Lacrosse is the fastest game on two feet! It builds strength! It builds confidence! It builds character! It's also the fastest growing sport in the country! It has the lowest drop-out rate of any youth sport! Overall - It is extremely fun and exciting to play!
Lacrosse is a spring sport. Practices start around late March/early April and games will begin the first week of April and continue until mid-June.
We offer varying programs all year. Our main registration for the spring season opens in January.
We are a recreation team that travels and plays other recreation teams in surrounding towns. There are no cuts; everyone who signs up gets to play.
The following is required for all players:
Helmet
Shoulder Pads (NOCSAE Certified )
Elbow/Arm Pads
Gloves
Mouth Guard
Cleats
Cup Protection
Cleats
Stick
We advise you to go to a store and try everything on. When buying a stick, there are a few things to look for. A stick with a hard mesh or a traditional pocket is recommended. There are several local stores that carry lacrosse equipment; Dick’s Sporting Goods, Lacrosse Unlimited (Longmeadow). We recommend going to Lacrosse Unlimited (Longmeadow) to get fitted properly for equipment and sticks if you are new to the sport.
We recommend a String King Complete stick for elementary and middle school lacrosse players. String King offers very reasonable priced sticks designed appropriate to each age group. Two great stick options to start with are listed below.
The best complete stick for youth lacrosse. The Complete 2 Junior youth stick was designed from top to bottom to help young lacrosse players develop their skills and have fun. Get a complete lacrosse stick made specifically for youth players up to 10U youth lax. (Bantams)
The best complete lacrosse stick for middle school players. The Complete 2 Intermediate is a reliable stick that features a versatile Legend lacrosse head and premium metal shaft. It combines consistency, performance, and convenience in an affordable lacrosse stick. Shop the StringKing Complete 2 Intermediate stick for middle school lacrosse. (Juniors and Seniors)
Typically you can get into lacrosse gear for around $300. This varies with brands and retailers. We recommend visiting Lacrosse Unlimited in Longmeadow for all your lacrosse needs. It is best to go into the store to try on equipment for the best fit. They also often offer bundles that can be purchased for new players at a lower cost.
Most practices will take place at Minnechaug Regional High School. Some teams may use other town fields depending on schedules.
Roughly half of each teams’ games will occur at home. Away games will be scheduled within the western MA area. We typically don’t have to travel very far for away games.
We will be hosting a tournament this season in Wilbraham. In the past, teams have traveled to the Equinox Tournament in Vermont and also participated in other local Jamborees. All of these events are great fun for players and families. The spring schedule is still being determined.
Boys lacrosse is a contact sport. Boys Bantams and below, however, play with minimal physical contact. The focus is on developing their lacrosse skills. Beginning in Juniors physical contact is allowed and is taught by coaches appropriately. In addition, there are a variety of rules in place to care for the safety of players while on the field.
Yes, boys’ lacrosse is a contact sport; however, the rules and the equipment contribute to making it a very safe sport. US Lacrosse provides guidelines for coaching, refereeing and playing. Each game (for grades 3 and up) is officiated by professional lacrosse referees who enforce sportsmanship and regulations which keeps the game safe. The national injury rate for boy’s lacrosse is 2.89 injuries per 1,000 participants, the most common injury being ankle sprains. For comparison purposes, the injury rate for football is 4.36, and soccer is 2.43. For more information on lacrosse safety, please visit www.USLacrosse.org.
As a program, we have decided that we will only fundraise through our team clothing drives, our home tournament and for our bus trip to Gillette Stadium to see the NCAA Championship Lacrosse Game. All of these double as team building and spirit options to help grow and promote our program. We ask parents volunteer at tailgating events and tournaments to help support success of the Falcon Lacrosse Program.