Contents

• • • • • • • • • • Introduction St. Paul’s Lacrosse Club Overview – 8 th Grade/Freshman Team – – Junior Varsity Varsity Administrators and Coaches Louisiana High School Lacrosse League (LHSLL) US Lacrosse Equipment Game Overview The Role of Parents Concussions Frequently Asked Questions 2

Introduction

Your son has expressed interest in joining the St. Paul’s Lacrosse Club. If this is your first lacrosse experience, welcome to the fastest growing sport in the United States. Participation in U.S. high school lacrosse grew 528 percent between 1990 and 2008, as per the National Federation of State High School Associations.

This guide provides basic information about the St. Paul’s Lacrosse Club and the sport of Lacrosse. The intent is to make your son’s transition into St. Paul’s Lacrosse a positive experience. You should also receive a St. Paul’s Lacrosse Team Handbook. The handbook contains more information on the organization’s philosophy, standards, and expectations for its members.

If you have a question or concern that is not addressed in this guide, please contact one of the coaches.

Welcome to St. Paul’s Lacrosse.

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St. Paul’s Lacrosse Overview

• • • • • • Mascot – Wolves Colors – Royal Blue and Gold St. Paul’s Lacrosse Club was formed in October 2008 under the direction of parents Kevin Power and Louie Dubuc.

In 2009, St. Paul’s fielded its first teams competing in the Louisiana High School Lacrosse League (LHSLL) Division 2. The Wolves’ roster included sixty student-athletes.

In 2010, St. Paul’s moved to LHSLL Division 1. Coach Austin Speni joined the program as the varsity Head Coach leading the Wolves to their first playoff berth.

In 2011, over 90 student-athletes participated in the program. The Varsity Wolves secured a 7-3 overall league record (6-1 in district) and hosted a playoff game in Hunter Stadium. The JV Wolves wrapped up the season with a City Tournament Championship. The Freshman and 8 th Grade Wolves also fielded competitive teams.

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th

Grade/Freshman Team

The 8th and 9th grade program is designed to teach the basics of lacrosse. The coaches will cover individual skills and introduce certain systems that players will need to be familiar with as they progress through the high school program. 8th grade players are allowed to play other school sports such as soccer, basketball, and wrestling and join the lacrosse club after the winter seasons have ended. We ask that players commit themselves to their respective sports depending on the season. 9th graders are asked to make lacrosse their priority once our official practice sessions have begun. There will be occasions during the season that we split the 8th and 9th graders up and make two different teams. One is usually a freshmen team and the other is called a U15 team. The freshmen team will be a little more competitive but still stay true to playing the entire roster. This group will practice three times a week and will be coached by Tim Hoy with assistance from all the coaches. Players will be provided a reversible practice jersey, home game jersey, and away game jersey. Jerseys will be handed out by the coaching staff closer to the season. All players MUST have a valid US Lacrosse membership before playing with the team. All players MUST have completed all school paperwork and be cleared by the Athletic Department before they can come to practice. Players are required to adhere to the school's and the team's code of conduct. Players will be excused from the club if these rules are not followed. 5

Junior Varsity

The Junior Varsity program is reserved for 10th and 11th grade student athletes. This is the development team of the varsity program. The main objective of the JV program is to prepare players for varsity. This group will practice along side the varsity team and will be coached by Kevin Power with assistance from the varsity coaches. Players will be provided a reversible practice jersey, home game jersey, and away game jersey. Jerseys will be handed out by the coaching staff closer to the season. Like the varsity program, there will be a strict policy towards practice attendance. Players are expected to be committed to the lacrosse program during the season's entirety. All players MUST have a valid US Lacrosse membership before playing with the team. All players MUST have completed all school paperwork and be cleared by the Athletic Department before they can come to practice. Players are required to adhere to the school's and the team's code of conduct. Players will be excused from the club if these rules are not followed.

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Varsity

The Varsity Team is the most highly competitive team in the St. Paul's Lacrosse Program. Its objective is to field a roster of the most competitive players in the program and win the state championship. Playing time is decided by the head coach and the coaching staff. Playing time is based on skill, commitment, hard work, and character. Coaches will only discuss playing time with individual players. We are going to dress 25-30 players in each game. Players are required to make lacrosse their number one priority during the lacrosse season. Only players involved in a fall school sport are allowed to miss practice. This year the varsity program will have a zero tolerance for unexcused absences. These will be outlined in the Varsity Player Handbook. The team will practice four days a week at Hunter Stadium in the evening. What is expected of players wishing to play varsity?

1. November 28th all players will be required to run one mile in under 8 minutes.

2. November 28th all players will be required to do 50 continuous pushups. There will be an extensive focus by the coaching staff on physical conditioning this year. Players will be required to attempt these two tasks at every practice until they are achieved.

Players will be issued a home and away uniform. Numbers will be 1-25 and selected in the following order: returning seniors, returning juniors, seniors, juniors, sophomores.

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• • • • • • •

Administrators and Coaches

Craig Ketelsen – Athletic Director – email [email protected]

Louie Dubuc – Manager/Treasurer/Coach – email [email protected]

Austin Speni – Head Coach – email [email protected]

– Phone: (985) 801-9987 Kevin Power – Assistant Coach – email [email protected]

John Meibaum – Assistant Coach – email [email protected]

– Phone: (504) 722-6439 Brady Ward – Assistant Coach – email [email protected]

Tim Hoy – Freshman and 8 th Grade Coach – email [email protected]

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• • • • • St. Paul’s Lacrosse Club is a member of the LHSLL, Louisiana High School Lacrosse League (www.lhsll.com).

The LHSLL was formed in 2008 to provide a framework and organizational structure for the growth of youth lacrosse in the State of Louisiana.

The LHSLL governs items such as league membership, player eligibility, game rules, game scheduling, and district and league championships.

St. Paul’s competes in the LHSLL Division 1 East District along with Brother Martin, Catholic High of Baton Rouge, Dutchtown, Jesuit, Mandeville, Ocean Springs, and Rummel.

LHSLL Division 1 West District members include C.E. Byrd, Caddo-Magnet, Captain Shreve, Lafayette, Loyola, and St. Thomas More.

LHSLL Division 1 East

D J Brother Martin Crusaders

M

Catholic High BEARS Ocean Springs GREYHOUNDS Jesuit BlueJays Mandeville Skippers Dutchtown GRIFFINS Rummel Raiders 9

• • • US Lacrosse is the national governing body of men's and women's lacrosse, primarily serving the youth game. It provides a leadership role in virtually every aspect of the game, boasts 63 chapters throughout the United States, and offers programs and services to inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the sport.

All St. Paul’s Lacrosse Club participants MUST be members of US

Lacrosse prior to participating in club activities. Log onto www.uslacrosse.org

to become a member. Annual dues are $35.

When registering, ensure that you affiliate with St. Paul’s School (USL Group ID: 2417372).

Membership in US Lacrosse provides several benefits including Liability and Accident Medical Insurance.

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•

Lacrosse Equipment

Protective Equipment – All players are required to wear: • • • • • • • Shoulder Pads - Shoulder pads will protect your player’s shoulders and chest from balls and mishandled sticks. They typically cost $30-$100.

Arm Pads – Arm pads protect your son’s forearms, elbows and triceps. For maximum protection, they should overlap with shoulder pads and gloves. They cost between $20 and $60.

Gloves – Gloves will protect your son’s fingers, hands, and wrists. Basic gloves are great for beginners, but nicer gloves allow for better protection and finger movement. Gloves can cost $30-$200.

Athletic Supporter/Cup - No matter how old your son is, he will need a comfortable cup that is the right size. Cups will cost $20-$40.

Suitable Footwear - Cleats are essential for good traction during the game. Soccer or football cleats work great; however, metal cleats or spikes are not allowed. Cleats will cost $35-$100.

Helmet - A good helmet is essential for protecting your player’s head, jaw, teeth and eyes and protecting from concussions. Make sure to get a lacrosse helmet, not a batting, football or hockey helmet. New lacrosse helmets will cost between $150 and $200.

Mouthguard – You will want to get a colored mouthguard that is clearly visible to officials. Mouthguards that attach to the helmet are great because they’re much more difficult to lose. Mouthguards cost $5-$30.

• • • •

Required for Goalkeepers (in addition to above):

Chest Protector Throat Guard Goalkeepers are not required to wear shoulder pads.

Goalie pants and shin guards are optional –

DO NOT ALTER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT!

• Violations will incur a 3-minute unreleasable penalty 11

The Crosse

• More commonly referred to as a “stick”.

•

Pocket Rules: maximum pocket size

For the legal pocket, the top ball must be at least a bit above the bottom edge of the sidewall. Or, put another way, the pocket is illegal if the top surface of the lacrosse ball, when placed in the pocket, is below the bottom edge of the sidewall. Lacrosse heads are one of the most varied pieces of equipment. There are over 100 different models on the market today. The heads are made of a polymer and have many different features. For the beginning player, the most important factor is the mesh. A beginner should have a soft mesh and they should use a low-to-mid priced head. After playing a couple of years, they can move up to more specialized heads and to stiffer hard mesh which will give them more control with passing, catching, and shooting.

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The Crosse

The LHSLL has adopted the 2010 NCAA lacrosse head specifications for play beginning in the 2012 season.

The 2010 NCAA lacrosse specifications are a new set of standards for measuring the dimensions of a lacrosse head used during a game where NCAA men's lacrosse rules are in effect. Specifically, it outlines four points on a lacrosse head that must conform to a set of minimum dimensions.

Not Legal Legal Legal

What this means to you – Your son must use a stick with a head manufactured to

the new specifications. Purchasing a new stick does not guarantee that it meets the new specifications. Lacrosse equipment manufacturers continue to provide heads manufactured to both the old and new dimensions. When purchasing a new stick be sure to verify that it meets the new NCAA specifications. Some manufacturers designate NCAA legal heads with an X. For example Brine Clutch X or Warrior EVO X. If you are unsure if a stick meets the required specifications consult with a coach prior to purchasing.

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Game Overview

Boys’ lacrosse is a contact game played by 10 players. The object of the game is to shoot the ball into the opponent’s goal and to keep the other team from scoring. The team scoring the most goals wins.

Positions:

Each team must keep at least four players, including the goalie, in its defensive half of the field and three in its offensive half.

Three players (midfielders) may roam the entire field. Attackmen and defenders, including the goalie, can cross midfield, but another player that would normally be able to cross the line has to stay behind the line to ensure that the team has the proper number of players on each side.

Attack (3 per team) The attackman’s responsibility is to:

• Score goals and assist goals by passing the ball • Stay on the offensive side of the field • Demonstrate excellent stick work with both hands and have quick feet

Midfield (3 per team) The midfielder’s responsibility is to:

• Cover the entire field playing offense and defense • Clear the ball from defense to offense • Demonstrate great stick work (throwing, catching, ground balls) • Possess speed and stamina 14

Defense (3 per team) The defenseman’s responsibility is to:

• Defend the goal • Be agile, aggressive and possess great stick work • Read any attackman’s play and react quickly in game situations

Goalie (1 per team) The goalie’s responsibility is to:

• Protect the goal and prevent the opposing team from scoring • Lead the defense by directing defensemen to react • Possess excellent hand-eye coordination and a strong voice

Face-off:

Play begins with a face-off. The ball is placed between the sticks of two squatting players at the center of the field. The official blows the whistle to begin play. Each face-off player tries to control the ball. The players in the wing areas can run after the ball when the whistle sounds. The other players must wait until one player has gained possession of the ball, or the ball has crossed into the offensive zone, before they can release. Face-offs are also used at the start of each quarter and after a goal is scored.

Basic Skills:

Field players must use their crosses to pass, catch and run with the ball. Only the goalkeeper may touch the ball with his hands.

A player may gain possession of the ball by dislodging it from an opponent’s crosse with a stick check, the controlled poking and slapping of the stick and gloved hands of the player with the ball.

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Personal Fouls

The penalty for a personal foul results in a one-to-three minute suspension from play and possession to the team that was fouled. Players with five personal fouls are ejected from the game, though this is a very rare occurrence in lacrosse.

Slashing: When a player’s stick viciously contacts an opponent in any area other than the stick or gloved hand on the stick.

Tripping: When a player obstructs his opponent at or below the waist with the crosse, hands, arms, feet or legs.

Cross Checking: When a player uses the handle of his crosse between his hands to make contact with an opponent.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct: When any player or coach acts in a way deemed by an official as unsportsmanlike conduct, including taunting, arguing or obscene language or gestures.

Unnecessary Roughness: When a player strikes an opponent with his stick or body using excessive or violent force.

Illegal Body Checking:

A. Body checking an opponent who is not in possession of the ball or within five yards of a loose ball B. Avoidable body check of an opponent after he has passed or shot the ball C. Body checking an opponent from the rear or at or below the waist D. Body checking an opponent above the shoulders. A body check must be below the shoulders and above the waist, and both hands of the player applying the body check must remain in contact with his crosse.

Illegal Crosse:

When a player uses a crosse that does not conform to required specifications. A crosse may be found illegal if the pocket is too deep or if any other part of the crosse was altered to gain an advantage.

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COMMON Technical Fouls

The penalty for a technical foul is a 30-second suspension if a team is in possession of the ball when the foul is committed, or possession of the ball to the team that was fouled if there was no possession when the foul was committed.

Crease Violation: When an offensive player deliberately, through his own momentum, enters the opponent’s goal-crease or a defensive player, including the goalkeeper, with the ball in his possession, enters from the surrounding playing field into his own goal-crease.

Holding: Illegally impedes the movement of an opponent with the ball.

Illegal Offensive Screening: When an offensive player, through moving contact of his body or equipment, blocks a defensive player from the man he is playing or impedes his normal movements of playing defense.

Interference: When a player interferes in any manner with the free movement of an opponent, except when that opponent has possession of the ball, the ball is in flight and within five yards of the player or both players are within five yards of a loose ball.

Offsides: When a team does not have at least four players on its defensive side of the midfield line or at least three players on its offensive side of the midfield line.

Pushing: When a player thrusts or shoves a player from behind, with or without the ball, unless a player turns.

Stalling: When a team intentionally holds the ball, without conducting normal offensive play, with the intent of running time off the clock.

Warding Off: When a player in possession of the ball uses his free hand or arm to hold, push or control the direction of an opponent’s stick check.

Withholding The Ball From Play: When a player clamps a loose ball against the ground more than momentarily or clamps the ball against his body to prevent it from being dislodged.

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Lacrosse Terms

Checking: The act of attempting to dislodge the ball from an opponent’s stick.

Clearing: Running or passing the ball from the defensive half of the field to the offensive half of the field.

Cradling: The coordinated motion of the arms and wrists that keeps the ball secure in the pocket and ready to be passed or shot when running.

Crease: The circle around the goal with a radius of nine feet into which only defensive players may enter. Defensive players may not take the ball into the crease – only the goalie.

Extra Man Offense (EMO): A man advantage that results from a time-serving penalty by the other team.

Ground Ball: A loose ball on the playing field. Man Down Defense (MDD): The situation that results from a time-serving penalty which causes the defense to play with at least a one-man disadvantage.

On-The-Fly Substitution: A substitution made during play.

Pick: An offensive maneuver in which a stationary player attempts to block the path of a defender guarding another offensive player.

Play On: If a player commits a loose-ball technical foul or crease violation and an offended player may be disadvantaged by the immediate suspension of play, the official shall visually and verbally signal “play on” and withhold the whistle until such time as the situation of advantage, gained or lost, has been completed.

Release: The term used by an official to notify a penalized player in the box that he may re-enter the game occurs at the conclusion of a time-serving penalty.

Riding: The act of trying to prevent a team from clearing the ball from the offensive half to the defensive half of the field.

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The Role of Parents (from US Lacrosse)

You as the parent are equally as important to your child’s positive lacrosse experience as the coach of the team.

In order for your child to get the most out of playing lacrosse, it is important that you do the following: 1. Be supportive of your child by giving encouragement and showing an interest in his team. Positive reinforcement encourages learning and fun.

2. Attend games whenever possible. If you cannot attend, ask about your child’s experience, not whether the team won or lost.

3. Be a positive role model by displaying good sportsmanship at all times to coaches, officials, opponents and your child’s teammates. “Honoring the game” is an important part of what US Lacrosse represents. Help us by honoring the game in your behavior as a spectator.

4. Let your child set his own goals and play the game for himself. Be your child’s “home court advantage” by giving him your unconditional support regardless of how well he performs.

5. Let the coach coach. Refrain from giving your child advice when he is playing. Also, let the coach know when he is doing a good job.

6. Respect the decisions of the referees or umpires. They are the authority on the field.

7. Read the rulebook. A full understanding of the rules will help you enjoy the game and educate others.

8. Get to know who is in charge. Meet with the leadership of the program, whether it is school sponsored or recreational, to discuss topics such as cost, practice and game scheduling, insurance coverage, emergency procedures, etc. Be a good consumer for your child.

9. Get involved—coach or assist, keep score, run the clock, line the fields, manage the equipment, raise funds, coordinate social events, develop an online picture book, help manage the team web site. These are just a few of the activities that parents can do to get involved and support the team. Go to www.uslacrosse.org for more ways to volunteer.

10. Sit back and enjoy the game. Remember, lacrosse is played for FUN.

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Concussions

(copied from NCAA Rulebook) A concussion is a brain injury that may be caused by a blow to the head, face, neck or elsewhere on the body with an “impulsive” force transmitted to the head.

Concussions can occur without loss of consciousness or other obvious signs.

A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the previous one (hours, days or weeks) can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of having long-term problems. In rare cases, repeat concussions can result in brain swelling, permanent brain damage and even death.

Recognize and Refer: To help recognize a concussion, watch for the following two

events among your student-athletes during both games and practices: 1. A forceful blow to the head or body that results in rapid movement of the head.

-AND-

2. Any change in the student-athlete’s behavior, thinking or physical functioning (see signs and symptoms).

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Signs Observed By Coaching Staff

• Appears dazed or stunned.

Symptoms Reported By Student Athlete

• Headache or “pressure” in head.

• Is confused about assignment or position • Nausea or vomiting.

• Forgets plays. • Balance problems or dizziness.

• Is unsure of game, score or opponent. • Moves clumsily. • Answers questions slowly. • Loses consciousness (even briefly). • Double or blurry vision.

• Sensitivity to light.

• Sensitivity to noise.

• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy or groggy.

• Shows behavior or personality changes. • Can’t recall events before hit or fall. • Can’t recall events after hit or fall. • Concentration or memory problems.

• Confusion.

• Does not “feel right.” An athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion, either at rest or during exertion, should be removed immediately from practice or

competition and should not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health care professional.

Sports have injury timeouts and player substitutions so that student-athletes can get checked.

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Concussions

IF A CONCUSSION IS SUSPECTED: 1. Remove the student-athlete from play. Look for the signs and symptoms of concussion if your student-athlete has experienced a blow to the head. Do not allow the student-athlete to just “shake it off.” Each individual athlete will respond to concussions differently.

2. Ensure that the student-athlete is evaluated right away by an appropriate

health care professional. Do not try to judge the severity of the injury

yourself. Immediately refer the student-athlete to the appropriate athletics medical staff, such as a certified athletic trainer, team physician or health care professional experienced in concussion evaluation and management.

3. Allow the student-athlete to return to play only with permission from a

health care professional with experience in evaluating for concussion.

Allow athletics medical staff to rely on their clinical skills and protocols in evaluating the athlete to establish the appropriate time to return to play.

A return-to-play progression should occur in an individualized, step-wise fashion with gradual increments in physical exertion and risk of contact.

Follow your institution’s physician supervised concussion management protocol.

4. Develop a game plan. Student-athletes should not return to play until cleared by the appropriate athletics medical staff. In fact, as concussion management continues to evolve with new science, the care is becoming more conservative and return-to-play time frames are getting longer.

Coaches should have a game plan that accounts for student-athletes to be out for at least the remainder of the day.

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• • • • • • • • • •

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to join St. Paul’s Lacrosse Club? Any St. Paul’s student is eligible to join the club. However, due to limitations on the number of available uniforms, roster spots are limited. Once the roster is full a waiting list will be available.

How much does club membership cost? Each player is required to pay club dues which covers administrative and team equipment costs (such as referees, uniforms, goals, balls, etc.). Each player is also responsible for purchasing his own protective equipment. Club provided practice jerseys and game uniforms are required to be returned at the end of the season. My son is a Senior. Can he join the club? Yes, but please consider that it is extremely difficult for an inexperienced player. Varsity playing time will be limited and LHSLL rules prohibit seniors from playing on the Junior Varsity squad. When does the season start? Lacrosse is considered a Spring sport. League games begin in mid-January. Pre-season skill and conditioning practices/scrimmages begin after the Thanksgiving holidays. There is no practice during the Christmas holidays.

When/where are practices held? The Varsity and Junior Varsity squads normally practice three to four times per week during the season. 8 in the evening at St. Paul’s.

th Grade and Freshman squads normally practice twice a week. Practices will be held How will my son travel to games? Parents are responsible for their son’s transportation to and from games and practices. How long are practices? Practices usually last 90 minutes.

Can my son play Lacrosse and another sport? It depends. There have been several successful dual sport athletes participate in Lacrosse. If your son wishes to participate in another Spring sport besides Lacrosse please discuss your particular situation with a coach.

How much playing time will my son get? Playing time depends on many factors and is at the sole discretion of the coaches.

Is my son eligible to earn a varsity letter? Varsity letter requirements will be announced at the beginning of the season and are awarded at the sole discretion of the coaches. Requirements will include practice attendance and varsity game participation. Letter jackets are purchased by the player. 8 th graders are not eligible to receive a varsity letter.

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