AYLC Girls Program

The AYLC Girls Program is a recreational youth sports league, promoting the sport of lacrosse and developing young athletes ranging from 1st grade to 8th grade in Arlington, VA.

Have a young athlete in Kindergarten? AYLC offers the co-ed Scoopers program here

 

AYLC runs girls divisions based on grade in school:

• G12 – Girls in 1st and 2nd Grade

• G34 – Girls in 3rd and 4th Grade

• G56 – Girls in 5th and 6th Grade

• G78 – Girls in 7th and 8th Grade

As players move into higher divisions, they learn new skills and experience more advanced game rules, so that they are prepared to play at the high school level.

AYLC belongs to the Northern Virginia Youth Lacrosse League (NVYLL) and fields rosters in the following NVYLL divisions: G34 (Modified Field), G56 (Full Field), and G78 (Full Field).

All divisions are governed by the USA Lacrosse Girls’ and Women’s Rules. The USA Lacrosse Youth Girls’ rules govern NVYLL girls’ youth play, except as amended by the league. Consult the NVYLL Rules 

Spring is AYLC’s primary season for recreational league play.

Spring registration on the AYLC website is typically open from December - January. Scholarships are available (more info on registration page).

Spring season takes place between February and June.

• For G12, the season begins in April and ends in early June.

• For G34, the season begins in mid-February with pre-season assessments and ends in late-May or early-June, depending on team placements (more details below).

•  For G56 and G78, the season begins in mid-February with pre-season assessments and ends in late-May (typically before Memorial Day).

There are no games on Easter Sunday or Memorial Day weekend.

Summer, Fall, and Winter – AYLC typically promotes skills clinics or facilitates entering teams into local summer, fall, and winter leagues or tournaments that align with our recreational and developmental approach. Your spring registration fee will not cover registration fees for these additional leagues or tournaments and additional fees will apply. AYLC will facilitate the process and communications with families who are interested in these additional local lacrosse opportunities.

 

Practices for all divisions are located in Arlington County.

G12 game location is Bishop O’Connell High School or Long Bridge Park.

G34, G56, and G78 game locations may be in Arlington County or other locations throughout Northern Virginia - including Alexandria City, Fairfax County, City of Falls Church, and Loudon County.

G12 typically holds 1 practice per week and 1 game per week.

G34, G56, and G78 typically hold 2 practices per week and 1 game per week.

Equipment Needed & Uniforms

For all divisions, all players MUST provide their own equipment:

• Women’s Lacrosse Stick - can be shortened down to 35.5" from top of head to bottom of pole

• Women’s Lacrosse Goggles (must meet ASTM lacrosse standard F3077)

• Mouthguard (no strap)

• Sneakers

• Optional: Lacrosse ball or practice ball (for practicing at home)

AYLC organizes a free equipment swap each pre-season, and also provides a discount coupon for Dick’s Sporting Goods. 

For G34, G56, and G78, other equipment may be helpful:

•  Cleats and/or Turf Shoes

• Gloves (lacrosse or batting gloves work)

For Goalies (G34, G56, G78 only), AYLC provides all goalie equipment. Players are permitted to use their own goalie equipment as long as it complies with USA Lacrosse equipment requirements.

Required goalie equipment includes:

• Goalie Stick

• Helmet with Throat Guard (must be SEI certified to meet NOCSAE performance standard)

• Chest Protector (must be SEI certified to meet NOCSAE performance standard)

• Goalie Gloves

• Goalie Pants (Padded Shorts)

• Shin Guards

• Recommended: Girls/Women’s Pelvic Protector

Uniforms

• G12 players are provided a reversible pinny for practices / games and an AYLC t-shirt. Players must provide their own shorts (any color).

• G34, G56, and G78 players are provided a reversible practice pinny and AYLC t-shirt, and must purchase a reversible game jersey and shorts (available for purchase during registration). Game uniforms from previous seasons are permitted, if uniform matches the current uniform style.

How does league play work for each division?

G12 – 1st and 2nd Grade Girls

G12 League Play:

• House League – AYLC fields 4-8 teams to play our own league of Arlington players vs. Arlington players.

G12 Roster size:

• 12-18 players

G12 Practices and Games:

• 1 Practice is held for the entire G12 division on the same day and at the same location each week.

• Games are held for the entire G12 division on Sunday mornings within 2 back-to-back timeslots, and at the same location.

G12 Game Play Overview:

• Modified field (smaller field per USA Lacrosse guidelines)

• 4 v. 4 with no goalies

• 1 attempted pass before a shot on a small goal

•  No score is kept

• No stick checking

•  High School-aged referees are trained by AYLC to enforce game rules and assist the players to learn the game.

G34 – 3rd and 4th Grade Girls

G34 League Play:

•  House League – AYLC fields 4-6 teams to play our own league of Arlington players vs. Arlington players.

• NVYLL League – AYLC fields at least 2 rosters of players (typically A and B levels) to travel locally and play other Northern Virginia leagues.

G34 Roster size:

• 12-18 players

G34 Practices and Games:

• 1-2 Practices are held on the same day and at the same location each week, as scheduled by the coaches.

• Games

• • House League – games are held on Sunday mornings within 2 back-to-back timeslots, and at the same location.

  • NVYLL League – games are held at various times and locations in Northern Virginia, typically on Saturdays or Sundays. Each season ends with a single elimination play-off tournament (typically scheduled the weekend before Memorial day and may include 1-3 games in one weekend).

G34 Game Play:

• Modified field (smaller field per USA Lacrosse guidelines)

• 7 v 7 with 1 Goalie; 7 field players are 2 attack, 3 midfield, 2 defense

• 10 minute quarters with 5 minute half time

• 1 attempted pass before a shot on a full-sized 6x6 goal

• Score is kept and playoffs occur at end of season

• No stick checking

•  Trained referees enforce game rules and may assist players to learn the game if time permits.

G56 – 5th and 6th Grade Girls

G56 League Play:

• NVYLL League – AYLC fields at least 4 rosters of players (typically A, B, and C levels) to travel locally and play other Northern Virginia leagues.

G56 Roster size:

• 16-24 players

G56 Practices and Games:

• 2 Practices are held on the same days and at the same location(s) each week, as scheduled by the coaches.

•  Games are held at various times and locations in Northern Virginia. Games are typically on Sundays, with some games on Saturdays.

• Each season ends with a single elimination play-off tournament (typically scheduled the weekend before Memorial day and may include 1-3 games in one weekend).

G56 Game Play:

• Full field (per USA Lacrosse guidelines)

• 11 v 11 with 1 Goalie; 11 field players are 4 attack, 3 midfield, 4 defense

• 12 minute quarters with 5 minute half time

• 1 attempted pass before a shot on a full-sized 6x6 goal

• Score is kept and playoffs occur at end of season

•  Modified stick checking

•  Trained referees enforce game rules

G78 – 7th and 8th Grade Girls

G78 League Play:

• NVYLL League – AYLC fields at least 2 rosters of players (typically two B levels) to travel locally and play other Northern Virginia leagues.

G78 Roster size:

• 16-24 players

G78 Practices and Games:

• 2 Practices are held on the same days and at the same location(s) each week, as scheduled by the coaches.

•  Games are held at various times and locations in Northern Virginia. Games are typically on Sundays, with some games on Saturdays.

• Each season ends with a single elimination play-off tournament. Playoffs are typically scheduled the weekend before Memorial day and may include 1-3 games in one weekend.

G78 Game Play:

• Full field (per USA Lacrosse guidelines)

• 11 v 11 with 1 Goalie; 11 field players are 4 attack, 3 midfield, 4 defense

• 12 minute quarters with 5 minute half time

• No pass requirement before a shot on a full-sized 6x6 goal

• Score is kept and playoffs occur at end of season

• Modified or Full stick checking depending on level

• Trained referees enforce game rules

 

Are there tryouts for Spring AYLC rosters?

This depends on the division and league play.

G12 division - does not hold tryouts as most players are new to lacrosse and all players participate in an Arlington-only House league (see details on roster placement below)    

G34 division – pre-season assessments are required for players interested in playing on an NVYLL roster, but not required for a House roster. At the G34 division, there is a large variance in skills from brand new players to players with 3+ years’ experience. AYLC fields teams in both an Arlington-only House league (all skill levels) AND in the Northern Virginia Youth Lacrosse League (more advanced skill levels). NVYLL requires that all programs conduct assessments to build teams at appropriate skill levels of play - A and B for G34 (A being the most competitive).

G56 and G78 divisions - pre-season assessments are required for all players because all rosters play in the NVYLL. NVYLL requires that all programs conduct assessments to build teams at appropriate skill levels of play – A, B, and C (A being the most competitive).

How are final Spring season rosters formed?

G12 division: House League only. AYLC volunteers do their best to place players on rosters based on elementary school boundaries, geographically close neighborhoods, and teammate requests.  

G34 division:

• House League - AYLC volunteers do their best to place players on rosters based on elementary school boundaries, geographically close neighborhoods, and teammate requests.  

• NVYLL League – AYLC volunteers place players on rosters based on the assessor recommendations. 

• • Players can request to move to a House team to play with a requested teammate.

  • Players can request to move to another roster of the same level to play with a requested teammate (e.g. there are 2 B rosters). 

  • Players can request to move down a level to play with a requested teammate (e.g. player is placed on a B roster and would like to play with a requested teammate on a C roster).

G56 and G78 divisions: NVYLL League only.

• AYLC volunteers place players on rosters based on the assessor recommendations. 

• Teammate requests may be made on the registration form. Players will not be placed on a higher level roster due to a teammate request. 

• • Players can request to move to another roster of the same level to play with a requested teammate (e.g. there are 2 B rosters). 

  • Players can request to move down a level to play with a requested teammate (e.g. player is placed on a B roster and would like to play with a requested teammate on a C roster).

How are Spring coaches assigned?

AYLC Coaches are all volunteers and most are “Parent Coaches” of AYLC players, assigned to coach their child’s team.

• “Parent Coaches” are assigned to their child’s team

• For NVYLL rosters, “Parent Coaches” are assigned to their child’s team; this occurs after assessments are complete and their player has accepted their offered roster spot.

• Coaches for NVYLL rosters are experienced coaches and/or former players.

Note that all AYLC coaches are registered with USA Lacrosse, required to complete USA Lacrosse-mandated trainings, and have undergone a background check.

What can I expect at the Spring pre-season assessments for G34, G56, and G78?

AYLC designs our assessments to get a holistic view of players' skills relative to one another, to ensure we make the best possible rosters to be competitive in each NVYLL level - A, B, and C.

We also use the assessments as skills clinics for new and returning players to practice lacrosse basics before the season starts.

New players will be grouped together with coaches who will teach basic skills and give a comprehensive introduction to the sport of lacrosse.

Returning players will be grouped together with coaches who will refresh the players on technique, then run drills covering cradling, ground balls, passing and catching, shooting, defense, and some game play.

Players trying out for NVYLL rosters in the A and B levels will be grouped together with coaches who will run a number of drills and game situations to assess lacrosse IQ, strong defense, throwing and catching with both hands, placement shooting, and solid mastery of basics like ground balls, cradling, and field sense. This is a more intense lacrosse experience – but focused on development and fun too!

Who are the Spring season assessors?

Assessors are AYLC volunteers with significant lacrosse coaching/playing experience.

• Assessors are held to a high standard of neutrality, to ensure fair and unbiased assessments. If an assessor is the parent/guardian of a player trying out for a roster, that assessor will not be assigned to that roster’s assessment. We aim for 3+ assessors for each group to ensure multiple points of view.

•  Assessors are experienced coaches and/or former players, and are assisted by other AYLC volunteer coaches and local HS players.

• Assessors write observations during the assessment sessions, then participate in live discussions to recommend final rosters.

How are rosters formed for Summer, Fall, or Winter season leagues and tournaments?

Depends on the league or tournament, as each has different rules, team sizes, and age brackets. This means that if a player chooses to participate in these opportunities, they may play with different Arlington teammates (or other NoVA area teammates), have a different coach, play on different types of fields (grass v. box v. indoor), or play with different rules.

AYLC will communicate these opportunities in a timely manner either through league-wide e-mail communications or through your Spring season coach.

Note that your spring registration fee will not cover registration fees for these additional leagues or tournaments and additional fees will apply.