frequently asked questions

Yes. Our tryouts for the 2008-2009 season will be September 1 (at Wilton, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and September 21 (location and time TBA). There is an additional tryout fee of $50.00 whether you come to both dates or just one.

We suggest that if you can only attend only a few events (40% or less), that you pass on a NewLax membership. You will get more out of your membership fee if you attend more events. In addition, the club will be as good as the commitment of its membership is strong. To field great teams, we need individual players to show up often so that everyone is learning.

Nope. Like anything in life, however, the more you invest in your “game,” the better “player” you will become. Playing lacrosse is one thing, but playing when you are coached by our staff is a different story. We are known for making a player's learning curve SHARPER, so you get better in less time. It's up to you to attend what you want, but the members who take advantage of their membership by showing up to most of the events are typically the ones who meet their goals.

We send at least 1 email every other week throughout the year with general announcements. In the weeks prior to an event, those attending the event receive information and details. But mostly, we update the website so that members can access all information needed whenever/wherever they choose.

Only if you want to. We encourage our players to attend SO LONG AS ALL ACADEMIC ISSUES are taken care of FIRST. Connecticut ends school well into our summer season, so it may get tight. But, ultimately, it's up to each member.

Yes, if the other club team is local and the owner knows you are also participating on NewLax. If both club teams attend the same event, you must play with NewLax. We encourage our members to PLAY whenever they can, to WATCH as much lacrosse as they can and to PARTICIPATE in clinics whenever they are able. We limit the number of events we offer as to discourage burning out on the game.

NewLax is separate from any other club team because of its tent! In terms of creating the best players, NewLax training, coaches, curriculum, attention to each member and the focus on fun is what will determine the "new" NewLax as the best.

What will most elevate NewLax as a premiere club team is our recruiting service, now a part of the membership cost instead of an addition to it. We develop individual strategy for each member - given she takes the steps required and provides the information we need. This customization, personal attention and 24/7 support via the website make NewLax the best source of quality information. Information is power.

The NewLax website is unparalleled in the club team world of lacrosse and its capabilities make information on recruiting more accessible for our members AND for college coaches interested in our members. In addition, we have a "VIRTUAL COACH" section within the website where members will be able to watch footage of games, drills, learn plays and listen to interviews with players and coaches important to our game today.

This is where you get to know the game, your teammates and your coaches. We learn new skills, practice plays and implement the strategy that we expect members to know and execute at tournaments.

Tell him/her to join in the fun. NewLax will host open practices and anyone who wants to come and watch is welcome.

When we see players practice, compete, cross-train and associate with their teammates, coaches and parents, we evaluate on which level we feel they should showcase in the summer. It is an open, honest communication and we are honest about the criteria that make up our placement:

1. attitude

2. athleticism & potential

3. lacrosse field sense & understanding of NewLax primary concepts

4. work ethic & persistence

5. coachability & ability to execute direction

6. skill - ballhandling, etc.

These are the elements upon which we base our coaching and track your success and level of sophistication as a lacrosse player:

• STICK SKILL - relative to the game: You may be able to pass and catch on a wall, but can you protect, deliver, feed and catch under pressure in a game - that is what we want for you

• COLLABORATIVE BALL-HELP-SLIDE defense: The biggest focus of NewLax will be defense - especially at first - and there are many levels of understanding our defensive system; this is college defense and understanding and being able to perform this defense well is the sign of a good lacrosse player

• OFFENSIVE MOVEMENT, freelance concepts: Clearing space, challenging to cage, give and go plays, picks and rolls, draw and dumps, sets and scoring plays are all a part of what you need to know to be effective at the next level

• TRANSITION, field vision: Filling the lanes, staying wide, anticipating where ball WILL be, giving the fast break texture, organizing a team unit heading down field - crucial to making ball move

Well, that's a good one. We pay our coaches, the most important people to our members. We also pay tournament fees - some tournaments ask for team fees and some request payment by individuals attending. If we are offering any additional services (dinner, gift, transportation, guest speaker), we calculate that into the total.

Yup.

You will be a SOLO traveler and we will take care of you. Here, you are paying for our time and your protection. Hotel booking/fee, most meals and transport to/from airport and event are included.

Abso-freakin'-lutely! Contact us directly.

First, we coach you like you are in college already. Our curriculum is accelerated and we focus heavily on going at a fast pace. More importantly, we respect your time and try to make the amount you spend at NewLax efficient and useful. Finally and most importantly, we require a lot of each member and those that get through our system are ultimately prepared and ready to take on college lacrosse. Members that have a hard time corresponding with us are also likely to have a hard time managing playing and studying at the college level.

NO. We do guarantee that we will equip you with all the information you need in order to navigate through the recruiting process. We guarantee that we will teach you the game and make you a better player according to your potential. We guarantee that we will be available to help you as YOU go through the process.

NO. There are MANY parts to the recruiting process and we help you through it. While we have great connections with college coaches, we have no way to CONVINCE them to take you unless you are fit both academically for that institution and athletically for their program. We believe in a perfect fit and we will not ram you into a school where either academics or lacrosse is not a correct fit.

LISTEN, people: You must want it, put in the work and follow through. We are a forum for you to 1) get better, 2) have access to more information and 3) gain resources and support via our experience. Other than that, it's up to you. And, if you are not committed to the process as much as you are to playing or getting better, you will get lost in the shuffle. If you do not follow our instructions, how could we ever expect - or communicate to a college coach - that you will follow theirs?

Yes. This is completely true.

With your NewLax membership, you get full access to our staff any time you need us. The members that use us the most REALLY get their monies worth!