Tryouts

How are the Tryouts structured?
Trilogy Lacrosse Select Team Tryouts are open to all players of each particular age group. Roster positions are not guaranteed for all Tryout participants.  “Returning” players’ spots are secured from the previous season barring any incident that would warrant a departure.  Families must pay their deposit prior to Tryouts to reserve their place on the team and have the Tryout fee waived. 

Do I have to tryout for my specific age group?
Trilogy Lacrosse firmly believes in placing players at their appropriate skill and size levels. We think that players should grow and develop their game against the highest level of competition in their particular age group. Players do not benefit if they are not as physically developed or mentally mature as their peers so we take these factors into account when placing players. All players must tryout for their particular age group.

Who directs the tryout sessions?
The regional Program Director runs the Select Team Tryouts. Also in attendance is the Team Coordinator, Select Team Coaching Staff, and additional personnel that help run Drills and serve as Evaluators.

How are players selected?
Player selections are based on a host of variables that include:

Field
• Stickwork: catching, throwing, groundballs, stick protection
• On-ball Performance: 1v1 dodging and defense, open-field ball handling
• Off-ball Performance: Offensive cuts, picks, drifts, spacing; Defensive slides, hedges, rotations, baiting, pass deflections/interceptions
• Lacrosse IQ: anticipating plays, understanding teammates’ strengths/weaknesses, instincts
• Athleticism: speed, strength, quickness, size
• Overall Play

Goalie
• Stickwork: outlets, decision-making
• Ball-stopping: technique, footwork, hand speed
• Communication: slides, transition, ball position
• Lacrosse IQ: anticipating plays, understanding teammates’ strengths/weaknesses, instincts
• Athleticism/Upside: speed, strength, quickness, size
• Overall Play

For multiple day tryouts, do I have to attend each session?
Trilogy Lacrosse strongly recommends that every player attend all Tryout sessions, but we do understand that family, school and in-season sports conflicts may arise. Players in this situation must notify Trilogy Lacrosse prior to the start of Tryouts. These cases will be taken on a case-to-case basis and is best handled through a phone call.

Are roster positions guaranteed for returning players?
Yes, roster positions are guaranteed season-to-season unless they are asked to leave based on a behavioral issue.  Otherwise they are instructed to pay their deposit prior to Tryouts to indicate their commitment for the following season. 

Coaches
 

How are the coaches selected?
Trilogy Lacrosse selects our coaches with the utmost diligence and care. All coaches are personally interviewed and screened by the regional Program Director.  Each coach’s references and qualifications are cross-checked and verified with former teammates and coaches. All of our Head Coaches have playing and coaching experience. Trilogy believes that a good team starts with the good coach and is built from there.

What is the difference between the Trilogy Lacrosse National Directors and Select Team Coaches?
The Trilogy Lacrosse National Directors run Camps and Clinics throughout the country. They have played at the highest levels of the NCAA and many continue to play in the MLL, NLL and Internationally. Our Select Team Coaches are also highly skilled and experienced players (many who have also performed at these levels), but do not work at instructional events outside of their geographic area. Select Team Coaches keep their main focus on their individual teams and players. They run the Tryouts, Training Camps, Practices, Tournaments, and complete the Personal Evaluations.

How many coaches does one team work with?
Trilogy Lacrosse assigns each team its own Head and Assistant Coaches that do not change throughout the course of the season. We believe this commitment fosters an environment where players and coaches make real connections. During Training Camp, Practices, and Training Session, there is some “cross-over” training where coaches from various teams work together. We believe this collaboration is another strength of our program, especially since all have been trained in the Trilogy Curriculum and communicate a consistent message.

Is the curriculum and strategic planning different for each coach?
The Trilogy Lacrosse Curriculum governs all of our skill development and strategies ensuring a high level of quality across all teams.   The Trilogy Lacrosse Curriculum strives to maximize player and team development for each particular age group through dynamic drills and appropriate schemes focusing on fundamental mastery. All coaches are trained in this system and provided with practice drills, pre-game routines, and in-game strategies that develop the skills and mental understanding of each player. This enables the coach to be well prepared to coach the players at the highest level and ultimately create a great teaching environment as well as a great team.

Practices & Tournaments

How many practices are there?
There is an exclusive training camp at the beginning of each season that consists of 3 weekday practices or 4 weekend practices. During the season, teams practice 1-2 per week based on the Tournament schedule.

What is the difference between Practice & Training Camp?
Training Camp consists of intense lacrosse training sessions at the start of the season where the bulk of the Curriculum is implemented. These sessions are held either over the course of 3 weeknights or 2 sessions per day on the weekend and are run by the Program Director and Coaching Staff. Players learn the various strategies their teams will execute in the upcoming Tournaments. Practices are run by the Select Team Coaches and are geared towards preparing the team for their next Tournament or addressing an issue from the last event.

Do I have to come to all the practices?
Yes, players must attend the Training Camp and Practices. We have an Attendance Policy that is outlined in our invitation so players are aware of the commitment. In order to be successful we must have a cohesive team unit. Players who do not come to Training Camp and Practices fall behind with the various schemes and make it difficult for coaches to have everyone “on the same page.” We understand that unavoidable conflicts arise and players get sick- these instances must be communicated directly to the Head Coach.

How are the tournaments chosen?
We believe that there is no lacrosse education for players in an uncompetitive environment. Therefore, Trilogy Lacrosse carefully selects each tournament so that every player and team will be challenged to perform at the highest levels, best suited for their development as individuals and teams.

At the Youth level, Tournaments are also chosen based on their geography, competitiveness, and logistical organization. We want the events to be convenient and fun for the whole family and believe these factors play a role in the overall experience.

At the High School level, a premium is placed on Tournaments that provide exposure to college coaches or prepare the players for these major events. For Underclassmen, we believe that players need to continue improving their skills. For these teams, we combine exposure events with other opportunities for skill development. For all Upperclassmen, we understand their desires to play at the next level. With that in mind, we choose our events to maximize exposure that fit our teams’ respective profiles.

What is a recruiting tournament (High School Teams only)?
Trilogy Lacrosse enters all High School teams in some of the top recruiting events in the country so that each player is exposed to NCAA coaches and programs during the recruiting process. These tournaments serve as a means of gaining important exposure in order to maximize playing opportunities at the college level.

Does everyone play the same amount in all games?
Trilogy Lacrosse firmly believes that player development at the Youth level is paramount and coaches are instructed to provide playing opportunities for all players. While it is impossible to achieve complete equality, our system requires that the coaches give each player ample time while also trying to win the game.

The High School teams are coached in a slightly different manner in that each player will participate in every tournament and game. High School teams benefit by advancing in the Tournaments so they play in the “more important” games that are more visible to college coaches.

We want to win and will instruct our coaches to act in this manner but not at the expense of the development of each player. Playing time may vary slightly from player to player as individual positions are more situational and competitive at this level. A player may fit more as a situational player, such as a wing play or defensive midfield. These positions may not garner as much playing time as another; however, they are just as vital in winning the game.

How do we get there?
All travel to and from tournaments is the responsibility of the players and families. We will coordinate “team flights” when necessary, but only to the extent of identifying the flight with the coaching staff. Ultimately it is parents’ choice to purchase a ticket on this same flight. Transportation after the team flight from the airport to the tournament site is often coordinated as well. All of these costs are excluded from the player tuition and are the responsibility of the individual to pay.

Where do we stay?
Trilogy Lacrosse reserves a block of hotel rooms for each “travel” event, which is the financial responsibility of the families. In Tournaments where overnight player accommodations are provided for the players in dorms, parents will be provided with a local hotel option.

General

Do I have to buy Trilogy Lacrosse gear in order to play?
Trilogy Lacrosse provides each player with a collegiate level quality reversible, shorts, and performance shirt. Additional Trilogy Lacrosse equipment is completely optional- players may use their individual gear. We offer custom gloves, bags and helmets for sale each season that are exclusive items only available to Select Team players.

What off-field benefits do I get while playing for Trilogy Lacrosse Summer Select Teams?
All players are recommended for the Invitation Only Summer Camp and receive discounts for Trilogy Lacrosse instructional events.

Players and parents also have access to the Recruiting portion of their Team website, which provides a comprehensive guide to the recruiting process.  The regional Program Director and Coaching Staff also actively participates in this process by providing guidance and advice regarding schools, coaches, programs, etc.

Do all the teams compete at the same levels within each age group?
No, we place each team at the level where they will be able to compete effectively and best develop individual skills and team performance.