2014 PARENT MEETING P.L.A.Y . LACROSSE April 17, 2014

1. 2014 PARENT MEETING P.L.A.Y. LACROSSE April 17, 2014

2. Agenda • Participation Numbers • Program Structure & People • What’s New • Schedules, Evaluations, Teams, Practices • Tournaments- Dan Gratz • Sportsmanship / Positive Coaching Alliance- Randy Geister • Fields and Resources- Scott Blodoew • Volunteer Opportunities- Corky Stremel • Uniforms and Equipment- Kelly Robbins, Jim Collins and Wayne Wiederhoeft • Raffle Winners

3. Our Aspiration A high-quality experience in which every athlete: • Is coached using the principles of Positive Coaching • Has FUN playing the game • Feels like an important part of the team regardless of performance • Learns “life lessons” that have value beyond the playing field • Learns the skills, tactics and strategies of the game and improves as a player

4. Historical Data - Summer # of Players in our Prior Lake Summer Program 13 15 23 23 19 # of TEAMS:

5. 2014 Registration GIRLS – 100 players BOYS – 269 players # of TEAMS: 3 2 2 2 3 4 4 3

6. Structure / Communication Flow VP of Lacrosse 0 LAX Board of Directors Winter Director Girls Development Director Boys Development Director BOYS Director GIRLS Director U7/U9 Coordinator 5/6 Coordinator U11 Coordinator U15 Coordinator 3/4 Coordinator U13 Coordinator 7/8 Coordinator Coaches Coaches Coaches Coaches Coaches Coaches Coaches Team Parents Team Parents Team Parents Team Parents Team Parents Team Parents Team Parents

7. Who’s Who? • VP of Lacrosse – Hugh Gilpatric • Director of Boys – Wayne Wiederhoeft • Director of Girls – Kelly Robbins and Jim Collins • Director of Winter – Nick Herschi • Treasurer – Sherri Ebhardt • Secretary – Corky Stremel BOARD MEMBERS • Boys Development Director – Chris Fleck • Girls Development Director – Heather Pierson OTHER KEY POSITIONS • Equipment Manager – Molly & Steve Lujan • Scheduling Coordinator – Rachel Jensen • Data Manager – Scott Bloedow

8. Grade/Age Level Coordinators GIRLS BOYS • 3/4 – Jason Grove • 5/6 – Christine Kropp • 7/8 – Dirk Megarry • U7/U9 – Jennifer Walters • U11 – Becky Bickett & Karen Leutner • U13 – Jim Grant • U15 – Greg Valek

9. What’s New in 2014? Added Girls & Boys Development Directors • Practice plans at all levels • Supervise and hire all paid coaches • Ensure continuity for our program Rule Changes • Boys – see Youth Lacrosse MN website (YLM) • Girls – see MSLAX website Chris Fleck Heather Pierson

10. Good News / Bad News • TURF and New Lacrosse Storage building coming! • Construction for Turf takes out a regular field and all of dirt parking by tennis courts • Construction at Twin Oaks takes up parking above What do we need to do? • Trying to create a “player drop-off” area • We are asking Prior Lake families to PLEASE PARK AT WESTWOOD to allow our visitors to use closer spots

11. Schedules Practice Schedules • Spring practice schedules on our website now • Outside April 28, pending field condition • Summer practice schedules will be out late April (practice days Monday thru Thursday) Game Schedules • Starting in June 9th • All games are weekdays (exception U9 Sunday eve’s) • Coordinated by YLM (boys) and MSSLAX (girls) and come out later (1st week June)

12. Practice Fields • Redtail Ridge- Girls 3/4 (Mo/We) and Co-ed U7 (Tu/Th) • McCann Park- Boys U9 (Mo/We) and U11 (Tu/Th) • HOMS- Boys U11 (Mo), U13B (Mo or Tu/We/Th) and U15B (Mo-We) • U13A (Mo/We/Th) U15A (Mo-Th) • TOMS Sands field- Girls 5/6 (Mo/We) and 7/8 (Mo/Tu/Th) *Subject to change!

13. Evaluations Methodology • High school coaches and players evaluate • No names- we use numbered pinnies • Closed sessions running scrimmages and same drills players have practiced earlier • HS coaches make A team decisions- no parent coach or board member input Girls • 7/8 grade level has A and B teams • April 22 and 26 Boys • U13 and U15 have A and B teams • April 12 and 26

14. Teams • A/B decisions for U13, U15, 7/8 by April 28 • Team player assignments also by April 28 • All other teams balanced • Player skill, age, years experience totals are equal for each team at each level • Prior Lake does not load teams!

15. Player Objectives U7 Co-Ed: • Basic Skills & Fundamentals • Game Strategy Introduction U9 Level: • Skills & Fundamentals • Game Strategy Introduction U11 Level: • Skills Progression • More Fundamentals • Game Strategy Progression U13 Level: • Skills Progression -> Advanced Skills • Fundamentals & Finer Points • Game Strategy Progression U15 Level: • Advanced Skills • More Finer Points • Advanced Game Strategy 3rd Grade / 4th Grade • Basic Skills & Fundamentals • Game Strategy Introduction 5th Grade / 6th Grade • Skills Progression • Fundamentals & Finer Points • Game Strategy Progression 7th Grade / 8th Grade • Advanced Skills • More Finer Points • Advanced Game Strategy BOYS GIRLS

16. Practices • Every practice has a plan (Development Directors provide) • High number of ball touches • High Energy • Strive for consistent schedules/locations • Fun for the players • Conditioning- not a chore, it can be fun

17. Attendance Attendance is expected at all games/practices Player’s Responsibility: • Absences - contact the coach as soon as you know - illness, vacations, etc. Parent’s Responsibility: • Sign up to follow your child’s team to receive updated schedule information • Watch the weather and watch your email

18. Prior Lake Tournament

19. Tournaments • Prior Lake Tournament fees are included in your registration fee this year • ONE away tournament is also included in your registration fee * • Away tournaments are already decided and paid for • Away tournaments will be randomly assigned *U7 Co-Ed and U9 Boys play at the Prior Lake Tournament ONLY

20. Tournament and Event Dates GIRLS BOYS • P.L.A.Y. Tournament – July 12-13 • End of summer season tournament is August 1-3 at Lakeville South High School • P.L.A.Y. Tournament – June 29-30 • Bulldog Camp hosted by Prior Lake – June 16-19 for rising 4th-9th grade • State Tournament – July 26-27 Pool Play August 1-3 Tournament Play • U11 Fun Day TBD

21. 2013 Prior Lake Tournament • 2013 was the 6th Annual Tournament • 83 teams (largest youth tournament in MN) • Nearly 400 Volunteers • 26 Sponsors and 12 Vendors • Raised over $15,000 for Prior Lake Lacrosse!

22. Varsity Games GIRLS BOYS • P.L.A.Y. Night at Girls Varsity Game- May 1st - 7:30pm (free admission for PLAY players and coaches in uniform plus Root Beer Floats for girls team members) • P.L.A.Y. Night at Boys Varsity Game – May 9th (free admission for PLAY players and coaches in uniform) All home games are FUN and great for your children to watch! Support your Lakers!

23. IMPACT & Positive Coaching Alliance I.M.P.A.C.T. = “I Make Positive Actions Count Today”

24. Coach Certifications All coaches are background checked and obtain multiple certifications: • YLM/MSSLax on rules • Concussion training • PCA (Positive Coaching Alliance) Reminder: Please let us know if you are interested in coaching!

25. Positive Coaching Alliance for Parents Take Aways: • Adults too often get caught up in the LITTLE picture (performance on the field) and lose sight of the BIG picture (life lessons to be taken away from the field) • Two Goals in Sports: • 1st Goal to Strive to Win… • 2nd Goal to Build Character (with lessons learned) • Second-Goal Parents let coaches and athletes worry about the scoreboard. Parents more important role should be the focusing on teachable moments/life lessons their child can take away from sports. • CHALLENGE – Miss a game and let your son or daughter tell you about it (how have you been doing)

26. Help Create Life Lessons for Players/Teams • Before the Game • Tell your child you are proud of him or her regardless of how well they play • Tell your child to play with their best effort (let them know it is OK to be nervous) • Make a commitment to yourself to HONOR THE GAME, no matter what others do • During the Game • Let the Coaches do the coaching – avoid coaching from the sidelines • Fill your child’s (and their teammates’) Emotional Tank • Cheer good plays and good efforts by BOTH teams • Mention good calls by the officials • Enjoy the game, don’t stress yourself or those around you • After the Game • Thank the Officials for their efforts in a difficult job • Thank the Coaches for their efforts • Tell your child again that you are proud of them (even if the game didn’t go well) • Let your child tell you about the game (avoid your post-game analysis, unless asked) Simply Say: “I enjoyedwatching you play today!” Make an Impact!

28. Parent Pledge As a parent of a P.L.A.Y. athlete, you agree to: • Engage in “No-Directions Cheering” • Set an example for my child by Honoring the Game • Use positive encouragement • Reinforce the ELM of Sports Mastery • Support my child’s commitment to their team by getting my child to and from practice and games on time • Allow a 24 hour ‘cool down, be objective’ period before I discuss any serious concerns I have with a coach before communicating with that coach in an objective and adult manner. Basic Parental Responsibility: • “I will represent Prior Lake Athletics with my personal best efforts, never bringing embarrassment or an unfavorable view to my team, coaches, family, P.L.A.Y. or community Penalty: • Abuse brings restrictions and penalties may vary from a minimum of one event suspension from P.L.A.Y. athletic events to restriction for a season and the following sport season. It is a Privilege not a Right to be in a P.L.A.Y. program.

29. Anti-Bullying Policy Purpose • Does not respect R.O.O.T.S.- (Rules, Officials, Opponents, Teammates or Self) • Does not Honor the Game Process • Complaints are investigated by VP and Director first • 1st Offense- 1 game suspension • 2nd Offense- 3 game suspension, off A team if on it • 3rd Offense- suspension for remainder of season

30. Our Fields DROP OFF PARKING Twin Oaks and Hidden Oaks Middle Schools Fish Point Rd & 160th

31. Our Fields McCann Redtail Ridge TOMS/HOMS

32. Our Website www.playinfo.org

33. Our Website Levels Links for Each Team Coach Contact Information Calendar

34. Other Resources Prior Lake • www.playinfo.org (click on Lacrosse) Game Schedules and Rules • Youth Lacrosse MN (BOYS) • MSSLax (GIRLS) Other Helpful Info • uslacrosse.org • YouTube

35. Communications • We try to keep website updated as best we can • Email is the KEY FORM of communication (emails may come at last minute) • Update PLAY website with all email addresses • Sign up for ngin mobile app to get push notifications on your team schedule changes • Field Condition Hotline - 952-447-9825 (number is listed on the website)

36. Follow Your Team on NGIN *Search “ngin” in the App Store/Marketplace

37. SWARM Game • Prior Lake Lacrosse Night is THIS SATURDAY, April 19th vs Colorado – game time 7:00pm • Wear Prior Lake Jerseys • We will be selling “chuck-a-balls” as a fundraiser • Contact… • Meet… See SCOTT BLOEDOW for additional information

38. Volunteering REGULAR SEASON Two appreciated (and mandatory) opportunities… 1 2 PRIOR LAKE TOURNAMENT

39. Volunteering 1 REGULAR SEASON • Coaches – tell us now if you have an interest (WE WILL TRAIN YOU) • Team Parents – assigning game volunteers, assisting coach with communications, updating team page on website • Chill Managers – “sideline parents” (FYI - boys chill managers must register on-line with YLM ahead of time) • Time Keepers – running the clocks at home games • Score Keepers – keeping track of penalties and scores at home games VOLUNTEER NOW VOLUNTEER through TEAM PARENTS

40. Volunteering 2 PRIOR LAKE TOURNAMENT Boys: June 29-30 & Girls: July 12-13 PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS (NOW) • Concessions – CRITICAL POSITION NEEDED NOW AT THE TOURNAMENTS – 2 shift (4 hours) MINIMUMfor EACH family • Concessions – selling the food (biggest $ maker) • Set-up & Tear Down – tables, tents, chairs, clocks, field markers, etc. • Time Keepers – running the clocks at home games • Score Keepers – keeping track of penalties and scores at home games

41. Youth Lax Girl’s Equipment Required: • Lacrosse Stick (Crosse) • 35 ½ – 43 ¼ inches long • Plastic, titanium, or aluminum • Head can NOT have a deep pocket • Goggles – Required All practices and games • Mouth guard (colored) – Required All practices and games Goalie Equipment is provided • Goalie stick, protective pads, chest and throat protector, padded shorts, shin guards, helmet with facemask, throat protector. Optional: • Cleats and Gloves

42. Girls ApparelOrder Form

43. Youth Lax Boy’s Equipment Required- all lacrosse specific: • Stick (Crosse) • Helmet (NOCSAE) • Gloves • Arm pads • Shoulder pads • Athletic cup • Mouth guard (colored) – Required for practices and games Optional: • Cleats (recommended) • Rib protector Goalie Equipment is provided: • Goalie stick, chest and throat protector, padded shorts, shin guards U7- equipment provided All other levels- player provided

44. Boys Uniforms We have new uniforms this year – they will last 3 years JERSEYS • Reversible tops will be passed out by team managers and turned in at the end of season SHORTS • U15 must order shorts separately (tonight or by this weekend at the latest) • All other levels must purchase shorts separately (table in lobby) - $25

45. Spirit Wear and Bags See ANNOUNCEMENTS section of the website for links

46. Raffle Winners Raffling off: • 3 boys sticks • 3 girls sticks Thanks for being here!

47. Questions?