Youth Lacrosse - need advice

[CoreZman]

My son who is 13 years old is playing lacrosse on a U15 team. This is his fourth year in the league. The problem is that my son is very small, only 4' 7" and less than 70lbs. I was just like him as a kid. I was a late bloomer and I finally caught up in 9th grade. Now I'm 5' 11, 178lbs., so I'm confident he'll eventually catch up. But as small as he is, I'm very concerned about his safety. Most of the kids he's playing against have twice his weight, some have three times as much, and most are much taller. I think he should be allowed to play down on the U13 team, but unfortunately the league has rule forbidding it. I find it a bit ridiculous that the league wouldn't make exceptions to this rule, since there is no prize money or trophies - the league is purely recreational. Even if my son was allowed to play for the U13 team, he's probably still smaller than most kids playing at the age level, so there's no doubt in my mind that he wouldn't be dominating them on the field.

I'm torn with what to do. Should I quit worrying about it and let him stay on the U15 team? Or should I insist that the league consider placing him on the U13 team?

 

[ClueLis]

It's a tough call. What position does he play? When I played in middle school, there were kids that small who played attack, and they didn't seem particularly prone to injury. They weren't fantastic at checking, though (I saw one kid try to hit a defenseman and simply bounce off).

I don't think he will have a problem, and I don't think they will likely move your kid down because of the precedent it sets. I would probably let him stay, but there is never any guarantee against injury.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: CoreZman
My son who is 13 years old is playing lacrosse on a U15 team. This is his fourth year in the league. The problem is that my son is very small, only 4' 7" and less than 70lbs. I was just like him as a kid. I was a late bloomer and I finally caught up in 9th grade. Now I'm 5' 11, 178lbs., so I'm confident he'll eventually catch up. But as small as he is, I'm very concerned about his safety. Most of the kids he's playing against have twice his weight, some have three times as much, and most are much taller. I think he should be allowed to play down on the U13 team, but unfortunately the league has rule forbidding it. I find it a bit ridiculous that the league wouldn't make exceptions to this rule, since there is no prize money or trophies - the league is purely recreational. Even if my son was allowed to play for the U13 team, he's probably still smaller than most kids playing at the age level, so there's no doubt in my mind that he wouldn't be dominating them on the field.

I'm torn with what to do. Should I quit worrying about it and let him stay on the U15 team? Or should I insist that the league consider placing him on the U13 team?

sounds like you either let him play on the u15 team or tell him to take up a "safer" sport.

they have rules for a reason. they cant make aceptions for him and not others.

 

[Darkstar757]

Well I can tell you that I played in High School Division I in high school. I was only 5'7 165lb and I play defense in the crease. I think that what is most important is your child. If he really wants to play with the bigger boys let him. Just make sure that you invest in the best equipment and work with him on his speed. If he is fast enough not many will even be able to catch him.