Participation and playtime guidelines

Participation at practice and games is necessary for the development of everyone on the team. When players miss practices and games, it negatively affects or impacts the entire team. All players should:

1. Be respectful of other players, coaches, parents and managers by attending all practices and games;
2. Understand that by not participating in practices or games, players are negatively affecting their teammates and coaches, and hindering development of the team;
3. Communicate via email, text, or phone call to the coach and/or manager prior to the game or practice that you will not be attending (24 hour notice for practices, 48 hour notice for games);
4. Attend association practices and games / tournaments over other sports, including club lacrosse.

In the event of a planned family vacation or obligation, communicate with the coach and/or manager at the beginning of the season and let them know the length of time that will be missed. FYLA realizes there are many options for camps and other sports during the lacrosse season. If, however, a player chooses to miss association lacrosse practice or games due to the attendance of practice/games/camps for other sports, the player may lose playing time in the subsequent game. In order to be fair to all team members, lacrosse activities should be considered their primary athletic commitment during the lacrosse season.

FYLA also realizes that family takes priority in any person’s life. So unless the absence for a vacation is extremely long, FYLA does not see a reason to sit players during games. However, if the player has missed a significant number of practices where certain team plays and strategies have been developed, play time may be impacted depending on the development and needs of the team on the player's return.

Every player is a contributing member of the team. Players are challenged in practice sessions and are given opportunities in game situations to display their skills. All players get playing time, but some players may get more playing time than others. Playing time is determined by several things, including:

1. Lacrosse skill/knowledge
2. Penalty trouble
3. Match-ups
4. Attitude
5. Attendance
6. Effort

Coaches should provide players and parents/guardians with communication if playing time will be reduced for disciplinary reasons. Coaches should be clear in their communication with players and parents/guardians about expected playing time so that expectations can be managed.