US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums NORTHEAST LACROSSE BOTC MAIN FORUM (LI, CT, WC) Girls 2025 - 4th Grade Fall 2016/ Summer 2017

It's the start of the Fall 2016/Spring 2017 season. Use this thread for your posts regarding this age group

How are the Liberty?

No one knows. First year for this age group and tryouts haven't happened yet.

I attended 2025 tryouts for two teams on Saturday & Tuesday. Both had impressive setups with flags, tents, and general aurora of professional organizations who are trying to justify their lofty fees, but one did a much better job in my opinion evaluating players and essentially selling themselves.

The program that identifies itself with letters ran creative age appropriate drills which were interactive and fun for the girls and allowed everyone to get multiple touches to show their strengths and developmental opportunities. They took teaching moments where appropriate and overall I was impressed with the level of energy at the event.

The Team that identifies itself with numbers ran more standard drills and scrimmages which were plagued with girls being partnered with players of varying skills levels and the common theme at every level or program of girls only passing to the friends/town teammates. The college aged (maybe HS?) “coaches” were sitting on the ground talking amongst themselves in a circle rather than participating in the workouts/evaluations. Not here to bash this particular team at all, as my daughter attended some of their events this past year and I was always impressed with their approach and attention to the kids. It was also very hot that day so who knows.

That all said based on simple math and economics no one is being turned away from either program, but it was an interesting observation.

Well dont be fooled by the tryout. Many kids/parents were not at all happy with as you called it the 'letters program" and left this past year. The 2023 team was stuck with spring practices all during the same times as their PAL games. (Sunday Mornings), and when asked to please rectify the issue, the parents were told sorry this is when the practices are going to be and we cant change them. Never once was one of those 6-8 practices run with more than 5 kids. They only cared about filling their practice quota and justifying their fees. I wont get into any other issues there, but I learned my lesson the hard way when I realized it was really for the love of the 'green' not the game! The tryouts are the pinnacle there, trust me.

Does Spallina really really show up at all practices and tournaments..I'm hearing mixed reviews? We have a 2025 child

No. 1 or 2 practices but he was coaching his sons team at other end of the field. Only shows up to one game of one tournament. Very little coaching taking place. Different coaches at different practices and tournaments. Goalie and spallina's daughter allowed to Show up when convenient. YJ came 2nd to their 91 team so they were no shows to a lot of practices and tourneys.

Spallina isn't going to have any interest in this team until the talent improves. He's not going to bother with kids who can't catch - which is half the team. He ran the first practice and saw what he needed to see.

Any update on the Liberty 2025 team ?

I think the evaluators may have a difficult time finding the diamonds in the rough for their '25 YJ team last night. SO MANY girls and such a small space. Seemed to me they were content to just keep the two teams they have and collect fees from those coming over from other teams or simply trying to make the team for the first time. Fingers crossed but... like I said, crowded and small venue... Any other thoughts from anyone on the tryout?

Fingers crossed? Why?
Why get into that mess...look for alternative programs that will teach and not play the politic game

Diamonds in 4th grade? I have news for you some of those standouts will be left in the dust by the time they hit 7th grade. Go find a program with the best possible coaching and development opportunities. If in a few years if you have talent the top teams will find her and make room.

Tried out and made igloo and liked the coaching but then they bait and switched and were combing 25/26 and practicing in western nassau not in Syosset. would've liked to have been there, maybe in the future. THAT is why fingers are crossed she makes the team so has a place to play this spring/summer. Any other suggestions are welcome.

They will make as many teams as possible based on the number that accept. She will definitely make a team. Whether it's money we'll spend will be another story.

Not true at all. Very little movement between teams even on YJ's. Also, 85% of the girls on the top team will stay there till 2025.

Having sons go through the process I agree with the above statement.

My daughter is a pretty good player... fine if she only makes yj B, hope for A, other teams held tryouts in summer so the is the last ship at port for this season.

Sorry I disagree and is why some YJ teams are struggling. Reset coming and should have happened sooner.

2025 have good coaches A and B and will be taught the game I am sure. My friends daughter played with one of the coaches last year and was very happy!

Who are the Coaches?
What were the teams like last year?
these are the important questions......

2023 B team beat the A team consistently. You never know. And don't count on JS doing much. He's spread too thin. Maybe in 4 years when his boys are committed.

Been through the the full tour a couple times and you have you numbers mixed up. About 85% of the first year players will not make it through to the end on the A team. If they change 4-5 players each year, which they definitely do, that's more than 15% change, every year! Your number doesn't even hold up for one year. Like I said, been down the road several times, you may see 4 to 8 kids standing from the original group by the time all is said and done. Someone mentioned in an earlier post that many of your superstar 4-5 graders disappear in a few years, very true!

Mark my words. You're going to see a lot of movement of the Spallina team. He wasn't at tryouts last year and this year he was. That tells me at least that he wasn't pleased with the team he was handed by the Queen Bee.

That's a pretty big assumption. Maybe he was just busy that day and knew there wouldn't be many THIRD grade girls with parents silly enough to start travel lacrosse, so anybody could pick the team for him.

Stony brook is his top priority
Lizards is second
Crush is third
Bandits are 4th
His daughter and the goalie from YJ play for 2025 91 boys. That's his 5th priority.
YJ 2025 is a distant 6th

wow, 7 kids moved down!

The roster size was trimmed down to 22. I also noticed a girl moved from B to A after the rosters were posted, then later back down to B. I bet there is a story there.

FOURTH GRADE GIRLS, PEOPLE. Get a fuc&@ing grip.

^^ says the dad who tried to get his kid moved to A and failed.

9 kids moved down from Spallina team. 1 kid moved up from Janelli. 7 new kids. A few didn't return.

I expressed concern on a previous post, but my daughter "made" the B team. now fingers crossed again and hope for a good experience.

from observations last year, janelli is tremendous coach who focuses on teaching the game and takes no-nonsense approach, and never lost sight that the girls are still very young. B team will be coached up much more than A team who will be lucky to see spallina twice during the season and will be coached by one of his players or his wife

says the players dad that should just sign his name because everyone knows

everyone knows what?

sycophant....that's what he is. "oooh coach...I cant believe what they said"

What does this even mean? The guy likes his kids coach. No crime in that.

Top girls stayed, new potential added on 2025.
Janelli picked up some good players.

A girl from our town is on the B team and she is excellent. CR pulled her over with the A girls for a few minutes, but she was quickly dismissed back to the larger pool. Her parents certainly aren't in the Friends & Family circle so maybe that's why, or maybe it's just hard to evaluate a nine year old in a short window when looking at 60+ kids.

Anyway if Mr. Janelli is as good as advertised, and has a few more girls like this one, that's going to be a solid team.

At 9 years old what does excellent look like? Is it actually being able to catch and throw and maybe run with the ball? Forget about A and B and hope for the best possible coaching and development.

My Daughter is there on 2025 Janelli , she and I can not wait!
Only PROBLEM VERY BIG TEAM!!!!!!

Come on please I agree some programs have improved the YJ is a completely different level. The BbP coach peer pressuring his players to play Leg a Sea is comical. Yj is tops by a very large margin. As far as Js team at YJ I personally would take his track record And venture to say they'll be very good. Think there are many great players on the island so why not have more quality programs

YJ '21-'25 is not tops in the younger age groups. They get pummeled playing the MD teams. They will have competive games with the other good LI programs. JS does not have time for this team, I saw them play this fall and they were destroyed by a '24 pick up team. The YJ dynasty is over, they are trying to ride on there reputation, unfortunately the talent just isn't concentrated just there anymore.

Just parents jockying to improve their chances at BBP varsity. Moreover, the girls never made YJ A and now they're on an "A" team at a B club. But it's still A!!!

Rhodes were the better B players who would have gone to A and were told that. Not interested in those coaches. Remember what happened the last two summers?

GICK at BBP is going to get himself in deep. Parents do the research its YJ and the rest

Not anymore!!! Club will fall apart over the next few years and just be part of the mix. Same happened to LI Express on the boys side.

who are you? and what do you know about training and developing? some families want their kid to reach her full potential as a player and enjoy the ride...the nonsense you deal with is insane..

Or maybe she just was a better fit for the B team. Period.

If the girl was " dismissed " after being pulled up to "A" line during practice then she didn't have what CR was looking for. Everyone thinks they know the "best player". That " A " line is pretty stacked, it was the bottom half of that '25 team that needed help. We are 2024, Janelli will be a good solid coach for new girls.

How come Yellow Jackets or any other NY teams playing in the Lax for the Cure?

[quote=Anonymous]How come Yellow Jackets or any other NY teams playing in the Lax for the Cure?

Too competitive tournament for yellow jackets

Thanks, Seems odd that in the 2025 bracket, 3 of the 5 teams are Maryland teams, and the other 2 teams are NJ.
Seems like they should have saved their money and played local.

Has any of the 2025's played in any tourneys yet? wondering how they would do against the Maryland teams that have been playing together since October?

Express was down to Maryland this march. Went 2-1. Beat Madlax, Laxfacotry. Only loss was to the Geese. I believe Geese went 3-0.

I'm surprised Express did so well.

I saw them play at the Shamrock Shootout and they were by far the weakest of the four 25/26 teams in attendance that day.

It was also freezing that day and early in the season and they are 9, so who knows if that day's performance paints an accurate picture.

Isn't Express a boys club? We are in a girls forum!!

Looks like Hero's Green 25 is the cream of the crop in MD. went 8-0 in the NGLL league.

How many hold backs or reclassed girls are on that team?

[quote=Anonymous]How many hold backs or reclassed girls are on that team?

Don't worry about it YJ whiner.

Can anyone tell me who is coaching the Liberty 2025 team?

I think its Norma Stitz

her asst. was stud player for Terps...Connie Lingus...

How did your "cream of the hold backs" do yesterday? Did your reclassed beat out their reclassed?

Typical Long Island excuse, "hold backs"! Bet you can't find any moron cuz there are none. Shut up and practice!

Championship Game

Hero's 2025 green - 9
M&D 25 Black - 10

Posted in MD Forum: Sounds like Hero's and M&D are the top teams in MD. Sounds like our LI girls have their work cut out for them;

"The championship game was an incredible game for any lax fan to watch, it's amazing how talented these girls are in 3rd/4th grade!! M&D really impressed me by being able to retain possession & keep passing for roughly the final 4-5 minutes of the game, that's not normal for this age group. These girls will be a lot of fun to watch moving forward as they develop & the teams get "settled," all 3 of the games were 1 goal games (just like 90% of the games this weekend in all age groups). I was happy to be there to watch this game and other games while waiting for my daughters team to play."

Just like typical Maryland excuse when it comes to the U15 championship...too much money,too far and its not a great tournament, just to name a few...shut up and show up!!!!!!!

Why would Maryland teams drive to some remote hotbed lacrosse town in Kansas City/indianoplis to play a bunch of terrible teams that can't throw and catch!! Maryland teams don't trophy chase, they are there to play the best competition day in and day out.

MND always plays in the top tourneys in the A division. Heros and Skywalkers never duck opponents.

Can't wait to see YJ get their heads handed to them at Laxin Out Loud! They got the short end of the stick. Having to face the top 3 MD teams based on NGLL regular season! I see their B squad is playing in the C division.

YJ has no chance in their division.

An incredible game for any lax fan to watch. What a tool you are 4th grade lolol repeat 4th grade

YJ has no chance in their division.

I guess you haven't seen them play YJ will surprise.

Enjoy the wins now. The girls will catch up right around high school, when it counts.

Suggesting that any 4th grader will get "their heads handed to them" makes you a total dbag moron. Set up your chair and shut up.

YJ is going to rip them apart!! Our girls are coached by the best in the business. Just wait and see then you can talk!!!!

Think about what your saying;."Can't wait to see YJ get their heads handed to them at Laxin Out Loud!" it's scary beyond belief... feel sorry for you in so many ways.. please get help beacuse your ablosute loser... I certainly hope you don't coach or have the chance to be around any kids unsupervised... good luck to you loser

I've read A LOT of embarrassing things on here in the 3 years since I discovered this site, but this is by far the most embarrassing. To think that an actual adult typed this and thought it was OK is scary. I hope you don't have children. 10 year old girls..........speechless. Not a YJ parent but good luck to ALL THE GIRLS. Embarrassing.........

"Can't wait to see YJ get their heads handed to them at Laxin Out Loud! " ABSOLUTE LOSER....
Hope you don't Coach or are around kids unsupervised... YOU NEED HELP b/c YOUR a LOSER
YOUR Daughther or Niece or Cousin probably does not even play on whatever team it's on.. get help

Well
They may......
But the best part is that they are in 4th grade!
The best games are when they get up in high school.
See you there and remember they are little girls playing a game!

[lacrosse]........

"YJ is going to rip them apart!! Our girls are coached by the best in the business. Just wait and see then you can talk!!!!"

Why are you so "appalled"??? Look what your team mom is posting! And people wonder why YJs have a target in their back. Try being a little humble mom...there is always someone better than your little princess, and they live in Maryland. Remember what MD did to your great coach? It's called WIN. Ya jackass

I'm embarrassed for you that you even wrote this. You need a life.

How'd the tournament work out?

YJ did very well across the board in Lax by the sea, including yj2025A who won their championship bracket.

B tournament.

4th grade as long as the kids are running around and getting better

can someone explain what a A tourney is compared to a B Tourney. Also what is the difference between A Division/Flight, vs B or C Division/Flight?

Does is really matter at this age? Still played well. Still won.

Exactly. My guess is the girls had fun down at the beach and they experienced some success and if you ask any of them to name five other travel teams they probably couldn't, never mind the rankings so stop the nonsense and let the kids be kids. YOU are the one looking up or down and caring. I'm on my fourth kids with this stuff and you'll realize how trivial it all is at some point. the cream will rise on its own or drop it all together and pursue something new.

In a C bracket of a B level tournament.

Said the D team dad

Bring extra tissues this weekend

Who needs tissues now MD?!

please stop with the attacks, these girls are 9-11 years old. Let them have fun and play. They get better each day, but they will have days where they look bad, and some days they look like world beaters. The M&D girls looked like they were having fun and dancing after the game. That is precisely what girls should be doing after games, win or loss. Having fun and smiling. No one will remember who won or lost, 2 or 3 years, but the relationships they build with teammates and the friendships will last a lifetime.

should be no 11 year olds playing 2025.

Any tournament with M&D skywalkers, Heros and YJ is not a b tournament Listening to you people talk about 4th grade girls is a poor look for Maryland

M&D is dancing. Long Island loud mouths heading home with another 1 goal loss in MD. Come back soon.

What did u guys win? 2nd place is the 1st loser..

Yes it is!!! Lol!

Important to remember that, regardless of our childrens' age, we need to help guide them through the various stages in their lives to eventually be highly functioning and mature adults. These games may seem so important now, but how does our actions prepare them for when their older, having children, working, and making important life decisions? Our kids watch and learn from us. They learn to yell at people instead of discussing. They'll learn to blame others for their failures (refs, coaches, other players, teachers, etc.) rather than taking ownership. They learn to take short cuts or sacrifice important long term goals for a "win". We should remember why we have our kids in sports. Rest assured, most of us will not say, "In order to rub a loss in the opponents face." or "So that we can prove Maryland has better players." or "Because winning is the only thing that matters." What is important? Why subject children to hours of practice over many years? Let's consider the following goals for sports: 1. To develop social skills and team work; 2. To learn personal responsibility; 3. To understand the importance of perseverance; 4. To improve one's health; 5. To learn how to deal with adversity; 6. To love the journey; 7. To see the benefits of how work.

There is nothing about "winning". Winning is short term. Focusing on the win detracts from our true goals as loving parents and caring coaches. These are our children--future leaders, health care workers, parents, police officers, etc. Winning is not quitting. Winning is learning. Winning is becoming a strong, caring, intelligent individual that learns to succeed despite any obstacles that may come. You must understand that focusing on becoming a winner only creates a loser mentality. My kid understands that she never loses, just keeps learning better ways to perform. My kid is told that "failure" is not bad when you've found a way to overcome. I tell my daughter that winners are those that don't quit. No matter what you're faced with, you keep trying and learning. When you quit trying, you lose. I liken it to being an entrepreneur or scientist, it takes many thousands of "failures" (e.g. learning opportunities) before you succeed.

Let's be a supportive community of mature adults and help all of our children reach their goals. It is not about us.

Great post. Great perspective. These are awesome girls on all teams playing at a high level. Fun to watch and encourage them as they grow

Says the loser! You wouldn't be writing this book if your kid won the championship. Sports is about winning. If you want to be the best you find a way to do that.

Just a different perspective. There are lots of shades between black and white. My daughters has been on teams where they've easily won every game is a season and on teams where they've been crushed. I have to say that my proudest moments have come in games that she lost. I saw her strength and perseverance--the drive to keep going without getting discouraged. When I hear parents mostly focused on the end score, I hear, "Go to goal"; "Bad call ref"; "Come On! She keeps fouling"; etc. Then after the game I hear these parents helping their children find excuses by bad mouthing the refs and other team. Think of all the hours your children put into practicing lacrosse. To have your children work so hard and then define success only as having a higher score does them a disservice. It is not fair to your child. Sometime, it is just downright mean. When I talk to my kid about being the best, it is about trying to outsmart and outwork the opponent.

When I think of the time and money I invest each year in sports, I would hope expectations for child development went beyond winning games. I think in the end, we want the same thing for our daughters, we just have different opinions on how to get there and what role sports should play. I wish your daughter well.

A little quick on that trigger finger, huh, M&D ? Lol

Yes but we sent the yellow jackets home early and they beat you so say thank you.

Barely, and only with ref assistance. So, you're really only a legend in your own mind. Hope you enjoyed your 15 minutes.

What was M&D? 2-2
What what YJ ? 4-0
Pretty sure YJ beat M&D out of the gate.

Didn't M&D have to fight to even get in the semifinals?
Look at the numbers on the games, you don't have much to brag about. Luck isn't skill. You should take your 15 minute win and fade quietly. PS - we didn't leave. We were cheering on HG! WTG HG!!

YJ Spalina lost in semis. lost=loser. No shirt for you, and a long drive home!

Was the YJ goalie there or was she at a 91 tournament?

Where's YJ25 this weekend? I don't see them at Lax for the Cure?

Thugball.

who cares! Did you mean losing another tournament for the 91 brand? Rough weekend for them.

Someone is butt-hurt