EQUIPMENT: Can also go to "Links" on the left hand side

• UNIVERSAL LACROSSE: located west of the mall on rt 537. They have been very supportive of our program, offer discounts and have a good selection of equipment and personal attention to your needs.
• OLYMPIC DEN: www.olympicden.com   Starter sets as low as $200.00(Helmet, gloves, arm and shoulder pads and a stick)

  For more advance players we offer s full line of equipment and apparel inlcuding such names as: STX  w BRINE  w WARRIOR w REEBOK w CASCADE w GAIT w DEBEER  

  TO PLACE AN ORDER: Contact Carl Cornero 732-233-0603 OR olydennj@verizon.net  

  Carl is one of our assistance for the7^TH & 8^TH grade team and will be more than happy to assist you with your equipment needs.  

• LAXZILLA;    www.laxzilla.com   800-333-LAXX (5299)
  
  Once at the site and choosing your equipment use the following codes and information to receive a discount. Coupon Code: 159cd904

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Frequently Asked Questions....

When is lacrosse season? Lax runs from February (depending on age) to the first or second week of June. 

How are kids grouped together? Lacrosse normally runs by grades.  They compete in both in groups of 1^st/2^nd, 3^rd/4^th grade, 5^th/6^th ,7^th/8^thgrades, while some grades based on number are broken out by individual grades as well. 

What Grades will your program admit?  Currently for boys K to 8^th grade.  For Girls 3^rd to 8^th grade. The girls stick is harder to learn, and we have not had a lot of success with kids younger than 3^rd grade. 

Is this Travel or Rec and how do you place the kids?  Neither…. We schedule games at all levels (except K-2nd Grade).  The distinction is that the more advanced players (refer to as "Select" Team) will play against more advanced teams and play 1-2 more tournaments than the other squads (other level referred to as "Travel" Team).  Given the additional Select tournament costs, the Select players will be assessed an additional cost once the selection process completes.  Across all levels and grades we are an "Instructional Program", and all teams have full travel schedules.  As we grow, and if we can have as many as 5 teams at any grade level...we may then break out an individual rec program.  That having been said, we may have some intersquad games. (Maverick vs. Mavericks). We expect a commitment from the players and parents that they will attend all practices and games unless notifying the coaches in advance.  Kids who miss practices may not get equal playing time (need to know the plays, and have sufficient competence to play safely). This having been said there may be occasions when players do not play equally in games.  This unfortunately is something the coaches try to avoid but need to address on each team.  At certain levels, if you do not keep a few good players on the field..the ball does not move and the kids are stuck playing defense the entire game...so time is based on keeping that tricky balance of keeping it fun...while trying to maximize playing time equaly for all.  Also, the more competitive teams will concentrate on being competitive and therefore may have increased issues with un-equal playing time.  Please discuss with coaches during the selection and evaluation period so your child is placed on the correct team based on their skills, commitment level, and amount of time they will play.

When Does the Program Start?  February for some levels.  Check calendar and with your head coach. Late March we move to practicing and playing outside

When will practices and games be and will they be schedule around other sports (ie..Baseball)?  K-2 grade play on Sundays.  3-4^th grade will practice 1-2 during the week and have most games on the weekend.  5-8^th will practice 2 times during the week and will play most games on the weekend. Actual practice and game times will be determined by the individual coaches.  Note - Lacrosse requires skills that most of the boys and girls have not been exposed to and these skills take time to develop and require their full attention.  These skills must be continually re-enforced for their safety and the safety of the other players.

Any extra commitment for kids over 5^th grade, where competition and skill tends to increase?  We expect them to attend all practices and games unless other arrangements are made with the coach.  Also, we tend to find that kids lack stamina (too much TV and video games).  As such, we strongly encourage additional exercise (home drills and exercises are provided to each grade level).  If a child wants to they should: 1) go running with a lacrosse stick and 2) pound the ball against a wall.

What equipment is required?  Boys - Helmet, gloves, shoulder pads, arm pads, mouth guard, athletic supporter, cleats, stick.  Recommendations change every year based on competition between the manufacturers.  We strongly suggest you talk to the sales people at the stores listed, as they are very sincere...and will make the right choice for your child (some equipment runs large or small and thus there is an element of tailoring to your child).  Relative to new boy and girl players we do suggest that THE SITCK HAS SOFT MESH.    Girls – stick (soft mesh), goggles, hand gloves

Where can I buy the equipment?  Go to the "Links" to the left and we have a hot link to an equipment store that will provide you with a discount. Universal Lacrosse appears to have the biggest selection.

Costs?  Boys - All equipment (exclusive of cleats) could run as much as $200 at retail (a little more than the cost of a good baseball bat and glove).  We have negotiated deals in the past that has resulted in all equipment being sold as a package at a discount to this amount. Girls – less equipment results in a cost of $50-$75

Both Girls and Boys – In addition to equipment the kids will pay $25 for insurance  and around $250(depending on age and program) for registration fee (includes cost of  goals, balls, other team equipment, shirts and shorts, field maintenance, refs..etc.). K-2 boys only pay $150. 

What is our program philosophy?  Our priority is that kids have fun, learn the correct playing techniques, respect coaches/refs, and fellow teammates, and that everyone plays. We are an "Instructional Program".   We also have different teams arranged by grades and levels which may or may not require more of a commitment and a more aggressive approach to being competitive.

What has been the split between Boys and Girls and what is your commitment to grow each?  Currently about 30% of registrants are Girls.  Our commitment is to have both be 50/50.  Until such time, we will allocate more funds to the smaller gender.  Accordingly, we spend more on the Girls.  An example of this is that it is hard to find any girls coaches that have played the sport.  Our remedy is that we advertise and pay for experienced coaches.  We may have the only paid girls coaches in NJ...However, we believe that over time the superiority of our coaches and staffing will bring the girls numbers up to that of the boys.

Is the Program a Non-For-Profit? - Yes.  Generally, we apply any excess monies at the end of each year to adding additional services and benefits to the kids.  So if you pay more, you should get more.

What additional benefits are you offering in 2009 ? - 1) we actively solicit Kindergarten kids, 2) more games at all levels, 3) 12 days of indoor times (at $300-$500 per hour this is a huge cost/benefit differentiator to our program), 4) consistency in coaching, teaching techniques, advanced scheduling), 5) arranging for on-field photagraphy, 6) Summer camps for all kids at 3rd grade and older

Why is the program setup as a club and not run through a town sports foundation?  We may eventually place the program under town foundations, but currently we feel that we would not only have more flexibility in being independent, but that we could invite other town players and help expand Lax not only on a town basis but region.  In the long run this will serve all well. We are also all lacrosse vets running a lacrosse program...done the way lacrosse should be done.

Where will practices and games be?  We have use several fields in Holmdel, Colts Neck, Tinton Falls and Middletown.  Away games will be mostly in Monmouth county.

Any hard and fast rules for Parents? 

1)Please refer to the web site 24 hours before all prescheduled events to confirm that there are no changes OR some coaches may prefer to use email as a means to communicate to the individual teams.

2) In the event of rain (inclement weather) refer to web site up to when you leave the house for a practice or game. OR some coaches may prefer to use email as a means to communicate to the individual teams.

3) Please use the web site before calling and e-mailing.  Over time we will make the site more robust so as to respond to nearly every question you may have. OR some coaches may prefer to use email as a means to communicate to the individual teams.

4) We will encourage good behavior and respect amongst the kids (no foul language, no talking back to refs or coaches, no hitting/fighting).  As fun and learning are our priorities, we would ask that all parents remain calm, and accept what might otherwise be considered heartbreaking losses… there are lessons in such events, and we would prefer to have the kids learn these then simply notching wins.  For now learning the game, bonding, respecting one another and being happy for others when they score and you are on the bench (even if you are possibly the best player) are better lessons.

5) Be conscious that Lax probably requires the most endurance of any sport (more than soccer, given that play does not stop at mid-field, resulting in kids running full speed from the defense zone to the offense zone).  As such, sleep, proper eating, hydration all become factors. 

Is there a difference between a girl’s and boy’s stick? Yes.  The difference is in the pocket.  A boy’s stick has a deep-set pocket while the girl’s stick has little to no pocket and requires more skill to keep the ball in the stick.  (Highly recommended to have girls to use a girls stick from day 1, if they use the deeper pocketed boys stick it will make it harder for them to transition later.

How do I know if my son will like lacrosse?    While there is no guarantee, lacrosse is an easy transition for kids.  Kids that have player other sports such as basketball, soccer, hockey, and football players pick up the sport very quickly.

What if my child does not like the sport...will you refund costs?  We permit a nearly full refund through the first 2 weeks of the sport.  We can not refund the cost of the insurance $25 (does not come to us), and generally about $15 of the Registration cost, as this goes to the internet provider..we will refund all other registration costs.  We of course can not promise that we will buy your equipment and at what cost...but you can inquire at the time.  Note that refunds take several weeks as the internet provider is slow remitting cash to us from registration...until we have it...we can not send it to you.