How do I sign up for lacrosse?
Sign-up is done on-line. The link is located on our main web page starting each year in mid December.
When is the sign-up period?
Registration for the spring season is open from mid December until January 31st. Applications for players after that may be considered, but will depend on team numbers.
What is the cost to play?
The cost for boys in 3rd-8th grade and girls in grades 6th-8th is $190. The cost for boys in 1st-2nd grade and girls in grades 2nd-5th is $125.
Why is there a difference in the cost?
Teams for grades 3-8 practice 2 or 3 times a week, plus one game a week when the season starts. Paid referees are used for these games. The 1st & 2nd graders will have one practice and one scrimmage situation a week, where coaches will referee. Thus, the cost is lower for the younger kids.
What is the money used for?
Town and Country Optimist Club is a non-profit organization, whose effective purpose locally is to provide this phenomenal venue for youth sports and recreation. There is no government support. Approximately: $60 of the fee goes to the club, to go against the mortgage on the land, taxes, utilities, field maintenance, etc. $9 is for team equipment, $6 for concession stand buyout (if you wish to volunteer at the concession stands, this can be refunded), about $8 for insurance, $4 for pictures, $10 (boys) $20 (girls) is for replacement game jerseys (players don't get to keep the jerseys), $25 for referees, $10 for t-shirts, $30 for practice field rental, $5 for coaches training. There are some other small administrative items. Our "profit" per players is around $5 in past seasons. Any extra money is used to upgrade equipment and facilities for lacrosse.
Can new, inexperienced players join the league?
Absolutely! Every team in the league will have at least a few new players who have never played before. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders will almost all be new to the sport. Even at the 8th grade level, new players are welcome and encouraged to sign up.
How many players on a team?
In the boy’s league, there are ten players on the field at a time. An ideal team size is 16 to 18 players. Substitutions are frequent, and there is a lot of running. Exact team size will depend on the number of players who sign up.
How are players divided into teams?
Our goal is to place players on teams with other kids from their school or neighborhood. We are trying to have teams with players that will feed into the same high schools. This is not always possible, due to uneven distribution of players.
Who coaches the teams?
Most of our coaches are parents who have volunteered to step up and help coach a team. About half have played lacrosse when they were in high school or college. Others have little or no prior experience with lacrosse but have materials provided and have access to experienced coaches. KSN or other youth coach training is provided.
How can I volunteer to coach?
There is a section in the registration to designate your desire or willingness to volunteer.
Can anyone coach?
Tough question. Potential volunteers for coaching have to pass a background check through the Texas Department of Public Safety. We would also ask for a couple of personal references. Those with prior experience in coaching, especially in lacrosse, would receive higher consideration. Most seasons, we have to actively seek out coaches, especially in the younger age groups. Those with a history of rude or abusive behavior in youth sports will not be considered for a coaching position.
Are there geographic limitations for players at T&C?
No. Most of our players are from the north and northwest Austin/Cedar Park/Round Rock area. Most of our players are enrolled in schools from RRISD or LISD. We are happy to have players from other areas participate. We have a large number of players who are enrolled in private schools as well.
Can my child pick the team he or she wants to be on?
This depends. On the registration document, a player can put down the name of one player he or she would like to play with. Since we try to match up kids by school and neighborhood, this usually works out well. In case of conflict, we may call you to help iron our conflicting priorities.
Can my child play for the same coach as last year?
Yes, maybe. Your child’s coach from last year may or may not be coaching at the same age level this year. It will also depend on overall player sign-up numbers and the neighborhood distribution. If parents do not want their child with the same coach, they may request this. An e-mail to the lacrosse board with a brief explanation would be appreciated.
Who makes up the teams?
Teams are created and players assigned to teams by the Town & Country Lacrosse Board. Coaches at times will request to have certain players on their teams, usually former players or friends of other players on the team. These requests may be honored if they do not conflict with other priorities of the program.
When does the season start?
We plan to start practices in early February. Most Divisions start games in early March.
When and where are practices held?
All teams will practice at the Town and Country fields. Players in older divisions will practice two weeknights per week. Some coaches will hold an optional weekend practice prior to the start of games in late March. Practices are on lit fields. The two sessions are 5:30 to 7 and 7 to 8:30. 4th and 5th grade teams usually get priority for the earlier time slot. The nights that practices are held will ultimately be up to the head coach. If a player's schedule is hopelessly conflicted with the coach‚ we will consider reassigning the player to a different team.
When does the season end?
Currently, the season is scheduled to run through mid-May. There will be no games scheduled Easter weekend.
When are games played?
Boy’s games are played on Sunday afternoons and some weeknights. Games for the Girl’s Division are split between Saturday mornings and different weeknights. This will be updated as information becomes available.
Where are the games played?
Half of the games will be played at the Town and Country fields. The other half will be played at the home fields of other youth lacrosse teams in Austin that we play against. These may include St. Andrews (Southwest Parkway), Small Middle School (off 290 south), Murchison Middle School (Far West Boulevard), and Ridgeview and Hill Country Middle Schools in Westlake.
What equipment is required?
For boys, required equipment is a helmet, mouth guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, protective cup, and a stick. For girls, a mouth guard, protective eye guard, and a stick are required. Turf shoes or tennis shoes for practice. Cleats are allowed for games.
Why is there a difference for the boys and girls?
The game of girls’ lacrosse is played quite different from the boys game, at all levels up through college. The girls' game involves very limited physical contact, somewhat like basketball or soccer. The boys’ game is played more like hockey or rugby.
Where can we purchase equipment?
The widest selection in Austin is at South Swell Sports, on Capital of Texas Hwy (loop 360) @ FM 2222, (512) 732-0002. They have knowledgeable staff, and they have a discount starter package for new players. The starter package includes everything but a cup and mouthpiece. The price is about $200. Some used equipment can be found at Play It Again sports stores. You may also be able to find used equipment from older players. Hockey equipment is sometimes used. It is not ideal, but will work (harder to lift arms).
Can equipment be rented?
No rental equipment is available in Austin.
How long are the games?
Boys in the Junior (5th-6th grade) and senior (7th-8th grade) divisions play four quarters, ten minutes each, stop time. Two, 4 minute overtime periods will be played if required. Girls play 25 minute running time halves, with stop time the last two minutes of each half.
The rules are according to U.S. Lacrosse Rules with some variations as decided by the CTYLA.
Boys http://www.uslacrosse.org/the_sport/boys_rules.phtml
Girls http://www.uslacrosse.org/the_sport/girls_rules.phtml
What if I have other questions?
You can e-mail your questions to lacrosse@townandcountryoptimist.org
