Lacrosse is an active team sport with deep Indigenous roots and a long history. Organizations across the East Bay are dedicated to developing kids’ skills and enthusiasm for the game. Like soccer, players are always moving around in the game, which makes it engaging and well-suited to a child who is not digging the dugout life of baseball or softball. But how does one get started?
In partnership with Skyline Lacrosse, we’ve assembled some helpful facts and links about youth lacrosse in the East Bay. This post is sponsored.
Understanding Lacrosse | Where to Play Lacrosse | Where to Watch a Lacrosse Match | Recreational Lacrosse Leagues | Gearing up for Lacrosse | Spotlight on Skyline Lacrosse
Understanding Lacrosse Basics
Lacrosse teams use netted sticks to maneuver a solid rubber ball across a field to score goals. A goal is counted when the ball fully crosses the opposing goal line between the posts and under the crossbar. Games are divided into four quarters, typically lasting ten to fifteen minutes each, with a brief break. League games may end in a tie; championship games will go into sudden-death overtime periods until a team scores.
The primary difference between boys’ and girls’ lacrosse lies in the level of physical contact allowed. Boys’ lacrosse is a more physical sport, with players allowed to body-check opponents. Girls’ lacrosse is a non-contact sport, with players only allowed to check with their sticks, not their bodies.
How do we get started with lacrosse?
Around five years old, or kindergarten, most children can start learning basic skills: throwing and catching with a stick, cradling a ball, and scooping up ground balls.
For parents who want to experiment with lacrosse before (or instead of) enrolling in a program, consider purchasing a lacrosse stick and ball set and have some fun with these skills. A backyard pop-up goal can add to the fun when you provide something to shoot at.
Skyline Lacrosse Club Family-Focused Offerings
Whether your child is a seasoned player or a newcomer, Skyline Lacrosse Club welcomes all Bay Area families, emphasizing its deep connection to Native American lacrosse heritage. The club offers:
- Financial Assistance: Scholarships available.
- TryLax Days:Â Free events are held throughout the year to check out lacrosse.
- Skill Development: “Fall ball” clinics for improvement.
- Seasonal Play: Vibrant spring season of recreational game play from February to May.
- Tournament: Skyline Lacrosse Club Tournament is hosted annually.
- Equipment: Loaner equipment is provided to those in need of gear (when available).
Dedicated to educating K-8 athletes, this inclusive club fosters a unique lacrosse experience, emphasizing teamwork, sportsmanship, and respect.
Where to Play & Watch Lacrosse
For enthusiasts eager to catch a lacrosse match, various venues across the East Bay host games at different levels. Take advantage of some of the many opportunities for players and spectators of youth, high school, college, and professional lacrosse.
Joining a youth lacrosse club
Together with ten local lacrosse clubs, Skyline Lacrosse is part of the newly formed East Bay Lacrosse League (EBLL). Generally, Spring is for team-based playing, and Fall brings a more informal group skills and games offering, called Fall Ball.
Confused about the age ranges? The youngest age band is U8, for kids who are under 8 by the end of August before the Spring in which they want to play. In practice, U8 tends to be K-2nd graders, U10 tends to be 2nd-4th graders, U12 is 5th-6th graders, and U14 is 7th-8th graders.
Check the following local clubs for seasonal registration and information.
- Skyline Lacrosse is available for all skill levels for kindergarten through 8th-grade youth in Oakland, Piedmont, and San Leandro.
- Berkeley Lacrosse Club is available for all youth grades 1-8 living in Berkeley and North.
- Alameda Attack Lacrosse offers teams for youth grades 1-12 in Alameda and surrounding areas.
- Competing separately, Oakland Lacrosse serves middle and high school students in Oakland schools, and Fremont Spartans Lacrosse serves youth grades 2-8 in Fremont, Newark, Union City, and surrounding areas through the area schools.
- Through the tunnel, find Lamorinda Lacrosse supporting youth in Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda for youth grades 1-8.
These leagues support both boys and girls. Check your local parks department for Lacrosse classes as well.
Other Lacrosse learning opportunities
Check out lacrosse for free at events like Play It Like a Girl+ or Skyline Lacrosse Club’s TryLax Days. Fall Ball and Summer Camps are another great way to get an introduction to the sport without the commitment of the full season. Check the registration deadlines at your club, listed above. Practices at the youngest ages focus on basic skill development, and games are opportunities to put those skills into play, with no score kept.
Watching the big kids and pros play
From UC Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium to local high schools like Berkeley High and Piedmont High, spectators can witness the thrill of the game firsthand. As the sport gains momentum, even younger players have opportunities to engage in modified versions of lacrosse, fostering skill development and sportsmanship from an early age.
Watching the game played at different levels may help families get into the sport.
- UC Berkeley teams include Women’s varsity lacrosse, Women’s club, and Men’s club teams that play games at Memorial Stadium in the Spring. Check Stanford and St. Mary’s schedules, too.
- High school-level indoor lacrosse is played at Berkeley High, Piedmont High, and Bishop O’Dowd.
- The local lacrosse leagues listed above offer the chance to watch elementary school-aged kids play the game or at least a version of it.
Younger players follow modified lacrosse rules on a smaller field, with fewer players on the field and less physical contact so they can have fun learning the basic skills.
Essential Lacrosse Gear + Where to Buy It
For young ones figuring out the motions, find a goal and full-scale (or mini) lacrosse sticks to practice in the backyard. Equipment varies for boys and girls based on the differing rules of the game. When buying used gear, make sure you’re getting the right stuff.
For aspiring lacrosse players, having the right equipment is crucial. Everyone needs a lacrosse stick, a solid rubber ball, cleats, and a mouthguard but additional requirements vary. Boys require a full helmet and pads; the basic girls’ lacrosse gear sets include goggles instead of a helmet and pads. Goalies need a full set of padding for boys and girls.
East Bay stores that carry lacrosse gear
For those looking to equip themselves for the game, several East Bay stores offer a variety of lacrosse gear.
- Sling It! Lacrosse in the Alamo/Danville area is a lacrosse specialty store with knowledgeable staff
- Play it Again Sports in Concord sells used gear.
- Sports Basement in Berkeley and Walnut Creek has a limited selection of lacrosse items and general-purpose sports gear.
- Dicks Sports in Pleasant Hill and Dublin has a good selection of lacrosse gear.
- Some lacrosse clubs organize gear swaps, allowing players to exchange used equipment. Skyline offers gear swaps when equipment is available.
Fun Fact: Lacrosse is making a comeback in the 2028 LA Olympics for the first time since 1908! Could your kid be the next star?
Thank you to Skyline Lacrosse for sponsoring this Guide to East Bay Lacrosse.
