Divisions/Rules

BOX LACROSSE (see Field Lacrosse below)

MINI-TYKE (ages: 4, 5 & 6)

Mini Tyke is an important division in Lacrosse, because it lays the foundation for kids to learn the fundamentals of the game of Box Lacrosse. Kids learn to have fun while they are introduced to skills, basic rules, and are taught about fair play as well as being physically active.

Mini Tyke is for boys and girls aged 4, 5 and 6 years old.

Mini Tyke is played with modified rules in an effort to help introduce the kids to the game of lacrosse while having fun.

• Mini-tykes practices sessions are held at the West Vancouver Arena and typically start in early April.
• The kids play 4 on 4, cross-court with two games played at the same time.  During the game parents are encouraged to come on the floor to cheer the kids on and help with keeping the balls in play.
• The net is modified to 4 ft x 3 ft.
• There is to be no body contact or stick to body contact – only stick to stick contact.
• During the games coaches act as referees and stop play when necessary and to explain the rules of the game.
• Practice sessions to include a 10 minute warm up, 4 x 71/2 minute skill training circuit and 20 minute scrimmage (2 games with four teams) with equal participation during the game.       

Kids just need a Helmet with mask, knee pads, small stick, and a jock or a jill. No score is kept and the coaches manage the games with no players sent to the penalty box.  Kids will have 2 x 1 hour sessions each week: Wednesday & Saturdays!

Parents are expected to assist on the floor and each family will take turns bringing "treats" for the kids on the Saturday games.  All parents are encouraged to get involved - mini-tyke requires one head-coach and (at least) four assistant coaches to help at the practices (more are always welcome so bring your sticks!).   One manager is also required to organize (with help from other parents) jerseys, pictures, distribution of t-shirts, tropheys and year-end parties.

Mini-tyke info

TYKE DIVISION (ages 7 & 8)

Tyke is an important division in Lacrosse, because it lays the foundation for kids to learn the fundamentals of the game of Box Lacrosse. Kids learn to have fun while they are introduced to skills, basic rules, and are taught about fair play as well as being physically active.

Tyke is for boys and girls aged 7 and 8 years old.

Tyke is played with modified rules in an effort to ensure all kids on the floor are engaged and participating in the game and having fun.

• Tyke home games are held in doors at West Vancouver Arena and practices sessions are held outside at Kirkstone box.
• The kids get equal playing time and play on a full court with one goaltender and five runners on the floor.  Games are 3 periods of 18 minutes running time with 3-minute shifts.
• The net is modified to 4 ft x 3 ft.
• Modified passing rule: on gaining possession a minimum of 1 pass must be attempted in the offensive zone.  For complete rules click here: TYKE RULES
• There is to be no body-contact or stick to body contact – only stick to stick contact.
• Referees control the game and stop play when necessary and explain the whistles.
• click here for the official Tyke rules.

Group and individual team practices start sometime in March with games usually starting in the second week of April.  Details of practice times and schedules will be sent to you by email.

The season includes 20 games: 10 home and 10 away.  3 of the "away" games are normally against other North Shore teams played at the West Vancouver Arena, reducing the total number of games across the inlet to no more than 7.  North Vancouver is zoned with Burnaby, Vancouver, and New Westminster.

Equipment (click here for RUNNER, GOALIE)

Helmet/cage:  required.  Hockey type or field lacrosse type, CSA approved.  Mouth guards:  are required.  Reduces risk of concussion in a fall.  Elbow pads: are required.  Hockey or skate board types are fine.  Shoulder pads:  are required.  Hockey types are fine at this level.  Gloves: are required.  Hockey can be used but it is recommended to invest in proper lacrosse gloves.  Hockey gloves have a rigid thumb which handicap your athlete's ability to catch and throw properly and may hinder his development.  10" is the normal size for this age and cost about $40.   Jock (or jill): required.  "Ouch!"  Running shoes:  make sure they fit well and offer your athlete proper support to avoid ankle injuries (court type shoes are best).  Knee pads: are recommended.  The outdoor courts can be pretty rough. Soft soccer/volleyball types are fine.  Arm pads:  are optional as gloves with elbow pads tend to cover the whole forearm at this age.  Kidney & back pads:  Not required at this level.  Stick: required.   Coaches will check to ensure it is not too long.  The stick should be junior type as the junior shaft is smaller diameter for smaller hands.

Stores in North Vancouver:  Canadian Tire, TimeOut Sports and Used Sports.  Scoffs on Hastings in Burnaby and Ice Level Sports in Richmond carry a broader selection of equipment.

Parents

The strength of the NSMLA is directly proportional to its base of parent volunteers.  Like all good lacrosse parents you will be ask to participate with the team.  It starts with a head-coach, a couple of assistant coaches and a manager, and ends with each family being asked to assist with time keeping and bringing treats to the game.  The manager will also need your assistance with jerseys, pictures, distribution of shorts and t-shirts, tournaments, trophies, year-end parties and the occasional BBQ. It is a lot of fun. 

 Tyke info

NOVICE (ages 9 & 10), PEEWEE (ages 11 & 12), BANTAM (ages 13 & 14), MIDGET (ages 15 & 16)

Minor Box Lacrosse is played on a standard sized arena floor and features 6 players (goaltender and five runners) of an 18-20 player team on the floor at one time.

The strategy of Lacrosse is similar to that of basketball, with all five runners involved in the offense and the defense. Added to the appeal are the speed and excitement created by a 30 second shot clock. The combination of action and reaction makes Box as much fun to play as it is to watch.

Box Lacrosse is played almost exclusively in Canada, with annual National Championships occurring at seven levels (peewee through senior). The award of the premiere junior (17-21) championship is the Minto Cup, while the best senior players in Canada (over 21) play for the Mann Cup.

Canadian Rules of Box Lacrosse

FIELD LACROSSE

For those unfamiliar with Field Lacrosse it is different from Box lacrosse in terms of both the rules, number of players and amount of contact.  A field lacrosse team has 10 players on the field at any one time: 3 Defensemen (called Big Sticks), 3 Midfielders (Called Middies),  3 Attackers and a goalie.  The game is played on a field (artificial turf ), that is similar in size to a soccer field, the net is 6 ft high by 6 ft wide (which is quite a bit bigger than the standard box lacrosse net).   The game is divided into four quarters, each aproximately  15 minute running time in length (slightly less for the youngest age groups).  There is no shot clock so the offensive strategy is built around moving the ball around in the other teams end until you can get a good shot at the net, it also means ball possession is important. Teams  may only have 6 runners on one side of half at any given time.  The Defensemen are permitted to use sticks with longer shafts (referred to as big sticks) in order to help defend the larger net.  Generally field lacrosse is less physical from a contact point of view, while cross checking is not permitted in field lacrosse, body checking and pushing with the stick are permitted to some degree.  Penalties can vary anywhere in length from 30 seconds to 1 minute and 30 seconds and are served on a stool adjacent to the scorekeepers.  As with soccer, the game is played rain or shine. 

Equipment for the sport is pretty much similar to box lacrosse: helmet, shoulder pads, gloves, elbow pads, stick, jock, mouthguard and cleats... while not mandatory the kidney pads should be used.  There is some optional field lacrosse specific equipment players can use:  helmet with brim (most will have seen players wearing a traditional blue and red helmet, the brim is generally to keep the sun out of the players eyes but in BC its for the rain - note however a hockey helmet is fine), lighter weight sticks (because of the less contact a lighter shaft wont tend to get bent or broken), turf specfic cleats (lighter weight than soccer and designed for different turf conditions).

WHY PLAY?

After participation in a season of field lacrosse most players generally see an improvement in their stick skills and are more prepared conditionally for Box Lacrosse. Field lacrosse is especially popular at US colleges and High Schools, scholarships are offered to Canadians  (Men & Women) by many US colleges.

TEAM Make UP

The max number of players on a field lacrosse team is typically 18 - 20 depending on make-up.    If you are planning to register a player please make sure you understand the committment required before you do.  Details  are provided below.

Referees & Coaches

For those that are interested in coaching or refereeing please let me know.  The BCLA  puts on  coaching & referee clinics for field lacrosse, the NSLMA will pay the fees for those that are interested in attending. 

COMMITTMENT

Season Length:  September to Mid February  - Christmas Break (Typically Mid December to 2nd week of January)

Provincials:  For U12, U14, U16 & U19 (Provincial bound teams may play to the end of February)

Tier Levels: Tier 1 (Rep Level - U12, U14, U16 & U19 only), Tier 2 (House Level)

Games per Week:  1 (Home Games: Typically Saturday Evening or Sunday Morning (youngest age groups only)  at Ambleside Turf Field - Away Games: Sunday Anytime (location depends upon teams participating in age division, but similar to Box Lax)

Practice per Week: 1  @ Wed (7 - 8:30 pm) - All teams

Note that the one game each week could be at home or it could be away it does not necessarily alternate.  Most Associations have teams, although it varies as to age groups and levels, so like Box Lax you could end up playing anywhere from Mission to Delta (As in Tyke U8 teams generally play more within a local zone).

Committment is a big part of field lacrosse, given that teams must have a minimum of 10 players on the field at any given time it is important that all players show up for games (and practices as most of our players do not have a lot of field lacrosse experience) as it is impossible for a team to be competitive if we are only getting 11 - 12 players out.  We recognize that players will have the occaisional conflicts at this time of the year with other sports, but if it looks like its going to be more than an occaisional conflict then it may be a problem. 

The U8 or Tyke program was started for all Associations a couple of years ago and the structure and rules of this age group have been developing over the last few seasons.  As far as I know it is the intent this year for the kids to play the entire season this year (although this has yet to be determined, in the past the season ended in Mid December).  Contact is limited at this age group.

CLINICS

The following organizations typically offer field lacrosse camps throughout the summer monthes, generally they are well attended by North Shore players:

http://www.ragelacrosse.com/
http://www.westcoast150.com/
http://www.wildwestlacrosse.com/
http://www.usualprospects.ca/