Programs
PROGRAM FAQ
Spring Season
Who plays in the Spring Season?
Registration is open for all YOUTH & HIGH SCHOOL boys & girls. The Spring Season is community based including, but not limited to; Alabaster, Birmingham, Chelsea, Helena, Homewood, Hoover, Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Trussville & Vestavia as well as outlying communities such as Clay/Chalkville, Pelham, Gardendale, Leeds & Irondale, to name a few. If you want to play lacrosse this spring, you register through the GBYLA and we will assign you to a team!
How much does it cost?
There are two components to the Spring Season program fee; GBYLA Base Fees and Community Add on Fees. The GBYLA base fees per division are posted through the registration module. Both fees, Base Fee & Community Add On, for the SPRING SEASON are posted on the SPRING SEASON webpage at www.gbyla.org under PROGRAMS. GBYLA Base fees cover operating costs to run the Spring Season . Community Fees are dependent on operating spring season expenses which may include field expense, coach equipment, etc. You can expect a range of $150 - $450 depending on division and community.
What division should I register my child for?
Our boys & girls divisions are based on grade. Boys 8U (grades K-2), Boys 10U (grades 3-4), Boys 12U (grades 5-6) and Boys 14U (grades 7-8). Girls 10U (grades K-4), Girls 12U (grades 5-6) and Girls 14U (grades 7-8). Boys and Girls Varsity (grades 9-12).
What team will my child play on?
Your child will play for his/her school or community team, if one exists. Team drafts (when necessary) are based on parity and formed within the community program. If a team does not exist at your school or in your community, your child is considered an 'orphan' and will be placed according to proximity of your residence address to the nearest home field location for youth teams and at the high school level, the geographic address of the nearest high school. Procedure regarding the placement of 'orphan' players can be found in our GENERAL POLICY found under 'POLICY' on the gbyla.org homepage horizontal task bar.
Do Divisions ever get full?
YES!! If your division is full upon registering, your child will be placed on a waiting list. Avoid the wait list and register early!
When are practices?
You can expect two to four practices per week lasting approximately 60-90 minutes depending on your team, age division & coach. Locations & times are determined by your community program based on field availability & personal coach schedules. Practice begins mid January. Practice schedules are released as soon as available by your community lacrosse program.
When & where are games?
High School games begin approximately the 1st week in February. Youth games begin approximately the 4th week in February. A game schedule will be released to you by your coach once available. Youth plays a 10 game season, high school Varsity plays a 12 game season, and JV plays an 8 game season. Games are played during the week & on the weekend and are scheduled based on personal coach schedules & field availability. You will have both an equal amount of HOME & AWAY games. For Varsity/JV, away games consist of neighboring Birmingham communities, Auburn, Huntsville, and Madison. For youth, away games consist of neighboring Birmingham communities.
How long is the season?
The Spring Season starts mid-January and ends with a Youth Jamboree late April and Varsity Alabama Lacrosse Championship mid May.
My son/daughter is new to lacrosse, can they play in the Spring Season with no experience?
YES!! Lacrosse is a growing sport and all our GBYLA coaches know that everyone has to start sometime!
Do I need to buy equipment and how much does it cost?
Yes, you will need to have your own equipment. ALL players are required to have cleats (no steel spikes) & a mouth guard as well as an athletic cup (boys only). Purchasing equipment can run from $135 to $185 for boys & $25 - $60 for girls.
Fall Lacrosse for New Players
What are the age cutoffs?
Our boys & girls divisions are based on grade. Mini-Stix Coed are grades K - 3. Regular new player coed clinics are grades 4 - 8.
How much does it cost?
New players pay $75 and participate in a clinic format.
When are practices?
No practices! Sunday play only. We do not have weekday or Saturday practices. Just show up at your scheduled division time on Sunday ready to play.
When & where are games?
Fall Lacrosse is clinic based so we do not play formal games in the fall. Clinic locations may vary due to field availability.
Will my son or daughter be playing with friends from their school?
Fall Lacrosse is non-community specific. New players will participate in a clinic format.
How is my son or daughter placed on a team?
Each player will be assigned to a 'team'. You will stay on the same team for the entire season. Teams are for communication purposes as there is no game play.
How long is a Fall Lacrosse session?
Sessions are typically 60-minutes long.
What is the clinic/game session schedule?
Clinic schedules will be posted on the website once available. We strive to start times on Sundays at 1:00pm and not before.
What are the participation requirements?
New players are welcome to participate with little to no experience.
Do I need my own equipment?
Mini-Stix will be provided a stick each session. New players grades 4 - 8 only need to bring a stick. Cleats or sneakers are necessary on the turf.