About Jets
Our Vision
To be recognized as the first and premier girls’ lacrosse club program in Southern Maryland.
To remain true to its Southern Maryland Girls Lacrosse League origins and be dedicated to teaching the game, developing lacrosse players for all levels of college/advanced play and to honor the game of lacrosse.
To be dedicated to each other and determined to play at the highest levels of the game.
To develop the skill and talent level of players ages in a highly competitive atmosphere with superior coaches, while encouraging a passion for the game of lacrosse.
To participate in the best tournaments in the country, this includes tournaments that are recruiting showcases for colleges.
Our Philosophy
Membership on the Jets is based upon the understanding that opportunities will be provided for all athletes to become the elite player within. The commitment of the athlete and her parents to fully support this philosophy is required to continue as a member.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Jets plan to field several teams each year. Teams may be pure grad year teams or a mix of the best from each year. Teams are competitive tournament travel teams consisting of players from graduation years; 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028.
The purpose of the Club is to develop the skill and talent level of players in a highly competitive atmosphere with superior coaches, while encouraging a passion for the game of lacrosse. The Jets participate in the best tournaments in the country, which includes tournaments that are recruiting showcases for colleges. This allows players to compete against the best players from other areas of the country and to showcase their ability and skill while having fun and developing higher level lacrosse skills.
Developing Lacrosse Players:Jets is a comprehensive development program that provides high level coaching instruction and off-season playing opportunities for girls in an atmosphere that generates a positive and competitive environment. No matter what age you are, we build lacrosse players from the ground up with a heavy emphasis on fundamentals and team play. Playing club lacrosse is essential for those high school lacrosse players serious about playing lacrosse in college. College coaches from every program in the country look at club lacrosse programs to recruit players. Jets provides exposure to college coaches at tournaments, skill development necessary to play at the college level and competition that will challenge and improve the athlete’s skill level. The Club complies with NCAA rules & regulations, where applicable.
Jets Program is a competitive sports opportunity based on merit. This means that the best players get more of an opportunity to play. This is a graduated program where the older the team, the more selective the players and playing time. On the younger teams (Middle School), the learning and development stages warrant a more equal opportunity to play under the coach’s discretion and other fairness principles. For the older teams (High School), learning and development continues, but under more competitive situations that reward the players who deserve playing time. As player’s progress and get older, the competitiveness of the players and teams will teach players important lessons that ultimately mirror real life, the collegiate level and post collegiate careers. Thus, it is at this point, that playing time and positioning on teams are merit/performance based.
A Full Service Lacrosse Club: Jets actively coordinates all the activities for all its teams, player families, and coaching staff. Players are not trying out for a particular team or to play for a particular coach. Players are joining the club to gain access to elite coaching, elite lacrosse tournaments and play competitive high level lacrosse and will receive team assignments based on Jets coaches’ evaluations.
Annual Open Tryouts:Tryouts are required of all players each and every year. Potential Jets players will participate in the tryout process that will result in possible selection and invitation to join a Jets team. Jets conducts complete evaluations of all interested players and selects the best players available. All team placements are decided upon by the Director of Jets Lacrosse with concurrence of the coaches and SMGLL Board. Once selected, each player must accept the invitation to join Jets and committing to the required Jets practices and tournaments. Jets may also select teams and players by Invitation only; this means a player is invited to play with a non-traditional tryout. Jets may add a player at anytime with the approval of the SMGLL Board, Director and Jets Coaches. (Examples include but not limited to family relocation)
Player & Family Commitment: All Jets players are required to make the commitment to attend every practice and tournament to maintain participation in the Club. Failure to make the commitment to your team or not attending a tournament will jeopardize your continued participation in the Club, a forfeiture of fees paid (see Refund Policy) and/or severely impact your playing time.
Fundraising: At times the Jets may have fundraising efforts…..we expect full support of these efforts by the Jets….these efforts help to keep our Fees at an acceptable level.
Coaching Staff: Jets is providing its players with the best instruction possible by seeking trained and qualified coaching and administration. The Jets recognizes the need for continuing education as the sport continues to evolve. The Jets coaching staff attends college sponsored clinics, the US Lacrosse National Convention, US Lacrosse Sponsored local clinics, Positive Coaching Alliance workshops and participates in the US Lacrosse coaches’ education program.
Coaching Assignments: Coaching assignments are made and announced by the Director of Jets Lacrosse after tryout selection and consultation with coaches and the SMGLL Board are completed. Each team will have a Head Coach who will stay with the team during the intensive tournament season. Jets will offer guest coaching by current and former collegiate players at the top of their games.
Tournament & League Playing Philosophy: The amount of playing time in tournaments will be determined by the coach. Positioning, strategy and all other executive decisions will be determined by the coach. All athletes will get a fair opportunity to compete, which may not mean equal playing time.
Jets Teams & Calendar of Events
Tournament Teams - Jets teams are “in season” from the first practice in September through the last tournament in June of each year. This year round club is set up in 2 major phases for the players and families, a fall season and a summer season.
Fall Season: September to mid November and consists of approximately 3 tournaments, all designed to fit nicely with your high school sports schedule. The fall schedule is important to rising juniors & sophomores for the start of college recruiting process and being seen early. Jets, however, is more than just these 2 seasons. The club functions year round to provide its players and family’s valuable access to the college recruiting process, clinics, leagues and other lacrosse related events.
Summer Season: May – June is intense practice and Tournament play. This is the core of the program and Jets plays approximately 5 tournaments during the summer. The Club takes the entire month of July and August (besides tryout dates) off.
Team Size- There is no set number of players for a team, but generally will field up to 20 field players and 1-2 Goal Keepers per team. Only one try out is required, but if legitimate conflict arises and a player cannot make any of the scheduled try outs, the Jets staff may schedule a try out by invitation.
Can Jets players play for more than one club team?No. Jets and its coaches feel that when you make a commitment to play for this club it should be to this lacrosse club only. If it is your choice to play for another program; we would rather offer the spot to another talented lacrosse player. For further clarification, when Jets is entered into a tournament or league, the player's commitment is to play for the Jets team and no other lacrosse teams.
Jets is a commitment and not a recreational program!
Practices– Scheduled practices reinforce skills and fundamentals and will be used to help athletes gain valuable team playing experience, understand coaching philosophies and build team chemistry with their teammates from other schools. Failure to participate in practices will impact your playing time and possibly removal from the Club.
We will practice in bad weather and the only reason we will not is for Thunder and/or Lightning at the practice location or if St. Mary’s County Parks and Recreation close the fields. Parents, use your judgment in waiting for players if weather looks bad so if we cut practice short, the girls have rides and cars to wait in.
CANCELATIONS will be announced on www.jetslax.com. PARENTS SHOULD USE THEIR OWN JUDGMENT IN THE EVENT THEY CAN NOT DETERMINE IF PRACTICE IS CANCELED AND COMING LATE TO PRACTICE IS ACCEPTABLE IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.
ALL PRACTICES ARE FOR ALL PLAYERS AND ALL TEAMS. YOUR COACH MAY ALSO SCHEDULE MORE PRACTICES AND/OR SCRIMMAGES.
PLAYERS: BE ON TIME, BE PREPARED AND ENJOY THE PASSION YOU HAVE FOR THE GAME OF LACROSSE!!
PARENTS: PLEASE FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF THOSE PARENTS THAT HAVE BEEN WITH US FOR THE PAST YEAR; DO NOT INTERFERE WITH COACHES OR ADMINISTRATORS DURING PRACTICE, PLEASE SEE THEM AFTER PRACTICE IN THE PARKING LOT OR AWAY FROM THE PRACTICE FIELD. DO NOT COACH YOUR CHILD FROM THE SIDELINES OR DISTRACT THE COACH OR PLAYERS AND PLEASE KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE FROM PRACTICE FOR YOUR SAFETY AND TO SUPPORT THE COACHES AUTHORITY WITH THE PLAYERS.
DURING TOURNAMENT PLAY, OBSERVE FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE PLAYER BENCH AREA IF POSSIBLE. ONCE AGAIN LET THE COACHES COACH, PLAYERS PLAY AND PARENTS CHEER AND SUPPORT ALL OF THE PLAYERS. DO NOT APPROACH A COACH AND DISCUSS PLAYING TIME OR PLAYING STRATEGY AT ANY TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE POSITIVE COMMENTS ONLY, DO NOT CHALLENGE THE OFFICIALS, THIS SHOWS BAD SPORTSMANSHIP TO THE PLAYERS AND GIVES THE JETS PROGRAM A NEGATIVE REPUTATION. REPEAT OFFENDERS MAY BE ASKED NOT TO ATTEND PRACTICES AND/OR TOURNAMENTS.
UNIFORMS: All players are responsible for having the proper equipment and current UNIFORM (Team penny, shorts and white ankle socks) at each event. If attire is needed underneath the Team uniform, white will be worn under the Team penny and black will be worn under the Team shorts. Proper shoes are a must for grass play. Always carry extra mouth-guards.
US Lacrosse Membership:Each player is required to be a member of US Lacrosse. Membership has many benefits to your player and family, such as individual player insurance coverage, ability to participate in US Lacrosse events and Lacrosse activities. Go to www.lacrosse.org to become a member or renew your membership. This is a yearly membership and required by all Tournaments the Jets participate in.
Tournament/League and Travel/Lodging Fees: All Player fees, food, travel and lodging are the sole responsibility of the player. Tournaments are primarily located in MD, PA, VA & NJ.
Player Fees(subject to change): TBD
Included in the Player Fee (Subject to Change):
- Jets game and practice uniforms
- Annual kick-off Celebration/info session
- Club tournament deposits fees
- All final tournament fees
- Team and field equipment
- Facility use and maintenance charges (if needed)
- website and other general operational requirements
Administration:
Jets administers the club through its website www.Jetslax.com
Conduct:
Jets is dedicated to excellence in lacrosse and sportsmanship, and expects players to conduct themselves as examples to all. All players must conduct themselves accordingly or they may be dismissed from the team at the sole discretion of the Director of Jets Lacrosse. The Director of Jets Lacrosse under the SMGLL Board umbrella maintains decision-making authority over all Jets activities and operations including, but not limited to, coaching appointments, player evaluation and assignment, league placements, public relations, finances, and player and/or family member conduct, behavior and disciplinary action.
Jets Scholarship Opportunity:
Jets is committed to offering the club lacrosse opportunity for all girls regardless of income. As a result, Jets will offer scholarships based strictly on proven financial need. The funds supporting the scholarship program are made possible through private individual or company contributions to the Jets. To apply for a financial need based scholarship, please contact the Director of Jets Lacrosse.
REFUND POLICY:
Jets does NOT give refunds once paid.
Refunds will be issued for medical reasons only. The medical occurrence must have happened before the first tournament is played at the start of the season. Requests for refunds must be made only in writing and mailed by US Postal system to: SMGLL, Attn: Shannon Summers, Director of Jets Lacrosse, 41900 Gibson Dr. Mechanicsville MD, 20659 accompanied by a physician’s statement. A $50 processing fee will be assessed on all refunds.
Jets and tournament/league/facility expenses are pre-paid in advance and there are no guarantees that any refunds will or can be issued. In the event a tournament/league is cancelled and/or refunds a percentage back to SMGLL, SMGLL policy is not to issue refunds once paid due to administrative and operational expenses.
