Open Registration:

Unlike most other recreational sports in SOMA, Maplewood Lacrosse Club has always strived to offer playing spots to every player who wishes to register, regardless of ability or experience. We want more kids to fall in love with the game, have fun and improve each year.

However, when rosters exceed 22 players (max 30) (10v10) or 15 players (max 20) (7v7), meaningful playing time declines, development slows and the chance for a positive experience decreases. In these cases we have two options. 1) We create an additional team (if there are enough players) Two Teams would be formed if we reached 36-40 players (10v10) or 28-30 (7v7). Option 2, which happens more often is to create pods (a rotation system).

Why do we do this? 

A P.O.D. system helps create balanced teams with sufficient playing time, and focused player development while building a unified team culture and friendships that develop over time.

How Will It Work?

THREE balanced pods (Max 10 players in each)

Practices: All players practice together. 

Games: 2 Rotating pods attend each regular season game.

Tournaments: Entire team travels to tournaments; pods rotate game participation

**We make every effort to schedule additional games when pods are used for more reps.**

How are the PODS formed?

One head coach overall and one coach assigned to each pod. We do not create A/B Teams in 3-6th Grade. This will be 3 balanced pods. Balanced by skill (advanced, intermediate, developing). Balanced by availability (competing activities like soccer or basketball, etc.) 

Balanced by position (short sticks, long poles and goalies) although players are encouraged to and will be called on to play a variety of positions.

One friendship request per player 

(We will do our very best to honor this wherever possible).

Game Rotation Example:

Game 1 Pod A + Pod B.  Game 2 Pod B + Pod C   Game 3 Pod A + Pod C  REPEAT.

What happens my son’s POD is not playing. 

Supporting (and learning) from the sidelines: Regardless of which pod is assigned to a game, being on the sideline for the team’s games is highly encouraged as this is a great time for coaching to happen while players are viewing from the sidelines and for forging team culture.

ADDITIONAL GAME DAY REPS: We are working through a system to allow for “game play” in an intra-squad environment so that game days are always days to get extra playing reps even when the other pods are playing vs. another town/team.