FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What equipment do I need to buy and what is provided for girls’ lacrosse?

A: Girls: All players must have eye gear and a Crosse (stick) approved for play by US Lacrosse (www.uslacrosse.org). In addition, a mouth guard is required for all practices and games. Athletic (soccer) shoes are strongly recommended. Goalie equipment is provided by Alexandria Lacrosse Club.
B. Boy’s: All players must wear a helmet, shoulder pads, mouth guard, gloves, and arm pads. 

Q. Where can I buy lacrosse boy’s / girl’s equipment?
A. Girls: Sources are Madlax Alexandria at 703-933-7300 and Sports her Way in Alexandria at 703-823-4700.

B. Boys: We have arranged for discounted packages with helmet, gloves, arm pads, mouth guard, and shoulder pads for as low as $189.00 From Madlax in Alexandria at 703-933-7300. Others sources selling boys lax equipment are Laxworld in Burke at (703) 239-2500, and Great Atlantic Lax www.lacrosse.com or 800-955-3876 

Q: My child is a beginner. Do you group players by ability and experience?
A: Girls & Boys: Beginners are always welcome. The younger divisions (U-9, U-11) are less competitive and more instructional in focus and therefore are not grouped by skill. The upper divisions (U-13, U-15) are grouped into A and B divisions by skill level and experience. See “Age Groups” on main lacrosse page for detailed age group explanation.

Q: How often to teams practice and play games?
A: Girls & Boys: Practices vary according to divisions but teams are permitted to have four sessions per week including games. Typically teams hold regularly scheduled practices two afternoons per week after school and one game on Sunday for girls with games on Saturday for boys. There may be Saturday games for the girls in the Spring 2007 season.

Q: When does the season start? When does the season end?
A: Girls & Boys: Team evaluations are held in late January or February. Practices begin in early March and game play commences in late March. The regular season ends in early June and the upper divisions have playoffs through the second week of June.

Q: My child has several after school activities. What is the level of commitment required?
A: Girls & Boys: Upper division teams require full attendance to all practices and games. Lacrosse requires regular practice and repetition for team and individual skill development. Players and parents are expected to make a full commitment to the program for the entire season.

Q: Where are the games played? Is this a “travel” program?
A: Girls&Boys: Home games are played at Minnie Howard Ninth Grade Center in Alexandria.  In general, girls games are son Sundays and boys games are on Saturdays.  The Northern Virginia Youth Lacrosse League (NVYLL) has club programs across Fairfax, Loudon, Prince William and Stafford Counties as well as in the cities of Arlington and Alexandria . Most divisions are organized into subdivisions to reduce game day travel. 

Q: What age/grade can girls/ boys participate in youth lacrosse through Alexandria Lacrosse Club?
A: Girls & Boys: Children may participate in the NVYLL through the Alexandria Lacrosse Club as long as they meet age requirements and live within the City of Alexandria . Those who are in the 9th grade and not playing on a high school freshman, junior varsity or varsity team and are under 15 as of December 31, 2006 would also be eligible to play in the U-15 division.

Q: My child wants to play with her friends from school who play with another lacrosse program. Are there residency restrictions/boundaries that determine on which program a child can play?
A: Girls & Boys: Yes. If you reside in the City of Alexandria you are within the Alexandria Lacrosse Club resident area. Each youth club has a geographic boundary to prohibit players from arbitrarily changing club programs.

Q: When will I know what team my child is on? 
A: Girls & Boys: You will be called by the coach before the first practice-around March 1.