Q: What is the Issaquah Lacrosse Club policy on playing other sports?

Issaquah Lacrosse is a strong proponent of multi-sport athletes.  Most sports seasons overlap slightly and in all circumstances it requires maturity and planning to manage multiple commitments.  Participating in winter sports whose seasons end when Lacrosse is starting can be managed between the player and his coaches. 

From March 1st through May 31st, participation in other spring-season sports is discouraged. Playing two sports during the same season is doubling player commitments and it becomes much more complicated for the athlete and the parents.  It can be done, but you will be forced to make choices that can impact your playing time in Lacrosse.  Issaquah Lacrosse policy is that a missed practice will require the player sit a minimum of one quarter of the next game; if you miss more then you will miss more game-time.  Your coach will have the final say on how this is enforced so it is critical that you communicate the team coaches.

Specific Sports:

Baseball - For Lightning Division players Baseball can be played concurrently as the lacrosse commitment is just two days a week (Thursdays and Saturdays). For 5/6 and 7/8 level players it has been done but parents and players report it to be highly challenging.  For 7/8 “A” players it is impractical and not allowed during the regular spring season.

Football - For all Divisions, Football is a great companion sport with Lacrosse.  Football gives players an opportunity to develop speed, strength and endurance in an organized environment and does not overlap seasons.

Basketball - For all Divisions, winter basketball is a great companion sport and we encourage players to participate.  Typically, Basketball will overlap with only a few weeks during the beginning of Lacrosse season.  We have found most Basketball coaches to be flexible, as will your Lacrosse coaches - IF you communicate with both. 

Hockey - For all Divisions, fall/winter Hockey is a great companion sport and we encourage players to participate.  Typically, Hockey will overlap with only a few weeks during the beginning of Lacrosse season.  We have found most Hockey coaches to be flexible, as will your Lacrosse coaches - IF you communicate with both.  Hockey tournaments are optional events and we request that you discuss participation in post season Hockey with your Lacrosse coach PRIOR to committing so you do not leave your team short.

Track - We encourage all players (except 7/8 "A") to join and participate in Middle School Track.  Lacrosse has a culture of speed and endurance and Track is a great developer of this culture.  The caveat is that you must be mature about planning and managing this additional commitment.  Managing Track and Lacrosse generally is only a conflict for about 3-4 weeks.  To be successful you MUST communicate with both of your coaches.  We have found that most Track coaches are sensitive if you have a game on a given day and will not run you excessively and that Lacrosse coaches are equally sensitive and will not run you excessively if you are coming off a Track workout or have a meet the next day.

Soccer - Fall Soccer players transition very well into spring Lacrosse.  However, increasingly elite Soccer is having a year-around impact on player's schedules.  If you play spring soccer, please be aware of your time commitments before registering for Lacrosse.  Players with soccer commitments extending into April will not be eligible for Senior 7/8"A" team.

Skiing - This is a wonderful conditioning sport and sometimes it extends into the spring.  Please know that Lacrosse season starts in early February and Junior & Senior Divisions will have a game almost every Saturday beginning in March.  Arrange your ski events around this commitment.