Boys’ Lacrosse – fallstonreccouncil

The Fallston Boys Lacrosse Program fields Cougar teams at every age group and a variety of skill levels. From the future stars in our Little Laxers program (boys ages 3-4) to our Juniors age group for boys ages 13-15 (8th grade), our program offers the opportunity for boys of all ages within our community the chance to learn the game of lacrosse and develop his skills at every level.

A detailed program overview for the 2023-2024 season can be found below in our "Program Structure" section.

Our spring season, which is our main offering, will run from late February/early March through early June.

Our Little Laxers and Clinic programs are run “in-house”, while we offer various levels of travel options at each age group, including graduation-year teams (2030 only for the 2024 season).

HISTORY

For 40+ years, Fallston Rec has hosted one of the premier lacrosse programs in the state of Maryland. Serving residents of Harford County and northern Baltimore County, the Fallston Rec Boys Lacrosse Program has a long tradition of developing elite lacrosse talent. That tradition continues today as Fallston remains one of the most consistently competitive programs in the Maryland Youth Lacrosse Association and Harford County boys lacrosse leagues.

MISSION

The mission of The Fallston Boys’ Lacrosse program is to inspire youth regardless of race, creed or national origin in the ideals of sportsmanship, scholarship, and physical fitness. We will promote the development of character, patriotism, health, safety, and good citizenship. We will teach lacrosse in a manner which balances team discipline with a child’s fullest enjoyment of the game.

PURPOSE

BY-LAWS

THE "FALLSTON WAY"

Our focus is to provide the best youth lacrosse experience for the players and families who play within our program and the coaches who lead our teams.

The "Fallston Way" consists of the following core values that have and will continue to serve as the foundation of our program:

COMMUNITY

INCLUSION

Inclusive of all skills and abilities and working to reduce ALL barriers to entry – talent, financial, and social.

OPPORTUNITY

Support our community by providing an opportunity for boys to learn the game, grow their game, and develop a lifelong passion for the game.

REDUCE BARRIERS TO ENTRY

Aggressive fundraising to help offset the cost to play, subsidize equipment needs, and provide opportunities to play that are affordable, cost-conscious, and available to all.

LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPATION

Creating a pathway for boys to continue to develop and play the game beyond Fallston Rec Council.

BALANCE

FAMILY & FINANCIAL OUTLAY

Recognition of the associated costs and financial impact on families for participation.
Opportunities to play throughout the year will be designed for all.
Affordable, but value based.

MULTI-SPORT & ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION

Awareness of who we’re coaching – children, not professionals.
Balance all the aspects of how we coach on the lacrosse field, while also encouraging multi-sport participation; however, we understand the importance of providing year-round opportunities for players. We will strive to have opportunities available for those who are interested, when they are interested.

REASONABLE TIME-COMMITMENT

We are not a club; however, we understand the importance of providing year-round opportunities for players to choose from if/when available, but more importantly interested.
Off-Season opportunities to play, including: Summer League, Fall Session, Winter Indoor, and Summer Camps:

COMPETITION

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL TO COMPETE

Provide competitive opportunities appropriate for skills and abilities at each age group.
Provide the proper amount of stretch, while focusing on providing the best overall experience.

ALIGNMENT

Best align and best prepare boys to play at each stage of their development.
One size does not fit all.
Offer varying levels of teams and competitive options.

AGE-APPROPRIATE PROGRESSION

Competition will look different at every age group. The goal is to support multiple team formations, allowing for competition at varied levels within each age group.
Focus on scalability for each age group based on ability, cognition, and competitive level.

DEVELOPMENT

The goal of our program is to aid in the development of players who are well-rounded members of our community through the game of lacrosse. In addition, we will strive to educate our coaches and volunteers to assist in the areas we emphasize for growth and development:

CHARACTER

Teach and play to a standard, not a score.
Access for our coaches to learn best on-field practices, as well as opportunities to grow as coaches and leaders in guiding the players we coach.

LIFELONG PASSION FOR THE GAME

Provide ALL boys a strong foundation of not only skills to play, but an environment to grow and learn the game.
Focus not on winning NOW but developing players for the future.

INTENTIONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Age and skill appropriate; scaling at each stage for continued growth.
Individual player development combined with effective learning environments for skill acquisition.

Fallston Boys' Lacrosse Coaches

The Fallston Boys' Lacrosse Program was founded by volunteers passionate about teaching the game of lacrosse to boys in our community. It is that unwavering commitment to teach the game the right way, the "Fallston Way" that serves as the foundation of our program.

Coaches interested in joining our program are required to complete registration through the link HERE. A background check will be completed prior to be approved to coach within our program.

Our annual coach's clinic will be announced in the coming weeks.

Thank you for choosing to be a part of our lacrosse family.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Below is a list of the various age groups for our spring season, including our graduation year-based teams. Click on each for more information and detail regarding the in-season overview.

Rec-Level Age Groups & Description

Each age group will tailor to the specific group, with options and levels dependent upon numbers and skill and ability; however, it is our commitment to provide options for all to enjoy playing the game.

Click on the various age group listed below for more information regarding the in-season offering.

LITTLE LAXERS (5U)

Our LITTLE LAXERS age group (5U) is an introductory program for boys in a fun, non-contact setting.

This is an "in-house" program where our youngest players are introduced to basic skills through a series of stations and small-sided games.

*Open to boys born on or after September 1, 2018.

Length of Season: End of March/early April through end of May

Sessions/Week: Once a week (Saturdays)

Location: Fallston Rec Council

Cost: $100/player (includes beginner Powell Camper stick and Little Laxers t-shirt)

CLINIC (7U)

Our Clinic age group (7U) has been modified to include two groups: "Clinic" and "Pee Wee", both of which will play "in-house".

CLINIC is a beginner-level program geared towards individual skill development with introductory "team" concepts through small-sided, 3v3 or 4v4 play on modified fields and small goals.

Players will have individual team assignments and begin to learn additional rules of the game and play through this gradual entry program.

PEE WEE will consist of 6v6 games where we will begin to introduce positions (attack, midfield, and defense), more rules of the game, and additional "team" concepts.

The Pee Wee group will play on an 8-man sized field.

Length of Season: Early/mid March through end of May

Sessions/Week: Practice once a week with games on Saturday mornings.

Location: Fallston Rec Council

Cost: $150/player (includes sublimated jersey and shorts)

Equipment: Required. Available through our equipment program.

TYKER (9U)

Our TYKER age group will consist primarily of 2nd and 3rd graders; however, is based on the following:

Born on or after 9/1/2014 and on or before 8/31/2016.

This group will have multiple teams for which evaluations will be held in January/February. Team roster and competitive level will be set at coaches' discretion.

Length of Season: Early March through early June
Sessions/Week: Practice twice a week with games on Saturday or Sunday
Cost: $225/player (includes sublimated jersey and shorts)
Equipment: Required. Available through our equipment program.
League Participation: MYLA rec travel league on Saturday or HARCO Travel league based on overall team skill level and ability.
Summer: Tournament participation will be determined by team and by coaches.

SPRING 2024 EVALUATIONS

Evaluation #1:

Date: Thursday, February 15th
Time: 5-6 PM
Location: Maryland Sportsplex

Evaluation #2:

Date: Sunday, February 18th
Time: 11-12 PM
Location: Fallston Rec Turf

*If Evaluation #2 is unable to be run outside, we will reschedule to 2/20 from 5-6 PM at Maryland Sportsplex.

LIGHTNING (11U)

Our LIGHTNING age group will consist primarily of 4th and 5th graders; however, is based on the following:

*Open to boys born on or after 9/1/2012 and on or before 8/31/2014.

This group will have THREE teams for spring 2024. Evaluations will be held on the following dates:

Evaluation #1:

Date: Tuesday, February 13th
Time: 5-6 PM
Location: Maryland Sportsplex

Evaluation #2:

Date: Sunday, February 18th
Time: 7-8 PM
Location: Harford Sports

Length of Season: Early March through early June

Sessions/Week: Practice twice a week with games on Saturday or Sunday

Cost: $225/player (includes sublimated jersey and shorts)

Equipment: Required. Available through our equipment program.

League Participation: MYLA rec travel league OR HARCO Travel league. League alignment will be based on overall team skill level and ability and at the discretion of the team's coaches.

Summer: Tournament participation will be determined by team and by coaches.

*Participation in at least one (1) evaluation will be required to qualify to be selected for the "Advanced" team in this age group.

MIDDIES (13U)

Our MIDDIES age group will consist primarily of 6th and 7th graders; however, is based on the following:

Born on or after 9/1/2010 and on or before 8/31/2012.

Evaluations will only be necessary if multiple teams are fielded. Team roster and competitive level will be set at coaches' discretion.

Length of Season: Early March through early June
Sessions/Week: Practice twice a week with games on Saturday or Sunday
Cost: $225/player (includes sublimated jersey and shorts)
Equipment: Required. Available through our equipment program.
League Participation: MYLA rec travel league on Saturday or HARCO Travel league based on overall team skill level and ability.
Summer: Tournament participation will be determined by team and by coaches.

*Evaluations will be held in January/February if necessary – Participation at least one (1) evaluation will be required to qualify to be selected for the more competitive team in this age group.

Graduation Year-Based Teams

Our graduation year-based teams provide an opportunity to compete, develop and play throughout the year competing at the "club" level in both league play and tournaments.

Currently, we have the following graduation-year based teams. More information can be found by clicking on the individual team link below.

2030

Our 2030 team competes at the "club" level and plays a year-round schedule.

Evaluations are in July with fall, winter, and spring schedules that include the following:

FALL (September through October)

Practices on Sundays
Two tournaments

WINTER (December through February)

Indoor practices and training

SPRING (February through June)

Practices at FRC 2-3 times a week
Participation in GHCLC with additional out-of-league games
2-3 tournaments

COACHES

Steve Mull
Nate McCreary
Josh Phillips
Mike Varipatis

Fallston Boys' Lacrosse Equipment Program

The Fallston Boys' Lacrosse program offers all players the opportunity to borrow equipment throughout the year. Simply click on the link below to register and pay the deposit, which is refundable at the time equipment is returned, assuming there is no damage or wear and tear beyond the typical scope of play.

Equipment includes either Cascade S (Clinic) or Cascade Youth S or XRS (Tyker and above), NOCSAE-approved shoulder pads, arm pads, and gloves.

EQUIPMENT PROGRAM

OFFSEASON PROGRAMS

Our program encourages multi-sport participation. We will also offer the following opportunities for boys interested in continuing to play lacrosse outside of the spring season; however, these programs are not requirements for participation in our spring season and are scheduled so as not to conflict with in-season sports.

The goal for each? Allow each participant the chance to

Work hard. play more. have fun.

FALL SPEED LACROSSE

We are excited to host "Sunday Speed Lacrosse" for Fall 2023!

Each week will include a short skill development session with topics to include shooting, defensive positioning, dodging, and more led by the Fallston High School coaching staff and players.

Following each instructional session, participants will have a chance to play in a pick-up, free-play environment with various small-sided games. Groups will be divided evenly based on age and ability for small-sided games.

Helmets and gloves required. No contact. Just bring your stick and have fun playing lacrosse with your friends this fall!

WINTER SKILLS & DRILLS

SUMMER SIXES

We are excited to offer SUMMER SIXES!

Registration for Summer 2024 will open this spring.

Games will begin late June and conclude late July/early August.

The format will model the “World Sixes” format with five field players plus a goalie, allowing players to develop their skills on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, as there are no offsides and games are played on a shortened field.

This fun, fast-paced style provides a greater number of touches for all players, as well as the opportunity.

Age groups will be based on USA Lacrosse age bracketing and include the following divisions:

7U
9U
11U
13U
High School

SUMMER DAY CAMP

Information regarding our 2024 Summer Day Camp coming soon!

Dates: June 24-27, 2024
Time: 9-3 PM
Location: Fallston Rec. Council

Hosted by our Team 152 coaching staff, the summer day camp provides boys from kindergarten through eighth grade the opportunity to spend a week with our coaches, current FHS players, and alumni, learning and building on both the individual and team-focused fundamentals of the game in a fun environment on the FRC fields.

Camp runs from 9 AM through 3 PM Monday through Thursday. Dates will be announced later this spring.

HIGH SCHOOL PREP CAMP (5-8th Grade)

Information regarding the 2024 High School Prep Camp coming soon!

Dates: June 3-6, 2024
Time: 5:30-8:30 PM
Location: Fallston High School

Our evening camp is targeted for middle school-aged players interested in playing lacrosse at the high school level.

Advanced concepts, individual position and skill development, as well as drills and games will allow those participants the opportunity to see what is required to play at the next level.