What is the Pleasanton Lacrosse Club (PLC)?
How long has the PLC been developing lacrosse in our area?
What is Lacrosse?
Who plays Lacrosse?
When does the season start?
Where do the Pleasanton Lacrosse Teams Play?
How do I start playing?
Why do I need to join US Lacrosse?
What kind of equipment do I need?
What kind of “Crosse” should I buy?
Is Lacrosse a contact sport?
Who provides the uniform and what if I lose it?
How do I improve my skills?
Where can I buy equipment?
How can parents get involved?
What’s the rain policy?
What’s your refund policy?

 

Q: What is the Pleasanton Lacrosse Club?
A: The Pleasanton Lacrosse Club is a volunteer run, non-profit corporation whose goal is to provide the youth of Pleasanton an opportunity to learn and play the fastest game on two feet; lacrosse.

The Pleasanton Lacrosse Club runs spring (Feb-May) and summer (July-Aug) with leagues for elementary and middle school players. Pleasanton Lacrosse Club is affiliated with the NCJLA, the Northern California Junior Lacrosse Association which schedules games with other teams in the Northern California region, and runs a season ending championship tournament.

In Pleasanton both high schools have very competitive lacrosse programs, which are run by the school district. Pleasanton Lacrosse Club has three boy's leagues beginning with the Pee Wee league made up of players in 3rd and 4th grade. The Pups league consists of players in 5th and 6th grade and the Junior league is for players in 7th and 8th grade. We also have a girls league for girls in grades 4 – 8.

We have multiple teams in each age-group based upon player experience and ability. The Club will be conducting player evaluations in the fall prior to making player assignments that commensurate with skill level their age bracket. We strive to field well balanced teams that are competitive with the other lacrosse clubs in our region. Players who develop skills quickly or have fallen through the evaluation “crack” may be moved up to a more skilled team. This will be done at the suggestion/agreement between the two teams' coaches and the player and parents. It is preferred that this be done prior to the start of games.

Q: How long as the PLC been developing lacrosse in our area?
A: Lacrosse in Pleasanton was started by a group of lacrosse players who wanted to develop High School level lacrosse. This team became the foundation for lacrosse at Pleasanton’s local High Schools; Amador Valley High School and Foothill High School.

In the spring of 2002 a group of volunteers formed three boys youth teams. One team at the Junior Level and two at the Pups level were formed with a total of 78 players.

This same group of volunteers with some additional help formed five boys’ teams in the spring of 2003 with a total of 125 players.

In the summer of 2003 the Pleasanton Lacrosse Club was chartered and set up as a non-profit corporation and as a co-sponsored club in Pleasanton. Our inaugural season of the spring 2004 we had nine boys’ teams from Grade 3 to Grade 8 and three Girls teams from grade 4 to Grade 8. Our growth potential will only limited by the involvement of parents as volunteers and the availability of field space for practice and play.

Q: What is Lacrosse?
A: Lacrosse was invented by North American Indians who played with sticks made of wood and leather and a rock was used as the ball. The game became a (slightly less dangerous) substitute for warring between tribes to establish dominance. The Canadians also adopted the sport from the Indians in Northeastern America and it is their national sport, not hockey as is commonly believed. Modern lacrosse has been played by athletes in the United States and the British Commonwealth for over a century.

The sport of lacrosse is a combination of speed, and strength and draws from skills found in basketball, soccer and hockey. Anyone can play lacrosse--big or small. The game requires and rewards coordination and agility, not raw strength. Quickness and speed are two highly prized qualities in lacrosse. Lacrosse is fast-paced and full of action. Players run up and down the field with lots starts and stops, precision passes and dodges are routine in both men's and women's lacrosse. Lacrosse is played with a stick, called “the crosse”, which is used by the player to throw, catch and scoop the ball.

Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing team sports in the United States. US Lacrosse reports that its youth membership (ages 15 and under) has doubled since 1999 to over 60,000. The National Federation of State High School Associations reported that in 2001 better than 74,000 students played high lacrosse. With club teams, private schools, and states not yet having sanctioned lacrosse, high school-aged participation is actually much higher. Varsity collegiate participation has grown by one-third since 1995, and collegiate and post-collegiate club teams field thousands of players as well, with NCAA sanctioning play at the collegiate level. For more information please go to the US Lacrosse web site.

Q: Who plays lacrosse?
A: According the U.S. Lacrosse Association, youth and recreational programs playing both field and "soft" lacrosse are estimated at about 125,000 participants. US Lacrosse's 48 regional chapters indicated a total of 82,448 players participating in lacrosse at the youth level. Several areas of the country have youth programs but are not yet represented by a US Lacrosse chapter. Over 4,500 programs span the United States. Programs range in size from 50 to 15,000 children. Youth players range from 5 to 15 years of age.

Q: When does the season start?
A: Our Spring season consists of month of pre-season practices at least twice a week in February and weekly games along with practices beginning in March and running through the final tournament Memorial Day weekend (or towards the end of May). In addition we typically run a Boy's summer league in July/August.

Games begin either the last weekend in February or the first weekend in March. Games are usually on Saturdays and Sundays, sometimes on Fridays and rarely but occasionally other days of the week depending if rainout makeups are needed. We won't know specific team schedules until the 2nd or 3rd week in February.

Lacrosse is an all-weather sport so we will practice or play rain or shine.

Q: Where do the Pleasanton Lacrosse Teams play?
A: Our home field is currently at Hart Middle School at the intersection of Willow Street and West Las Positas in Pleasanton. Practices and home games are currently played there.

The BobbleHeads Fall League and our Summer League are played exclusively at Hart Middle School.

During the regular Spring season we travel to other teams in the NCJLA. Games may be played in a variety of cities around the bay including, but not limited to: Danville, Orinda, Lafayette, Ross Valley in Marin, Menlo Park and Walnut Creek, San Jose, Palo Alto, Burlingame, San Francisco, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, Sacramento, Stockton, and Livermore. 

The NCJLA dictates the schedules and where we play. They have teams as far north as Chico and as far south as Monterey and we occasionally play against these teams.   

Each team will play a minimum of 10 games but more likely around 12-15 games during the Spring season. We attempt to schedule about half of them as homes games at Hart Middle School; however, some teams will play fewer and some more games at home.

Q: How do I start playing?
A: Register on our website.  We'll then sign you up for a US Lacrosse Association membership.  then Purchase your equipment, and optionally check into some basic skills training held at one of the many camps or clinics that are run in Pleasanton and the nearby areas.

Q: Why do I need to join US Lacrosse?
A: The US Lacrosse Association in addition to being the main governing body for our sport also provides insurance coverage for its members. This insurance is required by the Pleasanton Lacrosse Club in order to practice or play with our league. The Pleasanton Lacrosse Club will enroll you or renew your membership with regular season registration.

Q: What kind of equipment do I need?
A: Each player provides his own equipment including both protective gear and a
“ crosse” or stick. The protective gear required by the league and Pleasanton
Lacrosse Club consists of:

Boys:

• A lacrosse helmet (our colors are white with green visor)
• Mouth-guard (have spares)
• Athletic supporter with cup
• Shoulder pads
• Arm/elbow pads
• Rib pads (optional but recommended)
• Lacrosse gloves
• Goalies need additional chest and throat-guard protection (provided by the PLC)
• A “crosse” or stick with a pocket
• Cleats (football, soccer or baseball will do) – keep tennis shoes in your bag too.
• Balls to practice with

Girls:

• Women’s Lacrosse Stick (NCAA approved), not boys'/men's
• Protective Goggles (get cage style, not the see-through plastic type.  We recommend Cascade Iris - color green.  Iris (standard) is preferred over Iris "Mini," unless player has very small facial structure.
• Mouth-guard (have at least two)
• Gloves (optional)
• Cleats
• Goalie gear is provided by the PLC

Q: What kind of “Crosse” should I buy?
A: In the Boy's division there are three kinds of crosses including: short stick, used by attack and midfield players; long stick, used by defense and midfield players, and a goalie stick. The basic lacrosse skills can be best learned with the short stick, and the club requires all players to start with a short stick. The club has a few goalie sticks that will be loaned to players wishing to try the goalie position. The crosse consists of a head (basket and webbing) and handle. Both the heads and the handles come in a variety of styles and are made from a wide assortment of materials…which means that they come in a wide variety of prices as well.

In the girl's division there are a variety of sticks to choose from.  See a retailer that specializes in Lacrosse to get help choosing the right stick.  Girl's use a stick that is the appropriate length for them (there is no short stick/long stick).  Sticks will be measured to each girl and coaches might recommend that parents take a hacksaw and shorten the length depending on the size of the girl.

Q: Is Lacrosse a contact sport?
A: Boys lacrosse is a contact sport. Girls lacrosse is not a contact sport. Boys in 6th grade and below play with minimal physical contact. The focus is on developing their lacrosse skills. From 7th Grade and older physical contact is allowed and is taught by coaches appropriately.

Q: Who provides the uniforms?
A: Currently the league distributes jerseys to each player which must be returned at the end of each season. Lost jerseys will incur a replacement charge of $50. New this season, PLC will provide Boy's Logo shorts with registration. Black kilts for girls are available for group purchase at the beginning of each season.  Socks and equipment are the player’s choice and responsibility. 

Q: How do I improve my skills?
A: Practice, practice, practice! The Pleasanton Lacrosse Club focuses on teaching skills and skills development during the practices held during the season. Additionally there are a number of camps and clinics available in the area (see our web-site links for more details). Between practice, “having a catch” with a friend or getting out and doing some “wall-work” will hone your throwing and stick skills which are the most important aspect of beginning lacrosse.

We also have a good deal of “web-based” knowledge resources linked to this site, and we invite you to surf around for some great tips, tools and help building your player skills.

Q: Where can I buy equipment?
A: Check out the links on our site. There are local vendors in Dublin, Pleasanton and Lafayette, many vendors on-line and you can also check out the Exchange here on our website for used equipment.

Q: How can parents get involved?
A: Parent participation is fundamental to the success of our organization. In addition to managers, coaches, and assistant coaches, The Pleasanton Lacrosse Club is an all-volunteer organization and we have a number of critical positions that must be staffed for each team by parent volunteers. We are also planning a number of activities and other opportunities (festivals, fund-raisers, etc.) in which you can contribute. Please get involved! The club needs your support!

Q: What’s the rain policy?
A: Pleasanton Lacrosse teams practice rain or shine. Players should arrive at Hart prepared with a pair of tennis shoes, in addition to their cleats, so that they may practice on the hard top. On game day, we abide by the Pleasanton Weather Line which can be reached at 925-931-5360.

Q: What’s your refund policy?
A: Our current refund policy is posted under PLC Policies on the left hand menu.