Grades 1-2

Of course.  While Loveland Youth Boys Lacrosse is the designated feeder program for our boys Loveland HS team, we welcome all youth players in Loveland & surrounding communities.  It’s important to know however the Loveland MS boys lacrosse program is heavily focused as prep for JV and Varsity ball specifically at Loveland High School.  While our MS program will also welcome players from any local communities or the private schools, we strongly suggest and highly recommend your son participate in the local MS program serving his future high school.  We simply ask you let us know his high school lacrosse plans before the start of 8^th grade spring lacrosse  so we can plan.

For contact information for other local middle school boys programs, e-mail Michael Cotsonas, Director Youth & MS Boys Lacrosse mcotsonas@gmail.com

Youth & MS boys practice begins in late February.  Youth games start first Sunday in March and end by Mother's Day. MS games start mid-March and end mid-May.

Youth boys players practice twice a week, either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday.   Games are usually Sunday afternoons.  MS practices are held late afternoons after work hours Monday through Friday, with games usually on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays.

For MS boys, they will practice and play a reduced schedule over the break. However, there is no penalty for missing practices/games.  IMPORTANT NOTE!  At the HS level, they DO practice and play over the break. And like any other HS sport, there are repercussions for missing practices or games for unexcused absences that would likely include game suspensions, etc. It’s important to know that when you transition from MS lacrosse to HS lacrosse.

For youth boys, no.  Though we usually will play a game that Sunday before the Monday return to school. But if you are away on break, no problem.

At both youth and middle school level, more skilled players will practice/play with/against more skilled players. Less skilled players will practice/play with/against less-skilled players.

Specific to the youth level, the coaches think like teachers when placing the players on teams. It’s not about who they’re friends with, or if they are second or third-year players, or even if they were on the more skilled team at a younger level and now being placed on the less-skilled team in the higher grade. It’s about putting players in the best position to improve.

It’s similar to a student that was in advanced math in one grade, but the next year was placed in regular math. It’s for a reason - to master the fundamentals so he’ll be ready to move to the next level.

Of course, we do make mistakes sometimes, and of course we’re open to discussing this at any time.  There is no “24-hour Rule” for our youth coaches since we consider them lacrosse teachers (school teachers don’t have 24 hr rule, so we don’t either. Approach us anytime we are free.)  For our middle school program, we ask you use your judgment about timing for contacting the coaches.

If you’re concerned about the quality of coaches for our new and less-skilled players, remember that our most experienced coaches (former college players and former high school coaches, etc.) work predominately with the less skilled groups.

Stick - Please don’t spend a lot on a new stick, especially not for a new player.

Sticks we would recommend for new boy players include:

• Warrior Burn Next (Most Recommended)
  • Available at Dick's Sporting Goods for $40
• String King Complete2
  • Available at Velocity Lacrosse in West Chester for $99

Helmet -  A new costs about $100, while a used one about $40-$50. Youth can use any color.

Gloves

Arm Pads

Shoulder Pads - there are lots to choose from, just make sure they fit well.

Cup – Required for all players at all times!

Mouth Guard – Mandatory! Please get the kind that attach, only get a few spares for game time.  If a player has lost his mouth guard, he can’t play.

Cleats – Football or soccer cleats are fine, no baseball cleats.

Note:
Whether you want to get new or used equipment is up to you. Kids grow quickly and you’ll find that they outgrow their equipment. “Play It Again Sports” usually has quality merchandise for 50-70% less than new. Sales staff is knowledgeable and helpful.
If you decide to buy new, please visit Dick’s (sponsors Loveland Lacrosse),or Velocity Lacrosse in West Chester.  Those stores have package deals with sticks, but can usually do a package without stick if you already have one. A full new package is usually around $200.

Of course!  While we encourage youth boys players to attend as many practices & games as possible, there is no penalty for missing practice or games. The decision to have your son involved in multiple sports is left solely to the parents. Since our focus at youth boys is teaching lacrosse versus winning games, we utilize game days as valuable 'teachable moments' in their lacrosse development.  This flexibility allows many boys currently involved in other spring sports to try lacrosse.  They experience the speed and action of the game so many of their friends are talking about.  Our rosters are filled with former recreational and select traditional spring sport players that ‘tried’ lacrosse for one season and are now hooked.  Both player and parent feel there’s just too much action in lacrosse to go back to standing around waiting for their turn or the ball to come their way.   There’s a reason why it’s called “The fastest game on two feet.”

Again, we leave the decision to the parents, but at the boys MS level missing practice or games becomes much more of a challenge.  Our boys MS coaches do a lot of teaching during practice, and missing sessions means missing opportunities to learn.  These missed opportunities might lead to a reduction in playing time on game day and it’s only fair to let the player and parents understand that up front. However, we welcome any new or experienced player who signs up, and there are no restrictions on players being involved in other spring sports if they choose.

Plenty.  The youth & MS boys teams participate in a number of fun local tournaments in addition to our regular season.  Additionally, the Loveland High School boys varsity lacrosse head coach and captains meet with our MS players.  We offer camps in the month of June, as well as casual and fun-focused box lacrosse leagues in the summer and winter that attract players from across Cincinnati, Dayton and NKY.  We’re proud to note our summer league is the largest outdoor box lacrosse league in the Midwest.      For our youth players, we offer the only formal Ball Boy program, where our youth players serve as ball boys at varsity home games. They meet with the varsity coaching staff prior to the game, get to go into the locker room for the final chalk talk with the players, lead the team out of the locker room for pre-game, and join the players in the post-game hand shake line as they all shake hands with the opposing team.

Contact Michael Cotsonas, Executive Head Coach for Loveland Youth & Middle School boys lacrosse