Stand and shoot (teach progression of hips/shoulders/arms/wrists), Run and shoot
Cradling/Dodging – circle cradle, 4 corners 1 on 1
Defense – 4 on 4
Clears – 6 line clear (D to corner, Mid breaks high, Attack breaks to sideline)
Situational/Games – 3 on 3 plus a goalie, 3 on 2 from the ground, Ships Across the Ocean
Goalie – Walk the line, walk the arc, agility ladders, 1 foot ball bounce, juggle

Pre-practice or pre-game warm up (Goalie should save 95% of practice shots):

Long passes with teammate, coach, or defense
10 shots in each box (high left, high right, hip left, hip right, low left, low right)
10-20 x turn shots. Goalie faces X and spins around quickly. Goalie locates the shooter and shot is taken. Repeat with shooter moving between 45’s.

10U- Level Overview and Objectives

10U: This program is where young athletes begin developing a combination of athletic movement skills and fundamental technical skills for playing lacrosse. The environment should provide opportunities for each athlete to "touch" the ball, encourage experimentation and a progressive development of technical skills while being FUN. Athletes should be coached to have a "Growth Mindset" by having effort praised ahead of results. Coaches should routinely rotate all players so that each team member plays significant time is each role of attack, midfield, defense, with various players playing goalie. No body contact is allowed.

10U is a skill development level for MGYLA. The objective of this level is to teach the player the basic skills of Lacrosse while having fun. We cannot underestimate how important fun is at this level.

Each player should play an equal amount of time in all games. It is the expectation that each team will use a player rotation to ensure that each player gets a chance to learn each position. The coach will set up four equal groups of players and rotate them in positions every two weeks or three games, whichever is longer. It is the coach’s prerogative to set their lines after a full rotation.

Games will be played with 7 players on each side including 6 field players and a goalkeeper.

The field size will be approximately 60 x 40 yards. Teams may use a separate field or a field can be created by adding minimal markings to a full-sized field.

The preferred field setup is to play on a regulation field from sideline to sideline between the

endline and defensive clearing line. Goals would be placed on the lines defining the side of the

regular attack/goal area.

c. Separate10U fields may also be used as long at it is approximately 60 by 40 yards.

d. In any situation, only goal creases must be painted or taped (on artificial turf fields). The remaining boundaries can be marked by cones however painted/taped lines are preferred.

e. No midfield line is needed as there is no offsides however the midfield should be marked by a cone on the sideline opposite the benches.

f. The substitution area should be marked with cones and extend five yards each side of midfield.

g. Seven cones are required (four corners of the field, midfield on the non-bench side, and the

substitution area). If sidelines and endlines are not painted or taped, additional cones may be

added to help defined the playing field.

Offsides is not enforced however goalies may not play offense. The intent of this rule is to ensure that a team does not play offense with all seven players.

Faceoffs will be conducted by two field players at the center of the field. Remaining field players must

remain behind the goal line extended until the whistle blows. Field players may choose to position

themselves behind either goal line. Goalkeepers must be in their respective creases until the whistle blows.

Here is a rotations example:

Group 1AttackMiddieDefenseMiddie

Group 2MiddieDefenseMiddieAttack

Group 3MiddieAttackMiddieDefense

Group 4DefenseMiddieAttack Middie

10USkill Development Objectives

“Teach the Skills”

Skills - It is critical to teach proper technique early for all the basics of the game including throwing, catching, passing, ground balls, and shooting.

Throwing – Teach proper hand position on the stick, stepping with the opposite foot, releasing the ball overhand from the imaginary box above your shoulder, and following through to your target.
Catching – Stress ready position with stick head in imaginary box above your shoulder. Stick head should “give” or twist as ball makes contact. Call for a pass with “Here’s your help”.
Cradling – Start with a single hand near the stick head flexing both wrist and elbow to create motion while standing. Next add 2nd hand near the waist as an anchor point and jog, then run.
Dodging – Introduce concept of beating your defensemen. Use bull dodge techniques.
Passing – Work on simple point to point passes in standing positions then add motion. Teach the concept of “V” cutting to get open for a pass.
Shooting – Begin with standing shots aimed at the outside edges of the net (including bounce shots), then introduce shooting off a pass or on the run. Step in to each shot with the opposite foot.
Footwork – Teach a constant orientation of keeping the player between the offensive player and the goal. A couple feet of separation between players is critical. Move feet as offense approaches.
Stick Checks – Demonstrate and practice proper techniques for poke, back hand lifts, and slaps. Emphasize controlled slap checks using both hands to avoid penalties frequently called at this level.
Ground Balls – Body position is important to prevent bad habits later. Bent knees, top hand near the throat, keep back hand low, and step through the ball. Don’t allow the standing sccop.

Offense

Field Position– Set up a circle offense and rotate the ball.

Defense–This age level disallows any body contact so techniques must be taught to play defense by proper footwork and well executed stick checks which lay the foundation for body contact later.

Clearing – After a saved shot, focus on passing the ball outside or running up the sideline.
Riding – Teach a simple man to man for attack and middies after your offensive shots.
Field Position – Man to man setup. Explain the concept of a tight formation versus “chasing” offensive players to the edge of the restraining box. Stay 1 stick length away when in tight.

Goalie– Recruit early and often. Focus on effective stick movement in a “windmill” around the body. Stress staying near ball side posts or in the center as ball moves from sides to middle.