club vs. rec girl's Lacrosse

[Anonymous]

DD is a rising 7th grader in NOVA. Generally athletic and competitive. Definitely enjoys playing LAX but not crazy about it as she has many other interests, but LAX is the only sport she plays. Her coach selected her as the best player and the leader of her team and recommended her play at club level next year. However I am appalled by the amount of time and money involved with club LAX and can't help wondering what good it'll bring that rec lax can't aside from more challenges and better development.

Would love to hear any pros and cons from different perspectives before I decide if I'll send her to club try-outs. She is going to a VA public high school and highly unlikely will pursue a career in sport in the future. Thanks for your input.

[Anonymous]

I may be wrong but I don't think most kids in lax are looking at a career in lax or sports in the future. We have 3 kids heavily engaged in lax as their primary sports with other sports as their secondaries, 1 kid with lax as a secondary sport and another sport as the primary, and 1 kid still biting ankles so it is way too soon to tell.

Our kids participate in rec and club sports because they thrive on the athleticism, the camaraderie, the fun and the competition.

If your daughter is interested in the club team then I would allow her to pursue it as long as you are confident that you are willing to spend the money. Not only are the up-front costs for club teams significant but the hidden costs of time and road trips far outweigh the up-front money. IMO you need to be able to spend it with out holding it out as a stick over you kid's head ("I just spent $xxx and you didn't even make a goal" type of thing) because that behavior drives the fun right out of the sport for the kid.

Otherwise, maybe keep her in the rec sport and then perhaps encourage her to add an additional sport? Most of the lax players (rec only or both rec & club) we know do have more than one sport.

[Anonymous]

Lots of good club options in NOVA. Stars, VA Metro, and Cardinals have the most competitive teams. The next tier down would include Crash and Pride, both of which also have good coaching and player development programs. Further west there is 3d and I think there is a developmental team in the Burke area. Now Madlax is trying to get into the act too.

My daughter has loved the club experience and stayed with the same team throughout, but know what you're getting into, as these days it is essentially a year-round sport. Our team plays fall travel, participates in a winter league, plays in the NGYPLL in the spring, and then have summer tournaments. With that kind of time and financial commitment, tryout for multiple clubs in August and go for the team that seems to be the best fit for you and your daughter.

[Anonymous]

My DD did rec lacrosse and she found it more competitive than she cared for. In the NOVA area, there are some clubs that will let you play even if you don't live in their geographic area. Ft.Hunt in Alexandria for example is a pretty competitive rec program.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your reply, 12:35, 12:51, 12:57. Time and money wise I can't afford the road trips and hotel stays as I have another child who plays travel sport. If I keep her in rec lax and sign her up for school running program which she already asked for, and send her to a few LAX summer camps, how likely can she make varsity team in high school? Obviously I am not familiar with the LAX culture and competition level.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on how competitive the lax program is at your local HS. Obviously, Robinson, Madison, Langley, and even a smaller HS like George Mason will be difficult to make as an underclassman.

[Anonymous]

Thanks 18:35. That's bad news.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks 18:35. That's bad news.

I'm 12:35 and I agree with 18:35. If she wants to make varsity as an underclassman then she needs the club experience in addition to her rec league.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks 18:35. That's bad news.

I'm 12:35 and I agr

ee with 18:35. If she wants to make varsity as an underclassman then she needs the club experience in addition to her rec league.

Yup, third this.

[Anonymous]

I don't think there is a lot of overnights at the middle school level.. my daughter is also a rising seventh grader and played club last year. She had seven tourna meets between the fall and spring, but inky one was more than an hour away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think there is a lot of overnights at the middle school level.. my daughter is also a rising seventh grader and played club last year. She had seven tourna meets between the fall and spring, but inky one was more than an hour away.

I should add we are in Baltimore, so maybe more tournaments are local to us.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Wish there was an alternative.

[Anonymous]

My kid plays both, but her heart is in it and for me the price is not at all prohibitive. I think it sounds like you and your daughter will thrive in the rec league. With the way rec leagues are divided into divisions, you should be able to have her play on a rec team that is as high as if not higher level of play than many clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid plays both, but her heart is in it and for me the price is not at all prohibitive. I think it sounds like you and your daughter will thrive in the rec league. With the way rec leagues are divided into divisions, you should be able to have her play on a rec team that is as high as if not higher level of play than many clubs.

There are not girl's rec leagues playing at a higher level than club.

[Anonymous]

Lots of helpful information here. Thanks!! Does anyone know of all these listed clubs which requires least travel?

Anonymous wrote:Lots of good club options in NOVA. Stars, VA Metro, and Cardinals have the most competitive teams. The next tier down would include Crash and Pride, both of which also have good coaching and player development programs. Further west there is 3d and I think there is a developmental team in the Burke area. Now Madlax is trying to get into the act too.

My daughter has loved the club experience and stayed with the same team throughout, but know what you're getting into, as these days it is essentially a year-round sport. Our team plays fall travel, participates in a winter league, plays in the NGYPLL in the spring, and then have summer tournaments. With that kind of time and financial commitment, tryout for multiple clubs in August and go for the team that seems to be the best fit for you and your daughter.