London Minor Lacrosse Association

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The "Blue Devils" - Lacrosse in London Ontario

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's this game all about?
A: The Ontario Lacrosse Association has put out a beginner's guide to Lacrosse in Ontario. Click on this link to get the Parent/Player Guide to Lacrosse.

Q: What Age Group will my son/daughter play in this year (2010)?
A:

Year of Birth Division
2004-2007 Peanut
2002-2003 Tyke
2000-2001 Novice
1998-1999 PeeWee
1996-1997 Bantam
1994-1995 Midget
1989-1993 Intermediate


Q: What is this Juvenile Age Group that is being talked about by the OLA?
A: The OLA in their infinite wisdom is trying to fix a program that few people think is broken. Apparently there is some concern that minor player graduating out of midget are leaving the game because of a concern that they will have to play against players  that that up to 21 yrs old (Intermediate has the a 5 year age range 17-21). To address this peceived problem, the OLA has implemented a pilot program this year, creating the "Juvenile" age group - 17-18 yrs old (1992-1993 birth year). Associations are encouraged to offer this program where numbers allow. Given that most associations have not had sufficient numbers of Intermediate age players to field 2 teams, it is expected that there will be a very limited number of teams in the province - an very optimistic estimate might be 6-8 teams. Also it is pretty well assured that most Zones may only have 1 or 2 Juvenile teams, so the plan is to play inter-Zone games as opposed to a local Zone schedule - details have not been finalized but it is expected that there would be "Juvenile" days on various weekends at convenient locations - maybe 5 weekends in say, Orangeville, Brampton Whitby, Peterborough, Toronto, each day with 2 games. The incentive that the OLA is offering Juvenile teams is the possiblity of being part of the A qualifiers and A Finals. There are a lot of details to this pilot program that have not been clarified at this point in time (Dec 2009).
London Minor does not expect to have enough players to be able to field both  Juvenile and Intermediate competitive teams. Over the last couple of years we have had a very strong Intermediate program with approx 28-30 players trying out for a 25 man roster. It is highly unlikely that we could find another 30 or so players interested to provide sufficient players for 2 full teams. If we are wrong and sufficient players (and the required number of coaches and support volunteers) show an interest in a Juvenile program, we will re-evaluate our position and make a decision that is in the best interests of the largest number of our participants. For players that are adamant about playing in a Juvenile program, releases will be available to try out for an association that provides this level of play. Any players interested in more information please email the LMLA executive.

Q: When/where will my son/daughter play this year?
A: The 2010 times have been finalized  and the times and locations are listed below.

   Monday
(Practices)		 Tuesday
(Practices)		 Wednesday (Games) Thursday
(Games)
   Kinsmen Stronach Kinsmen Stronach Kinsmen Stronach Kinsmen Stronach
6:00-
7:00		 Peanut/
Peewee
Bantam (6:30)
Tyke/
Novice
Girls
Peanut/
Peewee
Bantam
(6:30)
Tyke/
Novice
Girls
7:00-
8:00		 Peanut/
Peewee
Bantam (7:30)
Tyke/
Novice
Girls
Peanut/
Peewee
Bantam (7:30)
Tyke/
Novice
Girls
8:00-
9:00
Peewee
Bantam (8:30)		  
Mid-Int
Peewee
Bantam
(8:30)		  
Mid-Int
9:00-
10:00		      
Mid-Int		       Mid-Int

Competitive times and days vary but are usually at Nicholls or Kinsmen with home games on Tuesday nights at Nicholls (til July 1) then at Kinsmen.

Houseleague runs from mid April to the end of June - 2 floor times a week - usually 1 practice and 1 game. Competitive runs mid April to the end of July/first part of August - usually 2.5 floor times a week. Competitive tournaments don't start until the first week of June. Field lacrosse runs late April till the end of May - 2 practices a week and then games every weekend for 4 consecutive weekends (Saturday OR Sunday) then another weekend of playdowns and finally a weekend of Provincial Finals for teams that qualify to go that far.

Q: What equipment is needed for lacrosse?
A: The Ontario Lacrosse Association has put out a beginner's guide to Lacrosse in Ontario and the equipment pages are still valid. Click on this link to get the Parent/Player Guide to Lacrosse. Here are some additional box lacrosse equipment graphics -

Box Lacrosse Equipment - RunnerBox Lacrosse Equipment - Goalie

In general hockey equipment (helmet, mask, shoulder pads) is suitable to start. Hockey gloves are sort of OK but lacrosse gloves are much more flexible and easier to use. A lacrosse stick ($60-$125), kidney pads ($35) and arm guards($25 - $55) are unique to box lacrosse. Any indoor running shoes are acceptable. Knee pads are allowed but usually uncomfortable - the arena floors are smooth enough that a fall/skid will not leave skin behind. Lacrosse sticks are available at most sporting goods outlets and some big box stores. Most new sticks throw reasonably well as received but  some adjustments are often needed. If the stick does not throw where you think it should talk to your coach or one of the HL conveners - there are people available that can make the necessary adjustments to "fix" the most obvious stick related problems.
Goalie equipment (except for helmet/mask and gloves) is provided in House League.

Q: My son/daughter has never played before? Is it difficult to learn?He/she is older, is it too late to start the game?
A: Not really and it depends. At the younger ages, a willingness to learn and to run is important. The most important thing to ensure an enjoyable on-floor experience for your child is for you, as the parent to get a stick as well and play catch with your son and daughter for 10-15 minutes a day. After 2-3 weeks you will be amazed at how much more fun the practices and games will be for him/her.
It is never too late to start to play. As long as the player is willing to run (and make an effort), no age is too old. Given some effort playing catch with a parent or friend or even tossing the ball against a convenient building wall, you can pick up enough passing/catching/shooting techniques to get by - we have had numerous parents (mothers as well) come out to play Masters Lacrosse (Old Timers) after seeing how much fun their offspring are having.

Q: Isn't this sport insanely violent? I've seen the Rock play on TV - they kill each other on the floor and the pro players fight! (I'm afraid my child will get hurt out there/Give me a stick, I want to get out there and hit someone/get in a fight)
A: Lacrosse is not a violent, dangerous sport and injury frequency is surprisingly low for a full contact sport. There is no question that there are a  lot of bumps and bruises but serious injuries requiring medical attention are exceedingly rare - injury frequency is much lower than either hockey or soccer - in fact lacrosse was well down the list of sports injuries - equal in injury frequency to bowling and broomball but well behind gymnastics and dancing(!). Though similar in style to hockey the fact that the players are on their feet as opposed to skates appears to make them less prone to injuries of all types. As in hockey, violent or improper behavior is not acceptable - high sticking, slashing, charging, boarding, illegal cross checks, checking from behind are all penalized. Fighting and violent play are not tolerated at all and are dealt with as in minor hockey.
Any comparison of minor lacrosse to professional or even Junior A/B lacrosse is unwarranted. Minor hockey play is very different from the NHL and Major Junior hockey as is minor lacrosse from the NLL.
This is not to say that lacrosse is the perfect game for every child - each individual is different but past experience has shown that given a chance to try the game a majority of players come back again and again.

Q: Can I have my son/daughter play with a certain player/coach/group of players/his hockey team/a stacked team....?
A: In general the answer is probably NO! We will make some accommodation for players travelling from out of town and there are Travel Request forms to fill out for players needing special car pooling arrangements (2 players per Travel Form, both sets of parents must sign, no guarantees). The conveners will try to accommodate these travel requests as best as they can but multiple player requests, full team requests (same team as last year, 15 players wanting to play with one coach, full hockey team registrations) will usually not be considered - the work involved in distributing players and then the issues that inevitably arise with re-balancing, make such requests unworkable.

Q: I missed all previous registrations, Can I please register online/by mail/at the registrar's home, by phone? Can I register my neighbour's child? What proof of age is required?
A: We cannot register players online or by phone because of the OLA requirement that we get original parent/guardian signatures/initials on the OLA insurance waivers c/w a copy of a birth certificate for new registrants. Keep an eye on this website for additional dates and times for registration. A parent or legal guardian MUST sign the registration form. You cannot sign for someone else's child.  Players 18 years or older must sign their own forms at registration. A birth certificate, passport, Certificate of Live Birth, Status Card are all suitable as proof of age. A new Health Card that has the child's birthdate on it is acceptable if you, as the parent, offer it as a proof of identity/age. We have a photocopier at registration to provide copies for our records.

Q: I keep hearing in the news about a Fitness Tax Credit, what is it?
A: Your registration receipt (3rd page - pink - of the LMLA registration form) is your receipt. Please keep this safe as no other receipt will be issued. Further tax related questions regarding the new Fitness Tax Credit are answered at the following link Parks and Recreation Ontario - Fitness Tax Credit

Q: Can I volunteer/timekeep/referee for LMLA this year?
A: Yes, yes and maybe! We are always looking for additional help - convening, organizing, COACHING (!), Asst-Coaching. Call our HL Director Karie Wells (601-2407)for further information. Level 0 and Level 1 Coaching clinics will be available near the start of the year for interested coaches (16 or older). Older players can also volunteer to help on the floor with the younger teams - a good way to get High School community service volunteer hours. For older players (+14), timekeeping is another option - timekeepers are paid but are required to be conscientious and reliable. Contact our Referee-in-Chief, Ron Earnshaw (472-5470) for further details. For referees, Ron Earnshaw prefers candidates to be +16 and have taken or be willing to take the Level 1 Referees' Clinic. To attend the clinic you must get Ron Earnshaw's approval prior to registering.

Q: Girls House League Lacrosse - what are the details?
A: Girl's Box Lacrosse is a go for 2010. After fantastic inaugural years in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 we are looking forward to more girls playing Canada's Summer National Sports. LMLA is offering a Girl's Box House League program. A girl's program has been in place in Toronto for a couple of years with huge interest and success - Hamilton and a couple of other centres are also planning girl's teams this year. LMLA hopes and expects that there will be enough interest to run at least 2 mixed age teams this year. We expect that we may have enough players for a Novice/Peewee and Bantam/Midget/Intermediate team. Everything will depend on numbers.  We expect most of last year's girls to re-register this year. If YOU want Girl's Box Lacrosse to succeed in London, put your name forward to volunteer to help. Become involved with the Girl's program by talking up potential players and their parents, recruit more players to come out - recruit the entire Devillettes organization if you have to (1 team at a time). Remember that raw numbers will make all the difference in whether this program gets further off the ground or not. Note that most of the projected participants will likely be new to the sport as most of the experienced girls (+3 years lax experience) seem to be leaning towards remaining in the Coed/Main HL program. If you have any questions contact Doug Paddick.

Q: I would like to coach but I know nothing about lacrosse?
A: Not a problem - see the volunteer note above. There are always people to turn to for help. There are training sessions available for new coaches. The game is fast paced and fun, the basics of the game are easy to pick up and you'll learn the rest as you go along. Without coaches we can't have a program and it only takes a couple of hours a week. If you're still unsure contact Karie Wells or any director.