FAQ's

Q: When does the season begin?

A: Practices for the boys and girls high school teams will begin Monday March 19, 2007. The boys youth programs will have a 2-3 "pre-season" practices the last two weeks of March. Regular practices for the boys programs will begin the first week in April. The girls 7th and 8th grade team will begin practices the first week in April. Please check the individual team pages or the home page for the most up to date times and dates. We are very fortunate that Williams College allows us to use their turf field while their students are on break. We will schedule a couple of clinics/practices there until we can get on grass fields.  

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Q: When do practices start outside?

A: We have to be flexible and somewhat creative with field time and space in the early parts of Spring. The grass fields we play on have to be dry in order for us to use them - that means not only does the snow need to be gone but the fields also need to be dry enough so that the first practices do not destroy the grass before it has a chance to get strong enough to last the whole season. During the early parts of the season - we will use the website and email system to communicate any field changes. This is the toughest part of the season and we appreciate patience and flexibility during these 2-3 tenuous weeks.   

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Q: Who do we play?

A: We have created a schedule for the boys travel teams that includes games against Manchester, VT, Bennington, CYC (Pittsfield), Cambridge, NY, Keene NH, and other teams from MA. In addition, we have scheduled a couple tournaments for each team to play in including the UMASS Tournament on April 29th. In addition, we will be hosting games vs. Bennington VT on June 9th on Renzie Lamb Field at Williams College.

Q: Will we have away games?

A: Yes, this is part of the fun of a travel team - having the opportunity to play against other equally skilled teams in different towns and in our case different states.

Q: Where is the best place to get information about the teams and programs?

A: This website will be updated and is the first place to check for information. The coaches will use the website and the email system to communicate urgent information to their teams. As the program grows it is just impossible for personal calls to be made to everyone, especially since all of our volunteers and coaches are giving so much time while working full time jobs. We have tried to make available a phone number and an email address for each age group of one coach, and certainly in an emergency you should call directly.

 
Q: Do I have to buy equipment?

A: Yes, each player on the travel teams needs to provide the following:

Lacrosse Helmet (specifcally designed travel team helmets are available in our online store), Mouth guard, Shoulder Pads, Elbow pads, Lacrosse gloves, Rib pads (recommended), Protective cup, Molded cleats, Lacrosse stick. 

We have partnered with Reynolds Team Sales to make this equipment available at a discounted price plus the Williamstown Lacrossse Association receives a portion of the sale - the best value is the "starter package" which will provide all the necessary equipment less the cleats, mouthguard and protective cup. Please visit our online store to order.  

Note: New players if you are not ordering the stick through our website you should specifically ask for a "soft mesh" stick. This only means that it is already broken in and makes it much easier to catch and throw.

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Q: What do the registration fee’s cover?

A: The fee’s cover several things. First is a membership in US Lacrosse, the national governing body of the sport. This gives many benefits (such as the magazine subscription) but the most important is the membership includes supplementary insurance coverage required for all players and coaches before they can participate.

We also have to pay fees to play on the various fields we wil be using during the season.  

A reversible practice jersey is provided for the child to keep. A game uniform is also provided which must be returned at the end of the season. Anyone not returning their uniform will not be allowed to register for the following year.

Fees also pay for the referees for all of our home games.  

We also need two sets of equipment for every team, a lot of lacrosse balls, and we must provide nets for each of the fields we use.

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Q: How many days a week do you practice?

A: The Bantams (3rd/4th Grade) and Juniors (5th/6th Grade) will have 4 lacrosse sessions a week - one team practice, the Wednesday skill session, Sunday "small ball", one game a week (typically Sat or Sun) . Please see the specific details on our "Programs" section of the website.

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Q: I would like to volunteer but it seems like a big time commitment, can I help out just a little?

A: Any help, even one day, is appreciated and needed! We have many tasks to keep the program running smoothly while maintaining our philosophy. Volunteers who have a lot of time can coach, (experience required to be a head coach but not to be an assistant coach), be a team parent or join the board of directors. If you only have a little time please contact the team parents, we have lots of one day, or one time jobs. They have a list you can choose from and we think you will enjoy it!

 Some of the best comments we hear are from those parents that keep the time clocks on game day, as they are right in the thick of all the action and it is a good way to learn the game.

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