Raising Our Game

Raising Our GameTom Spangenberg, President

Mass Bay Youth Lacrosse League

Presentation: Raising Our GameMass Bay Overview

Spring Season ChallengesUnified 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, 1st - 8th

• 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

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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

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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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

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Mass Bay Partners & Service Providers

• US Lacrosse partnershipMBYLL member rewards– Insurance, Training, Safety, Research & Leadership Support– MBYLL represented on USL Board

• Positive Coaching Alliance partnershipMBYLL member rewards– Workshop Clinics and online course discounts

• Trilogy Lacrosse & Education partnershipMBYLL member rewards– Camp & Clinic discounts

• Boston Cannons MLL partnershipMBYLL member rewards– Ticket, Event & Merchandise discounts

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Mass Bay USL Coach Certification

• Mass Bay Certification Requirements:1. Register as a coach at www.mbyll.org & sign Conduct Code2. Active US Lacrosse coach membership for entire season3. Complete/Pass USL L1 & PCA DGC courses online4. 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)

IF YOU WANT TO BE NATIONALLY CERTIFIED:Complete NCSI safe check for USL National

Certification – go to: www.uslacrosse.org/cep

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 DevelopmentTeam DevelopmentRules 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?– 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– 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

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

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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

• 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, MBYLLm: (508) 561.6363e: [email protected]