Expectations

 

Hello Parents of Billerica lacrosse players, and welcome! The purpose of this page is to help you get a sense of what to expect when your son plays lacrosse at BMHS, and hopefully to answer some questions that I often hear from parents.

 

What to expect from the BMHS Boys' Lacrosse Program:

The other coaches and I believe in the connection between fundamentals, fitness, commitment and success, so our practices - at all levels - are geared toward improving the players' specific lacrosse skills and their overall fitness level. You can expect that your son will be challenged to work hard and earn his playing time, and that if he does so he will receive a great deal of support and individual attention from his coaches. We hope to create for each player an experience that is fun and provides the opportunity to enjoy success. I measure success in many ways, and the development of the players as young men is an important part of what we do. However, wins and losses do become more important at the high school level. Below are some things of which to be aware:

  

Equipment:

The lacrosse program provides game jerseys and practice pinneys only. We do have some equipment for players brand new to the sport, but it is in very limited supply and not of the best quality as it has been used several times over the years. In general, players are responsible for providing their own gloves, elbow pads, shoulder pads, athletic cup, cleats (molded are ideal for the turf fields), and shorts. Players should keep a pair of sneakers in their lockers as well for indoor practices.  Click here for important information for 2009 uniform requirements (Posted 6/08)

 

Cuts May Occur:

I always hope to give as many players who want to play lacrosse the opportunity to do so.  Decisions on whether or not cuts will occur are determined in the first few days of try-outs. In general, we will try not to cut freshmen or sophomores. We have allowed juniors to play on the Junior Varsity in the past, but in general, juniors who do not appear ready to contribute to the Varsity team should understand that they may be cut from the program. Players will be evaluated on their lacrosse skills, athleticism, fitness, and attitude, and their potential to contribute eventually at the Varsity level. Students' academic performance and off-the-field behavior may also be considered in this decision. In other words, if it seems that it is in a player's best academic interest to not play, we will cut him.

 

Program Philosophy:

Ø      Work Hard

Ø      Play Together

Ø      Have Fun

 

Shared Beliefs and Values: 

Building Commitment Through…

Ø      Promoting Effort-Based Ability

-    “did I get better today?”

-    “in what way?”

Ø      Shared Responsibility

-    Parents/Athletes/Coaches

Ø      Caring and Personal Climate

Ø      Open and Honest Communication

Ø      Trust

 

Team Objectives:

Ø      All of our efforts must be educationally sound: we are an extension of the

      high school… support academic excellence, citizenship

Ø      Develop individual skills and advance the program to a higher level

Ø      Be competitive each game

Ø      Win the MVC league championship

Ø      Enter the state tournament

Ø      Encourage support from parents

Ø      Allow the kids to play uninterrupted

Ø      Provide a healthy environment to play, competition and athletic creative expression

 

Program Facts:

Ø      Program began in 1974

Ø      2003 was coach Burns’ first year as head coach

Ø      BYLA starts 1st - 4th grade in house program and grade travel teams in 2008.  

Ø      League  Champs - 79, 81, 91, 92, 93,    98, 01, 02, 03, 04, 07 and 08

Ø      EMASS Champs - 2001

Ø      State Champions - 2001

Ø      State Finalists - 2008

 

Attendance:

Ø      Is mandatory

Ø      Athletes will be excused for academic reasons and should bring a pass from the teacher to the coach

Ø      Athletes are expected to notify the coach via e-mail

      at cburns@billerica.k12.ma.us if they will miss practice due to illness etc.

Ø      Violation of attendance policy will affect playing time

 

Playing Time:

Ø      Is not guaranteed at any level

Ø      At sub varsity levels coaches will do their best to get every player in the game

Ø      It can be difficult to manage a game and 20 plus players playing time

Ø      Athletes that participate with the varsity are never guaranteed playing time

Ø      If we have a freshman or sophomore on the varsity not seeing time, we may opt to play him in a JV game

 

What to Expect from Us:

Ø      2 hours (+) of lacrosse everyday regardless of weather. We practice or play 6 days a week with rare exceptions.

Ø      Rigorous, well planned, purposeful practices.

Ø      Good communication between coaches and players

Ø      Firm and fair application of team, school and state rules

Ø      Excellent, clear instruction and coaching everyday

Ø      We expect players to maintain academic standards. Extra help should be scheduled when needed.

Ø      Senior players are expected to coach with a youth team

Ø      All varsity players will assist in coaching youth practices

Ø      Athletes are expected to attend practices and games over April vacation

 

What We Expect From You:

Ø      We encourage you to come to games, but please sit or stand on the far sideline from the bench.

Ø      We want  your son to be fully immersed in his experience with his teammates and coach and not be distracted

Ø      Please do not talk with you son while he is playing or between quarters

Ø      Keep your cheers positive for Billerica

Ø      Do not harass or otherwise advise the referees. They do make mistakes, but I promise you that in most cases you do not know more about lacrosse than they do. Your complaints will not change the call or help in future calls

Ø      Be a great role model for your son and demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times

Ø      Be a great host and gracious guest. When you feel that fans from other towns do not know the game as well as you nor are they as well behaved as you (us), please tolerate their differences with a smile :-)

Ø      Open and honest communication

Ø      Allow your son to be the expert.  After the game ask him how he thought it went, before you tell him what you think

Ø      If you have a complaint please bring it directly to the coach. We believe in an open healthy discourse.  Rumors and sniping at the coach or any members of the team is very destructive

 

Commitment to the program is expected of all players:

During the season, student-athletes are expected to do everything in their power to help our program succeed and excel, to maintain a successful enough academic record, and to be a good sportsman on the field and a good citizen off the field. Players are expected to take care of their academic responsibilities first. Skipping classes, including study halls, will not be tolerated. Off-the-field behavior will impact playing time. Missing any part of April Break will mean that the student-athlete will lose playing time when he returns, and he risks being removed from the team permanently, depending on the circumstances. Players and parents, especially those of Varsity players, should be aware that Sunday practices may be necessary in certain circumstances.

 

Player Self-Improvement:

Players should strive to improve on their own, especially during the off-season. When Players dedicate themselves to their own improvement, they of course make themselves better players and give the entire program a greater likelihood of success.   www.raptorsplayerdevelopment.com

 

Attend Summer Camp:

The best lacrosse players attend instructional camps in their developmental years to accelerate the improvement of their skills and abilities. Camps are available throughout Eastern Massachusetts for players of all ages and ability levels. Parents should weigh the quality of these camps in terms of cost, player-to-coach ratio, years of service, and location (convenience). While I do not consider whether or not a player has attended camp when deciding whether he should have a spot on the team, players who don't attend camps are likely to be by-passed eventually by those who do because it will show in their skills. See the Links page for the instructional camps that I recommend.

 

Be Athletic:

The best lacrosse players play at least one other sport during one of the other athletic seasons. Consistent involvement in daily competition helps athletes maintain a competitive nature. Also, in playing another sport they train other muscles in their bodies, making themselves stronger, more versatile athletes. Not playing another sport makes more likely that their athleticism will physically and mentally atrophy. Therefore, I discourage the idea that a lacrosse player should only play lacrosse. For those lacrosse players not currently playing a second sport, they may consider the following: football, cross country, winter track, and wrestling. Those four sports tend to give opportunities to any student-athletes who do not have experience in their respective sports, and the skills and conditioning for those sports translate to lacrosse very nicely. Typically, those who play soccer, basketball, or hockey develop into excellent lacrosse players as well.

 

Fitness:

Student-athletes must develop a habit of improving their fitness, through regular running and weight-lifting. If players have trouble motivating themselves to maintain a regular fitness schedule on their own, they should consider joining a gym where training specialists work with them. These are expensive and still require self-motivation, but the amount of money paid by parents tends to be motivation enough! See the Player Info page for information on recommended professional training programs. Another way to motivate one's self to condition is get together with several friends on a regular basis. It is expected that players who want to play on the varsity level demonstrate a dedication to fitness.