Things might alter a little, but our typical game plan looks like this. We will alert you immediately of any changes.

Saturdays

NAHS Turf

Bantam:                     9:00 am - 11:00 am

Walking Helmets:    11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Lightning:                  12:30 pm - 2:30 pm 

Junior:                        2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

NAHS Grass

Lightning:                  12:30 pm - 2:30 pm 

Junior:                        2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Sundays

NAHS Turf

Senior:                       12:30 pm - 2:30 pm & 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

The fall program is shorter than the spring season and, with the exception of those in the Senior (8th grade) division, we will be playing intra-league games.

While it’s always a good idea to stay active with sports, juggling is something our families discover is the hardest thing of all. We strongly encourage players to commit to one of these time-intensive sports during a single season, where significant commitment is expected. You’ll be happy you did.

Yes. During fall season, we play intra-league games only. During spring season, we compete with other teams in the metro-Atlanta area. Fall practices and games are held on the same day, with practices typically starting a session and game play ending it. Spring involves at least two practices in a seven-day period, and one game.

Sorry, no. As a community rec league, we prioritize variety over convenience. It makes all players stronger in becoming better sportsmen, and in changing up a player’s game in general. If a player plays with the same kids week after week, their games can become predictable; meaning, they get robotic on their “roles” knowing how everyone else around them reacts and where they think they fit in the pecking order of things. New talent forces players to adapt, change and stretch their lax IQ and abilities.

See above. The Surge is a rec league with a lot of diversity: with player ability; schools attended; etc. For a more “advanced” experience, try out for your school’s team, with an elite travel team; or attend local and national clinics where player skill is increased with more focused efforts tailored to ability.

Players absolutely positively must have: a helmet, a stick, shoulder pads, arm pads, gloves, cleats, mouthguard, jock/cup and LOTS OF WATER at each practice.

Hands-down, your one-stop shop for gear and your stick is Play It Again Sports in the Superica shopping center in Buckhead. Or, at a Laxworld store located in a number of places (OTP). We like PIAS sports as they offer new and used gear options, and that applies to sticks as well. Importantly, they provide the best option on a pre-fabricated stick with a head that has unusually good pocket construction by StringKing. Economically, many new/beginner players opt for these sticks (ones that DO NOT contain a ball). Then, for the more advanced player, PIAS provides one of the best sources to have your head custom strung for optimum pocket depth/hold and personalization. They string heads according to our instruction for best performance (see our blog post pertaining to sticks). They sell individual stick shafts as well, and your coach will cut/size this to your player at the first several practices. Finally, the guys who work there also have a good understanding of the sport if you have questions (vs. chains like Dicks that have a lot of inventory, but not much help fitting or guiding). Mention you're with the Surge and you’ll also score a discount at PIAS.

Yes! As a courtesy to families with new players, the Surge offers a gear rental program where pick-up occurs several weeks prior to the start of each season. When you register, you will be prompted about renting and that is where you sign up and pay ($85 per season) for a four-piece package: helmet, shoulder pads, arm pads, gloves. It does not include a stick, jock/cup, cleats and mouth guard, which are also required. You’re then responsible to clean the gear prior to returning it and we provide easy (but strict) guidelines on how to do that a few weeks before the season ends.

See our post on the homepage (LAX Stick Tips: The Smart Buy) for all the details you’ll need.

Uniforms are provided as part of your registration fee and will be handed out early in the season via your coach. Surge tee shirts (and many more Surge swag items) can be purchased at our swag sales at the start and finish of each season. Your son will also receive a “trophy” tee (or some other branded item) at the end of the season, also at no cost to you.

We hear this from a lot of our football and baseball dads! A great way to gain exposure to lacrosse is watch NCAA DI and DIII games on ESPN or ESPNU. Even better, now you can be part of the action thanks to Atlanta professional teams forming here for MLL (Major League Lacrosse: The Blaze) and NLL (National League Lacrosse: The Swarm). Finally, check out the US Lacrosse website, which is packed with a TON of information. If you/your son joins, you’ll receive a monthly magazine and some other perks, too.

We have tried this in seasons past and have found that by middle school (and definitely by high school) most players are very involved with their school’s team. In spring, there is typically too much scheduling conflict. In fall, high school players (who aren’t playing football) tend to keep their game going with clinics and private/small group lessons (see below).

Depending on his ability, there are different sources available. We have coaches who teach privately for one-on-one instruction, small group (3-5) and larger group (up to 20). For the more advanced player, there are lessons and large-scale clinics offered by elite programs like LB3Thunder. Email Paul Thomas (paulthomas16@gmail.com) for more information.

Two words: Field Space. As a Buckhead-based sports league that continues to grow, it’s all we can do to accommodate our many boys divisions and teams. Field space remains at a premium as many area athletic programs compete for time when schools do not use the fields, or when appropriate local park sites are available.

No. Elite lacrosse programs (LB3Thunder, 3d and others) operate independently of the Surge with their own tryouts, teams, travel, etc.

No. We will periodically promote games and organize family nights (with discounted tickets) with the Atlanta Swarm since our spring schedule coincides with theirs. But there is no direct affiliation.

Surge vs. Surge is the name of our spring internal tournament that caps off the season. It’s a family fun day that takes place over 12+ hours at North Atlanta High School, and is a great example of what sets our league apart. There, each division’s teams play against each other on the turf and grass fields with the action culminating in our Coaches vs. Coaches finale game. There is a great variety of local food trucks feeding families from breakfast through dinner, gear and swag tents, and snacks and drink tents spread throughout the campus with golf carts running all day for transport. The day is coordinated and managed by a team of volunteer parents and Surge board members.

Northside Youth Lacrosse is a special and unique organization. We emphasize structured teaching and coaching from volunteer dads who know the game, with most having played in college. Each week, our practices revolve around plans designed to resonate with players new to the sport through advanced-level athletes. The league is expertly managed (by a hands-on board and director) with consistent communication throughout each season. We appeal to families who understand "honoring the game" and respecting our approach (and referees!). And, in addition to full lacrosse schedules, we also manage to produce family events, fund raisers for local efforts and seasonal swag sales with spirit wear. Be sure to read through the parent testimonials on our homepage to get the full view.

No. Full or partial refunds are only provided in cases of injury based on when in the season the injury occurs. A doctor’s note is required. Why is this? We emphasize this message at registration (and throughout the site) and have decided that it is simply not fair to turn away waitlisted players who make lacrosse a priority. The sport is now popular enough that those who really want to be here, as their first choice, deserve to be.

Yes! The Surge welcomes all dads with the time, background, skills and lax love to volunteer. Contact Paul Thomas (paulthomas16@gmail.com).

Parents typically support the Surge in any of five ways: 1. By becoming a season sponsor; 2. By volunteering as a team mom or dad when help is needed; 3. By volunteering to help sell swag at our bi-seasonal sales held at NAHS; 4. By volunteering on a larger scale to help produce Surge vs. Surge each spring; 5. By continuing to promote the league with great word-of-mouth in the community. You will receive emails with details against these opportunities as the seasons get underway.

Weather cancellations or delays are immediately communicated through Team Snap.