Lightning Lacrosse Field Proposal

Purpose: To look at ways to improve the Lightning division to give our kids the best possible experience and enhance their lacrosse development.

Committee: Chris Delfausse Mike Wright Nathan Biles

Solutions: Proposal #1: Moving to a 7v7 Format -We feel that at the at this level lacrosse is still tremendously developmental and much of that development is lost by putting the players in a 10v10 game. Most of these kids have trouble catching and throwing and we are asking them to learn riding/clearing and 6v6 offense/defense. We feel this format will get all kids more touches and improve the fundamentals that will allow them to pick up more complicated concepts in 5th grade. -We would recommend that the teams be between 11-15 players -Fields size could vary between 50-60 yds long and 30-35 yds wide. Distance between GLE’s should be a range of 40-50 yards. This allows one field to handle two games -Playing weekend tournaments with multiple games could elevate the stress on officiating, while still allowing to play some single match games. -With the emphasis being on development and fundamentals vast coaching experience is not as big a priority. You are now taking out the complicated concepts of 6v6 offense/defense and riding/clearing. Now they just need to teach catching, throwing, GB’s, 1v1 defense, spacing and offsides. Simple concepts for first time coaches to teach and players to learn. -We would like to examine the possibility of moving to 4x4 goals for this age group,. for future years. Cost Example: You can get a pair of goals for $120

Proposal #2: Shrinking the Field Size for 10v10 -Idea behind shrinking the field is to try and increase passing and team play. By shrinking the open fields it reduces the chances of the game being about the fastest and most athletic kid on the field and encourages teammates to use each other. In a 10v10 format this is the best way to teach team concepts and get more kids involved. It also reduces fatigue as the players don’t have to run as much so those with smaller rosters are not a huge disadvantage. Less fatigue should lead to cleaner and safer play.

Suggested Field Dimensions:

Length Width GLE to GLE GLE to End Line Current Dimensions 110 yds 60 yds 80 yds 15 yds Suggested Dimensions 80-90 yds 50 yds 60-70 yds 10 yds

-This can be accomplished in 2 ways. 1) Paint the smaller field within the already existing larger field, in a different paint color a) Takes more time initially, but then you just need to touch it up as the year goes, and you don’t have to keep setting it for ever game 2) Continue to use the box side sideline and use the far side restraining lines and wings lines for the other sideline. You can also continue to use the midline Then all you need to paint and maintain is the new creases, endlines and the top restraining line. Also in another color paint a) If you want to reduce the painting even more you can use cones or portable crease, for the crease area or sidelines. 3) In any of these scenarios I would not worry about alleys, just use the top of the box for the clearing timer/advancement.