Anonymous wrote:Jeez, it's like pulling teeth. It seems as if their's a rep from the league or USL or a really po'd parent who's willing to do the heavy lifting. Just name the exact teams and age class.

You people are morons. There is nothing egregious you can point to or “film” that is going to get anyone sanctioned or fined.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dd plays for a Baltimore team. Her team has definitely played some teams, including Va teams, where neither the players or parents seem to understand that legal checking is allowed. On the other hand, they have also played a team or two where the coach is screaming at their players to swing at player’s heads. The first group is significantly larger than the second, and it seems that most refs will err on calling a legal check illegal than the reverse, at least in the middle school years.

As a parent of a middle schooler, I think that is the right balance. It’s a safety issue. Ideally, all refs would call illegal checking when it is and not call it when it isn’t. But, that’s not going to happen, so better to err on the side of preventing dangerous play.

Exactly. The equipment the girls use, a stick and a mouth guard, do nothing to prevent a dangerous play from exacting significant damage. If the play becomes much more aggressive then the girls will need pads and helmets like the boys. I think that would hurt the game. When girls lacrosse is played well it is a beautiful example of athleticism, skill, strategy, excellent hand-eye coordination, girls asserting themselves on the field and teamwork. The aggressive actions become more about size, threat and intimidation with an unhealthy mix of injuries with the growing potential for even more horrible outcomes.

There doesn't seem much we can do at a local level about the travel teams since they play teams from all over the country. However, there is a lot we can do at a local level with our high school and rec league teams to encourage and require that the games be played assertively while also playing safely with an emphasis on legal play. As parents I believe it is our responsibility to assert with coaches and refs that games be played safely and legally.

OMG. What a ridiculous and yet classic DMV parent response. This reactive attitude is not going to help our girls. The coaches and teams and programs in this area need to keep up with the national trends and style of play. We aren’t special. We don’t get to determine how girls lax is played. College programs determine the style and pace of change. If you don’t like the way girls lax is developing go start your own sport. Holding local girls back from becoming stronger, better, more aggressive and confident lacrosse players only hurts them. Being tougher and more aggressive does NOT have to equal more injuries or more protective equipment if the skills are taught properly. Stop treating our girls like it’s the 1950s and they are fragile, incapable flowers.

Bottom line is if a girl wants to play college lacrosse, and many many girls from our area DO, they need to be taught to play at the same level and with the same skill, intensity and grit as the best middle and high school programs around the country. Holding them back from playing this way will result in fewer and fewer girls making the move to top college programs. What is going on with Capital lacrosse right now is case-in-point.

Jeez, it's like pulling teeth. It seems as if their's a rep from the league or USL or a really po'd parent who's willing to do the heavy lifting. Just name the exact teams and age class.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are unwilling to post the name of the club exhibiting such behavior on an anonymous forum, you are either lying or contributing to the issue.

Yellow Jackets and M&D are two. Not all teams, of course.

What teams? Their coaches will be filmed during league play. If warranted, they will be reported to the league for appropriate disciplinary action.

Anonymous wrote:If you are unwilling to post the name of the club exhibiting such behavior on an anonymous forum, you are either lying or contributing to the issue.

Yellow Jackets and M&D are two. Not all teams, of course.

Anonymous wrote:If you are unwilling to post the name of the club exhibiting such behavior on an anonymous forum, you are either lying or contributing to the issue.

What would you do if you knew the names of the teams?

If you are unwilling to post the name of the club exhibiting such behavior on an anonymous forum, you are either lying or contributing to the issue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dd plays for a Baltimore team. Her team has definitely played some teams, including Va teams, where neither the players or parents seem to understand that legal checking is allowed. On the other hand, they have also played a team or two where the coach is screaming at their players to swing at player’s heads. The first group is significantly larger than the second, and it seems that most refs will err on calling a legal check illegal than the reverse, at least in the middle school years.

As a parent of a middle schooler, I think that is the right balance. It’s a safety issue. Ideally, all refs would call illegal checking when it is and not call it when it isn’t. But, that’s not going to happen, so better to err on the side of preventing dangerous play.

Exactly. The equipment the girls use, a stick and a mouth guard, do nothing to prevent a dangerous play from exacting significant damage. If the play becomes much more aggressive then the girls will need pads and helmets like the boys. I think that would hurt the game. When girls lacrosse is played well it is a beautiful example of athleticism, skill, strategy, excellent hand-eye coordination, girls asserting themselves on the field and teamwork. The aggressive actions become more about size, threat and intimidation with an unhealthy mix of injuries with the growing potential for even more horrible outcomes.

There doesn't seem much we can do at a local level about the travel teams since they play teams from all over the country. However, there is a lot we can do at a local level with our high school and rec league teams to encourage and require that the games be played assertively while also playing safely with an emphasis on legal play. As parents I believe it is our responsibility to assert with coaches and refs that games be played safely and legally.

what team and/or coach? i will report their behavior and have it filmed.

Anonymous wrote:"On the other hand, they have also played a team or two where the coach is screaming at their players to swing at player’s heads."

I'm calling BS.

You must not play in the NGLlL. Their goal isn’t to actually hit a girl in the head, it is a means of intimidation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know which teams you all are referring to and I think there is a fair bit of hyperbole in the descriptions here. Yes, a few teams seem to have girls who occaisionally play outside the rules, but its unusual and very limited. Most penalties are for accidental incidents. The refs always call what they see. They cant see everything. Lets not be snowflakes (DMV teams have a bad enough reputation as it is). This goes on in all sports at all levels. If the DMV girls teams were a bit tougher and bigger, it wouldn't happen. Other teams know and take advantage. The coaches need to tech our girls to be more aggressive and physical.

I would not categorize the play as exaggeration and occasional when teams consistently display the same behavior over and over. Referring to snowflakes these same teams dishing it out are the very ones who can't take it. They are the first to complain. They can't have it both ways. And lastly, the issue isn't a need to be tougher and bigger. There are plenty of DMV teams with girls who are tall, tough, and very athletic. The issue is about playing aggressive while also playing in a controlled manner within the rules. When you play teams that push the boundaries of the rules it's like sending players into games with one arm tied behind their backs when refs don't control the game.

Well said.

+1

I have a DS who played HS lacrosse and I’m fine with girls playing more aggressively generally speaking and so is my DD. She plays for a top DMV HS club and has played a few of these types of clubs from the referenced states as well. It does little good even when the refs make the calls when these teams are willing to have five or six yellow cards and “accidentally” swing multiple times at the head of the better players on the opposing team in a game.

"On the other hand, they have also played a team or two where the coach is screaming at their players to swing at player’s heads."

I'm calling BS.

Anonymous wrote:My dd plays for a Baltimore team. Her team has definitely played some teams, including Va teams, where neither the players or parents seem to understand that legal checking is allowed. On the other hand, they have also played a team or two where the coach is screaming at their players to swing at player’s heads. The first group is significantly larger than the second, and it seems that most refs will err on calling a legal check illegal than the reverse, at least in the middle school years.

As a parent of a middle schooler, I think that is the right balance. It’s a safety issue. Ideally, all refs would call illegal checking when it is and not call it when it isn’t. But, that’s not going to happen, so better to err on the side of preventing dangerous play.

My dd plays for a Baltimore team. Her team has definitely played some teams, including Va teams, where neither the players or parents seem to understand that legal checking is allowed. On the other hand, they have also played a team or two where the coach is screaming at their players to swing at player’s heads. The first group is significantly larger than the second, and it seems that most refs will err on calling a legal check illegal than the reverse, at least in the middle school years.

If you want the girls to be more aggressive, they will all be wearing helmets, gloves and pads very soon.