When is Lacrosse Season: Key Dates and Seasonal Overview

When is lacrosse season? Lacrosse is a sport enjoyed at various levels, from youth leagues to professional teams, with the season’s timing differing depending on the level of play. If you want to participate in or follow lacrosse, you must know when the games are typically scheduled. Generally, in the United States, lacrosse season is predominantly in the spring, commencing at the end of February or early March and concluding in late May or early June. This time frame usually applies to high school and collegiate levels of play, which align with the academic calendar.

Professional lacrosse leagues offer a different schedule, often extending the excitement of the sport beyond the collegiate season. For instance, the National Lacrosse League (NLL), which plays indoors, has games that typically start in December and can run until late spring or early summer. On the other hand, outdoor professional leagues tend to begin their season in the summer months. It’s important to note that specific schedules can vary each year, so staying updated with league announcements is advisable for the most current information.

When is Lacrosse Season for High School

Your high school lacrosse experience will typically occur in the spring, lasting from roughly March to May or June, with variability depending on your state and playoff schedules.

Boys’ High School Lacrosse

In most states, your season begins in March and can extend to May or June. You can expect tryouts to take place often in February. Here is a quick overview:

Season Start: Typically March
Regular Season End: Usually May
Playoffs: May or June (varies by state and playoff structure)

Girls’ High School Lacrosse

Your lacrosse season generally aligns with the boys’, with a spring schedule also from March to May or June. Playoff structures for you may influence the exact end date of the season.

Season Start: March
Regular Season End: May
Playoffs: May or June, depending on your district’s schedule

College Lacrosse Season

The college lacrosse season is a pivotal time for student-athletes, offering intense competition at both NCAA and club levels. Due to different schedules and structures, your experience of the games and tournaments will significantly vary whether you follow men’s or women’s teams.

NCAA Men’s Lacrosse

The NCAA Men’s Lacrosse season typically commences in February, with teams competing in late May or early June. The key dates you should mark are:

Season Start: Mid-February
Conference Tournaments: Early May
NCAA Championship: Late May

Here is the usual structure of the Men’s Lacrosse season:

Regular Season Games: February to April
Conference Play: April to early May
Post-Season Playoffs: Mid to late May

NCAA Women’s Lacrosse

For NCAA Women’s Lacrosse, your season also kicks off in February but differs slightly in its championship timeline:

Season Start: Mid-February
Conference Tournaments: End of April to early May
NCAA Championship: End of May

The typical season breakdown for Women’s Lacrosse is:

Regular Season Games: February to April
Conference Play: April
Post-Season Playoffs: May

Club Lacrosse

Club Lacrosse adds variety to the college lacrosse landscape, and although it is not governed by the NCAA, it aligns closely with its schedule:

Season Start: Usually in February
National Championships: Often in May

The Club Lacrosse competitions may have more flexibility and can vary by region, but they generally adhere to the following format:

Regular Season Games: February to April
Regional Tournaments: April to May
National Championships: May

Remember to check with individual conferences and clubs for the most accurate and updated schedules as dates can shift due to various factors like weather and institutional scheduling.

Professional Lacrosse Season

The professional lacrosse season spans different times of the year, depending on the league. As a fan or player, you’ll find that each league has its own schedule and structure.

Major League Lacrosse

Major League Lacrosse (MLL) used to run its season from late spring into the summer, culminating in a championship in early fall. However, as of 2021, MLL has merged with the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), and MLL as a separate entity no longer exists.

Premier Lacrosse League

The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) season typically kickstarts in early summer and extends through to the fall. The league features a tour-based model, which involves teams traveling to different cities each weekend:

Season start: Early June
Season end: Late September

National Lacrosse League

National Lacrosse League (NLL), which focuses on box lacrosse, has a season running through the colder months:

Season start: December
Season end: April or May

These leagues highlight the range of professional play that extends throughout the year, offering diverse opportunities for players and ongoing action for fans.

International Lacrosse Season

You will find that international lacrosse events follow specific schedules that highlight the sport’s global reach. Internationally, the season is punctuated by major events such as World Championships and potential Olympic participation.

World Championships

The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) organizes the World Lacrosse Championship every four years. The location and exact dates vary, but they are often held during July, when teams from across the globe compete for the world champion title. For instance, the men’s championship typically features well over 40 nations, showcasing diverse talent and playing styles.

Olympic Participation

Lacrosse is currently not an Olympic sport, but efforts are ongoing to include it in future Olympic Games. The last appearance of lacrosse at the Olympics was in 1908, and it was then a demonstration sport in 1928, 1932, and 1948. The World Lacrosse organization is actively working towards meeting the criteria set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to make lacrosse an Olympic sport once again, with hopes that your future engagement with the sport may someday include watching or participating in Olympic competitions.

Off-Season Training

During the off-season, your primary focus should be on improving physical conditioning and skill development for the upcoming lacrosse season. The off-season presents an opportunity to address weaknesses and enhance overall performance.

Strength and Conditioning

Work on your strength to improve power and reduce the risk of injury.

Olympic Lifts: Enhance explosive power through cleans and snatches.
Compound Lifts: Build overall strength with squats, deadlifts, and bench presses.
Core Exercises: Strengthen your core for better stability and agility.

Skill Development

Sharpen your technical lacrosse skills to stay competitive.

Stick Skills: Practice passing, shooting, and ball control regularly.
Position-Specific Training: Tailor drills to the demands of your position on the field.

Speed and Agility

Increase your speed and improve your reaction times with targeted drills.

Agility Drills: Use ladder and cone drills to enhance footwork.
Speed Workouts: Incorporate sprints and plyometrics into your routine.

Rest and Recovery

Maintain a balance with adequate rest to allow your body to recover.

Sleep: Prioritize getting enough sleep each night.
Nutrition: Fuel your body with the right nutrients for recovery.

By following a structured off-season training program, you can return to the season in peak condition and with improved skills, setting the stage for your best performance yet.

Local and Regional Leagues

When you’re looking to participate in lacrosse during its season, your local and regional leagues offer various options. These leagues play an essential role in developing players and the sport.

Season Start and End Dates
In many areas, your local leagues typically begin their lacrosse season in the spring. You can expect the season to start around:

Youth and High School: March to April
Amateur and Regional Adult Leagues: April to June (may vary)

Scheduling
Your local league’s scheduling can be flexible, often accommodating the availability of facilities and the needs of participants. It’s not uncommon to find games played on weekends to cater to school and work commitments. Important dates to keep in mind include:

Registration Deadlines: Often set a few weeks before preseason training begins
Playoffs: Concluding the regular season, usually held in late spring to early summer

Game Frequency
You can anticipate one to two weekly games alongside practice sessions in most local and regional leagues.

Differences by Region
You should be aware that the specific timing and structure of the lacrosse season can vary greatly depending on your location. Northern regions, for example, may have a later start due to weather conditions, while southern regions could commence earlier.

Always refer to your specific league’s communications for precise dates and scheduling. Connecting with your local lacrosse association can provide the most up-to-date information regarding the season structure, ensuring you never miss a game.

Related: You may want to know Where is Lacrosse Popular? Globally and in the US.