Welcome to the IBLA
Illinois Boys Lacrosse Association
Our Mission
It is our mission to raise the level of instruction, support, coaching and play for all of Illinois youth lacrosse.
Players, coaches, spectators, and parents are to conduct themselves in a manner that “honors the game” and demonstrates respect to other players, coaches, officials, and spectators. In becoming a member of IBLA; an individual assumes certain obligations and responsibilities to the game of lacrosse and its participants. The essential elements of the “Code of Conduct” are HONESTY and INTEGRITY. Those who conduct themselves in a manner that reflects these elements will be credited to the sport of lacrosse, themselves, their teams, and IBLA. It is only through such conduct that IBLA can earn and maintain a positive image and make its full contribution to the game of lacrosse. Learn More About the IBLA →
The IBLA embodies all of the qualities that our club expects of a youth lacrosse league. A healthy balance of developmental and competitive opportunities has allowed our players to improve their level of play from year-to-year. Read More →
Lincoln-Way Youth Lacrosse
ILBA Member Program
IBLA Membership Benefits
01.
- The IBLA will be hosting Free learn to play clinics throughout the Chicagoland area to provide offseason assistance to communities.
- The IBLA hosts an annual pre season Youth Coaches Convention to provide educational opportunities for all member clubs.
02.
- On Field Officials and Scheduling
- The IBLA handles all scheduling and coordinating of referees for all IBLA sanctioned games by working with the referee association to ensure all games are properly officiated. The IBLA staff will also perform reviews of the
officials for teams. - The IBLA works closely with the Illinois Lacrosse Referee Association to schedule officials for IBLA
teams. The IBLA covers referees for all of your regular season games and all playoffs.
- The IBLA handles all scheduling and coordinating of referees for all IBLA sanctioned games by working with the referee association to ensure all games are properly officiated. The IBLA staff will also perform reviews of the
03.
- The IBLA provides a league Handbook, Game Day Cheat Sheet and Code of Conduct for players, coaches & parents.
- Following league committees help set standards and enforce league policies: Executive Board, Boarder Patrol Program, Competition Committee & Rules and Ethics Committee.
04.
- League Scheduling and Placement meetings are held to ensure proper placement of teams and in some cases
players. - Conferences are also discussed and developed using available teams.
- Teams are able to schedule 8 regular season league games. A minimum of 7 games must be completed in order to
qualify for the playoffs.
05.
- Coaches will nominate two players from their team to participate in an All-Star Game at Benedictine University this
spring.
- This is a fun day to get all of the teams and players together, and watch some of the best players face-off in a fun, friendly game. The players will also receive All-Star jerseys.
- The End of Season Tournament will crown a champion for all levels of play during the first weekend after Memorial Day.
- Divisions may be re-aligned to promote equal competition during post season play.
06.
- Founded in 2009 as a 501c3 Non Profit Organization with 5 member organizations.
- in 2023 the IBLA has grown to include 43 member organizations with over 175 teams participating in league play.
- Recognized as the “Gold Standard” by USA Lacrosse in 2019.
- Presented at 2019 Fall Youth Lacrosse Summit
- Has provided guidance for other States: Michigan, Arizona, Indiana, Idaho, Utah, Minnesota, & Nevada
IBLA Scheduling is Managed By:
Season Ticker
The IBLA has partnered with Season Ticker to give parents, players, and coaches the most seamless and straightforward experience as members of the IBLA.
Season Ticker’s platform generates the IBLA schedule, which is refined by every program’s coaching staff at the beginning of the season.
Game results and schedule updates are housed on Season Ticker and can be found 24/7 by members of the Association.
IBLA Team Store
SIGNATURE LACROSSE
Signature Lacrosse’s vision is built upon the fundamental belief that sports possess the potential to transform lives positively. They strive to create problem-solving products and provide services that not only foster sustainable growth but surpass all expectations. Signature’s values center around communication, leadership, integrity, passion, and performance. They recognize that these values serve as the foundation of their operations, and they hold themselves accountable for upholding them in all Signature Lacrosse activities. Signature’s commitment to empowering players is reflected in their motto: “For the Players. By the Players.”
TEAM STORE
We are proud to partner with Signature Lacrosse to provide official IBLA gear. Available for all players, coaches, and fans; check out our team store for all the latest IBLA drip!
Our organization’s vision is built upon the fundamental belief that sports possess the potential to transform lives positively. We strive to create problem-solving products and provide services that not only foster sustainable growth but surpass all expectations. Our values center around communication, leadership, integrity, passion, and performance. We recognize that these values serve as the foundation of our operations, and we hold ourselves accountable for upholding them in all our activities. Our commitment to empowering players is reflected in our motto: “For the Players. By the Players.”
We have partnered with Signature Lacrosse to provide all players, coaches, and fans with the latest and greatest IBLA gear.
Feel free to check out our team store and get fitted for your season!
IBLA Partners & Sponsors
Testimonials
Why join the IBLA? Here's what people say about it.
Our Member Programs
Parents → Coaches → Club Directors
Contact Chain of Command
Parents and Coaches should not contact the IBLA directly. Parents should contact their child’s coach should a situation arise that deems a conversation. Coaches should contact their Club Director regarding issues with players, parents, referees, game situations, or any other topics where a discrepancy exists.
Club Directors are the only authorized personnel that should contact the IBLA directly.
PARENTS AND COACHES. SHOULD NEVER CONTACT THE IBLA DIRECTLY.
Game Day Situations: Should a situation arise during a game or weekend that warrants a review, coaches should talk the situation over with the referee at the next break interval.
If either coach disputes a call that affects the outcome of a game, you should talk the situation out with the referees and opposing coach. Should that not resolve the issue, then your Club Director should be contacted.
Program directors can contact the IBLA at director@ibla.seasonticker.com.
Levels of Play
Majors – A, B Gold, B Silver & C
Minors – A, B Gold, B Silver & C
Juniors – A & B Gold (10v10), B Silver & C (7 v 7)
Minis – A (7 v 7), B (4 v 4)
*Minis Division Placement* All second graders must either play Minis A or move to Juniors.
Evaluation Process
The Competition Committee would like all players to be registered on the league website by March 2nd to evaluate their past experience and current level of play. We understand most programs may not have final rosters completed by this time but this will assist with your ability to justify your team’s level. As a reminder, the roster lock date will still remain as April 3rd to allow player movement between teams. This movement should only occur with less than 25% of your participants.
Special Request Petition
If you believe your team falls between the guidelines outlined and would like to make a special request for placement, please fill out the form below.
IBLA Registration Placement Guidelines
– The priority of the guidelines is meant to protect the C level first. New players should be competing against new players. This is meant to create a positive experience for all first year players.
– The league also wants to encourage teams to make the jump to the A level if their team is composed of older, club “OR” more experienced players.
-Program minimum placement: If a town has 2 teams at a level, only 1 can be C at the Minor/Major age level
-If your team meets 2 of the below criteria in each level, that is where you should be placed.
-If you would like a recommendation before registration feel free to contact the IBLA.
A Level
– 75% of Higher Grade
– 75% of players with 3 or more years of experience
– More than 50% of players play club lacrosse
B Level
– More than 25% of team has 2 or more years of experience
– More than 10% of players play club lacrosse
C Level
– Less than 25% of team has 2 or more years of experience = 75% of team has 1 year or no experience.
– Less than 10% (2 kids) of players play club lacrosse
