Something to keep in mind as well is that very few kids stay on the same team from 4th grade through 11th when club ends. Once kids hit 7th and 8th grade, new players arrive that have boosted the team as they line up for HS years. I think it is best to look for the best situation rather than team in 4th grade. Do you like the coaches, friends on the team, team parents, schedule, practice location all>level of HOCO. Not one college coach ever asked my son what level of HOCO they were in.

Anonymous wrote:We're new to the MD area (from LI) and looking at 2033 clubs. Any thoughts on the following clubs? Or are these teams pretty much set?
- Crabs
- Team91
- HoCo
- Clippers
- Bethesda Lacrosse Club
- Next Level

My kid plays LSM/Long Pole Close defender

First, there is a wide disparity of presitge for the programs you listed and a wide range of where those teams practice. NL and BLC practice in CC/Bethesda area while Clippers are in Annapolis area and Crabs is north of Baltimore (could be wrong).

If your son played for a club in LI, I'd reach back out to the club director/coach to see if they can provide a good sense of your son's talent level to see where he might fit. But, otherwise, if he can catch and throw and some what coordinated as a 4th grade long stick - he probably can play for most of those teams. As a note, most teams have their roster set for this year. You might be able to jump on a team for spring HOCO season (the lacrosse league not lax program) and the summer but you would need to reach out to individual programs to see if they are interested. After that, you will need to be ready for tryout season in July for the 25-26 season.

As for prestige/best programs

- NL, Crabs and 91 usually place their top teams in the top division for HOCO. That is either Elite or AAA
- BLC is probably next and will some times place teams in the top division or the next division down depending on talent.
- Clippers tends to put their best team in the 2nd and Hoco would be considered the lowest on the best program list of those you listed.

We're new to the MD area (from LI) and looking at 2033 clubs. Any thoughts on the following clubs? Or are these teams pretty much set?
- Crabs
- Team91
- HoCo
- Clippers
- Bethesda Lacrosse Club
- Next Level

My kid plays LSM/Long Pole Close defender

Also, goalie position is so niche and sought after at that level. I'd reach out to the club director and just ask what tryout entails.

Very team-specific and different depending on boys or girls. Which team(s) is your son or daughter interested in?

I’m asking what can we expect- is it just a scrimmage?

What is a lax try out like at the 2033 level?

What about for the goalie position?