Frequently Asked Questions

Updated 9/8/09

If you have a question not answered here, ask it here.

What is the mission of MBGLL?

MBGLL’s mission is to promote girls’ youth lacrosse in an environment that emphasizes fun while developing skills, teamwork, good sportsmanship, and integrity.

What is girls’ lacrosse and how does it differ from the boys’ game?

Girls’ lacrosse is a non-contact, fast-paced sport where female athletes run up and down a field passing and shooting a ball at a goal with their lacrosse sticks.  Mass Bay goes a step further and promotes girls’ youth lacrosse in an environment that emphasizes fun while developing skills, teamwork, good sportsmanship, and integrity.  The main difference between boys’ lacrosse and the girls’ game is that the boys allow contact while girls’ lacrosse is a non-contact sport.

What ages play in MBGLL?

MBGLL offers instructional league play in four grade-based groupings: 1^st/2^nd, 3^rd/4^th, 5^th/6^th, and 7^th/8^th. Age is not a factor.

You will see "U15" and "U13" used on this website and in lots of lacrosse literature, because US Lacrosse uses age groupings. So...when we say "U15" we really mean "7^th/8^th grade", and when we say "U13" we really mean "5^th/6^th grade".   

Waivers to this policy are reviewed on a case by case basis. Please review our Guidelines for Grade Waivers and then submit a waiver request to your division director.  We strongly recommend that players participate at their grade level.

Is MBGLL offering a 1^st and 2^nd grade program this year?

MBGLL is pleased to offer a 1^st and 2^nd grade program again for the 2009-2010 lacrosse season.  This developmental program will play four scheduled 7 v 7, plus one optional goalie, games on a shortened field.  (Goalies are optional but most teams play with one)  Games will consist of 20 minute running-time halves and up to two coaches are encouraged to go on the field during regular season play.  (No coaches are permitted on the field during the jamboree.) Since this is a new program, the emphasis is on learning lacrosse and having fun.  Towns may combine with other areas to create a team.  Please note that a slightly longer travel time to games might occur due to the small number of established teams.

We strongly encourage 3^rd and 4^th grade teams to create a separate 1^st and 2^nd grade team instead of playing these young girls up on the older team. Developmentally, there is a large difference between a 1^st grader and a 4^th grader and these younger players will greatly benefit from competing against their peers.

Please note that all 1^st and 2^nd grade players must belong to US Lacrosse.

Do the 3^rd and 4^th graders usually play 7 v 7 plus an optional goalie?

3^rd and 4^th grade teams in all divisions play 7 v 7 plus an optional goalie. The 7 v 7 format encourages the mastering of the game’s fundamentals while allowing for an age appropriate transition to the 12 v 12 format

How should MBGLL teams set up 1^st through 4^th grade play?

The standard field positions for these two leagues is to position one player at deep defense, one player at deep offense, and in the midfield have a left and right defense wing, a left and right offense wing, and one center. The goalie is optional, but most teams use a goalie. If a team decides to not use a goalie, they should create some sort of goal mouth reduction like flipping the goal on its side.

Coaches are permitted on the field but are prohibited from entering the 12 meter fan “area.”

Level C US Lacrosse rules apply.

Use a shortened field by either moving one goal to the center circle or playing horizontally across a regularly sized field. Some towns are painting a crease inside of the center circle on a regularly sized field. Remember to use flat cones to mark creases when the goal is moved and you are unable to paint a crease.

How many players should towns keep on a team roster?

MBGLL does not have required roster guidelines. The number of players per team should depend upon many factors, including, but not limited to, the number of players with other sports/drama commitments as well as the number of coaches and assistant coaches available. With that said, MBGLL recommends the following team sizes to maximize playing time and the coach to player ratio:

1^st and 2^nd grade teams – 16

3^rd and 4^th grade teams – 12 to 16

5^th and 6^th grade teams – 18 to 24 players

7^th and 8^th grade teams – 18 to 24 players

Are players required to have a colored mouth guard for the 2009-2010 lacrosse season?

Mass Bay is following US Lacrosse’s guidelines regarding mouth guards.  All mouth guards must be colored for the 2009-2010 season.  No protrusions, such as tabs, are permitted.

What is the Jamboree?

MBGLL offers an end-of season Jamboree to all teams.  This is an opportunity for teams to play towns that they might not meet during the regular season.  Typically teams sign up for a morning or afternoon slot and play three different games during that time period.  The jamboree is a wonderful, fun opportunity for players to end their spring lacrosse season and is a way for MBGLL to promote girls’ youth lacrosse in an environment that emphasizes fun while developing skills, teamwork, good sportsmanship, and integrity.

What is the Youth Festival?

The Youth Festival is a US Lacrosse sponsored event for 5^th through 8^th graders. In the past, MBGLL has chosen to send one 5^th/6^th and one 7^th/8^th team to the Youth Festival, although we have the option to send two teams at each grade level. The reason for sending only one team has been the lack of volunteer support. If you are interested in helping with this program, please contact the Youth Festival Director.

What is the SportsManship Award?

A league-wide Sportsmanship award is given to those teams who show outstanding leadership on and off of the field. MBGLL encourages teaching life lessons as well as promoting the sport of lacrosse. The Sportsmanship award is a way to recognize those teams who go above and beyond to help those in their community, whether it be on or off of the field, while expanding the sport of lacrosse. To learn more about MBGLL’s Sportsmanship Award, please click on the Sportsmanship Award link on mbgll.org’s web site

How is MBGLL Organized?

MBGLL has a Board of Directors which is responsible for managing the overall league. Our geography is broken into geographic divisions in which teams play an 8-week schedule in April, May and June.  (1^st and 2^nd grade team play is a developmental program and has a 4 week schedule for the 2010 spring season.) 

We count on volunteers to help run MBGLL.  If you would like to volunteer by joining the board, coaching a team, starting a program, or sponsoring an event, please send an e-mail to director@mbgll.org.

How do new programs get started with MBGLL?

Contact the MBGLL New Programs director. In addition to guidance, MBGLL and US Lacrosse have opportunities to help new programs with equipment and other start-up expenses.

What are MBGLL’s requirements for coaches?

MBGLL requires that all coaches belong to US Lacrosse to take advantage of its insurance benefits.  You may register with US Lacrosse at www.uslacrosse.org. 

MBGLL suggests that coaches obtain certification through US Lacrosse.

MBGLL suggests that each town conduct a CORI search on its coaches.

Do players have to obtain US Lacrosse membership?

Yes, all players (and coaches) must obtain US Lacrosse membership prior to starting the season.  MBGLL requires US Lacrosse membership to take advantage of its insurance benefits.  No one may step onto the field without a current US Lacrosse membership.

Why does MBGLL require players and coaches to join US Lacrosse? 

MBGLL requires all players and coaches to join US Lacrosse to capitalize on the lacrosse-specific insurance benefits.  Having all participants subscribe to this lacrosse-specific insurance also limits liability for MBGLL Town Programs and Coaches.

How does MBGLL determine its team registration fees?

MBGLL is organized as a non-profit organization. We try to only carry enough of a balance in our checking account to cover present and impending future costs. Our fees may be slightly higher than that of other leagues because of the additional services that our league provides it members. Specifically,…

1. MBGLL offers SportsManager, free of charge, to our members. This is an on-line registration and scheduling tool. It is used to create the entire schedule for our league as well as to schedule our umpires. It can also be used at the member level to track town field usage, team rosters, registrations, e-mails, etc. The features are numerous.

2. MBGLL is pleased to offer various coaches’ training opportunities through the year. For example, last year we offered three US Lacrosse Level 1 Coaches’ Training Clinics and one US Lacrosse Level 2 Coaches’ Training Clinic. In addition, we hosted three rules Q. and A. sessions with umpires, an annual meeting, and four division meetings. Finally, we offered two round-table sessions during the season.

3. In order to manage the growth of our league, MBGLL has invested in a paid, part time executive director position. This is especially necessary during a time when our league is growing and volunteerism is diminishing.

How do I find out more information? 

Please visit our Board of Directors directory to find the e-mail address you are looking for or send an e-mail to info@mbgll.org.