Who is Tigard Lacrosse?
Tigard Lacrosse Club (TLC) formed in 2008 and held our inaugural season in the spring of 2009. TLC is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting youth lacrosse in the community of Tigard, Oregon. TLC provides financial and organizational support, and acts as the liaison with the other lacrosse communities at the local, state, and national levels. TLC primarily works with boys and girls ranging from 3rd to 8th grade within the Tigard School District boundary.

What is lacrosse?
Wikipedia defines modern lacrosse as:
"... a full contact team sport played using a solid rubber ball and long handled racket called a crosse or lacrosse stick. The head of the crosse has a loose net strung into it that allows the player to hold the lacrosse ball. Offensively the object of the game is to use the lacrosse stick to catch, carry, and pass the ball in an effort to score by ultimately hurling the ball into an opponent's goal. Defensively the object is to keep the opposing team from scoring and to dispossess them of the ball through the use of stick checking and body contact."

Invented by the Native Americans, lacrosse served several different purposes. The sport was used for conflict resolution, the training of young warriors, and as a religious ritual. Games could be played on a pitch over a mile wide and sometimes lasted for days. Early lacrosse balls were made out of deerskin, clay, stone, and sometimes wood.

How is the game played?
Play starts at the midfield with a "face-off" (boys) or a "draw" (girls). Once a team has possession of the ball it is moved toward the opponent's goal by running and passing. A point is made when the ball is thrown into the opponent's goal using the crosse. Lacrosse has many similarities to soccer, hockey, and basketball. There are different field dimensions and number of players for girls and boys lacrosse. It also can vary by age of the players, with the younger players using smaller fields and fewer players.

Boys
There are usually 10 players on the field - 3 defenders, 3 midfielders, 3 attackers, and a goalie. The field is 110 yards long and 60 yards wide, roughly the same as a football field, with the goals placed 80 yards apart. Many times the younger ages will have 8 players, using one less defender and attacker, and playing on a slightly shorter field. Play lasts for 45 - 60 minutes, depending upon age. It can be divided into quarters or halves.

Girls
There are up to 12 players on the field. The overall field dimensions are flexible. The field is between 110 and 140 yards long and between 60 and 70 yards wide. The goals are placed between 90 and 100 yards apart. Until recently there were no hard boundaries so the natural terrain was used in many cases. Play lasts for 50 minutes divided into halves, with a 10 minute half-time.

When is the lacrosse season and how much time will it take?
The season starts in early March and runs through May into early June. Practices are an hour and a half long two to three days a week depending on the age and are held at local area grade and middle schools. For 3rd and 4th grade boys, games will typically be held during the week. For 5th-8th grade boys, games will typically be held during the week and on Saturday. For girls, games are typically held on Saturday. The games will be held in various locations throughout the area, including Lake Oswego, Sherwood, Oregon City, Tualatin, and Beaverton. There may also be an optional jamboree or tournament on a Saturday or Sunday.

What will my child need to play?
You will need to provide a medical release form signed by your child's doctor showing he/she is fit to play lacrosse. The equipment needed depends upon whether your child is a boy or girl. Boy's lacrosse, unlike Girl's lacrosse, is a full contact sport so more equipment is needed.

Boys Equipment
helmet, shoulder pads, arm pads, gloves, mouth guard, protective cup, lacrosse stick, cleats

Girls Equipment
mouth guard, lacrosse stick, cleats, goggles

Equipment is available as a package through many local retailers including Bigfoot Lacrosse and Chopstix Lacrosse. The cost of equipment necessary to play is separate from the registration cost. While it can vary, boy's starter packages begin at approximately $200. Girl's equipment is quite a bit less. The lacrosse stick is typically not included in the package. The same equipment can typically be used for 2 or more years, thus minimizing the annual cost. There are also season rental packages available through Gear-Up Sports and cost approximately $80 for boys and $35 for girls.

How much is the registration fee, and what do I get for that?
The TLC registration fee is $175. This fee covers:

• Uniforms (jersey and shorts)
• Referees
• US Lacrosse membership (supplemental medical insurance)
• Supplies (balls, cones, paint, goal nets)
• Tournament and jamboree fees
• Coach development (training course and/or material)

What can I do to help?
There are many opportunities to help support lacrosse and your child. TLC is always looking for coaches at all grade levels, team parents, timers, board members, and other volunteers.