- Serving boys from 3rd through 8th grade that are zoned (based on home address) to attend either Lake Washington or Juanita High Schools.
- Offseason practices are no commitment “drop-in” and allow kids that are interested to try it before they jump in (we provide loaner gear).
- Regular season starts mid February and runs to early June. Conflicts with baseball season.
- Teams organized by grade. Contact and intensity rises as kids get older.
- We are a feeder team to the Lake Washington High School Lacrosse organization which fields both JV and Varsity.
Kirkland Youth Lacrosse serves kids that are zoned for Juanita and Lake Washington High Schools based on their home address. However, if your son attends a private school that has a lacrosse program, he must play for them. We are closely affiliated with the Kirkland Boys and Girls Club. All youth registration (3rd-8th grade) runs through them.
We begin with new players in the offseason. Lacrosse can be confusing, and there is lots to learn. So for new families (and returning players) we strongly suggest you attend our Sunday Skills Sessions. These are casual meetings that begin in November or December and run through January. The weather is miserable, but the experience is crucial. We run these on Sunday afternoons and details come out to those on our mailing list (see get involved page). They are free of charge and we bring loaner equipment for those who need it. There is essentially no contact and we're teaching the basic skills essential to getting started (catching, throwing, cradling, etc.). We typically end with a non-contact game that emphasizes passing. The kids love this!
Our regular season begins in mid February (burr). Before daylight savings (late Feb - early March), we try to get a lighted turf field and often struggle to get a prime time. Once we get into March, our practices are on local fields (this year mostly at Northwest University) and typically run from 5-7pm. Games run from early-March through May. We typically have a season-ending jamboree or playoff. Games are mostly local, but occasionally, we'll travel to Bainbridge Island, Tacoma, or something of that distance.
The teams are organized as such:
3rd & 4th graders are on the "34 Team"
5th & 6th graders are on the "56 Team"
7th & 8th graders are on the "78 Team"
34 lacrosse is truly a recreational league. Totally equal playing time. Playing 95% to have fun and build kids's love of the game. 5% of the goal is to build basic skills that they will use as they move up in level. We are HIGHLY restrictive on hitting at the level, and keep a very close watch on contact. Practice is two days per week and games are on Saturday.
At the 56 level, the competition rises. Playing time is still mostly equal, but substitution rules are restrictive so in some games kids don't get as much as they'd like. Over the course of the season it’s quite even. In close, competitive games, you might see only our strongest players on the field for the last minute or so. The contact at this level is higher, but still highly restrictive. Practice is two days per week with games on Saturday.
78 lacrosse is much more competitive. We take roll call at each practice and lack of attendance will translate into reduced playing time. The expectations for discipline, effort, and fitness are significantly higher. The game becomes more physical at this level, but there are still no hard body checks. Practice is 3 days per week with games on Saturdays.
Please note that the comments above about hitting and contact are simply in response to frequently asked questions. AT NO LEVEL, including high school, does Kirkland Lacrosse emphasize hard body checks (hitting). This game is really about skill and finesse. The best teams are rarely the most physical, but always the most skilled.
We have loaner gear available for first year players, but we have a limited supply. If you decided to buy your own gear, you can expect ~$250 for a first time starter package. That gear will last for several years and can be replaced/upgraded gradually. Dues for the season are around $200. Registration is through the Kirkland Boys and Girls Club, but keeping up on information requires you to be on our mailing list.
If you are interested, please sign up for our mailing list. We do NOT spam and NEVER share your information with any other parties. Follow the link below to get involved!
