Bearcats National Teams

 To allow high caliber young men to participate in lacrosse at a high level. Teaching them how to adapt and be successful both on and off the field. Guiding them through the challenges on the field so they can be better prepared for life off the field.

The Bearcats National staff is dedicated to teaching players game skill, adding to their LAX IQ and preparing for the game of life. We want every young man to enjoy the lacrosse tournament experience and have fun playing the game. We want our players, from all over the country, to connect as teammates and continue as life long friends & brothers.

We are currently accepting players graduating in 2025 to 2029. We try to take 3 teams to each tournament. Assignment to a team is based on players graduation year.

Our Red team will consist of players with grad years 2025 and 2026's. Our Blue team will consist of players with a grad year of 2027, and 2028. Our Silver team will consist of players with grad years 2028 and 2029. If we only take 2 teams, Red team will be 2025-2027, Blue team will be 2027-2029. If we only take 1 team to a tournament, we will play in the B high school division and the youngest accepted will be grad year 2028.

Each team will consist of 25 players. In general the make up will be 2 goalies, 2 FOGO's, 5 attack, 5 defenders, 2 LSM middies, and 7 offensive middies, 2 short stick defensive middies.

 While we would like to accept every player, we would be unable to provide a quality experience to anyone if we did. We cap each team at 25 players to insure a high amount of playing time for each player. Once each roster reaches 25 we cannot accept any additional players for that tournament. However, players are free to sign up for the next one, as some current players may not be able to attend the next one. 

Our player requirements are as follows;

1. Players must have a minimum of 2 years playing experience.

2. Players must provide their own stick and gear.

3. Players need to talk to their regular spring season coach about playing for us as a free agent. Player must be able to provide a referral from a previous or current coach, if asked. 

4. Based on the players phone/text interview with Coach Jeff, player must exibit a willingness or desire to learn and a good attitude toward playing on a team with teammates unknown to them.

The Pick Pack is a great way to reduce the cost per tournament and includes a pinnie the player can keep for the Pick 4, Pick 6 and Pick'em All

When you choose a Pick Pack you have complete freedom in which tournaments you want to participate in. If you choose a tournament on your registration you are penciled in on the roster. If your plans change and that tournament doesn't work no problem, choose another one as long as it's more than 30 days prior to the start of a tournament.

1. Each tournament fee includes playing time in each game of the tournament. We try to stay with tournaments that offer a minimum of 5 games.

2. Use of a team pinnie for the tournament. Players have the option to buy a pinnie they can keep and reuse or turn in the team pinnie at the end of the tournament. Pick Pack 4, 6 or All players will receive a pinnie they can keep included in the cost of the Pick Pack.

3. Coach Jeff will hold a 1 on 1 zoom training/information session with player within 14 days of registration.  

4. An individualized at home practice/conditioning plan the player can work on. Plan is based on position and players needs after the 1 on 1 zoom meeting.

5. Pre-tournament team zoom meeting and 1 practice the night before the tournament (when allowed) starts at the tournament location.

6. Player will receive a "debrief" email from the coaching staff that will review the players contibutions and areas the player has room for improvement or growth. 

7. After receiving the "debrief" player may request an additional 1 on 1 zoom meeting with coach Jeff to go over the debrief and ways to continue to grow and improve both on and off the field.

 Bearcats National is designed around active families. Traditional travel teams are expensive and require a burdensome amount of time. Players play lacrosse for a multitude of reasons, from love of the game, to hoping to play in college and beyond. We cater to players that have the skill and LAX IQ to play at a high level without requiring months long commitments. Play when your schedule allows and stay in contact with our players when you're not able to attend to help cheer them on.

Any of you that have joined a travel team or played on other National teams know that we are less expensive. If you're wondering why, it's because we are not in it for the money. Yes, we earn enough to compensate for our time and travel but we are not trying to earn a months wage in a weekend. Every travel and National team out there has a value, offers different things and needs to do what's best for them. What's best for us is to offer a great lacrosse experience at a reasonable price.

Bearcats attract players from all over the country and Canada. Through zoom meetings and phone conversations working with the player, we will develop an at home practice plan for each player. Our expectation is that each player wants to suceed and will put in the work to accomplish that goal. This helps prepare young men for life beyond lacrosse. As adults, we are generallly given assignments on a job and have to adapt not only to new people and situations but the expectation that we will get the work done without someone standing over us.

Our players want to have an experience. We will generally eat as a team on Saturday nights. We've gone to a grill where they got to dance to a live band for hours. We've walked downtown Nashville and had Ultimate Milk Shakes. We've gone to concerts, minature golfing, beach walking, and go karting. Between lacrosse and hanging out, our players build lasting friendships.

Coach Jeff will be focusing on the 3 E's. Energy, Execution and Enjoyment. 

ENERGY. Most players will agree that the key to a great tournament is the teams Energy. It has to be positive, no matter what's going on, on the field and it has to be at a high level so every player feels it.

EXECUTION. One of the hardest things for good experienced players is to execute something on the field only to have a teammate fail to execute their end. Good example of that is a player throws a "dot" of a pass and the receiving player drops the ball. While coaching execution, one player in that pass example will need to be coached to focus and execute a catch. The passing player will need to be coached to continue to do his job and execute great passes even when his confidence level of his teammates has dropped. 

ENJOYMENT. Everyone enjoys a good win but we want our players to enjoy the experience of the tournament. Consider where they are at the moment, what they are getting to do, who they are getting to do it with and how much fun the this game, that we love, is.

When Coach Jeff reaches out, 99% of the time, coach will be contacting the player. It is our belief that as high school players they need to responsible for their own activities. If coach asks if they want to participate in a tournament, first and foremost the player needs to want to participate. By communicating with the players, we hope, they are being responsible to consider their schedule, their other obligations, and how the cost will effect their family. We expect them to talk with their parents, getting permission and discussing the benefits to the player by attending and then get back with coach. As a parent of 7 myself, I know first hand that it's tough to not want to take charge and do it all for them but we as parents need to step back and let them take the lead. I still have 2 high school boys that play lacrosse. Most people think they just tag along and get to play in every tournament I coach at. The reality is, I make them fill out a registration form for each tournament they would like to attend. I make them come to my wife and I as parents, not the coach, and explain why they should be allowed to go. They have to plan and pack for themselves. Even as the coaches kids, they can learn how to act maturely while preparing for a fun weekend of lacrosse. I would recommend to every parent, a couple of days before a tournament, tell them how many days you will be traveling and let them get their own clothes and supplies together. Remind them only once to check and have their gear bag ready. Make them to put a departure itinerary together for traveling. This is just another way we can help them grow into self sufficient adults.

Anytime a parent has a question or needs information they are more than welcome to contact Coach Jeff. 

If you have any questions or inquiries, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're always happy to hear from you and welcome any feedback you may have. You can email coach@lacrossebearcats.com or call/text 502-216-3453.