Kieran Eissler and Las Vegas Lacrosse typify the explosive growth of the sport at the youth level...

Park City, UT. North inland county based Team San Diego attended the 2008 Park City Ski Town Shoot Out with entries in the boys U-13 and U-15 divisions June 13th and 14th. The teams were made up of players from the Scripps, Rancho Bernardo and Poway youth lacrosse organizations and form once a year as a reciprocal gesture to those Utah teams attending the San Diego Youth Lacrosse Festival. 

The U-13 team faced tough competition against teams from Colorado, Arizona and Utah. The U-13s were able to compile a 5-1 record; scoring 47 goals while allowing just 19.

The U-15 Team San Diego drew perennial Colorado power Fort Collins Vipers in the first round but rallied on day 2 to take both of thier games (including a Brave Heart against Las Vegas) and finish 2-3.

The 2008 Ski Town Shoot Out featured a tournament record 48 (boys and girls) teams. Tournament officials estimate that over 2,300 people attended the event.

Team San Diego was sponsored in part by the San Diego Youth Lacrosse Festival.

RANCHO BERNARDO. A group of local lacrosse coaches, parents and players dedicated themselves to aide the victims by restoring equipment, cleats and gear lost in the fires that raged through San Diego county in the past week.

August 29th, 2007; San Diego, California. Lacrosse equipment manufacturer STX will be the "Signature Sponsor" of the 2008 San Diego Youth Lacrosse Festival:

"STX is the world's leading manufacturer of men's and women's lacrosse sticks and protective gear, including gloves, padding and women's eyegear.

No matter what the product, STX is driven by the same philosophy that spurs every innovation - create the highest quality, cutting edge lacrosse equipment that enables players to reach peak performance on the playing field – raising the standard of play and the spectre of America's oldest game and fastest growing team sport.

Precision crafted, performance driven, competition tested... It's no accident that the best lacrosse players in the world earned their titles playing with STX."
 

In addition, local lacrosse retailer Pacific Lacrosse will become the official "Platinum Sponsor" of the February event:

June 16th, 2007; Park City, Utah. The Pacific Lacrosse All-Stars Boys U-13 Team posted a 5-0 record over 2 days of tournament play during the Park City Ski Town Shoot Out. Middle School players from Poway, Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo participated in the annual youth lacrosse event. The Pac Lax team defeated teams from Maryland, Utah, Texas and Colorado en route to a 5-0 finish and 1st place in the Boys U-13 division. The 2-1/2 day tournament is hosted by the Utah Chapter of US Lacrosse.

Games will be 20-minute running time halves, with a 6 minute half-time.
Teams get one two-minute timeout per game. However, team time-outs do not stop game time. No time-outs are permitted in the last five minutes of either half. Official time-outs (e.g. injury) do stop the game clock.

Penalties are running time except when suspended for a time out. Technicals are 45 seconds, personals run in 90-second increments.

Five minutes before the hour, officials will call captains and do coin flips to determine choice of goals and possession arrow, however in the interest of time, we won’t do line-ups.
By bringing a team to the tourney, coaches acknowledge that all players are equipped by rule of play. Officials will do equipment checks upon request of the head coach. Officials will not conduct random equipment checks. Time will run during equipment checks. No equipment check requests will be honored in the last five minutes of a game. U-13 and U-15 crosses should conform to Federation high school lengths.

Games will start promptly on the hour, based on a central horn. If your team isn’t ready, you in risk of losing the opening face-off-play may begin early if both teams are present and set to start. If you start early, you can add a few minutes to the first half. The second half should remain 20 minutes in length.

In case of a tie, the team that scores first wins. Tournament scorekeepers will note first goal in the scorebook.

Up to four long poles are allowed on the field. A long pole on face off is also allowed.
Mercy Rule…at a five goal differential, officials award the face off to the trailing team. Teams behind in the score may waive the mercy rule.

We are following Federation youth rules and will abide by the following:

* The U-13 bracket will not allow one-handed stick checks and a slash penalty will be assessed. High and out of control swings will also earn a slash penalty. U-15 play allows one-handed checks but they must demonstrate accuracy and control. Stick checks should be under control at all times and on the glove or the stick-not on the neck, shoulder, upper arm or back.

* Players may box out and push opponents off the ball unless the official determines there was excessive force. The official will judge if the player was trying to play the ball or trying to knock his opponent over…the deliberate “take out” check (illegal body check).

* Players losing their balance as a result of light contact does not necessarily constitute a take-out check. Don’t expect a call every time someone hits the ground. The officials will factor in equal vs. unequal pressure, incidental contact, physical abilities, and do their best on intent (ball vs. man).

* No ten-second or twenty-second advance-the-ball count. Normal four-second goalkeeper count applies.

* Stall warning in effect the last two minutes for the team ahead (“Keep it in!”)

* No baiting, taunting or profanity

Fans are to watch from the far sideline. Only coaching personnel and players are allowed on the near sideline. The tournament will provide table personnel.

All participants are to be respectful of others at all times. Practice space may be at a premium between games and any conflicts should be negotiated amicably. Find a share space. Please respect the grounds and facilities at the Rancho Bernardo school complex.
If the game schedule is significantly impacted by lightning delays, we will reschedule affected games for the end of the tournament Day Two, so while we anticipate concluding the tournament by 3:00 pm on Sunday, things could go later.

Medical Services

The tournament will have the services of an EMT/Training Staff on site. The staff will be located near the tournament headquarters tent in the Vendor Village.
If any of your participants are in need of medical attention, send word to the trainer or ask the nearest tournament staffer to assist in getting the medical professionals to your party.

Site Policies

We are utilizing a public school facility. In order to maintain a positive working relationship with the Rancho Bernardo school staff and Poway Unified School District, please observe the following:

Hours of Use. Daylight hours.

Conduct. Not person shall engage in fighting, riotous, threatening or indecent conduct use
any abusive, threatening, profane or indecent language while on school property. Verbal or physical abuse of tournament staff or coaches, players, and spectators associated with the various users will not be permitted. Anyone violating this regulation will be asked to leave the premises immediately.

Damage and Clean Up. The User shall require that all persons it is responsible for (coaches, players, spectators and others) use the fields in a safe, prudent, and responsible manner and only for their usual and intended purpose. The User shall be liable for any damage (other than ordinary wear and tear) resulting to the fields, including pavilions, restrooms, and improvements adjacent to the fields by either the User or the persons it is responsible for supervising. The User shall leave the fields in a clean and orderly condition. All trash shall be disposed of properly and all equipment shall be returned to its designated location.

* Alcohol. No person shall posses or use any alcoholic beverages within school grounds.

* Drugs. No person shall posses or use any illegal drugs within the school boundaries.

* Pets. Dogs must be leashed or under the control of the owner. Dogs may not be tethered to trees or school equipment when damage is likely to occur. Pet owners are responsible for clean up after their animal.

* Parking. Please park in the designated areas (see site map). Driving or parking on the grass is not allowed.

* Restrooms and portapottties. Use them, not the great outdoors.

* Fires. Fires within the school boundaries are prohibited, with the exception of propane barbecues.

* Lightning. Field users should exercise discretion in the presence of lightning and seek shelter in automobiles or nearby buildings.

* Lost and Found. The Poway Unified School District is not responsible for personal property that is lost or stolen. A “lost and found” is maintained at the tournament headquarters tent for the duration of the tournament.

We want to welcome you to San Diego and please enjoy your tournament experience in a safe and sane manner. Thank you.

Tom Summers
San Diego Youth Lacrosse Festival
November 14, 2006