A Family Commitment to
CBAA Lightning Lacrosse

Why are we calling this a "family commitment"?

The Central Bucks Athletic Association (CBAA) understands that participating in a youth sport is a commitment shared, to varying degrees, by the whole family. Practice schedules, travel to away games, interruptions to normal dinner schedules, equipment costs, etc., all combine to impact the family. It is for these reasons that we ask for you to review the following information about our program before determining if you can make the commitment encouraged by CBAA for our youth lacrosse players.

Over-scheduling?

Given the unique nature of lacrosse, or any complex activity that is relatively new to your child, their improvement and enjoyment will only come with practice. Unfortunately, in today's society, it is becoming increasingly common to see kids scheduled for multiple activities during the same calendar season, including other seasonal sports, school plays, music instruction, and many other things. It is wonderful that our children have such opportunities and families that will support them. However, with each added activity, the degree of focus and, more importantly, the ability to attend regularly-scheduled practices (not to mention practicing on their own) becomes more difficult. Over the last few seasons, we have noticed an increasing number of kids missing practices and even games do to calendar conflicts.

CBAA is a community-based organization. We exist to enable kids to have fun in sports. Wins and losses are nice, but active participation and witnessing skill growth and confidence are our real goals. This requires their attendance and focus at practices and games. From our experience, we can state clearly that kids make more substantial improvement (and thus have more fun) when they are more focused. We simply ask you to consider how many activities your child can successfully participate in before registering your child for CBAA lacrosse.

The unique nature of lacrosse

We stress the need for attendance at team practices and games because of the unique nature of lacrosse. Unlike many other sports that most of us (parents) grew up with, throwing and catching a lacrosse ball is different. It can take a kid a while "to get it". And until they do, the sport can feel a little frustrating. To only pick up a stick and work with it when a practice is scheduled will slow their development. To potentially miss team practices due to other sports and activities will further slow their growth in the sport.

What's more, because of the strong need for team play in lacrosse, failure to develop basic skills causes a ripple effect on the other players. Lacrosse is not like basketball where one player can rebound a shot, dribble the ball up the court, and score without another player touching the ball. Lacrosse is dependent on unselfish passing and catching. Our coaches are eager to help your kids with these basic skills, assuming they consistently attend practice. We simply ask that you give every consideration to your child's schedule before committing to CBAA lacrosse. Practice will make your child better, the team better, and will ensure a very positive experience for your whole family.

Travel vs. intramural

Unlike an "intramural" league that only plays against teams in its own organization (usually at the same location), please understand that CBAA lacrosse teams are all "travel teams" (with the exception of our boys 1st/2nd grade program). We play against community-based teams from other townships in the suburban Philadelphia area. This would include games against the likes of Hatboro-Horsham, Wissahickon, Upper Dublin, Lower Bucks, Council Rock and many other programs. Thus, your team's schedule will always include a mix of home games (played at the Herbst complex in Plumstead Township), and away games. Attendance at all games is strongly encouraged. We certainly understand that other family commitments will occasionally conflict with lacrosse. We simply ask, in consideration to the team and the coaches, that you make an effort to keep these to a minimum. And when a conflict will definitely impact your child's attendance at a game or practice, PLEASE inform your child's coach ahead of time!

Games, tournaments and playoffs

Your child's CBAA lacrosse schedule will include a number of regular season games (usually between 6 and 10 depending on the age level). Some age groups also sponsor playoffs depending on the number of teams in their segment. This has typically meant that boys, beginning at the 5/6grade level, and girls at the 7/8 grade level participate in season-ending playoffs. These added games are covered in the registration fee you'll pay to join CBAA.

In addition, there are a variety of tournaments before, during and after the season in which our teams have the option of participating. It is usually at the coaches' discretion that a team (based on their commitment to practice and their corresponding skill level) will elect to enter their teams in these competitions. These normally require a fee that is additive to your registration. It will be announced well in advance. As parents, you will always have the option of not having your child participate, although it is strongly encouraged. One of these tournaments is the CBAA-sponsored "Irish Skirmish" tournament played at the Herbst complex. As you may know, the tournament (now entering its third season) was organized in memory of our friend and coach Brian Riley. Brian helped establish the girls' program in CBAA. His untimely death impacted all of us who were joined by youth lacrosse. The tournament is our way of paying homage to this great man and the sport he loved.

Communication (to and from)

As many of you will be new to the sport, questions will inevitably arise about the game and how it should be played (e.g., rules, specific skills, how players rotate in or out of the game, etc.). If left unanswered, there is the potential for you or your child to feel frustrated or confused. Please make it a point to reach out to the coaches at an appropriate time so that they may answer any questions you or your children may have.

You can also expect that your child's coach will regularly communicate with you regarding his or her coaching philosophy, your team's schedule, as well as news about other team-related activities. Each coach will determine his/her preferred method of communicating (e.g., phone, email, website postings, etc.).

The bottom line

Lacrosse is the fastest growing amateur sport in the country thanks to its unique combination of speed, skill, and creative team play. CBAA lacrosse can be a wonderful experience for your son or daughter, and your entire family. As the kids practice, play, and improve, they will feel an increasing sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Please help ensure that this occurs by making every effort to commit to the regularly-scheduled practices and games put forth by your coaches.

We look forward to you joining the CBAA Lightning Lacrosse family.