PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
SPRING HOUSE AND TRAVEL PROGRAMS
Ridgefield Youth Lacrosse is a non-profit organization for the benefit of boys and girls who are residents of Ridgefield, Connecticut. To preserve the integrity of our program and of our neighboring programs, we are not permitted to allow non-residents to participate in Ridgefield Youth Lacrosse program, even if they attend school in Ridgefield, when the non-resident's hometown offers a youth lacrosse program.
The goal of the youth lacrosse program is to create a fun and enthusiastic environment for boys and girls to learn the fundamental skills of lacrosse. We hope to instill in players a love for the game, respect for their teammates, opponents and officials, personal responsibility and an understanding of good sportsmanship.
As a fast growing sport we welcome new players into our spring season program at all age levels. We do not cut anyone from our program. Instead we attempt to place each player on a team that will allow him/her to develop at the quickest pace while enjoying his/her experience. Our “A” level teams consist of our most skilled players who play teams of similar skill from other towns. Our “B” and “Development” level teams are comprised of newer players and players who the coaches determine would have a better opportunity to improve their skills by playing at a less competitive level.
The House Program is for our younger players and takes place at Tiger Hollow and Scotts Ridge Middle School. Our travel teams have home and away games, with away games in Fairfield County and Northern Westchester County.
At the younger levels we encourage children to play a variety of sports and are tolerant of scheduling conflicts. However, as the players get older, particularly at the junior and senior levels, we ask that if they seek a position and are selected for an “A” team that lacrosse be their first commitment. As a general rule, playing time at all levels will be determined by attendance at practices and games. It is unfair to players who have decided to make a commitment to lacrosse and faithfully come to practice to give them the same playing time as someone who comes only occasionally. This is regardless of skill. Coaches will endeavor to play every player in every game, but amounts of time will be at the discretion of the coaches.
BOYS SPRING PROGRAMS
Boys Developmental House Clinic: K - 2nd grade
This house program is for players in grades K-2 and will meet once or twice a week. The emphasis of the house program is to have fun, and to teach players the basic skills and rules of the game. Practices will consist of ninety minute sessions and will focus on skills using a stations format and end with a scrimmage.
BOYS TRAVEL
Boys travel is GRADE-BASED. The spring season will begin in March and usually ends the second or third weekend in June.
Boys Travel Bantam: 3rd grade
Boys Travel Lightning: 4th grade
At the Bantam and Lightning Travel level, we break into equally balanced Travel teams . All players will be evaluated during practices in late March/early April to help the coaches create teams. Players are welcome to play other spring sports at this level but must ensure that coaches are made aware of conflicts so the coaches can ensure there sufficient numbers for each game.
During the season there will be one or two practices and one or two games per week. Games will be against other bantam and lightning travel teams in Fairfield County and nearby Northern Westchester County. Games are usually scheduled on Saturday and Sunday, with some mid-week games possible.
The Bantam season will consist of 8-12 games plus jamborees. Bantam players will play equally and play all four positions: Attack, Midfield, Defense and Goalie.
The Lightning season will consist of 10 - 15 games plus jamborees.
Boys Travel Junior: 5th and 6th grade
The Junior season starts in early/mid March and players will be evaluated and divided into skill level teams (A, B and C). Players selected to the "A" teams will be expected to make lacrosse their primary sport in the spring. Meaning that missing lacrosse practices or games for other spring sports will be frowned upon. On B and C teams, coaches will be more tolerant of spring sports conflicts, but players missing numerous pracitices or games will see decreased playing time. There will be practices twice weekly with games and or practices both during the week and on the weekends. The season will consist of 10-15 games plus jamborees.
Boys Travel Senior: 7th and 8th grade
The Senior season starts in early March and players will be evaluated and divided into skill level teams (A, B and C). Players selected to the "A" teams will be expected to make lacrosse their primary sport in the spring. Meaning that missing lacrosse practices or games for other spring sports will be frowned upon. On B and C teams, coaches will be more tolerant of spring sports conflicts, but players missing numerous pracitices or games will see decreased playing time. There will be practices twice weekly with games and or practices both during the week and on the weekends.
GIRLS SPRING PROGRAMS
Girls Developmental House Clinic: K - 2nd grade
The house program is for our new players in K - 2nd grade and meets once or twice a week. The emphasis of the house program is to have fun and to teach players the basic skills and rules of the game. Practices will consist of ninety minute sessions and will focus on skills using a stations format and typically end with scrimmages.
Girls Travel Bantam: 3rd and 4th grade
Travel Bantams meet two times per week for practice and play one or two games a week in Fairfield County or nearby Northern Westchester County. At the Bantam level, particular attention is devoted to building solid fundamental skills and good habits, introducing the rules of play, developing field awareness and working as a team. Players should have prior clinic or playing experience.
Girls Travel Junior: 5th and 6th grade
Travel Juniors practice twice weekly with games and/or practices both during the week and on the weekends. There may also be one or two one-day tournaments during the season. Games generally are limited to Fairfield County and Northern Westchester County. At the Junior level, the primary emphasis is on reinforcing strong fundamentals and introducing higher level skills, more advanced strategies and developing team synergy on the field. Players will be evaluated prior to the start of the season. The number of players registered together with the skill level of the players will dictate whether teams are purely grade-based, skill-based or balanced. If skill-based, players selected for the "A" teams will be expected to make lacrosse their primary sport in the spring. Players may be moved between teams at the coach's discretion.
Girls Travel Senior: 7th and 8th grade
Travel Seniors practice two or three times weekly with games and or practices both during the week and on the weekends. There may also be one or two one-day tournaments during the season. Games generally are limited to Fairfield County and Northern Westchester County. At the Senior level, the primary emphasis is on reinforcing good habits, introducing higher level individual skills, more advanced team strategies and developing team synergy on the field. Players will be evaluated prior to the start of the season. We anticipate one "A" team for Grade 7 and one "A" team for Grade 8. Remaining players will be placed on "B" teams, possibly with Grades 7 and 8 combined. Players selected for the "A" teams will be expected to make lacrosse their primary sport in the spring. Players may be moved between teams at the coach's discretion.
CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR PLAYERS, COACHES AND PARENTS
All players, coaches and parents are expected to adhere to the CONNY Code of Conduct posted on this website. In addition, we ask parents to remain on the “fan” side of the field, except for special circumstances. Only team coaches, players, scorekeepers and timekeepers will be permitted on the team side of the field.
The consumption of alcohol at any Ridgefield Lacrosse event, home or away, is strictly prohibited.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
