faqs
Elk Grove Youth Lacrosse Club (EGYLC) is a volunteer run, non-profit organization whose goal is to provide the youth of Elk Grove an opportunity to learn and play the fastest game on two feet; lacrosse.
The EGYLC season runs during the spring (approx. First week of February through the end of May ). Elk Grove Youth Lacrosse is affiliated with the NCJLA, (the Northern California Junior Lacrosse Association) which schedules games with other teams in the Northern California region, and runs a season ending championship tournament. For more info on the NCJLA please visit their website www.ncjlax.org/ncjlax/
For the 2024 season EGYLC will look to field teams in the following age brackets: Co-ed: 10U, 12U Boys: 14U, High School JV and Varsity, and Girls High School teams.
Additionally EGYLC plans to field girls teams in the 12U, and 14U age brackets if we can get enough interest/registered players.
Divisions for the 2024 season (All ages are based on a August 31, cutoff) Please use the chart bellow to determine your age bracket.
At the 10U, 12U, and 14U levels emphasis will be placed on skills development, teamwork, and player encouragement and positive reinforcement. A "good" or "winning" season will be defined by how many returning players we have next year, not by our won/loss record. The 14U is more competitive, but still developmental. The High School JV and Varsity levels are very competitive. These teams will strive to compete to their best possible potential.
Lacrosse was invented by North American Indians who played with sticks made of wood and leather and a rock was used as the ball. The game became a (slightly less dangerous) substitute for warring between tribes to establish dominance. The Canadians also adopted the sport from the Indians in Northeastern America and it is their national sport, not hockey as is commonly believed. Modern lacrosse has been played by athletes in the United States and the British Commonwealth for over a century.
The sport of lacrosse is a combination of speed, and strength and draws from skills found in basketball, soccer and hockey. Anyone can play lacrosse--big or small. The game requires and rewards coordination and agility, not raw strength. Quickness and speed are two highly prized qualities in lacrosse. Lacrosse is fast-paced and full of action. Players run up and down the field with lots of starts and stops, precision passes and dodges are routine in both men's and women's lacrosse. Lacrosse is played with a stick, called “the crosse”, which is used by the player to throw, catch and scoop the ball.
Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing team sports in the United States. US Lacrosse reports that its youth membership (ages 15 and under) has more than tripled since 1999 to over 100,000. No sport has grown faster at the high school level over the last 10 years and there are now more than 130,000 high school players. Lacrosse is also the fastest growing sport over the last five years at the NCAA level and that's just the tip of the iceberg. With club teams, private schools, and states not yet having sanctioned lacrosse, high school-aged participation is actually much higher. Varsity collegiate participation has grown by one-third since 1995, and collegiate and post-collegiate club teams field thousands of players as well, with NCAA sanctioning play at the collegiate level. For more information please go to the US Lacrosse web site. www.uslacrosse.org/
Our Spring lacrosse season starts first week in February and runs through May. Weekly games begin the last weekend in February or first weekend in March and run through the end May or early June.
Practices typically begin in late January and run through the end of May. The 10U, 12U, and 14U teams typically practice twice a week in the evenings for about 1.5 hours (typical timeframe is 5:00 to 6:30 or 5:30 to 7:00pm*). The JV and Varsity teams typically practice three times per week for about 2 hours (typical timeframe is 7:00 to 9:00pm*) Practices are held at Bartholomew Sports Park under the lights. *Please note practice times are examples only and not set in stone. Additionally lacrosse is an all-weather sport and there will be times when we practice in the rain. (Unless lightning is forecasted)
Games begin either the last weekend in February or the first weekend in March. Games are usually on Saturdays and Sundays, sometimes on Fridays and rarely but occasionally other days of the week depending if rainout make-ups are needed. We won't know specific team schedules until the 2nd or 3rd week in February. Home games are played at Bartholomew Sports Park. * Most away games are played in the greater Sacramento Valley Region (Sacramento, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Granite Bay, Davis, etc.)* Occasionally games are played in the Bay Area (Berkeley, San Jose, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Marin, etc.) *Please Note: Lacrosse is considered a "travel" sport and teams could play in games or tournaments as far away as Redding or Monterey. Players and parents should expect a certain amount of travel during the season. Additionally lacrosse is an all-weather sport so we will practice or play rain or shine. When allowed by Field Administrators.
The US Lacrosse Association in addition to being the main governing body for our sport also provides insurance coverage for its members. This insurance is required by Elk Grove Youth Lacrosse and Northern California Junior Lacrosse Association in order to practice or play with club
For those new players needing equipment, we recommend purchasing your gear from Lacrosse Fanatic (located at: 9500 Micron Ave #122, Sacramento, CA 95827) In the past Lacrosse Fanatic has provided rental gear programs to help make the first year of lacrosse more affordable. Please call them and check to see if they are still running these rental programs for this year. \
Full equipment packages (including helmet, shoulder pads, arm guards, gloves, stick, and a mouth guard) will range approximately between $250 and $300 depending on the size of the player. These prices do not include sales tax. Additionally the Club has a limited supply of loaner gear available on a need and case by case basis.
The protective gear required by the league and Elk Grove Youth Lacrosse consists of the following except where noted as optional.
Boys:
• A lacrosse helmet, (Cascade brand preferred) our team helmet colors are all white helmets
• Colored Mouth-guard
• Athletic supporter with cup (Provided by player)
• Shoulder pads
• Arm/elbow pads
• Rib pads (optional but recommended)
• Lacrosse gloves
• Goalies need additional chest and throat-guard protection (can be provided by the EGYLC)
• A “crosse” or stick with a pocket
• Cleats (football, soccer or baseball will do, but no metal spikes) – keep tennis shoes in your bag too.
• Balls to practice with
Boys lacrosse is a contact sport. Girls lacrosse is not a contact sport. Boys in 10U and below play with minimal physical contact. The focus is on developing their lacrosse skills. From 12U and older physical contact is allowed and is taught by coaches appropriately. The 14U and High School game can be very physical. Players and Parents should expect some bumps, bruises, scrapes, minor cuts, and on rare occasions even a little blood. It's part of the game.
Uniforms are not included in the cost of Registration. We are going to be reusing the uniforms from the 2023 season. If your jersey or shorts are too small, or you just need a new set, you can buy them online currently in the spirit store!
Practice, practice, practice! EGYLC focuses on teaching skills and skills development during the practices held during the season. Between practice, “having a catch” with a friend or getting out and doing some “wall ball work” will hone your throwing and stick skills which are the most important aspect of beginning lacrosse. Fundamentals are what win and lose lacrosse games. Always keep your stick in your hand and be practicing your stickwork.