Parents Rules: (WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED)

• The parent or guardian’s responsibilities to the team include getting your son to practices and games on time and to pick him up afterward in a timely fashion.
• Responsible to adhere to the COVID protocol.
• Cheer for and support the team during games.
• Parents should never interfere with a coach during practices or games and must remain on the opposite side of the field from the players bench at all contests home or away.
• Parents must adhere to the code of conduct outlined in the Randolph Recreation “Yellow Card” system.
• Parents should not offer “advise” or “suggestions” to the coach prior to or immediately following a game.
• We have a 24 hour “no contact” period before discussing games with the coach.
• Coaches are expected to communicate with parents to discuss any concerns.
• Do not embarrass your child during a game with excessive yelling or especially berating an opponent, criticizing an official, (can result in a team penalty) or confronting the coach. The players tend to follow parents and coach’s leads in their behavior.
• Following a game, win or lose, all players and coaches from both teams must be treated with respect and sportsmanship. Anything less is not acceptable.
• Lacrosse is a contact sport and your son may experience some hard hits during a game. This is part of the game and should be expected and accepted.

Parents should also try and learn the rules of the game of lacrosse. (We provide that parent training usually prior to the mandatory meeting in February.)

There are many volunteer opportunities for parents to become involved and support the team. These include: Member of the lacrosse Booster committee (application on our website), scorekeepers, timers, communicators, fundraisers, team manager (mom or pop), and other similar opportunities.

Player Rules:

• Your job is to learn and properly execute the skills associated with the game of lacrosse and perform to the best of your ability in practice and in games. This should be done in a positive atmosphere while having fun.
• Having fun does not mean fooling around at practice during drills or when being taught by a coach.
• Bullying will not be tolerated at any level.
• A player must treat his coaches, teammates, officials, parents, and opponents with respect. This is known as “honoring the game.” Racial slurs to or about an opponent will result in dismissal from the team. Zero tolerance.
• Your personal work ethic will determine how far you go in the sport.
• You must attend practice if you expect to play in games.
• Learn the rules of the game.
• Above all, practice your stickwork on your own time between practices.

Adverse Weather: In the event of adverse weather affecting practices, the Recreation Center Hot-line will be used in addition to our communications system and communication from the team Manager. (https://www.randolphlax.org) Communication will originate from the program Director through the Coaches and Team Managers. This sometimes can be as close as one hour before practice time. Due to our turf field practice time lost to weather is generally minimal.

Injuries and emergencies: If your child is injured during a practice or game, the coaches will assess the extent of the injury. Parents should refrain from going onto the field in such situations unless invited on by the attending coach. If a hospital emergency trip is necessary and a parent is present, they will accompany their son to the ER. If the parent is not in attendance, a member of the coach’s staff or a parent designee will accompany the child and the parents will be notified immediately. In the instance of such an injury, an injury report will be filed with the Rec. Department.

Directions to games: All directions to away game sites can be found on our NJJLL website at www.njlacrosse.com.

Boys Lacrosse Team’s Mission Statements

The Boy's Lacrosse Team is a Randolph Township Recreation Department Traveling Program participating in the New Jersey Junior Lacrosse League which is a chapter affiliate of US Lacrosse Inc. As such, it is the mission of the program to promote lacrosse among the youth participants and to develop lacrosse players who wish to continue to play the sport at a progressively competitive traveling team level. The program is divided into teams as specified by the NJJLL, each with a different set of goals:
Each grade level has an age maximum as follows:

• 8th Grade players cannot turn 15 prior to March 1, 2021
• 7th Grade players cannot turn 14 prior to March 1, 2021
• 6th Grade players cannot turn 13 prior to March 1, 2021
• 5th Grade players cannot turn 12 prior to March 1, 2021
• 4th Grade players cannot turn 11 prior to March 1, 2021
• 3rd Grade players cannot turn 10 prior to March 1, 2021

*Any player in high school is ineligible regardless of age.

Team Grades 1-4: These introductory levels for boys in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade is designed to introduce lacrosse, teach the skills needed to have a sound fundamental base for future development and to have fun. Winning games is de-emphasized, stick-work and skill development are stressed. We want the kids to fall in love with the game. Body checking contact is not allowed at this level during games.

Grade 5: This level of lacrosse for boys primarily in the 5th grade is also introductory in nature and highly participatory with an emphasis on teaching the stick-work skills of the game. Winning is de-emphasized and skill learning is stressed. Again, the goal is to fall in love with the game and to progress to the next level. Body checking contact is not allowed at this level. Team concept is introduced.

Grade 6: At this level, competition begins to become important as well as the continuation of building skills. At this level, dual participation in other spring sports is discouraged as the game becomes more complex. Fun and skill building is stressed, but competition and team success is included in the goal. Boys should begin to play both lefty and righty at this level and teamwork begins to become important. Body checking contact is not allowed. The possibility of an “A” team and a “B” team may exist if numbers permit.

JV Level Grade 7: This level, as at all levels, is still at the teaching/learning stage, however the "game" and "teamwork" are stressed and individual development occurs within the team context. More advanced team concepts are introduced at this level. Boys may be asked to change position for the good of the team, advanced players will begin to differentiate themselves from lesser skilled. Rarely, a player at the 7th grade level may be asked to play "up" on the 8th grade team. The game begins to become more physical at this level and skills and athleticism begin to become more important as development occurs. Dual spring sport participation is not allowed at this level. Strong stick-work is required. An “A” and “B” team (numbers permitting) may be chosen at this level.

Varsity Level Grade 8: This level is the highest competitive and physical level of Junior Lacrosse. The Varsity represents the Town Team in the NJJL league as standings are kept, playoffs are held and a Conference Champion is crowned and the Team would move on to play for the North Jersey finals. All-Stars are chosen and playing opportunities are present for the very best players. "Teamwork" and team play are most important. The "game of Lacrosse " is taught more at this level and the assumption is that basic individual skills have been taught developed over the years. This is not the basic skill level to learn, but rather to develop advanced skills along with team skills at a high level. (New players to the program are always welcome and need to work extra hard on their own time to develop the stick-work and skills necessary to compete.) Fun and competition are stressed and the individual becomes subordinate to the team. A major goal is to move this entire group into high school level of competition with an emphasis on continuation. Dual spring sport participation is discouraged at this level.

Program and Coaches Goals at All Levels

1. Teach stick-work to the extent that your players can handle the stick at an above grade standard.
2. Teach the skills of lacrosse appropriate to each stage of development.
3. Expect players to Honor the Game of Lacrosse through understanding its history, culture and values.
4. To display Exceptional Sportsmanship.
5. To work your players hard at practice in a fair and humane manner encouraging positive reinforcement.
6. 6th-8th Grade: Try and win games within the competitive teaching framework while having fun.
7. 1st-5th Grade: Winning is secondary and should be focused on teaching, learning, and playing in games while having fun. The primary goal is to have the players fall in love with the game.
8. Players will be given a chance to develop as young athletes in a positive encouraging manner.

Team Policies