Team NorCal Lacrosse

 What is the TeamNorCal Program?

The Team NorCal program, now in its fourth year, is a competitive elite travel team program where the best players from around the Bay Area are identified and represent Northern California at the U11, U13 and U15 and HS Level. 

We attend some of the best and most competitive lacrosse tournaments in California, the West, and throughout the country, and do very well. 

Players benefit by being a member of a team of extremely talented players – all of whom are challenged to do their best and make each other better in the process.  They also make new lacrosse friends from throughout the Bay area – many of whom they may play later in youth and high school lacrosse.  These teams are exposed to lacrosse at its very best as they play teams from back East in traditional hotbeds like Maryland, Virginia, New England, and Upstate New York. 

Team NorCal has a philosophy that is unique in youth sports.  Wo do not believe that parent coaches are appropriate for all star or travel teams.  Parent head coaches and assistant coaches influence player selection and playing time in all the obvious and unfortunate ways. Team NorCal is coached by young men whose only interest is to make the team and every player on it as successful as possible.

Our coaches are some of the best youth, high school and club coaches in the Bay Area.  The majority of our coaches have been with us for 3 years now, and have done a fabulous job and inspired hundreds of kids through the Bay Area. 

Most every kid who participates on a Team NorCal team finds it to be the best lacrosse experience they have ever had (if not their best sporting experience).  It is a great honor to be selected, but more important is the development experience that it represents for these boys.   

Why should I try out?

1) Because you'll see how you compare to the best players in the Bay Area. 

2) If selected, you'll have the chance to work with outstanding coaches and extraordinary teammates playing a game that you love.  You will be a much better lacrosse player after the experience.

3) You will have a lot of fun, both at practices before the Tournament and during the Tournament.  You'll make many new lax friends from all over the country. 

4) You'll be much better prepared as you get ready to play lacrosse in High School or to play lacrosse in college.

How are players selected for the teams?

The players are selected by application, recommendation and competitive tryout.  Players must be nominated by their coach, who must also complete a web-based recommendation form.  Players must submit a web-based written statement on why they want to participate on this team. Then a weekend of tryouts in January will enable us to select teams.

What are the practice and game commitments?

We practice regularly prior to Tournaments, and have several scrimmages against  local teams.  The practices will be 2-3 hours long, and typically held on a Sunday late afternoon or early evening. Once the NCJLA and HS regular season ends in early May, we have more flexibility on times and weekend dates to practice. 

Does my son have a realistic chance to make the team?

Last year we had 24 different youth programs and 28 different high schools represented in the Team NorCal program.  About ½ the youth players were from A level teams, ½ from B level teams.  We had many players from the North Bay, Sacramento, and the South Bay – in addition to the typically strong programs in Marin and the East Bay. Some of our best players came from non-traditional clubs in areas where lacrosse is relatively new.  No single youth program had more than 3 players on a team (though we do not have a formal cap).  We encourage any player who is interested to try out – just the process of trying out will make you a better and more committed lacrosse player. 

Who are the Coaches?

The coaches are all experienced coaches, all with college and club experience.  None of our coaches is a parent with a player on any of the teams – we think this is critical for fairness and objectivity.  We are committed to all our players.  Most of our coaches are returning coaches each year.  

Will this conflict with regular NCJLA games?

No, it should not.  In the rare case that it does, regular season games always take precedence. 

Where and when are the practices?

Last year, all team practices were held at Palo Alto High School, where we have access to a brand new artificial turf, lighted field with lacrosse linings.  This field is probably the best lacrosse field in all of Northern California, and we are incredibly fortunate to have access to it.  We are able to practice in the evenings to avoid conflicts with NCJLA games, and the facility is just across the street from the Stanford Shopping Center - where parents can eat, shop, or just wander during long practices. And the weather is generally close to perfect (unlike facilities like Treasure Island where the weather is extremely variable and often harsh).

Most players were active participants in car pools to ease the travel burden. 

Do I have to travel with my son to the Tournament(s)?

You may, but it is not required.   We have several coaches per program and also have 3 chaperones watching the boys.  You can volunteer to be a chaperone if you wish.

If selected, will my child have a chance to play in the games at the Tournament?

Yes.  We are committed to making sure that every player has a great experience.  Since the talent level on the team is so high, there is really no reason to not try and play every player a roughly similar amount.  This is not a firm commitment, but rather a goal for us.  Breaking team rules and/or missing practices will result in lesser playing time, however.  

How Competitive Will Our Teams be?

Very competitive.  First, we try to play teams of equal ability.  We like to have a few games we know we can win, a few games we expect we'll struggle to win, and a few games where we are equally matched with our opponents.   Northern California is becoming extremely competitive in lacrosse, as we are able to play year round with our good climate.  While we probably are not yet competitive with the best teams from Maryland and Long Island, we are probably better than most other parts of the country. Our U13 teams are 18-5-1 over the last three Festivals.  Our U15 teams have done very well as well - last year they were 8-4 (playing in the Intermediate and Advanced brackets and beating teams from Upstate NY, Long Island and Maryland).  

If I made a Team NorCal team in the past will I make this years team?

Obviously players who have been with us in the past have the benefit of knowing the coaches well.  And vice versa.  That said, they do need to compete every year to maintain their spot on the team. We do often invite players to join for a particular tournament, and we will often extend those invitations first to players who have played with us in the past. 

What if I have played on a U15 or U13 Team NorCal team in the past, and now am in High School?

Our HS  teams will play in several tournaments this year, including Vail, Lake Tahoe, Palm Desert.  

What Tournaments do you play? Is my son required to play in every Tournament?

Depending on the age group - we expect to play in 3-6 tournaments per age group.  Look at the Team NorCal calendar to see the list of tournaments and the ages we are thinking of sending.  In addiiton to US LAcrosse sponsored Tournaments, we are planning on The Warrior Vail Shootout, the Adrenaline Sonoma Shootout and the Palm Desert Lacrosse Classic.  We may change our plans slightly, depending on a variety of factors. We are also considering sponsoring a Tournament in Caliifornia as well.  

Will this program help my child get an athletic scholarship in college?

No.  Be wary of groups or travel teams that claim this for youth (or even high school) programs.  Team NorCal can do many great things for your son, but these youth tournaments are not crawling with college coaches - nor should they be.  That will all come in good time, and we wish them the best, and know many will have an opportunity to play lacrosse in college.  But, the focus here is for kids to raise their general skill level, increase their awareness and commitment to what it takes to be a strong athlete and teammate, and have a great time. 

Frankly, the focus for most kids should be on developing the skills they need in order to succeed in high school lacrosse.  We have a great track record with our players making the Varsity team as a freshman. Over the last few years, about 85% of our U15 Team NorCal players have made the Varsity team as freshman (and most who didn't played at the most competitive HS programs where freshman are rarely allowed to play Varsity).   We think that is a great testament to our success, and probably the best benchmark of the impact we have on kids.