Updated as of 6/15/2020

Association Leaders –

Over the last several months we have all remained hopeful and optimistic that the situation we face with COVID-19 would improve and allow the season to progress, even if it was for a short period. Unfortunately, at this time given all the information available and most importantly the State of Minnesota’s phased approach the YLM Board has decided to cancel the 2020 Summer Lacrosse season.

Many of you have weighed in, provided feedback and remained supportive throughout this decisioning process and we thank you for your support. This decision was not made lightly, however at this time the remaining weeks for a season, the field availability, the number of teams forced to cancel due to numbers and our athletes and parents deciding to pursue other interests for the remainder of the summer – it would not be fair to anyone to continue hoping for a season.

The YLM will not sanction any gatherings, practices, scrimmages or games at this time but reminds all associations to check with their local city/field maintenance, schools, and current state return to play guidelines (Phase 3 as of this letter date) before they embark on any lacrosse activities. We encourage you to use safe social distancing practices, common sense health etiquette and best practices under the USA Lacrosse return to play guidelines should you find yourself or your team on the fields this summer.

In summary, we will have a bit longer of an offseason this year but will look to return next season with many lessons learned and energy focused on growing the game of Lacrosse in Minnesota.

Finally, if your association had submitted payment this year, refunds will be coming soon.

Thank you.

YLM Board

Updated information as of 5/16/20

The YLM has been fielding a number of calls, emails and texts regarding the 2020 Summer Season, as we stepped back to consider all options we appreciate your interest and support, this is how our game will grow.

Taking into consideration the events of this season and the fact that many opportunities for our youth athletes have been cancelled, YLM is still committed to pursuing all avenues for a summer season.

That said, we realize at some point it may prove to be better to move on - but we are not there yet!!

Tentative plan for 2020 Season:

Basic summary is: A shortened season for all age groups, 7v7 style/rules, and observing social-distancing guidelines. 

No State Tournament will be held due to large amounts of people in a confined area.  This is for the safety of everyone.

Key Dates:

5/29 Team registrations due

6/15 Go / No Go* 

7/1 Season Start

8/14 Season End

5/29 Registrations due – despite the events surrounding this season, registration numbers have been strong and growing. More associations have shown interest in the YLM and developing their athletes. We encourage you to think about how many teams you would like given the 7v7 play, team balancing is encouraged, rosters will be fluid through the season and development should be top of mind. (More info will be sent out requesting registrations)

6/15 - Go/No Go Date. Based on the environment at the time, the YLM will make a determination if the 2020 Season will proceed or be cancelled.

The season start of 7/1 will allow us to get started prior to the 4th of July, break for a few days and get started back up on the 6th.

Teams would be encouraged to practice/get outside, if they choose, between 6/15-7/1 while observing guidelines set forth at that time.

7/1 – 8/14 Season, previously we asked if there would be support to extend past the normal season end date. There was a lot of support for this and it makes sense if we can have a season. We realize other (Fall) sports get started and have decided not to extend through August, but extend through 8/14.

Fees – fees will be adjusted for a shortened season, we are working on what that number will be, at this time please register and do not worry about payment.

In summary, our attempt to hold a season is to give the kids an opportunity to play, get outside and see their friends. We can only do this with your support and understanding that this situation is fluid and may change rapidly based on the Mn State direction and the environment at the time.

We thank you for your support and please reach out with questions if you have any.

YLM continues to actively monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.  As of March 16, 2020, YLM has no in-person events planned until the start of the regular season (June 1, 2020), at the earliest. has no events planned. Member associations, however, may be considering whether to hold spring clinics or tryouts in the near future. YLM encourages its member associations to defer to guidance handed down by public officials, including the  Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) with respect to the cancellation of nonessential public gatherings. 

MDH website:                     https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html

CDC website
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Guidelines from the CDC to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 include:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
   

As it relates specifically to lacrosse, additional recommended preventative measures include:

• Avoid handshakes in postgame handshake lines.
• Use good hygiene practices with water bottles.
• Clean and sanitize lacrosse equipment.​​​​​​​

Please see message below from UMLOA Men's Game State Coordinator, Jon Day.

We are always looking to increase our ranks for officials.  We have a good training program and many of us (me included) have never played in a single game!  I am hoping that you can help get the word out to your programs.

We find many good officials who really like the game and want to stay involved in some way either while they are playing, coaching or just watching.

Youth Officials need to be at least 14 years old.  High school players can officiate as well and many do even during the season.   We get many kids coming back from college who pick up games as soon as they get back.  We have even had a few officials do games in KS and WI who are in college.

Here is some info that we have posted and if anyone has questions, they can always give me a call.

Here is where they can get info on officiating -  http://www.umloa.org/training-info

Here is where the sessions are - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0548afae2caaf49-umloa

Thanks,

Jon Day

Men's Game, Minnesota State Coordinator

US Lacrosse, Officials Development Program

February 14, 2020 - Deadline for Association registration and dues ($500). 

MAY 29, 2020 - Deadline to register teams for YLM regular season; 7 v 7 format.  Note: YLM associations voted at the 2018 annual meeting  not to accept any late team registrations.

May 29, 2020 - Coach and CHILL Manager registration opens on website.  Associations must certify that all coaches are U.S. Lacrosse members (USL coach membership includes free background check); have completed YLM training; have a current MSHSL concussion training; and are Safe Sport certified.

June 15, 2020   Drop dead date to determine if we have a 2020 Summer Season.

June 15, 2020 - YLM schedule released to Associations. The first week of the season will be firm, but the remainder of the schedule remains subject to change because of team withdrawals and officials' assignments. Team managers and coaches should check the schedule regularly throughout the YLM season.

July 1, 2020 - YLM regular-season league play begins. The YLM regular season runs through August 14, 2020.

July 4, 2020 - Independence Day! Note that because the holiday falls on a weekend this year, there will not be a blackout from league play. YLM will schedule regular league games on Thursday, July 2, and league play will resume on Monday, July 6, after the holiday weekend.

August 1, 2020 - Final rosters due with players’ names, jersey numbers,* birth dates, and US Lacrosse member numbers. In addition, names and cell phone numbers of team coaches, team managers, and CHILL managers must be posted on every team's YLM team page website to receive the full association refund ($200).   *It is understood teams might not have jerseys and the rosters will be fluid this year. 

August 10-14, 2020 - Last week of the season.

Association Membership Fee: 
$500 per association.  Covers YLM overhead and administrative costs, including website, webmaster, scheduling..  A $200 year-end refund will be available to each association that timely fulfills its responsibility to post team coaches' contact information on all teams' YLM team pages; register and train coaches as required by YLM; register CHILL managers as required by YLM; and post team rosters to YLM team pages by the deadlines published above or otherwise announced by YLM on its website or via email. Beginning in 2019, associations must request their refunds and certify compliance with the above requirements. YLM reserves the right to verify compliance. 
 

TEAM FEES:

Due to Covid-19, team fees have not been determined yet for the 2020 season.

Pre-Season Jamborees: $200 per team for all age segments. Provides up to two potential weekends of pre-season scrimmages for a total of four possible scrimmages. Includes officials' pay and assigning fees for one to two officials for each scrimmage. 

8U regular-season team fees:  $500 per team. Provides six games with one to two officials per game (including assigning fees and RefPay fees), as well as year-end jamboree fees.

10U regular-season team fees:  $700 per team. Provides eight games with one to two officials per game (including assigning fees and RefPay fees), as well as year-end jamboree fees.

12U regular-season team fees:  $800 per team for both A-level and B-level teams. Provides ten games with two officials per game (including assigning fees and RefPay fees), as well as all state tournament fees.

14U regular-season team fees:  $800 per team for both A-level and B-level teams. Provides ten games with two officials per game (including assigning fees and RefPay fees), as well as all state tournament fees.

YLM held its annual general meeting on November 3, 2019, at 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the Black Box Theater inside Bloomington’s City Hall..  

After the general meeting, YLM still has board positions open this year, notably including a replacement for Deb Mau, Treasurer, who has dutifully served  for more than eight years. Thanks to Deb for her commitment to improving youth lacrosse in Minnesota.  

Thanks, also, to outgoing president Jim McCarthy for his service, and congratulations to YLM's newly elected president, Steve Tessmann.

Minutes of the 2019 YLM annual general meeting will be posted in this space as soon as they have been approved by the Board, and will eventually be archived on the Documents tab of the YLM website. 

Next YLM Town Hall

TBD

Our periodic "Town Hall" events offer associations an opportunity to learn more about upcoming YLM league and organizational events, provide input about league operations, and meet other association and YLM leaders. If your association would like to host a YLM Town Hall, please contact YLM at youthlaxmn@gmail.com .  

*6/1 cut-off date applies to players who have not yet entered 9th grade. Players who have begun high school cannot play on a YLM 14U team regardless of their age.

USL published the 2020 Boys' Youth Rulebook on October 31, 2019.  Find the notable rule changes and clarifications for 2020 at the link below:

The mission of the YLM is to foster, promote, and perpetuate the game of lacrosse for Minnesota’s youth.

To sync team schedules on SportsEngine Sites with YLM website:

Acquire the schedule URL

1. Open the YLM main page
2. Navigate to your team page via the Schedules tab.
3. Turn on Edit Mode in LH column
4. Each team page has team calendar.  At the bottom, click the ICAL icon.
5. Copy the URL
6. Add to your Association Website via Calendars or Website Settings

Add VIA Calendars (required editing permissions for calendars)

1. Open your Association Calendar or Team Calendar page and click into edit mode
2. Click “ Add iCal Feed”
   1. On Team Calendars, it is found under the gear icon
   2. On General Calendars, it is found just above the month and will require selecting the appropriate tag
3. Paste the URL into the appropriate field and Name the feed (e.g. 2017 YLM 8U_StPaul).
4. Click "Add this feed”.
5. The schedule should populate into the directed calendar. 

Add VIA Website Settings (requires Admin permissions)

1. On your Association site, Select the Website Settings Tab, then iCal feeds
2. Paste the URL into the appropriate field and Name the feed (e.g. 2017 YLM 8U_StPaul).
3. Select the appropriate tag or tags for your calendar
4. Click "Add this feed”.
5. The schedule should populate into the directed calendar. 

Feeds can be edited (like changing tags) or deleted here.

To register for USL coaching clinics, visit the USL coaching clinic lookup page using the link below: