Wherever you are in this — watching your five-year-old pick up a stick for the first time, trying to figure out which club program is right for your twelve-year-old, or a high school player trying to understand how to get a college coach to notice you — this guide covers all of it.

Why Lacrosse Runs Deep Here

Before we get into programs, it is worth understanding what you have moved into.

In 1932, a physical education teacher named Jason Stranahan introduced lacrosse to his students at Manhasset High School — making it the first high school on Long Island to do so. The sport grew in popularity over the coming decades, with Long Island overtaking Maryland as the top region for high school lacrosse in the United States by the 1960s. That origin story matters. The culture that grew from it — the PAL fields in March, the travel teams in the fall, the Manhasset lacrosse programs that locals call the Set — runs deep on both sides. The boys program has 16 Long Island Championships and 6 New York State Championships. The girls program has built its own competitive identity, going 14-5 in 2025 and continuing to win at a high level. Two programs, one culture — and it is everywhere in this community.

If your kid grows up here and has any interest in lacrosse, they are going to be around this sport. The only question is where they plug in.

Just Getting Started — Ages 3 to 6

If your child has never held a stick, this is where you begin. Do not skip ahead. A kid who falls in love with the game at five will outwork a kid who was pushed into it at ten, every time.

LAXTots

Ages 3–6 · Non-Contact · Multiple Long Island Locations

LAXTots programs are designed to teach children ages 3–6 lacrosse by breaking down the basics of the game in an exciting way. Each class mixes skill-specific activities with an opportunity for children to burn some energy. The program is non-contact, so children learn basic skills without worrying about heavy equipment. Instructors focus on scooping, cradling, and shooting in a developmentally appropriate setting. Check lilathletes.com for current Nassau County locations and scheduling.

STXZ Lacrosse — Private Lessons, Comes to You

All Ages · Boys and Girls · Mobile Service

If your child is shy, easily overwhelmed in group settings, or you simply want a head start before joining a program, STXZ connects families with private lacrosse trainers who can meet at your backyard or a local field. They focus on cradling, passing, catching, shooting, and ground ball scooping. Sessions run 45 to 90 minutes. All trainers are background-checked, carefully screened, and carry at least two years of coaching experience. stxzlacrosse.com

First Organized Play — PAL and Town Programs

This is the right first step for most kids in the area once they are ready for a team structure. Do not rush past this level in a hurry to get to club. What gets built here is the foundation everything else sits on.

Nassau County PAL — Manhasset Unit

Boys and Girls · Kindergarten Through 8th Grade

The Nassau County Police Activity League Manhasset Unit offers a Lacrosse Clinic Program and a Travel Lacrosse Team Program, generally available to boys and girls from the Manhasset community in grades kindergarten through eighth who reside in or attend school in Manhasset. The Clinic Program runs approximately ten weeks, commencing mid-March, weather permitting. The emphasis is on teaching the fundamentals of lacrosse — skill dexterity with the stick, footwork on offense and defense, and the flow of the game. Clinic sessions are held on weekends through the spring. When your child is ready for the next step, the Travel Team Program participates in the Nassau County PAL Youth Lacrosse League with two practices per week and Sunday games. fcoughlin73@gmail.com · manhassetpal.org

Manhasset Boys Lacrosse Camp

Boys · Entering Elementary and Middle School Grades · Summer

The Manhasset Boys Lacrosse Camp is typically held at Manhasset High School, 200 Memorial Place, for younger players entering elementary and middle school grades. Registration usually opens ahead of the summer season through activekids.com — and tends to fill, so do not wait too long. This is the most direct connection available to the Manhasset lacrosse tradition — the same program that runs one of the most decorated teams in Long Island history is welcoming younger players into the game. For a kid growing up in this community, that can be a meaningful experience.

SET Lacrosse

Boys and Girls · Community Focus · Manhasset Area

SET Lacrosse is a locally known Manhasset-area youth lacrosse program focused on community, development, and additional playing opportunities. Follow the program directly for current team years, scheduling, registration details, and events. @setlacrosse on Instagram.

Ready for More — Competitive Club Lacrosse

Your child has had a season or two of PAL or town ball. They want more reps, more competition, more serious coaching. They are asking to play on weekends. This is the club conversation. The Manhasset area position in central Nassau means you have access to multiple strong programs without crossing the Island.

Igloo Lacrosse

Boys and Girls · Grades 3 Through High School · Syosset, Port Washington, Muttontown

Igloo Lacrosse is an elite club lacrosse program based in Syosset, NY, with boys and girls teams in grades 3rd through high school. Igloo girls program carried a national ranking of 39 through US Club Lax as of 2025 — rankings move, so check the current list if that matters to your decision. Igloo is the North Shore club that Manhasset area families often overlook — and should not. With home bases in Syosset, Port Washington, and Muttontown, it is operating practically in the neighborhood. The grades 3 through high school range makes it one of the earliest entry points into organized competitive club play in the area. igloolax.leagueapps.com

North Shore Lacrosse Club (NSLC)

Boys and Girls · Youth Development · North Shore Long Island

The North Shore Lacrosse Club is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that promotes and supports the sport of lacrosse in the North Shore community, with a primary goal of teaching and developing youth players through instructional clinics and competitive leagues and tournaments. NSLC sits between PAL and the full travel club commitment — a legitimate bridge for a player who has outgrown PAL but is not ready for the year-round grind of the major travel organizations. northshorelax.com

BTB (Be The Best) Lacrosse

Boys and Girls · Youth Through High School · Long Island

BTB, short for Be The Best, is a Long Island club lacrosse program founded by Dan Achatz, the varsity boys lacrosse coach at Plainedge. BTB is worth knowing because it was built around coaching, development, and culture — the things parents are usually trying to evaluate once their child is ready for something beyond town or PAL play. The boys program leads with toughness and lacrosse IQ. The girls program emphasizes stick skills, game IQ, and competitive excellence at every age level. bethebestli.com

Serious About the Game — Elite Travel Programs

These are year-round commitments — fall, spring, and summer tournaments, training through the winter. These programs are where the college recruiting pipeline begins. Tryouts are real and rosters are earned. If your child is in middle school and you are starting to think about this, that is the right time. If they are in elementary school and you are already here, take a breath. The game should still be fun.

Team 91

Boys and Girls · Grades 2–11 · Year-Round

Team 91 was founded by Brian Spallina, a Hofstra two-time All-American who holds the Major League Lacrosse record for most championships won by a single player, with seven titles. From its initial four teams, Team 91 has grown to 185 boys teams and 70 girls teams and become one of the most recognized and respected club organizations in the nation. Team 91 Long Island is one of the six founding members of the National Lacrosse Federation — one of the most prominent elite club lacrosse circuits in the country, with events that draw serious college coach attention. Player commits include Harvard, Johns Hopkins, North Carolina, Virginia, and Syracuse. The primary training facility is in Commack — a 30 to 40 minute drive from Manhasset on a weeknight. Worth knowing going in, as roster spots are competitive and this is one of several strong elite options on Long Island. The right program is the one your player earns a spot on and thrives in. boys.team91lacrosse.com · girls.team91lacrosse.com

Express Lacrosse

Boys and Girls · Year-Round · Nassau and Suffolk

Express was one of the first lacrosse clubs established on Long Island and is one of the most experienced clubs in the United States. Express is a year-round commitment — tournaments in the fall, spring, and summer, with training and practices year-round. The program offers long-standing relationships with Division I, II, and III college coaches and a proven recruiting track record. Express and Team 91 are the two programs Nassau County lacrosse families compare most often at the elite level. Both are legitimate. Both produce Division I players. Express runs primary fields at Cantiague Park in Hicksville and at Old Westbury, with tryouts typically held in summer. Visit both Express and Team 91, watch a practice, and talk to parents already in the program. The right fit matters more than the name on the jersey. expresslacrosse.com

High School and College Recruiting

If you are a high school player reading this, or a parent of one, here is the lay of the land — no hype, no shortcuts.

College recruiting has rules, and they matter. Timelines can change and rules vary by division, so always check the NCAA Eligibility Center, current recruiting calendars, your club or high school coach, and the schools you are interested in. At a high level, college coaches may be able to watch you, evaluate you, review your film, or see you play before they are allowed to communicate with you directly. That is why your freshman and sophomore years still matter. The work you do before the phone starts ringing is often what determines whether the phone rings at all.

Most college coaches recruit from a finite set of club programs and events. On Long Island, Team 91 and Express are consistently in that universe for boys. Their NLF affiliation means their tournaments are the ones D1 coaches attend. A highlight video matters — keep it tight, include your name, position, graduation year, and contact info. Grades matter just as much. It is your job to research schools, reach out to coaches, and keep them updated on your schedule.

Both the Manhasset boys and girls lacrosse programs carry real weight in the recruiting landscape. Coaches who follow Long Island lacrosse know the history here. Playing well for the Set is noticed. The Manhasset Lacrosse Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit that supports both programs through scholarships and equipment funding.

When Tryouts Happen — The Calendar Every Parent Needs

Club lacrosse on Long Island has a rhythm, and the first time through it can catch families off guard. Exact dates vary by program, team, and age group, but the general pattern is consistent enough that families should know what to expect.

  • Late Winter / Early Spring: PAL and local youth programs open registration or begin spring programming. If your child is just getting started, this is often the entry point.
  • Spring: School, PAL, and town seasons are active. If you are thinking about club lacrosse, this is when you start paying attention. Watch program websites, ask other parents, and begin learning which programs may fit your child.
  • Early Summer: Club programs begin announcing evaluation dates, tryouts, and summer opportunities.
  • Mid-to-Late Summer (Main Window): This is commonly the main tryout window for many Long Island club programs. If your child is ready for competitive or elite club play, this is the window that matters most. Missing it does not lock you out — but it means relying on supplemental evaluations, which are smaller and less predictable.
  • Late Summer / Early Fall: Rosters are often finalized. Some programs may hold supplemental evaluations if spots remain.
  • Fall: Club teams run practices, training sessions, and fall tournaments. A good window to watch programs in action before committing.
  • Winter: Many committed players use winter for indoor training, clinics, and skill work. Programs like Team 91 train year-round at their Commack facility.

The bottom line: if your child is entering third grade or above and you are thinking about club lacrosse, start researching in the spring. Summer is when you need to be paying attention. Do not wait until August to start asking questions.

Drive Times from the Manhasset Area

Based on typical weekday evening traffic from Manhasset, NY 11030. Times will vary from Plandome, North Hills, Munsey Park, and Strathmore — generally within 5 minutes of the estimates below. Before committing to any program, ask specifically: where does my child team practice, on which days, and at what times? That single question will save a lot of Tuesday night surprises.

  • NCPAL Manhasset — Manhasset local fields · 5–10 min · Walkable for many families.
  • Manhasset Boys Lacrosse Camp — Manhasset High School, 200 Memorial Place · 5 min
  • Igloo Lacrosse — Syosset / Port Washington / Muttontown · 10–20 min · Closest elite-level club to this area.
  • North Shore Lacrosse Club — North Shore LI (verify field with club) · 20–35 min
  • BTB Lacrosse — Long Island (field varies by team) · 20–40 min · No fixed facility. Confirm practice location at enrollment.
  • Express Lacrosse LI — Cantiague Park (Hicksville), Old Westbury, Smithtown · 15–30 min · Cantiague Park off LIE Exit 41 is closest to Manhasset.
  • Team 91 Long Island — Commack, NY (DSTC, year-round indoor facility) · 30–40 min · Some teams also practice at SUSA Complex, Islip. Confirm with your team coach before committing.

Equipment Guide

Most introductory programs require only a stick and a mouthguard. Boys moving into organized league play need a NOCSAE-certified helmet, shoulder pads/chest protection, arm pads, gloves, mouthguard, supporter with cup, lacrosse stick (mesh pocket), and cleats (no metal tips). Girls need ASTM-certified goggles (required), mouthguard, lacrosse stick (girls pocket), and cleats. Most introductory girls programs: stick and mouthguard only to start.

Most youth coaches agree that entry-level heads are more than adequate for young and beginning players. Simple aluminum shafts work well and can be cut to a usable length for very young players. Do not spend elite-level money on a seven-year-old first stick.

Conclusion

This area produces serious lacrosse players because the community takes the sport seriously — from the PAL fields in March to a varsity program with a history going back to 1932. That culture is real and it is one of the strongest environments in the country to develop as a player at any level. But the sport should still be the reason. The best path through all of this is the one your child actually wants to be on. Find the program they are excited to go to practice for. Everything else follows from there.

Lacrosse schedules, tryouts, rankings, store hours, and recruiting rules can change. Always double-check directly with the program, school, store, league, or NCAA resource before making plans. PickLI · PickManhasset · The Lenard Team · Signature Premier Properties