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
• 1 League
• 5 Regions
• 170 Towns in MA
• 950 Boys Teams
• 2,000 Trained Coaches
• 20,000 Players, 1st - 8th
• Local Game Schedule
• Town Rec + Town Select
• 4-day June Jamboree
• 7,000 Spring Games
• Non-Profit 501(c)(3)
• Volunteer Organization
Certified Coaches • Team Players • Fun Experience
Mass Bay Mission
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Teach the Game
Grow the Game
Honor the Game
Provide Leadership, Guidance, Training &
Structure to our Member Towns
• Inclusive Volunteer Led Organization
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Honor the Game: How?
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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
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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)
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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 + Fun•damentals—emphasize FUN!
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Season Goals
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Coach Education & Player Safety
Sportsmanship & Fair Play Always
Positive, Fun, Learning Experience for ALL
Clear Communication & Regional Support
And, of course: No Drama……..
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Mass Bay Town Teams: Classic or Rec. Teams
• Teams are Town-based, Games on Sundays
• Levels of Play: Grade-based WITH Age-qualifier
– U15 (7th & 8th), U13 (5th & 6th), U11 (3rd & 4th), U9 (1st & 2nd)
• 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
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Mass Bay Town Teams: Select Teams
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Teams are Town-based, Games on Friday nights or Saturday’s
Levels of Play: Grade-based WITH Age-qualifier
– U15 (7th and/or 8th) Divisions: DI & DII
– U13 (5th and/or 6th) Divisions: DI & DII
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Town Teams:
– Single grade and mixed grade-based teams ARE allowed
– All-8th grade team will play in U15 DI; All-7th grade team will play in U15 DII
– All-6th grade team will play in U13 DI; All-5th grade team will play in U13 DII
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Playing Time:
– Not equal time, however all players must play in min. of 2 quarters in games
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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
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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
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Mass Bay USL Coach Certification
• Mass Bay Certification Requirements:
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Register as a coach at www.mbyll.org & sign Conduct Code
Active US Lacrosse coach membership for entire season
Complete/Pass USL L1 & PCA DGC courses online
Complete/Pass Background Check (MA CORI form)
Attend Mass Bay USL Coaches Clinic (min. every 2 yrs)
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Level 1:
Level 1.5:
Level 2:
Level 2.5:
Level 3:
4 or 8 hours (Mass Bay USL curriculum)
4 hours (Mass Bay USL Trilogy curriculum)
8 hours (Mass Bay USL curriculum)
4 hours (Mass Bay USL Trilogy curriculum)
8 hours (Mass Bay USL curriculum)
IF YOU WANT TO BE NATIONALLY CERTIFIED:
Complete NCSI safe check for USL National
Certification – go to: www.uslacrosse.org/cep
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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
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Mass Bay USL Certified Coach Sideline Badge
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Smart Practice Plan & Smart Positive Charting
• Smart Start: what is focus of today’s practice?
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– 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
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Pre-Game Checklist & Post-Game Reminder
• Review Mandatory Pre-Game Checklist
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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
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Helmets on
Gloves off (at least right hand glove)
Handshake like a gentleman (No fist pumps)
Respect & thank your opponent for playing game
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Coaching Resources & Support
• MBYLL + USL + PCA Code of Conduct
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Read it, Share it with Parents & Players AND Model it in season
• MBYLL + USL + PCA + Trilogy Lacrosse coach tips & tools
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mbyll.org + uslacrosse.org + uslmobilecoach.org + positivecoach.org +
trilogylacrosse.com
• Mass Bay Smart Practice Plan & Smart Positive Charting
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Stations  Situations  Scrimmage  Summary & Stretch
• MBYLL Town Member Guidelines, Safety & Compliance
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Program Organizational & Operational Guidelines
Program Game Day Operational Guidelines
Member Program Status: Good Standing is the objective
• MBYLL Pre-game Checklist & Rules Review
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Before every MBYLL Classic & MBYLL Select game
• Mass Bay Parent & Player Guide
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Share with Parents & Players during pre-season Team meetings
• US Lacrosse Youth Rules & Best Practices Guidebook
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MBYLL and US Lacrosse Gold Stick Standard
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Challenges for Spring Season
• Coaching Education & Certification
– 12-18 Live coach certification clinics
– Clinics held Regionally as well as Local for Towns
– In-season player & coach clinics by team
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Player & Parent Education Clinics
Officials Recruitment & Education
Competitive Game Schedule
USL Registration
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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
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Thank You
Contact information:
Tom Spangenberg, President, MBYLL
m: (508) 561.6363
e: [email protected]
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