Expectations

Playing Time 

At the 5th/6th and 7th/8th levels, it is important to note that we are a competitive program. Coaches should make every effort to play all of their players in a fair manner, but equal playing time is not required. Please note that fair and equal are not the same thing.

Players do become more specialized by position as they get older. 

3rd/4th grade

Equal play, equal opportunity for attack, defense, mid fielder, & goalie.

5th/6th grade

Each player should play meaningful minutes in each half with emphasis on team success in the 2nd half. Opportunity for attack, defense, mid-fielder, and goalie play for everyone, while beginning to emphasize position playing. 

7th/8th grade

Each player should play meaningful minutes in each half. Playing time after that is earned. Emphasis on position playing with additional opportunity play when games allow for depth and development. 

Gig Harbor Lacrosse aspires to promote and maintain a positive and high quality educational-athletic experience for each student-athlete. A positive educational-athletic experience is one in which every athlete: 

• Is firmly planted with the ideals of good sportsmanship, respect, honor, honesty, loyalty, humor and courage in order to become better citizens. 
• Is coached using these same principles and has fun at practice and games. 
• Feels like an important part of the team regardless of experience or expertise.
• Learns life lessons that have value beyond the playing field. 
• Learns the skills, tactics and strategies of the game and improves as a player.

The Gig Harbor Lacrosse program assists athletes in developing habits, attitudes, and ideals necessary for ethical competition and cooperation in our society. It also provides athletes with lifelong lessons in sportsmanship, teamwork, perseverance, commitment, loyalty, self-discipline, pride, cooperation, responsibility, and leadership skills.  

Players 

Player’s Role 

1. Always have a positive attitude – we are who we think we are. 
2. Be a loyal teammate- there is no room for doubters. 
3. Don’t complain - complaining takes too much energy, if you have a concern, see the head coach. 
4. Learn, work hard, and have fun. Hustling is free and requires no skill. 

What coaches expect of the players 

1. Maintain a commitment as a representative of the program. Be self-motivated and self-disciplined. Be prepared both mentally and physically.  
2. Show respect for coaches, teammates, opponents, parents & officials. 
3. Keep lacrosse in perspective – FAMILY – SCHOOL – LAX. 
4. Place the needs of the TEAM before his/her own needs. 
5. Show good sportsmanship on and away from fields. 
6. Be a positive influence to younger players and in school. 
7. Have honest communication with coaches, teammates and  parents/guardians. 
8. Be gracious in victory and accept defeat with dignity - must be a gracious loser to be an incredible winner. 
9. Exercise self-control – no fighting, excessive displays of anger or frustration.  
10. Honor the spirit and rules of the game – avoid improper gamesmanship techniques that violate the highest traditions of sportsmanship (ie. no taunting, hazing, poking fun of another player).

Violations of the rules and expectations may reduce playing time for the athlete.  Continued violations after corrective actions have been provided/recommended may extend to temporary suspension from the program. 

Parents 

What the Gig Harbor Lacrosse Association Expects of Parents/Guardians 

1. Allow our coaches to coach your children, we want them to improve.  Athletics are a process - please trust the process. 
2. Allow your children to make mistakes and fail - it helps them learn about life. 
3. When something doesn’t go right, have perspective. Don’t blame the coach or other teammates. Stay positive! 
4. Our organization is a volunteer organization. Please find a way to help out and give back to Gig Harbor Lacrosse.  

What Coaches Expect of Parents/Guardians 

1. Be a positive supporter of the program, the players and coaches. 
2. Recognize that coaches strive to coach without prejudice. 
3. Let the coach do the coaching, however you can do some teaching – teach sportsmanship and how to deal with success and failure.  
4. Develop player character and teach life skills that sports bring to the forefront. 
5. Contact coaches with open and honest concerns about players role in the program. 
6. Look at each player as a part of the team rather than as a separate individual.

Coaches 

What Parents/Guardians Expect of Coaches 

1. Utilize clean, honest, open communications. 
2. Set clear goals and expectations and then explain these items at the start of the season. 
3. Establish a safe, fair, and positive environment with proper supervision.
4. Demonstrate professional role modeling while treating each player with understanding, respect and dignity. 
5. Provide an enthusiastic, fun, and organized practice and game experience. 
6. Maintain current knowledge of lacrosse. 

What Players Expect of Coaches 

1. Be a positive role model who is enthusiastic and encouraging. 
2. Be treated fairly and with respect. 
3. Provide an atmosphere for open communication. 
4. Understand that the player has a personal life and has commitments outside lacrosse. 
5. Create a safe environment and be knowledgeable about health and accident issues. 
6. Be knowledgeable about lacrosse. 

Practices 

Start/stop times: Practices will start at the scheduled time. Coaches will make every effort to end practices on time, however, the athletes will be responsible for field breakdown and clean up and will not be released until the Program Directors are satisfied that the fields meet the standards set for the end of practice. 

Practice Length: 

Boys 3rd/4th divisions=1.5 hours (3 days a week)

Boys 5th/6th, 7th/8th grade divisions = 2 hours (3 days a week) 

Girls 3rd/4th division  = 1 ½ hours (2 days a week) 

Girls 5th/6th, 7th/8th grade divisions = 1 ½-2 hours (2-3 days a week) 

Coaches may schedule additional practice periods with notification of the Program Directors and parents.