Westfield Girls Lacrosse Spring Program
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Updated Feb-3-2010 - Inter County definitions adjusted
Introduction
The goal of the girl's lacrosse program is to match the expectations and abilities of the players with the expectations and goals of each team, allowing everyone a chance to play at an appropriate level and learn to play the game of lacrosse.
1. Elite program
This program is intended for girls who desire to compete at the highest levels. The goal of the Elite program is to train committed, highly skilled players to compete with the best teams in NJ, PA, and CT by playing NJJGLL "developmental" or 'D' teams and in competitive tournaments. By maintaining a consistent group of players from 5th through 8th grade who are learning a common curriculum and set of game strategies, we hope to continuously improve the quality of players entering our high school programs.
2. Select program
This is our traditional travel lacrosse program, which is intended to allow average skilled or less committed girl's to learn the game, develop their skills, and compete in 10-12 games per season against other NJJGLL member towns.
3. Inter-County program
Inter-County is our new recreational lacrosse program for 5th and 6th grade only. This is a good option for girls who are involved in many other activities in the spring, are just getting started with lacrosse, or desire a more recreational experience. There is one practice and one game per week. Games are played either among Westfield players and/or neighboring towns such as Fanwood/Scotch Plains, Clark, Cranford, etc.
All teams at grade levels 5/6 and 7/8 have a similarly structured system of play that is coordinated in a way that players entering the Westfield High School program have learned a style of play that will help them succeed. The club works in cooperation with the WHS coaches to develop and enhance this curriculum. Coaches at all levels within our programs follow this curriculum, albeit at different levels of rigor and intensity depending on the grade and level of the program.
Management Philosophy
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The WLC subscribes to the teachings of the Positive Coaching Alliance and organizes coaching clinics and training for Westfield coaches. We are also affiliated with US Lacrosse and encourage our coaches to become level 2 certified.
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The range of programs described above is designed to support the range of attitudes and values on fun and competition. The meaning of “fun” for some girls is a strong social experience and bonding with friends; for others it’s a hard won victory over a top ranked competitor. We appreciate parent efforts to understand what their daughter values and guide her to the program in which she can have the most fun.
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We recognize that children develop at different rates and levels and their values change over time. We expect movement between the above programs from year to year. A girl who played Elite in 6th grade might play Select in 7th grade, and vice versa.
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We would like to send as many girls into the high school lacrosse program as possible and recognize that the best way to do that is ensure that they are having fun while learning and getting better.
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Tryouts and player evaluations are conducted by independent professional trainers. The WLC seeks to minimize the potential for parent-coach bias and cronyism in the team selection process.
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Regarding playing time our guidance to coaches is:
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“AAA”: Players who demonstrate their love of the game and commitment to the team through Attendance in practice, their Attitude (hustle, player coach-ability, respecting everyone), and Ability (developed on and off the practice field), earn their minutes of playing time in games and tournaments.
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Each player may expect a minimum of one quarter playing time in a regular season game.
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At the recreational level, coaches are encouraged to keep playing time as balanced and equal as possible.
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Schedule games against reasonably matched competitors to avoid blow-outs in either direction.
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Leverage professional trainers and experienced coaches to continuously improve the quality of training and management we can deliver.
3rd Grade, 4th Grade
WLC offers a single instructional program for girls in 3rd and 4th grade. The focus of this program is on teaching the fundamentals of scooping, throwing and catching and the basics of the game.
Fundamental of the 3rd and 4th grade levels:
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There are no try-outs or cuts at this level – it is open to all. We want as many girls as possible giving lacrosse a try at this age to see if they like it. Girls should get exposure to playing all positions – no specialization.
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3rd grade practices separately from 4th grade
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Primary emphasis on stick work and fun activities that maximize the number of touches and skill advancement of the players. Focus on combining learning of skills and having fun on the field.
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Teach girls to pick up the ball, hold onto it while moving, and pass and catch.
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Coaches utilize a progression of skills to be learned and a catalog of age appropriate drills effective in teaching those skills.
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Games are a combination of in town ‘pick-up’ style scrimmages and games versus other near-by towns such as Summit, Cranford and Scotch Plains/Fanwood.
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One tournament / Play date per year. Possible second Tournament / play day for more advanced players.
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At the end of the season, the 4th grade will participate in a development game versus a near-by town 5th & 6th grade rules.
5th/6th Grade Programs
As described in the introduction, girls in 5th and 6th grade have three levels of play: an Elite Team, Select teams, and an Inter-county team. Players on the Elite Team also play on the Select teams.
Fundamentals of the 5th and 6th grade levels:
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Continued emphasis on fundamentals of the game
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Introduction of higher level skills and game play tactics
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Begin to specialize into primary and secondary positions
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5/6 Blue Devil Elite Team (BDE)
As a result of the fall tryout and selection process, the 20 most accomplished girls (10 per grade) are invited to commit (click to see sample commitment letter) to the Elite team. The 5/6 BDE program participates at the “A” Division” level in competitive tournaments only (at this time NJJGLL does not sponsor a ‘Development Team” concept for 5/6 grade). Part of the commitment is that these same girls also participate in our Select program (see below). In addition to the Select program games and practices, BDE players commit to an additional two practices per week.
The BDE program pays for professional trainers with significant experience and credentials. In addition, tournament registration fees are expensive. Therefore registration fees for the BDE program are significantly higher than the others.
5/6 Elite Program goals:
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Focus on being competitive and improvement at tournaments
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Build on skills already in place, raise level
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Standard curriculum, trained coaches
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Run an offense with a set and roles
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Learn good 8 meter defense with slides
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Push tempo on transitions
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Practice special situations
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Play primary and secondary positions
5/6 Select teams
Registration for this program is restricted to the players in 5th/6th grade who tried out for these positions in the Fall and were invited to play at this level. Please do not register for this program unless you were notified to do so by Tom Weisse or Ann Gretsky. Thank you.
As a result of the fall tryouts, 40 girls are invited to participate in the Select program. 20 of these girls also are invited to the BDE program (above). Two equally balanced teams of 20 are formed from the group of 40 girls. (This is a working plan, subject to change depending on registration numbers).
5/6 Select Program goals:
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Focus on being competitive in the NJJGLL travel league and improvement
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Build on skills already in place, raise level
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Standard curriculum, trained coaches
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Run an offense with a set and roles
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Teach good 8 meter defense with slides
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Push tempo on transitions, practice draws
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Play multiple positions
5/6 Inter County
This program is open to all 5th or 6th grade Westfield girls to play in-town in a two team structure. Play approximately 6 - 8 games with local clubs. Practice two days a week, play one day a week.
5/6 grade Inter County Program Goals:
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Focus on improving and beginning to compete
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Teach players good individual skills
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Learn a basic offense set
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Learn good 8 meter defense with simple slides
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Play multiple positions Introduce draws, transition play
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7th and 8th Grade Programs
The 7/8 grade program has two levels of play, including an Elite Team and a Select team. Players on the Elite Team will play Developmental Teams in the NJJGLL League and in tournaments. Elite and Select players are invited to commit to these programs as a result of try outs conducted in the fall. At this time we do not anticipate sufficient interest in an Inter County program for the 7/8 grade level – this may change in the future depending on registration.
Fundamentals at the 7/8 levels:
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Teach the team to play as a team, focus on primary position, then secondary.
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Teach creating space and opportunities on offense, teach both pressure and 8 meter defense, and teach transitional play and checking.
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7/8 Blue Devil Elite Team (BDE)
At the 7/8 level, the BDE team does everything as a unit and does not overlap with the Select program like in the 5/6 grade level. Games are scheduled against NJJGLL “Development teams” and other top teams across the state. The schedule typically includes 10 – 12 games per season, plus 2 – 4 tournaments, and 3 practices per week. The BDE team consists of no more than 20 girls (including goalies).
7/8 Elite Program goals:
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Focus on being competitive and improvement
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Build on skills already in place, raise level
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Standard curriculum, trained coaches
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Know and run an offense with a set and roles
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Know and run a good 8 meter defense with slides
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Push tempo on transitions
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Practice special situations
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Play primary positions until we establish a comfortable lead then try rotation to secondary positions
7/8 Select Team
Registration for this program is open to all 7th/8th grade girls who are not on the Blue Devil Elite team. Practices are three times per week. Each girl will play in approximately ten games a season. In 2010 we anticipate having a single larger team (~30 players) with an extended schedule with a player rotation plan. At the coach’s discretion and with support from parents, girls may participate in a “B” division tournament during the season.
7/8 Select Team goals:
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Focus on improving
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Teach players good individual skills
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Standard curriculum, trained coaches
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Know and run a basic offense set
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Know and run good 8 meter defense with simple slides
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Learn structured transitions
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Primary and secondary positions
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Introduce special situations
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Try outs
Assessments for players in 5th – 8th grade are held in late October/early November. Check our website home page for details. Registration and a nominal assessment fee ($25) are required to cover the costs of independent trainer/evaluators.
Assessment Methodology
Player evaluations are conducted using a combination of countable/timed events as well as observation in mini-game play situations. Girls may prepare for the countable/timed events by conditioning and practicing their fundamental skills. Following is a list of the typical events that are measured.
Measurable Activities
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Wall Ball (count):
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Players have 30 seconds to see how many times they can execute a pass catch against a wall. Measure right hand, and then measure left hand. Players can re-test after all have gone if time permitting.
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GB Dash (timed):
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40 yard dash with a ground ball to pick up half way. Player must have ball in stick to cross finish line. Can re-test at the end if time permitting.
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Box Run (timed):
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Set up cones in a box 10 yards per side. Player always faces same direction - no stick. Begins with a sprint straight ahead, then shuffles right, back pedals, shuffles left.
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ZZ Run (timed):
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Set up cones in a giant slalom fashion from baseline to 50 meter. With ball in stick, player sprints while cradling to finish line. Must have ball in stick to cross finish line.
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Shot Speed (mph):
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Have a speed gun behind a goal, players crank shots, only shots on goal count.
Mini-Games
General game play: Set up small sided or 7v7 situation and evaluate. Players are ranked on scale from 1 – 5:
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Overall game play
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Defense-ability
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Dodging
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Cutting
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Field sense/awareness
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