Feedback on VLC Club Lacrosse?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2025 did well this weekend (4-1) in the A division. But they scored few goals against two good teams, indicating their attack remains weak, for all that they clobbered three terrible teams.

2027 went 0-5 in the AA division - should have put them in A as well. Also very weak on attack.

Have you watched these teams? I don't have a kid on them, but a lack of scoring doesn't mean the attack stinks. It very well might. But it might also mean they struggle to get the ball to their attack.

Your comment would be more insightful if it was based on observation and not guessing based on seeing scores.

Yes. 2025 has an outstanding FOGO. They usually win the F/O. But their attack still can’t put points on the board against a competent D. Way too many dropped passes for their age and experience level.

2027 has many more problems. They don’t win F/O and their stick skills are abysmal especially weak-hand passing and catching.

Seems like a you're a parent - can you share your player's position since you're comfortable w/ critiquing MS and ES kids? 2027s have some promising kids with lots of good coaching - is your kid a new edition ? Find another team.. oh that's right... taking anonymous potshots at kids is easier.

[Anonymous]

As a long time VLC parent, I will say this. VLC doesn't shy away from the tough tournaments and teams. They aren't trying to build a reputation for tournament wins but rather sound lacrosse players. It doesn't always work out and some times they go into fights that they aren't really up for. Some teams flourish in this and some don't but the kids always improve. Let the 2027s and other young teams find their groove but the last thing you want VLC to do is put them in tournaments that are easy just so they can get some wins.

I've left a lot of tournaments 2-3, 1-4, 0-5 and what we look for (once we get over losing) is how competitive our kids were against the top teams. Did they lose the plot, did they quit on each other, did they keep fighting to the end? Those are the important things. If your kid wants to get recruited I can promise you college coaches aren't going to pull up the video from XYZ vs Your kids team and watch the entire thing. What they will look at is highlight videos that are sent to them and then (maybe) will they go and look for the full game film for context. They won't however go to tourney machine and look at what team won and start sending out invitations to the winning kids. It doesn't work like that.

For any kids prior to the summer after 10th grade, relax, enjoy and keep working on your skills. You don't need highlights videos or any of that extra stuff. Just focus on your skills. Once you are playing HS Varsity your sophomore year (if you make it), start grabbing film and start building up a library of highlights. Film everything that summer before your junior year and start mapping out what schools fit your academic needs and also have lacrosse. Use lacrosse as a way to help you get into a school you might otherwise not get into. Don't use getting to play D1,2,3 as your barometer of success. Use getting into an academic environment that sets you up best for your future goals instead. Lacrosse is a great sport but for 99.999% of the kids, it won't be a living. It's a part of what makes you valuable to a school. Just like good grades, extracurriculars, volunteering and so on.

Parents, ease up on the young kids that need to work on the F/O skills or shots, or left hands. The kids that want it will rise to the top by high school and those that don't will move off to another club or stop altogether. Let the process work and just support your kids and keep the game fun. It is much easier for kids to play loose if their parents aren't losing their sh*t at the refs or yelling "come on Johnny move your feet" to the kids.

Have a great rest of the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2025 did well this weekend (4-1) in the A division. But they scored few goals against two good teams, indicating their attack remains weak, for all that they clobbered three terrible teams.

2027 went 0-5 in the AA division - should have put them in A as well. Also very weak on attack.

Have you watched these teams? I don't have a kid on them, but a lack of scoring doesn't mean the attack stinks. It very well might. But it might also mean they struggle to get the ball to their attack.

Your comment would be more insightful if it was based on observation and not guessing based on seeing scores.

Yes. 2025 has an outstanding FOGO. They usually win the F/O. But their attack still can’t put points on the board against a competent D. Way too many dropped passes for their age and experience level.

2027 has many more problems. They don’t win F/O and their stick skills are abysmal especially weak-hand passing and catching.

Seems like a you're a parent - can you share your player's position since you're comfortable w/ critiquing MS and ES kids? 2027s have some promising kids with lots of good coaching - is your kid a new edition ? Find another team.. oh that's right... taking anonymous potshots at kids is easier.

Is it going to make it suddenly untrue that these teams have weak attack if you know my name, DOB, SSN, and cell number? Will that add 5 points to every game they played in the last two tournaments?

No. These facts speak for themselves. Everyone who watches these teams knows it's true.

If I am a parent then I want these teams to have good attack. I sincerely hope these kids get better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a long time VLC parent, I will say this. VLC doesn't shy away from the tough tournaments and teams. They aren't trying to build a reputation for tournament wins but rather sound lacrosse players. It doesn't always work out and some times they go into fights that they aren't really up for. Some teams flourish in this and some don't but the kids always improve. Let the 2027s and other young teams find their groove but the last thing you want VLC to do is put them in tournaments that are easy just so they can get some wins.

I've left a lot of tournaments 2-3, 1-4, 0-5 and what we look for (once we get over losing) is how competitive our kids were against the top teams. Did they lose the plot, did they quit on each other, did they keep fighting to the end? Those are the important things. If your kid wants to get recruited I can promise you college coaches aren't going to pull up the video from XYZ vs Your kids team and watch the entire thing. What they will look at is highlight videos that are sent to them and then (maybe) will they go and look for the full game film for context. They won't however go to tourney machine and look at what team won and start sending out invitations to the winning kids. It doesn't work like that.

For any kids prior to the summer after 10th grade, relax, enjoy and keep working on your skills. You don't need highlights videos or any of that extra stuff. Just focus on your skills. Once you are playing HS Varsity your sophomore year (if you make it), start grabbing film and start building up a library of highlights. Film everything that summer before your junior year and start mapping out what schools fit your academic needs and also have lacrosse. Use lacrosse as a way to help you get into a school you might otherwise not get into. Don't use getting to play D1,2,3 as your barometer of success. Use getting into an academic environment that sets you up best for your future goals instead. Lacrosse is a great sport but for 99.999% of the kids, it won't be a living. It's a part of what makes you valuable to a school. Just like good grades, extracurriculars, volunteering and so on.

Parents, ease up on the young kids that need to work on the F/O skills or shots, or left hands. The kids that want it will rise to the top by high school and those that don't will move off to another club or stop altogether. Let the process work and just support your kids and keep the game fun. It is much easier for kids to play loose if their parents aren't losing their sh*t at the refs or yelling "come on Johnny move your feet" to the kids.

Have a great rest of the summer.

Great post. Thanks for taking the time to share it.

Can anyone with knowledge share more about the 2026s? Will this team play in the top tier of HoCo? Also, where does VLC usually practice?

[Anonymous]

Just post your name that way the coaches know which parent to remove. Team will get better

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just post your name that way the coaches know which parent to remove. Team will get better

No, they need to get rid of the kids who can’t attack. Team won’t get better until it can score points. Sad that you’re too stupid to understand this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just post your name that way the coaches know which parent to remove. Team will get better

No, they need to get rid of the kids who can’t attack. Team won’t get better until it can score points. Sad that you’re too stupid to understand this.

Don’t worry VLC mom. They have a tryout coming up and if better kids show up they will add them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a long time VLC parent, I will say this. VLC doesn't shy away from the tough tournaments and teams. They aren't trying to build a reputation for tournament wins but rather sound lacrosse players. It doesn't always work out and some times they go into fights that they aren't really up for. Some teams flourish in this and some don't but the kids always improve. Let the 2027s and other young teams find their groove but the last thing you want VLC to do is put them in tournaments that are easy just so they can get some wins.

I've left a lot of tournaments 2-3, 1-4, 0-5 and what we look for (once we get over losing) is how competitive our kids were against the top teams. Did they lose the plot, did they quit on each other, did they keep fighting to the end? Those are the important things. If your kid wants to get recruited I can promise you college coaches aren't going to pull up the video from XYZ vs Your kids team and watch the entire thing. What they will look at is highlight videos that are sent to them and then (maybe) will they go and look for the full game film for context. They won't however go to tourney machine and look at what team won and start sending out invitations to the winning kids. It doesn't work like that.

For any kids prior to the summer after 10th grade, relax, enjoy and keep working on your skills. You don't need highlights videos or any of that extra stuff. Just focus on your skills. Once you are playing HS Varsity your sophomore year (if you make it), start grabbing film and start building up a library of highlights. Film everything that summer before your junior year and start mapping out what schools fit your academic needs and also have lacrosse. Use lacrosse as a way to help you get into a school you might otherwise not get into. Don't use getting to play D1,2,3 as your barometer of success. Use getting into an academic environment that sets you up best for your future goals instead. Lacrosse is a great sport but for 99.999% of the kids, it won't be a living. It's a part of what makes you valuable to a school. Just like good grades, extracurriculars, volunteering and so on.

Parents, ease up on the young kids that need to work on the F/O skills or shots, or left hands. The kids that want it will rise to the top by high school and those that don't will move off to another club or stop altogether. Let the process work and just support your kids and keep the game fun. It is much easier for kids to play loose if their parents aren't losing their sh*t at the refs or yelling "come on Johnny move your feet" to the kids.

Have a great rest of the summer.

Great post. Thanks for taking the time to share it.

Can anyone with knowledge share more about the 2026s? Will this team play in the top tier of HoCo? Also, where does VLC usually practice?

I can't speak for 100% certain but seeing that 2026's and 2024's are only having one tryout (and 2023's are having no tryouts) they seem to feel they are pretty close to what they want and if that is the case, they'll be pushing to play the top tier at HoCo. VLC has started practicing at Quantum Field (in Vienna/Tysons Corner) and at Independence High School (in Ashburn) to try to even out the load for parents inside and outside the beltway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just post your name that way the coaches know which parent to remove. Team will get better

No, they need to get rid of the kids who can’t attack. Team won’t get better until it can score points. Sad that you’re too stupid to understand this.

You may be right that they need to get rid of kids who can't attack/defend/etc. It's a process. The coaches evaluate kids at each tryout and try to pick the best of what they see and send out invites. Sometimes the best don't come as they may try out for multiple teams. Once the dust settles from the initial invites, the coaches may be forced to reach out to a few kids that were "iffy" during tryouts and give them a shot to be coached up and get better. If they work on and off the field they can improve and have a good shot at staying, if they don't there will be another kid coming to take their spot or the coaches will make the cut anyway to make the team stronger. You get a year to get it together or one way or another you'll be off the field. The only thing that hurts is not getting enough quality kids to tryouts and having to settle.

Calling parents stupid because they don't agree with your take on what makes the team better doesn't help. UVA won a national championship through hard defense. Offensive juggernauts went by the wayside against a high pressure defense and full field ride. There are many ways to win in lacrosse and it doesn't take 12 goals a game to do it.

At Crab Feast that just ended here were the final game scores:

2021s - 6-2
2022s - 6-2
2023s - 6-4
2024s - 6-5

None of those games were high scoring affairs. The 2027s scored 14 goals in 5 games. Yes that isn't a huge offensive output but they were also scored on 54 times in those same games. So you need an offense that scores 10-12 goals a game in order to compete? I would say the issue isn't just the offense. They may lose possession, they may miss shots, whatever it may be but it's a team game. If the defense holds a team to 4-5 goals, you expect to win. However, if the only hold one team under double digits its not just the offense. Win together, lose together. Parents that place blame on the "other" kids really need to find a new home.

For the record, I am a VLC parent, I don't have a dog in the fight of the 2027s at all but it is just a shame to see parents throwing insults at kids in elementary/middle school. It'll be tough enough for them when they get to high school, don't teach your kids that negativity now. I can only imagine the car ride home with that parent who is just trashing the attack to his young stud defender (or whatever position besides attack he plays). Stop doing that crap and just trust the process or move to another club.

[Anonymous]

Very well said. I have been watching this thread unfold for the last week or so and it just occurred to me (duh, should have figured it out sooner) that the person trashing the 2027 attack is a 2027 parent herself/himself. The whole team has room for improvement, and they are working hard to do so and staying positive. If the original poster's son is a defender or middie on that team, he needs to be working just as hard as the attack, and not casting stones at his teammates.

[Anonymous]

It's not an "insult" to say those attackers can't or won't attack. It's a statement of fact. They're great kids on a personal level, but they are not good at lacrosse attack. It is fascinating to me that the "adults" in this forum are incapable of admitting this and are acting all butthurt instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not an "insult" to say those attackers can't or won't attack. It's a statement of fact. They're great kids on a personal level, but they are not good at lacrosse attack. It is fascinating to me that the "adults" in this forum are incapable of admitting this and are acting all butthurt instead.

"are not good at lacrosse attack" that statement confirms you are a dummy. Please remove yourself from the thread, watch film, get educated on lacrosse IQ, then you can rejoin and complain some more.

[Anonymous]

I think that the "not good at lacrosse attack" guy is a troll to get people riled up, and honestly he is very effective. Nobody could be that much of an ass for real, even on an anonymous board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not an "insult" to say those attackers can't or won't attack. It's a statement of fact. They're great kids on a personal level, but they are not good at lacrosse attack. It is fascinating to me that the "adults" in this forum are incapable of admitting this and are acting all butthurt instead.

"are not good at lacrosse attack" that statement confirms you are a dummy. Please remove yourself from the thread, watch film, get educated on lacrosse IQ, then you can rejoin and complain some more.

I have watched those teams play, dummy. Their scores are a matter of public record, dummy. They are no good at attack, dummy. It is entirely possible for kids on 2027 and 2025 teams to play attack well, dummy, because the teams who destroy them do exactly that, dummy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that the "not good at lacrosse attack" guy is a troll to get people riled up, and honestly he is very effective. Nobody could be that much of an ass for real, even on an anonymous board.

Correction not good a lacrosse attack VLC mom.