Navigating the Lacrosse Offseason

Understanding Your Options

It wasn’t that long ago, 15 to 20 years ago, that the development path for lacrosse players was relatively simple.

Players competed during their spring youth or high school season and then attended one or two camps during the summer to continue building their skills and knowledge of the game. These camps were often led by some of the best high school and college coaches in the region and focused not only on developing players’ stick skills and game IQ, but also helping them grow as teammates and young people.

Players learned alongside teammates and competitors they had never met before, creating an environment that was educational, competitive, and most importantly, fun.

As the game has grown, travel and club lacrosse have expanded opportunities for players who want to continue competing year-round. That growth has created many positive opportunities for athletes, but it has also changed the offseason landscape. Today, parents are often left asking the same question after the spring season:

“What’s the best path for my child to continue learning and enjoying the game?”

The answer depends on several factors, including your child’s age, skill level, goals, and involvement in other sports and activities.

The Club Experience

Club lacrosse has become one of the most common offseason pathways for players looking for consistent competition and team-based development.

While lacrosse already has a significant cost barrier due to equipment, many club programs require an additional financial commitment that can range from a few thousand dollars to over $5,000 per year.

Most clubs operate on a year-long model that begins with tryouts in late spring or summer and runs through the following summer. Teams typically practice regularly and compete in tournaments throughout the region or country. Many club programs are structured around preparing for competition, which often means practices focus heavily on team systems, strategies, and game plans. While this can be valuable, it may leave less time for individual skill development. Some clubs will provide training opportunities and supplemental development sessions, although these offerings can vary greatly by organization.

For players who enjoy team environments, competition, and frequent game opportunities, club lacrosse can be a great option. Parents should understand that many clubs come with a significant commitment, both financially and in terms of time and participation expectations. If your child plays multiple sports, which personally, I’m a big believer in, there will likely be scheduling conflicts throughout the year. Before committing, it’s important to understand the club’s expectations and determine whether they align with your family’s goals and your child’s overall athletic experience.

Skill Coaches and Clinics

Another growing offseason option is position-specific and skill-specific training. As the demand for specialized instruction has increased, more coaches have begun offering small-group training sessions and weekly clinics focused on particular skills such as dodging, shooting, defense, faceoffs, or goalie play. These sessions can be an effective way to provide focused attention and additional repetitions that may be difficult to get in larger team settings.

Many coaches organize groups by age and experience level, helping ensure that beginners receive appropriate instruction while advanced players continue to be challenged.

When evaluating clinics, parents should look beyond simply the number of drills being offered. Consider how the coach teaches. The best environments often allow players to solve problems, make decisions, and learn through game-like situations rather than simply repeating predetermined movements.

One thing to keep in mind is that quality skill coaching is often intentionally limited in size. Smaller groups allow coaches to provide more individualized feedback and instruction, but that also means spots can fill quickly and access may be limited depending on your area and schedule.

It’s also important to understand that meaningful skill development takes time. A single session may help improve a player’s shooting mechanics, but learning how to apply that skill within dodging, spacing, timing, and game situations often requires multiple sessions before players truly see and feel the improvement.

Day & Overnight Camps

Despite receiving less attention than they once did, lacrosse camps remain one of the most valuable development opportunities available to players, in my opinion. Great camps bring together players of different backgrounds and skill levels in an immersive environment that combines skill development, game play, competition, and fun.

Players spend significant time working on fundamentals while also applying those skills in small-sided games and game-like situations. The best camps balance instruction with competition and create an atmosphere where players are excited to learn.

Many camps also offer experiences beyond lacrosse itself. Some feature guest speakers, college coaches, professional players, leadership sessions, recreational activities, swimming, or simply opportunities for players to build friendships with others who share their passion for the game.

As a parent, ask a few simple questions before registering:

• What will players learn during the camp?
• Is there a good mix of Skill Development and Small Area Games
• What is the coach-to-player ratio?
• Will players receive meaningful instruction and feedback?

The best camps maximize touches, decision-making opportunities, and engagement rather than simply maximizing numbers.

Backyard Lacrosse