FAQ's

• What Equipment will be needed?
  

  Since there is no contact for U7 or U9 players, players will only require some basic hockey equipment: hockey helmets with facemask, mouth guard, shoulder pads, gloves, athletic support and cup, and elbow pads. A lacrosse stick and running shoes are also required. Knee pads are recommended. U11, U13, U15 and U17 divisions require the same equipment along with lacrosse arm pads and kidney and back protectors. Field/Box lacrosse gloves offer excellent protection and flexibility. Short cuff hockey gloves can be used, but they don’t offer the same grip or flexibility. Boy’s/Men’s Field lacrosse equipment requirements are somewhat similar to box lacrosse. Girl’s/Women’s field lacrosse is a non contact game so equipment is minimal. A mouth guard and stick are all that are required to play.
  
  

• Where can I buy lacrosse equipment?
  

  Sport Stores will generally carry lacrosse equipment. Some sport stores carry used lacrosse equipment as well. Some lacrosse associations also run equipment rental programs. Most associations provide the equipment necessary for goal tenders.
  
  

• Where is the game played?
  

  Box lacrosse is played in hockey arenas once the ice is removed and the floor dries. It is also played in outdoor lacrosse boxes. Field lacrosse is played outdoors on soccer type fields.
  
  

• How much does it cost to play?
  

  Each association establishes their own rates to cover the cost of player jerseys, floor or field rental, referee payment, coaching certification and BC Lacrosse Association fees. Initial box equipment cost will be approximately $150 (arm pads, gloves, back/kidney pads and stick) Most box lacrosse equipment can be used for 2-4 years before the player will outgrow it.
  
  

• How old do you have to be to play box lacrosse and field lacrosse?
  

  Please refer to the current AGE GROUPS listings in BCLA General Policies.
  
  

• What type of insurance is carried?
  

  The BCLA insurance provided is a generic insurance package that all sport organizations provide. Your registration fee includes the costs of insurance. This insurance is Extended Medical Insurance, not basic health care insurance. All BC residents carry their own basic BC Medical Insurance. As well, there is $5 Million Liability insurance coverage, and $1 Million Executive Liability insurance coverage.
  
  

• What are the requirements for coaches and officials?
  

  All coaches and referees will be trained at a clinic prior to season start. All coaching and referee/umpire programs will follow the Lacrosse Canada standards. Anyone with or without a lacrosse background is welcome to apply for a coaching or assistant coaching position. People with previous experience coaching basketball or hockey will find it easy adjusting to the game of lacrosse. New referees/umpires and referees/umpires from other sports are always welcome to join.
  
  

• Is lacrosse really the fastest game on two feet?
  

  Lacrosse has long been referred to as the fastest game on two feet. The sport is characterized by intense action, strategy, finesse and power. To make long looping passes at one end of the floor or field and short bullet like shots at the other end; to catch a pass over the shoulder while running at full stride; to hit the top corner at the net while in full flight; or to stop a shot aimed low through a maze of players requires a range of skills unsurpassed in any other sport. The promotion of speed, stamina, sportsmanship and team play in lacrosse provides excellent cross training for other sports like hockey, basketball and soccer. The wide-open nature of the game makes it a very good spectator sport.
  
  

• What are the different forms of lacrosse?
  

  There are six forms of lacrosse: Box, Field, Women's Field, Sixes, Wheelchair Lacrosse and Inter-Lacrosse. Box Lacrosse, which is similar to hockey and basketball, is the most common form played in Canada. Six players per team compete on an arena floor with three periods of play. Men’s/Boys Field Lacrosse is more common internationally. Ten players per side compete on a 100 metre by 55-metre field with four quarters of play. Girl’s/Women’s Field Lacrosse is a quick, free flowing game which is easy to understand and watch. The game is played on a field 100m x 55m with 12 players aside on the field. A full roster is 16-20 players. Sixes is a new hybrid version of Field Lacrosse and Box Lacrosse and is played on a grass field.  Wheelchair Lacrosse is played in gyms and arenas.  Players of all abilities are welcome to try.  Co-Ed Inter-lacrosse may by played indoors or out and is aimed at younger aged players, often being played in the school system. It uses a softer ball and plastic sticks and encourages fitness, fair play, cooperation and safety.
  
  

• Are minor league games as rough as the games seen on T.V.?
  

  Definitely not! Many of the infractions that are accepted in the professional league would result in a penalty and/or suspension in ANY minor lacrosse association (example, slashing and cross checking). The BC Lacrosse Association stresses fun, fair play and a safe playing environment.
  
  

• Is cross checking legal in lacrosse?
  

  Crosschecking in box lacrosse is legal in the higher age groups but not to the degree that you see on television. Players are taught to use their sticks to push or steer their opponent away from the primary scoring area, prevent them from getting a good shot on net, make a bad pass or to simply drop the ball. Referees are directed to strictly enforce rules regarding illegal crosschecks. Note: There is no checking at all in the U7 and U9. In U7 and U9, the emphasis is on passing, catching, shooting, equal play, fairness and most of all FUN!
  
  

• How long is the season?
  
  

  Box Lacrosse programs start in April or May and end in late June, with Provincials in July or early August. Players will have at least one game and one practice a week. Games and practices will be held throughout the week. Dates and times will vary depending on the area.
  
  

•  

  Boys Youth/Men’s Field Lacrosse usually starts in late August. Some areas of the province end in early November, other at the end of December, while other go throughout the winter.
  
  

  Girls/Womens Field Lacrosse has two playing seasons. The traditional season is the spring. Some areas of the province play in May and June. Other areas of the province are starting to play in September and October.
  
  

• Did Wayne Gretzky play lacrosse?
  

  Yes. Wayne Gretzky is among a long list of NHL players that honed their hand-eye co-ordination and physical endurance by playing lacrosse in the summer. Other players include: Brendan Shanahan, Doug Gilmour, Cliff Ronning, Joe Sakic, Steve Larmer, Collin Patterson, Tim Hunter, Paul Kariya, Don Cherry, Gary Roberts, Adam Oates, Paul Coffey, Joe Nieuwendyk. ...and many more! When the media started speculating where Wayne Gretzky might play after Edmonton, Walter Gretzky, Wayne’s father, is quoted as saying, "What’s safe to say, though, is Lacrosse was the key in the development of the greatest scorer in the hockey history."
  
  

• How do I register?
  

  The quickest way to find out how to register is to email: info@bclacrosse.com. The BC Lacrosse Association will put you in touch with someone in your nearest lacrosse association.