Feedback on Next Level Lacrosse?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yuck. I had heard that NextLevel was better than other clubs in terms of roster size, but obviously they are a business too. The ideal number from the kids
‘perspective is 17-18, but few travel teams are that small. I heard the NextLevel 2027 team was only 17 a year or two ago but it has probably grown. 19 is fine, but 20 starts to get crowded, assuming consistent attendance by everybody. Anything over 20 or 21 becomes a money grab. Buyer beware.

Anything over 20?
You think that 17 or 18 field players can play multiple games in a six hour period in the middle of the summer?
What happens if one kid goes down?

[Anonymous]

NL 2027 has 23. 2028 has 24.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son plays for Next Level and it's a terrific program.

The Mitchell brothers, who own it, are excellent coaches, positive role models, and kind people. They’ve put together a talented staff of professional coaches at every age group and I think that is the key to their success.

Practices are always positive, competitive, and up tempo. The kids learn a lot, but they also have a lot of fun. And in addition to the 3 main coaches for each Next Level team, positional coaches regularly attend practices to work with goalies, FOGOS, defense, etc.

There are lots of high-achieving clubs in this area. I have friends whose kids play for MadLax and BLC and they are extremely happy there.

Yes, there are some philosophical/cultural differences between each club.

MadLax seems to be the most intense. BLC is dad-coached and relies on high-quality volunteers (that model shifts when kids are old enough for DC Express).

Next Level really focuses on player development and technique. They emphasize hard work, sportsmanship, teamwork, and doing things the right way (no shortcuts) and the coaches lead by example. Even when they are getting on a kid’s case to correct something, they do it in a positive manner. It’s really impressive.

Next Level did recently move out of their indoor facility on River Road and currently all their practices are outdoors at either The Heights or Washington Episcopal School. But when indoor lacrosse can resume, they will have a new indoor space for the kids to use.

There is no one ‘best’ club because teams vary so much year to year.

But without a doubt, Next Level is ascending. A lot of players recently left MadLax and BLC to come to Next Level this year, but not many players are voluntarily leaving Next Level (there are only so many roster spots, so inevitably some kids get cut and find a new home).

If you are new to the area, the best way to get a feel for each club is to have your kid try out and go observe what a practice is like, what the coaches are like, what the parents are like.

Again, there is no one ‘right’ program. Just go with the club that feels right to you and works for your schedule.

Well hello Next Level PR aka Mitchell brothers. Welcome to the discussion, thanks for the info on your club. Of course it sounds so amazing and better than the rest. The reality is not so sweet. Lots of young coaches and coaches who don't show up for practice or games. Lots of underhanded behavior at tryouts, stealing kids from other clubs by offering them discounts and special treatment. Increased team size is a reality and means some kids pay and don't see the field while other kids get discarded from A down to B teams. And they are not "ascending" as their A teams for the next few years are just not as good as the other local teams. Sorry, but that's the reality.

I love knowing the best players from Cabell’s 2024 team left for Next Level.

[Anonymous]

Did they go to NL 2024 or 2023?

[Anonymous]

Don't think it really matters...as long as they woke up and left that pitiful money grabbing program. Families finally wake up and see it for what it truly is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did they go to NL 2024 or 2023?

Ex Madlax 20204 Bullis kid to the Next Level 2023 team.
Four or five Ex Madlax kids to the Next Level 2024 team.
All just wanted to get away from the controlling Madlax owner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did they go to NL 2024 or 2023?

Ex Madlax 20204 Bullis kid to the Next Level 2023 team.
Four or five Ex Madlax kids to the Next Level 2024 team.
All just wanted to get away from the controlling Madlax owner.

Let's hope he can let go with no email/social media taunts to follow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yuck. I had heard that NextLevel was better than other clubs in terms of roster size, but obviously they are a business too. The ideal number from the kids
‘perspective is 17-18, but few travel teams are that small. I heard the NextLevel 2027 team was only 17 a year or two ago but it has probably grown. 19 is fine, but 20 starts to get crowded, assuming consistent attendance by everybody. Anything over 20 or 21 becomes a money grab. Buyer beware.

Anything over 20?
You think that 17 or 18 field players can play multiple games in a six hour period in the middle of the summer?
What happens if one kid goes down?

I have seen teams with 17 play summer tournaments and they do just fine. I acknowledged in my earlier post that 18-20 is ok in case somebody goes down. But 23-24 is too big. Those last few players are a game changer for every kid on the roster, even the best players, because it creates a culture where all the kids and parents are unhappy with playing time. As I said buyer beware.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did they go to NL 2024 or 2023?

Ex Madlax 20204 Bullis kid to the Next Level 2023 team.
Four or five Ex Madlax kids to the Next Level 2024 team.
All just wanted to get away from the controlling Madlax owner.

Serious question - did these players leave because of something that the ML owner did, or simply because the team had gotten too big and players could get more PT elsewhere? And if he did do something, was it his capacity as ML owner, or coach of that team? I ask because I have a son on one of the younger MadLax teams. I signed him up with some trepidation, having heard the good/bad/ugly with the program, but so far my son has had a great experience. Great coaches, teammates, and families on his team. I rarely see the owner at all.
Can anybody share the objective reasons why players left?

[Anonymous]

Have to respect the kid who went to play 2023 playing his correct age

[Anonymous]

My son played Madlax for 2 years prior to our eventual switch to a better club. He played on a team that was not coached by the owner. In our experience, the coaches were knowledgeable and attentive when they were there. For example...during Madlax events the coaches all have other responsibilities such as managing the event, managing staff, and field assignments rather than primarily focusing on the team they are coaching.

As fas as the owner, he is a real piece of work (POS would be better). He micromanage all of the coaches and has a championship or nothing mentality. If a team makes the championship game, he suddenly shows up on the sideline to take over and coach the team. While he coaches, he is constantly yelling at the boys, and not in a positive and encouraging manner i assure you. He gets the boys so riled up they can't handle the pressure in those situations.

We are in such a better situation now. Our son loves the game again and has embraced a encouraging and positive environment.

And before anyone jumps on board, he didn't get cut, he was one of the better players on the team at his position and he did everything the right way.

[Anonymous]

I don't work for Next Level. My kid has only been with NL a short time and he plays for a younger team. My nephew plays for an older team -- his family loves it too (he came over from MadLax within the last 2 years).

I don't know why folks feel compelled to tear down other clubs or rip on Cabel. He may not be everyone's cup of tea, but he's put together a really strong program. And there are many families who love the MadLax experience and there kids thrive there and it is preparing them to succeed in a competitive and demanding environment.

The Mitchell brothers have built a great program too. And they've done it in a very different style.

Again, there is no one 'best' club or 'right team.' It's all year to year and there can be major shifts the older the kids get (2024 class is a great example).

Talk to any Next Level parent (don't just rely on chatroom trolls). Every family on my kid's team loves it. They are competitive (beat Mad Lax and BLC), but again, NL is not a win at all costs program. The coaches really care about the kids development as players and people and they are relentlessly positive.

[Anonymous]

Ex Madlax 20204 Bullis kid to the Next Level 2023 team.
Four or five Ex Madlax kids to the Next Level 2024 team.
All just wanted to get away from the controlling Madlax owner.

Four Mad Lax NL 2024 kids left for Next Level 2024. 3 of them are starting at St. Johns this Fall. A SJC current varsity assistant coaches the Next Level 2024 team. SJC has a history of forcing their kids to play on the same club program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Ex Madlax 20204 Bullis kid to the Next Level 2023 team.
Four or five Ex Madlax kids to the Next Level 2024 team.
All just wanted to get away from the controlling Madlax owner.

Four Mad Lax NL 2024 kids left for Next Level 2024. 3 of them are starting at St. Johns this Fall. A SJC current varsity assistant coaches the Next Level 2024 team. SJC has a history of forcing their kids to play on the same club program.

This is false for lax. Kids are on hawks, dc express, crabs, Next Level, VLC, Blackwolf, and MadLax. There will be a NL Cadets team Playing at ‘22 level but that will supplement their regular club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Ex Madlax 20204 Bullis kid to the Next Level 2023 team.
Four or five Ex Madlax kids to the Next Level 2024 team.
All just wanted to get away from the controlling Madlax owner.

Four Mad Lax NL 2024 kids left for Next Level 2024. 3 of them are starting at St. Johns this Fall. A SJC current varsity assistant coaches the Next Level 2024 team. SJC has a history of forcing their kids to play on the same club program.

This is false for lax. Kids are on hawks, dc express, crabs, Next Level, VLC, Blackwolf, and MadLax. There will be a NL Cadets team Playing at ‘22 level but that will supplement their regular club.

Yup.
Only two Madlax 2024 kids going to St. John’s. Correction, two ex Madlax 2024 kids. The St. John’s assistants coach for MDX, Hawks, Next Level and one of the assistants is a former VLC coach.