Raising Our Game Tom Spangenberg, President Mass Bay Youth Lacrosse League

Presentation: Raising Our Game Mass Bay Overview Spring Season Challenges Unified Vision

Mass Bay Youth Lacrosse League Overview Certified Coaches Team Players Fun Experience 1 League 5 Regions 170 Towns in MA 950 Boys Teams 2,000 Trained Coaches 20,000 Players, 1 st - 8 th Local Game Schedule Town Rec + Town Select 4-day June Jamboree 7,000 Spring Games Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Volunteer Organization

Mass Bay Mission Teach the Game Grow the Game Honor the Game Provide Leadership, Guidance, Training & Structure to our Member Towns Inclusive Volunteer Led Organization 4

Honor the Game: How? Coaches Practice Positive Coaching Coaches Teach Life Lessons Coaches Share Best Practices Coaches Develop Youth Lacrosse Community Coaches Teach Game based on teamwork, stick skills, speed & athleticism NOT physical intimidation Coaches Learn, Share & Improve our Lax IQ 5

Leadership & Structure Mass Bay Led by all-Volunteer Board & Membership – MBYLL Town Directors & Volunteer support (5) Mass Bay Regions for Communications & Scheduling – NE, NW, WC, SC & SSCI (5) Key Committee’s in each Region for Structure & Support – Coaching Education & Sport Development (3 reps/region) – MBYLL Select, Tournament & Jamboree (3 reps/region) – Competition & Game Administration (3 reps/region) – Game Scheduling & Website Support (2 reps/region) – Parent, Player & AO/Referee Support (2 reps/region ) 6

Mass Bay Philosophy Evenly Balanced Teams at ALL levels in Classic – No ‘A’ or ‘B’ teams, No ‘stacked’ teams Equal Playing Time for ALL players in Classic – In all Mass Bay Classic & Mass Bay Jamboree games MBYLL Select is an additional Playing Opportunity – MBYLL Select players must also play on Classic team Coaches are Teachers & Positive Role-models – Focus: Teamwork + Fundamentals—emphasize FUN! 7

Season Goals Coach Education & Player Safety Sportsmanship & Fair Play Always Positive, Fun, Learning Experience for ALL Clear Communication & Regional Support And, of course: No Drama…….. 8

Mass Bay Town Teams: Classic or Rec. Teams Teams are Town-based, Games on Sundays Levels of Play: Grade-based WITH Age-qualifier – U15 (7 th & 8 th ), U13 (5 th & 6 th ), U11 (3 rd & 4 th ), U9 (1 st & 2 nd ) Town Teams: – Evenly Balanced by skill, grade, size & experience at All levels Playing Time: – Equal Playing Time for all Players & at all levels of play Spring Commitment: weekly practice & game schedule Head Coach is Mass Bay USL Certified (renew every 2 yrs) – Asst. Coaches strongly encouraged to also be certified No Standings, Playoffs, Championships or All-Star Teams 9

Mass Bay Town Teams: Select Teams Teams are Town-based, Games on Friday nights or Saturday’s Levels of Play: Grade-based WITH Age-qualifier – U15 (7 th and/or 8 th ) Divisions: DI & DII – U13 (5 th and/or 6 th ) Divisions: DI & DII Town Teams: – Single grade and mixed grade-based teams ARE allowed – All-8 th grade team will play in U15 DI; All-7 th grade team will play in U15 DII – All-6 th grade team will play in U13 DI; All-5 th grade team will play in U13 DII Playing Time: – Not equal time, however all players must play in min. of 2 quarters in games Spring Commitment: Playing Lacrosse 4-5 days per week Head Coach AND assistant Coaches must be Mass Bay USL Certified DI/DII Standings, Playoffs, Championships & grade-level All-Star Teams MBYLL Select players must also play on their MBYLL Classic team – Why? To develop player mentors & leaders & better teammates in your town – Why? To encourage more kids to come out & play lacrosse in your town – Why? To further grow & improve the quality of lacrosse in your town 10

Mass Bay Partners & Service Providers US Lacrosse partnership MBYLL member rewards – Insurance, Training, Safety, Research & Leadership Support – MBYLL represented on USL Board Positive Coaching Alliance partnership MBYLL member rewards – Workshop Clinics and online course discounts Trilogy Lacrosse & Education partnership MBYLL member rewards – Camp & Clinic discounts Boston Cannons MLL partnership MBYLL member rewards – Ticket, Event & Merchandise discounts 11

Mass Bay USL Coach Certification Mass Bay Certification Requirements: 1.Register as a coach at & sign Conduct Codewww.mbyll.org 2.Active US Lacrosse coach membership for entire season 3.Complete/Pass USL L1 & PCA DGC courses online 4.Complete/Pass Background Check (MA CORI form) 5.Attend Mass Bay USL Coaches Clinic (min. every 2 yrs) a)Level 1:4 or 8 hours (Mass Bay USL curriculum) b)Level 1.5:4 hours (Mass Bay USL Trilogy curriculum) c)Level 2:8 hours (Mass Bay USL curriculum) d)Level 2.5:4 hours (Mass Bay USL Trilogy curriculum) e)Level 3:8 hours (Mass Bay USL curriculum) 12 IF YOU WANT TO BE NATIONALLY CERTIFIED: Complete NCSI safe check for USL National Certification – go to: IF YOU WANT TO BE NATIONALLY CERTIFIED: Complete NCSI safe check for USL National Certification – go to:

Mass Bay USL Coach Certification Clinics Coach Development – Mass Bay Youth Lacrosse League Foundation, Knowledge & Practice – Lesson I: Teaching Techniques – Lesson II: Safety & Risk Management – Lesson III: Developing Practice Plans Player Development Team Development Rules Review & Points of Emphasis 13

Mass Bay USL Certified Coach Sideline Badge 14

Smart Practice Plan & Smart Positive Charting Smart Start: what is focus of today’s practice? – Build Practice Plan w/ coaches, share w/team – Players do active stretch & Coaches set up drill stations Stations: player skill development – 3-4 different stations, max. 10 minutes/station Situational: position & group development – Fast Break, D slides, Riding, Clearing, Face-offs, etc. Scrimmage: team development – Small ball, unsettled: 3 v 2, 4 v 3, 5 v 4 or 6 v 5 Summary & Stretch: end practice on a positive note – Coach reviews highlights as players stretch & listen Smart Positive Charting: achieving team & player goals – Capturing Positive things players do at practice & in games 15

Pre-Game Checklist & Post-Game Reminder Review Mandatory Pre-Game Checklist – Head Coaches & Official must meet together – Coaches present MBYLL Certified Coaches Badge – Review Grade + Age-level rules – Player line-up at midfield for Ref instructions Compete with Class & Honor the Game Post-Game Sportsmanship – Players & Coaches form single line Helmets on Gloves off (at least right hand glove) Handshake like a gentleman (No fist pumps) Respect & thank your opponent for playing game 16

Coaching Resources & Support MBYLL + USL + PCA Code of Conduct – Read it, Share it with Parents & Players AND Model it in season MBYLL + USL + PCA + Trilogy Lacrosse coach tips & tools – mbyll.org + uslacrosse.org + uslmobilecoach.org + positivecoach.org + trilogylacrosse.com Mass Bay Smart Practice Plan & Smart Positive Charting – Stations  Situations  Scrimmage  Summary & Stretch MBYLL Town Member Guidelines, Safety & Compliance – Program Organizational & Operational Guidelines – Program Game Day Operational Guidelines – Member Program Status: Good Standing is the objective MBYLL Pre-game Checklist & Rules Review – Before every MBYLL Classic & MBYLL Select game Mass Bay Parent & Player Guide – Share with Parents & Players during pre-season Team meetings US Lacrosse Youth Rules & Best Practices Guidebook – MBYLL and US Lacrosse Gold Stick Standard 17

Challenges for Spring Season Coaching Education & Certification – Live coach certification clinics – Clinics held Regionally as well as Local for Towns – In-season player & coach clinics by team Player & Parent Education Clinics Officials Recruitment & Education Competitive Game Schedule USL Registration 18

Unified Vision: We are One Lacrosse Nation Youth Lacrosse Thrives in Every Community Role Model Boys & Girls Youth Lacrosse Development Programs in Every Town – Athletics & Academics Certified, Passionate, Teacher Coaches in Every Town developing great team players Regional, National & International Games – Leagues/Clubs, US Lacrosse, Olympics Non-Profit & For-Profit Partnerships Fun & Rewarding Experience in your town 19

Thank You 20 Contact information: Tom Spangenberg, President, MBYLL m: (508)