If you're new to youth lacrosse on Long Island, the age group system can be confusing. PAL leagues use one format. Travel clubs use another. Some programs list "U13" and others list "2030." This guide breaks it all down so you know exactly where your child belongs and what to expect at each level.
Youth lacrosse on Long Island operates under two different age classification systems depending on the type of program:
Quick conversion: To find your child's graduation year, take the current year, subtract their current grade from 12, and add the result. Example: 8th grader in 2025 → 12 - 8 = 4 → 2025 + 4 = Class of 2029.
The Nassau/Suffolk PAL Long Island Lacrosse League uses US Lacrosse age guidelines. Players are placed by age as of January 1st of the current year — not by grade.
| Division | Age Range | Grade (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| K–2 Clinics | Ages 5–8 | K–2nd grade | Introduction only — no games. Skill clinics led by older players and coaches. |
| U9 | Ages 7–8 | 2nd–3rd grade | Small-sided games. Focus on catching, throwing, cradling. No contact (girls) or modified contact (boys). |
| U11 | Ages 9–10 | 3rd–5th grade | Full field games. Beginning positional play. Still heavily developmental. |
| U13 | Ages 11–12 | 5th–7th grade | Primary travel tryout age. Most competitive development begins here. |
| U15 | Ages 13–14 | 7th–9th grade | High school feeder level. Full contact (boys). College recruiting awareness begins. |
Elite travel programs on Long Island use graduation year to classify teams. This is how you'll see it listed at clubs like Team 91, Express Lacrosse, LI Empire, Rebels LC, and LI Jesters.
| Grad Year | Current Grade (2025–26) | Age (2025) | US Lacrosse Equiv. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2037 | 1st–2nd grade | 6–7 | U9 |
| 2036 | 2nd–3rd grade | 7–8 | U9/U11 |
| 2035 | 3rd–4th grade | 8–9 | U11 |
| 2034 | 4th–5th grade | 9–10 | U11/U13 |
| 2033 | 5th–6th grade | 10–11 | U13 |
| 2032 | 6th–7th grade | 11–12 | U13 |
| 2031 | 7th–8th grade | 12–13 | U15 |
| 2030 | 8th–9th grade | 13–14 | U15 |
| 2029 | 9th–10th grade | 14–15 | U17/HS |
| 2028 | 10th–11th grade | 15–16 | HS / Recruiting |
| 2027 | 11th–12th grade | 16–17 | HS / Committed |
Boys and girls lacrosse are different sports with different rules, equipment, and physical demands at each age level. This affects age group expectations significantly.
Full contact begins at the U13/7th grade level. Boys programs at U9 and U11 emphasize stick skills and small-sided games. By U13, players are learning positional assignments, face-offs, and full-field play. Full equipment — helmet, shoulder pads, arm pads, gloves, and mouth guard — is required at all levels.
Girls lacrosse is a non-contact sport at all youth levels. Equipment requirements are lighter — goggles and a mouth guard are standard; helmets are not required for field players. Girls programs often start developing college-ready skills earlier in the recruiting timeline because the D1 women's game moves faster relative to physical development.
Find age-appropriate lacrosse sticks, helmets, pads, gloves, and rebounder nets for boys and girls at every level.
Shop Lacrosse Gear on Amazon →This is the most common question from Long Island lacrosse parents. The honest answer: it depends on your child — not on what everyone else is doing.
Most Long Island travel clubs start accepting players at the U11/2033–2034 level (4th–5th grade). Some elite programs like Team 91 and Express run developmental camps even earlier, but formal travel team commitment before 4th grade is generally not recommended.
The best time to start travel lacrosse is when:
Don't panic about being "behind": Long Island lacrosse culture can feel like a race to start travel as early as possible. In reality, many D1 college players didn't start serious travel lacrosse until 6th or 7th grade. Development matters more than which team your 9-year-old played for.
College lacrosse recruiting on Long Island begins earlier than most parents expect. For D1 programs specifically:
NCSA Athletic Recruiting is one of the most widely used platforms for Long Island lacrosse families navigating the college process. Learn more at ncsasports.org →
Here's a quick guide to what type of program fits each age group on LI:
Browse all Long Island lacrosse programs on our Lacrosse Directory →