Welcome to Ridge Youth Girls Lacrosse!

We are excited for the 2026 Spring season and look forward to another year focused on fun, developing the girls lacrosse skills and understanding of the game, and bringing the girls together as part of Ridge’s lacrosse community! Please review the information below, as it includes updates from previous years.

1st-8th GRADE PROGRAM

• Who:  Open to girls in 1st through 8th grade who live (or attend school) in Basking Ridge
• When: Beginning of March to the end of May 2026
• Where: Location varies with the following breakdown:

Preseason Practices (March)

• Outdoor Practices at Mountain Park (weather permitting) on Saturdays and Sundays, and typically one night a week in late March (weather permitting).
• Indoor practices typically once per week in early March (Day of the week TBD).

Regular Season (End of March to end of May)

• Typically 2 weekly practices on Monday and Wednesday Nights
• Typically 1-2 games per week depending on grade level. Typically 10-12 games for grades 3-8 while grades 1-2 typically have 2-4 play days.
• Typically 2 tournaments (depending on grade level)

Cost: 

• $225 for grades 1/2
• $385 for grades 3-8

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: February 25, 2026 (Late registrations will incur a $35.00 late fee)

TEAM STRUCTURE:

Grades 1/2: 

• Emphasis on teaching basic skills of lacrosse (throwing, catching, cradling, ground balls).
• Played on smaller fields with less positions with an emphasis of fun and basic game skills.

Grades 3/4: 

• Emphasis on skill development. 
• Greater focus on lacrosse skills (for example, 2 passes prior to shooting). 
• Played on a smaller field with less player positions with an emphasis on fun, lacrosse positions, increased understanding of lacrosse rules, and teamwork.
• Opportunity for both combined grade games (3/4 together) as well as individual grade teams (a 3rd and separate 4th grade) games depending on the number of girls registered and the opposing team’s program.

Grades 5/6: 

• Emphasis on skill development.
• Continued focus on lacrosse skills. 
• Played on a regular size field with an emphasis on fun, learning concepts of the game (riding and clearing), initiation of lacrosse play concepts on both offense and defense, introduce checking, introduce game mechanics and understanding (spacing, cutting) and gain confidence in the game.
• Opportunity for both combined grade games (5/6 together) as well as individual grade teams (a 5th and separate 6th grade) games depending on the number of girls registered and the opposing team’s program.

Grades 7/8: 

• Emphasis on skill development. 
• Continued focus on lacrosse skills and further development of appropriate lacrosse game understanding (Lax IQ). 
• Played on a regular size field with an emphasis on fun, continued focus on game mechanics/principles, specific offensive plays and defensive coverages, progression of checking, and continue to build confidence in each girl's skills and understanding of the game.

7/8 Select:  

• As girls progress through their lacrosse careers some will join club teams. 
• Being on a club team is not a prerequisite for participation in the Rec program but we acknowledge the disparity that can arise in talent and skill between those players that do not play club and those that do. 
• Our top priority is for all the girls to have fun followed by our desire for all the girls to finish the year with better lacrosse skills and understanding than they started. 
• With that in mind in the later grade brackets there will be opportunities where players that have demonstrated a certain level of skill, lacrosse understanding, hustle, and coach-ability (regardless of their club participation) will be invited to play against stronger teams. 
• In an effort to keep equal playing time those players may be asked to not play in other games as a result.

REQUIREMENTS:

Valid US Lacrosse Number:  

• All players are required to register with USA Lacrosse prior to registering.  
• It is mandatory to be registered by both USA Lacrosse and RYSI prior to registering.  
• New from US Lacrosse is age verification to ensure each athlete is in the appropriate age bracket.

Required Gear:  

• All players are required to have goggles, mouthguard (Cannot be White), stick, and cleats.

Required Uniforms: 

• Returning players are free to continue to use last year’s player kits.  
• However, the coaches realized last year’s reversible practice pinnies were too similar in color on each side making it difficult for both players and coaches to know who was practicing on offense vs defense.  As a result, we are asking all RETURNING players to purchase a new practice pinny.

Please use this link for all RETURNING players in 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8 to get the new practice pinny.

NEW 1/2 players can use this link to obtain their practice pinny (which will double as their game pinny) and an black long sleeve warm up shirt.

NEW players for grades 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8 can use this link to purchase their player kit (including the new practice pinny).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:


Coaching:  Coaches will be assigned as the season approaches. 

Volunteering: If you are interested in volunteering for coaching, as a team parent, or in an administrative role and have not already done so please email Brian Ireland at [email protected]

Questions:  Any questions please reach out to Brian Ireland at [email protected].

 Looking Forward to a Great 2026 Season!

Go Ridge!