Why play Scoopers?
Scoopers is designed to help young kids learn about lacrosse in a nurturing, stress-free environment. There are no set teams and we don’t keep score. We play games that promote development, but we hide the fundamentals in things like Hungry Hippo, London Bridge, and the occasional 3v3 drill.

Do Scoopers need more gear?
We want our Scoopers to have fun learning the basics of lacrosse, and some of that gear can get in the way. We don’t allow the Scoopers to engage in any contact, and we use soft balls for throwing, catching, cradling and ground balls, so there’s no need for anything other than a stick, and cleats if you have them. 

Why does AYLFHC combine boys and girls?
US Lacrosse has the same coaching philosophy for boys and girls at the 6U level – to teach the fundamentals and encourage teamwork. Our focus is on throwing, catching, scooping, shooting and defensive positioning, and at the 6U level, these concepts are very similar for boys and girls. Beginning in 8U, boys and girls will have different rules, and each will require different protective gear.

But wait… the sticks! If you’ve purchased a lacrosse stick, you know that boys’ sticks are different than girls. Boys’ sticks have a large pocket, while girls are not allowed to have a pocket. This is no problem – we have experienced male and female coaches who will work with your beginner to learn to throw and catch using their appropriate stick.

How do the rules differ for boys and girls as they get older?
There are significant differences between boys’ and girls’ lacrosse beginning at the 8U level. The most obvious the equipment required, and the level of allowable physical contact because of the amount of protective gear worn. Boys will eventually need to wear a helmet, mouth guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads and gloves. Girls will need to wear a mouth guard and goggles. As a result, their games have different rules too.

They loved Scoopers – now what?
Arlington Lacrosse has spring programs for boys and girls who graduate from the 6U Scoopers program. For boys, they will go on to 8U, and girls will go on to G12. There are also summer camps available in Arlington if your Scooper wants more time on the field!

The girls and boys will just need to bring a full-size lacrosse stick (no fiddle sticks) each week which the coaches can help size. The stick should ideally be the length from their arm pit to the tip of their finger. It is ok to keep it a bit longer so you are not buying new sticks every year. We will be using soft lacrosse balls so mouth guards, helmets and googles are not required. Kids should wear cleats (soccer cleats are fine, just not baseball). No other pads are required at this age. See below for some recommend beginner sticks. 

Pro Tip : Write your child's name on all equipment, and water bottle :)
 

Girls
The STX Women's Exult 200 is a good basic stick for beginners which only costs $39.99 at DICK's Sporting Goods. There are other options including starter sets that include a bag and googles that you can select from. The STX Girls Crux 100 is $79.99 at DICK's Sporting Goods and the stick is a bit better. 

STX Women's Exult 200 Stick + the STX Girls Crux 100 Starter Pack

Girls sticks can be cut down to arm length and they can have a modified pocket which means that only half the ball is showing below the side wall. 

Boys
There are a ton of sticks to choose from but our coaches recommend the StringKing Complete 2 Junior Attack which costs $69.99 at DICK's Sporting Goods. The stick is designed specifically for youth players including the pockets. The stick is legal through U10 so your son can get plenty of use out of it. Make sure to mark the stick somehow since many boys will have the same one on the field (i.e. colored tape or name).