Our Tyker teams play in the MYLA for several reasons:
(1) The 8 vs. 8 (7 field players) model coupled with a smaller field means players get the ball in their stick more often, allowing them more opportunities to develop. We have also found that the 8 vs. 8 format is more conducive for learning a faster, ball-movement oriented style of play.
(2) The smaller field and age-appropriate rules (particularly those limiting stick and body checking) provide a safer environment for our players to learn and develop while they are still physically immature.
(3) Participating in the MYLA means we’ll still have roughly half of our games at Gilman (usually on Saturdays)

(1) Body checks allowed on ball carrier only (not on loose balls) and no one-hand checks.

(2) Technical and personal fouls result in fast break for the other team (no man-down situations).

(3) Shorter field (80 yards in MYLA vs. 110 yards in club/NCAA).

(4) Fewer players (8 in MYLA vs. 10 in club).

(5) Stick lengths between 36” and 52”.

While reasonable folks can differ on this issue, we find that, on balance, the 10 vs. 10 format has several draw-backs for 7-9 year old players, including:

(1) Playing 10 vs. 10 (9 field players) means that half-field situations are more congested. Players easily get “lost,” and it is more difficult for players to learn the fundamentals of team offense and defense.

(2) The NCAA field size is too big for younger boys and the game moves slower as a result.

(3) Players this age are not developmentally ready for off-ball body checks or one-handed stick checks—as reflected by USA Lacrosse’s guidelines which discourage such contact for third grade and younger.

(4) Playing man-up and man-down for penalties is not productive when players are still improving their stickwork and learning the fundamentals of even-situation and transition offense and defense.

Additionally, although we prefer the 8 vs. 8 format, we still occasionally participate in 10 vs. 10 summer tournaments and fall scrimmages.

No, we do not assign a specific position for each Tyker player. Inevitably, some players will play more at one position than others, but we believe each player should have an opportunity to play both offense and defense each week.

We also don’t believe that positional specialization prior to 4th or 5th grade offers many benefits; in fact, it can be somewhat counter-productive. For example, players who are slotted as defensemen often receive less stick work-related instruction and can become overly-reliant on a long-stick rather than proper footwork. By encouraging our players to play multiple positions and to use short sticks, they are encouraged to learn the general fundamentals first. There are many examples of high-level collegiate or professional players changing positions, and we believe that developing a well-rounded skill set is in the best interest of our players’ future development.

We endeavor to find at least two boys who are eager and willing to play goalie for each team, but such volunteers do not always emerge. In those instances, we rotate the goalie duties so no one player is disproportionately impacted.

The primary consideration is age: typically, older boys (third graders) will play in the B Division, while younger boys (second graders) play in the C Division. We occasionally deviate from this distribution to ensure players are evenly distributed among our rosters and to ensure a positive experience at an appropriate level of competition.

We fill open roster spots on a rolling basis—usually after an opportunity to evaluate the player during a practice or skill session.

Sample Tyker Practice Plan

(75 minutes)

1. Warm-Ups (5 min)
   [Every player has a ball]
   Two and one hand cradling with both hands
   Ground balls to self
   

2. Partner Work (5 min)
   1v1 GBs--scoop and run
   Partner Passing [high repetition stickwork emphasizing soft hands]
   

3. Diamond Stickwork (5 min)
   [emphasizing catching on the run]

4. Stations (5 min each)
   a. Drilling moves to initiate offense from behind (inside roll, question mark)

   b. Defensive footwork vs. dodger from behind

5. 1v1s to the goal from behind (8 min; multiple goals)

6. 2v3 Clearing & Riding —> Unsettled Situations (8 min; both ends of field)

7. 3/4 Field (10 min)
   Variety of even and uneven scenarios (e.g. 3v2, 4v4, 5v4)

8. Water Break (5 min)

9. Full Field Scrimmage (20 min)

10. Everybody Up; KFC (Kindness, Focus, and Courage) Recognition