Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  1. When does the season start & end?
    Cape Ann Youth Lacrosse starts the spring season in March with weekday practices. Games for the 2026 Classic Spring Season will start on Sunday April 12, 2026 and the last Classic game is on Sunday June 7, 2026. There is no game Sunday May 24, 2026 due to Memorial Day Weekend.
  2. When are games?
    All normally scheduled games are on Sundays for Classic. Games that need to be re-scheduled due to weather postponements will be played on regular practice days. 
  3. Where are games played?
    Home games are played at the Gloucester High School. Away games are played in the various North Shore towns at their home fields. There are usually roughly 4 home games & 4 away games.
  4. What is the time commitment?
    Generally, the more advanced the Division of play, the higher the degree of commitment is expected. CAYL encourages players to participate in other sports "out-of-season". The 1/2, 3/4, 5/6 & 7/8 levels have two practices per week and one game on Sunday. Participation in other spring sports is a personal choice but be careful not to place too much stress on young athletes. Pre-k & K is one day a week on Sundays, approx. 45 minutes on skills, 15 minute games

    Practices run 1-1.5 hours and games (including warm-ups) can run 2 - 3 hours. For games, your coach will typically require that you arrive for warm-up and preparation 30 minutes ahead of the scheduled face-off. 

  1. Where can I watch these games?
    Most programs, including CAYL,  request that spectators stay on the opposite side of the field from the two team benches.
  2. How are teams organized?
    Teams are organized by grades:
    U15: 7th & 8th grade
    U13: 5th & 6th grade
    U11: 3rd & 4th grade
    U9: 1st & 2nd grade
    U7: Pre-K & Kindergarten 
  3. Can a player be on a team if they are not in the grade?
    Email the Executive Committee at cayluniforms@gmail.com for a copy of the playing "up" policy.
    Players may not play "down" a level unless CAYL secures approval via formal waiver from the state level governing competition committees.
  4. What positions do players get to play?
    As players progress through age levels they tend to self select into certain positions to which they are best suited by skill and physique. As they begin to learn the game they are rotated throughout all positions except that generally goalie is reserved for volunteers.
  5. When is registration?
    Registration for the spring starts November 1, 2025.  The deadline is February 13, 2026.
  6. How do I register my child?
    Online, linked through our registration page. Our registration process for the spring season is open in November and includes the Massachusetts League registration. We must do registrations early as we need to register our teams with the leagues in mid February and have to order uniforms in time so we get them before the games start..
  7. What if I don't have a credit card for the on line registration
    Contact the Executive Committee at cayluniforms@gmail.com and arrangements to pay by cash or check can be made
  8. Are there scholarships?
    Yes. Contact the CAYL Executive Committee at cayluniforms@gmail.com for financial hardship assistance. All scholarships must me approved by the Board of Directors.
  9. Are there tryouts?
    There are no try-outs for Classic teams. Every child is accepted in our program and receives roughly equal playing time, coaching, and attention regardless of their athletic ability, skill, and experience. However, we also offer our 5th through 8th grade players the chance to play in the MYL Select League that may require tryouts. Select Teams are competitive, play to win teams, where not all players will see equal playing time.
  10. Are there all-stars?
    No. But CAYL does offer spring Select level teams, see above.
  11. Are there playoffs?
    Classic teams do not have playoffs. Select level teams will have playoffs with schedules announced toward the end fo the regular season (see Master Calender for more details).
  12. What if my kid gets really good at lacrosse, are there are other more challenging leagues available?
    Yes. These require a player also play in the Sunday games and attend the Sunday team practices during the week. Select games are not played Sundays and there's usually one additional practice per week over and above the normal practices. There is no current set schedule for the select games or practices. These will vary from year to year. Cape Ann Youth Lacrosse  encourages players to stay in the program. There are more competitive programs that cost more, require tryouts, and have playoffs. Others play year round. Ask your coach.
  13. What kind of equipment do I need for girls?
    Girls need a lacrosse stick, mouth guard and lacrosse goggles. Soccer style cleats (no metal tips) are also needed.
  14. What kind of equipment do I need for boys?
    Boys need a lacrosse stick, lacrosse gloves, lacrosse helmet, mouth guard, lacrosse shoulder pads, lacrosse arm pads. Soccer style cleats (no metal tips) are also needed.
  15. What about uniforms?
    CAYL is transitioning to new uniforms for Spring 2026. A new jersey will be required for all players. Team logo game shorts are not required, but we do ask that your player has black shorts. Uniforms are purchased after registration via a direct web store link that will be provided.
  16. How many players are on each team?
    Approximately 12 - 24 players but numbers can vary.  We want to include as many players as possible and sometimes that means a few less or a few more players on a team.
  17. What if my son has never played lacrosse before?
    No prior experience or familiarity with lacrosse is necessary to take part in and enjoy CAYL. All that is needed is a willingness to have fun, try hard, and learn!
  18. How can my son or daughter accelerate their learning and skill proficiency?
    We recommend the following in no order except for the first one: Play wall ball every day or as often as they can. Call friends to shoot and pass. Go to clinics, summer camps, play on a summer team, come early to practice or stay late for tips from the coaches, go watch games at all levels, watch college lacrosse on TV, YouTube or other social media.
  19. Do you cancel practice and games for weather?
    Lacrosse is an all-weather sport; we play rain or shine. There are two exceptions: if there is lightning in the area within 30 minutes of the event start the game will be delayed until judged safe - please do not leave your player if the game-start is delayed due to lightning until the event begins. A lightning suspension during a game in progress will last at least 30 minutes after the last lightning in the area. All events will be terminated if there is a second lightning suspension. Players should know their parents' cell phone numbers so they can call for pick-up if lightning persists and the event is ended. Snow is always a possibility in early Spring and we will not practice if the field is completely covered in snow before the start time. If in doubt, come, but parents should wait until the practice begins before leaving. Every effort is made to clear turf fields for scheduled games; it is best to come under threatening weather conditions and wait until play begins or is officially canceled before leaving your player. Practice and games can also be canceled if the town closes the fields. You will be alerted by your coach if that is the case.
  20. What is MYL?
    Formerly the MBYLL, MYL is now Massachusetts Youth Lacrosse. The state's governing body for boy's and girl's lacrosse. It also administers the leagues we play in, sets the rules with the member towns, does the scheduling of 5000 games a year for 15000 players, provides coaches training, schedules the game officials, provides member towns with insurance, and promotes the sport to help it grow.