US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums Maryland Youth Lacrosse Association Howard County League - Spring 2014

Fact..Maryland changed to Grade base teams at youth level to accommodate the many many children held back in private schools.
Fact. Maryland schools age requirements to enter school align perfectly with USL age guidelines. Fact. Been easier to go by U9,U10,U11,U12,etc.. like every other youth sport does.

Quotes from USL website:

"Teams organized by single birth year or single grade are suggested, but if a league needs to group two years/grades together it should strive to limit the maximum age difference between players in a youth game to no more than twenty-four (24) months."


"2015 Age Grouping Quick Reference Table

Birthdate Age Bracket
Born on or after 9/1/1999 U15
Born on or after 9/1/2001 U13
Born on or after 9/1/2003 U11
Born on or after 9/1/2005 U9"

Looks like USL is ok with 2year, single year, or grade. Insurance coverage seems to be secure for whatever the sanctioned league or tournament implements. Address all complaints to USL for their vagueness. Just because you do something differently does not make it cheating.

I keep forgetting we are talking youth sports here as do most posters. This is youth sports for children. I guess you missed USL response to grade based teams. Specifically he was referencing Maryland where holdbacks are the norm in private schools at a young age. Have a grade base league in Long Island and my understanding is you have very few holdback children. So grade base in one area is vastly different from another area.

Nothing like teaching our children early how to get a edge.

"" Nor does it reinforce the fundamental principles of fair play and fun that are essential to player retention in youth sports.""
To most posters here it is fair play. They want the a benefit others don't receive and the edge its gets their son or team. And since the USL is vague on this subject. Its fair.

Any new teams in this league this year?

It looks like a lot of the HoCo (Myla) league teams are also doing the Saturday Koopers MPLL league at St. Pauls. Breakers & Diamondbacks are representing NPYLL. Looks like a good league to bridge some of the teams from NPYLL and Hoco.

Here is who has signed up so far for the Saturday MPLL (Kooper's League)

RoughRiders (2020, 2021,2022, 2023)
Diamondbacks (2022)
Bitmore (2021)
Greene Turtle (2021)
Rock (2021)
Motley Crew (2021)
Breakers (2020)
Big Dogs (2020)
Looneys (2020)
FCS (2019)
Koopers (2019)

Is Koopers only putting 1 team in their own league? Where are their 2023 through 2020 teams?

I believe big dogs is coopers. they'll likely have 2019 to at least 2022