I believe there are potential negatives and positives to having the HS coach run a summer program.

Poitives: Keeping the teams playing together makes the boys know exactly what thier teamates will do on the field. It can make an average team play at a much higher level. A team that plays selflessly and together can beat teams with higher caliber players. Also, it builds team unity and district pride. Further, if done right it can yeild serious results. We all know the HS teams that play together in the summer. They are the same ones that compete for Championships almost every year. SWR, WI, etc...

Negatives: The cost to the individual player is most likely going to be the middle tier kid on any given team. A kid like this may be constantly pidgeon holed into a back up role. If they never get the chance to play against the tough competition or get an opportunity to be the "guy", they never grow. This is especially true at the middle school and JV level. At least at an outside club they might have a chance to improve away from the microscope of the School coach. I have seen kids go off and play summer ball with a club, come back and really catch the School coaches eye.

Not sure what the ansewer is? Perhaps you try and do both. If your son is not getting playing time over the summer with his school coaches team, he surely will not get it in the spring!!! If this is the case, who cares if you [lacrosse] the school coach off. It won't matter anyway.