US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums Like Post

Like it or not, here is a crash course in how elite lacrosse works in middle school in Maryland. There are three categories of players on elite teams. First, the holdbacks. Most were already good players in their prior class, which is why they dominate in their new class. Second, non-holdbacks who are exceptionally good players that can match up with holdbacks. Many are hitting their adolescent grown spurts and are therefore both big AND good, and actually look like holdbacks themselves. The third category is on age kids who are not keeping up with players in the first two categories due to age, size, and/or ability. If your son is in that third category, consider moving him to a lower division team where there are few to no holdbacks and he can thrive and regain the confidence that he used to have. Or if he is set on sticking on an elite team, he will have to work in the weight room, with a private coach, and on the wall, to get into that second category. Try not to take out your frustration on the kids or the families of holdbacks. It fosters a whiny/lost mentality for your son. and, families of holdbacks did not create the grade based lacrosse world that club directors, Maryland private schools, and college coaches seem to prefer. They are navigating the lacrosse world as it currently exists in the way that best benefits their son, which is what you should to do, whatever that may be. Hope this helps!

Like it or not, here is a crash course in how elite lacrosse works in middle school in Maryland. There are three categories of players on elite teams. First, the holdbacks. Most were already good players in their prior class, which is why they dominate in their new class. Second, non-holdbacks who are exceptionally good players that can match up with holdbacks. Many are hitting their adolescent grown spurts and are therefore both big AND good, and actually look like holdbacks themselves. The third category is on age kids who are not keeping up with players in the first two categories due to age, size, and/or ability. If your son is in that third category, consider moving him to a lower division team where there are few to no holdbacks and he can thrive and regain the confidence that he used to have. Or if he is set on sticking on an elite team, he will have to work in the weight room, with a private coach, and on the wall, to get into that second category. Try not to take out your frustration on the kids or the families of holdbacks. It fosters a whiny/lost mentality for your son. and, families of holdbacks did not create the grade based lacrosse world that club directors, Maryland private schools, and college coaches seem to prefer. They are navigating the lacrosse world as it currently exists in the way that best benefits their son, which is what you should to do, whatever that may be. Hope this helps!