Frequently Asked Questions + Policies
GENERAL
What is ULTIMATE Lacrosse?
ULTIMATE Lacrosse is a competitive travel program that boasts several locations including the areas of Princeton, NJ (NJ), Philadelphia, PA (PA), Chester Count, PA (CC), Lehigh Valley (LV), Chapel Hill/Raleigh, NC (NC), and Charlotte, NC (CLT) . We offer a year – round program for grades K – HS (11th grade). Our club has been recognized as a top Program in the country given the competitiveness of our players and teams. We accomplish this through a relentless focus on player development.
What is ULTIMATE’s mission statement?
Our #ultimategoal is to develop highly competent and confident girls on and off the lacrosse field. Our priority is to provide our players with strong role models and character-building team sport experiences. The positive impact that sports have on the lives of young women instills lessons that will last a lifetime, paving the way for the next generation of great lacrosse players and people.
Be a great person. Be a great teammate. BE ULTIMATE.
What are ULTIMATE’s values?
Our values are Culture, Community, Character, Compete, and Confidence.
CULTURE: We want our players and families to be part of a club that has an inclusive and enjoyable atmosphere. Yes, we can be ultra-competitive while still having fun, showing respect for all, and doing the right thing. Culture is “Queen”!
COMMUNITY: You get to pick your community in life, and we want to give you every reason to pick ULTIMATE. We are a club that aims to always support each other.
CHARACTER: We provide our players opportunities to grow and develop into great people.
COMPETE: Our players work hard and bring their best to practice. We encourage our players to go full speed in practice to be game ready, and this allows us to be competitive in every game we play!
CONFIDENCE: We teach our players to believe in themselves and try. This is the definition of confidence. Our players are comfortable trying new things, working through failure, and ultimately finding success.
Does a player need to want to play in college to play with ULTIMATE?
No! Our program supports our player’s #ultimategoal. That can be wanting to develop and grow as a lacrosse player, play for your varsity high school team, and or playing in college.
Where is ULTIMATE located?
Please check our regional pages for specific practice and training location information.
How long is the season at ULTIMATE?
The ULTIMATE season runs for a full year and we ask families to acknowledge this at the start of the year. The season specifically runs from September through early/mid-July. We take the month of August off and we encourage our players and families to do the same. We put our sticks away and spend time with family and friends! You can find us at the beach or the pool!
Do we need to tryout again halfway through the season?
In most of our regions, no.
Players only tryout once in July and commit to the full year season. Rosters are finalized after tryouts. Players do not need to tryout again and are expected to participate for the full year. If needed, we will work out specific players for open roster spots and add them midway through the season.
In Lehigh Valley and Charleston, players can opt to play for a partial season which includes (Fall, and Winter Training + Summer).
What does the full schedule look like for the year?
Our players participate in a comprehensive year-round program that includes practice, training, and tournaments.
FALL (September – November)
In the fall, all teams practice once on the weekend in September and October. Sometimes in early November depending on the tournament schedule. Teams should expect to practice 8 times. Practice start times depend on field availability.
Teams will also train once a week at 4SQUARE Training. 4SQUARE is a comprehensive training first pioneered by our program, that focuses on four key areas: [Stick + Strategy] and [Strength + Speed]. Players will spend 45 minutes at [Stick + Strategy] with an ULTIMATE coach and 45 minutes at [Strength + Speed] with a professional trainer.
The training runs for 8 weeks in the Fall for all teams. Youth teams will train during the week and high school teams will train on the weekend.
Our teams participate in tournaments during the Fall weekends. All teams participate in 3 tournaments. Tournaments are in mid to late October or early November.
WINTER (December – February)
All teams will once again participate in 4SQUARE Training in the winter. The training runs for 6 weeks.
Our players can also participate in location specific winter leagues, clinics, etc. These are optional and we understand that we have multi-sport athletes.
SPRING (March – May)
Depending on the location, most players will be participating in recreational (local) lacrosse. Some teams may have the opportunity to participate in the NGLL. Your Directors will evaluate opportunities and we will add them to the schedule if they work for our families and provide opportunities to develop our players.
High school players are participating in their school seasons!
Please reach out to your Regional Director with specific questions.
SUMMER (June – mid-July)
In the summer, our teams practice twice a week beginning early June through the middle of July. Practices are on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. Practices generally start at 6:00PM or later.
Our teams participate in tournaments during the summer weekends. Typically, this includes the second, third and fourth weekend in June and the second or third weekend in July. All teams participate in 4 tournaments.
Our season officially ends by the second or third week of July and tryouts will most likely be immediately after.
How does ULTIMATE choose what tournaments and brackets to participate in?
ULTIMATE competes in the most competitive tournaments in the country. We want our players to be challenged and face tough competition to be pushed to new heights. We participate in tournaments such as PRIME Time Young Guns, Chesapeake Invitational, Mid Atlantic Showcase and Championships, President’s Cup, Level 9, Live Love Lax, Lax for the Cure, etc.
Where are the practices held?
Please check your specific regional pages for this information.
How many practices will teams have each season?
Teams will have 8 practices in the fall and 12 practices in the summer. The schedule can vary depending on tournament selection and where Holidays fall during each season.
*Please see “What does the practice and training schedule look like for the year?” for more information on the full yearly schedule.
How many training sessions will teams have each season?
All teams will have 8 training sessions in the fall and 6 - 8 training sessions in the winter.
*Please see “What does the practice and training schedule look like for the year?” for more information on the full yearly schedule.
Does ULTIMATE support multi-sport athletes?
ABSOLUTELY! ULTIMATE has players who also play soccer, basketball, competitive dance, field hockey, etc.
We simply ask that you communicate these conflicts in advance to your coaches and work with us on your schedule. If a player’s attendance starts to become an issue, we will simply talk to you about it and work to come up with a solution.
Is playing time equal at ULTIMATE?
ULTIMATE is a competitive travel program and playing time is not equal, but it is fair. Because we are a competitive program and focus on developing our players, playing time is typically not an issue. However, it is dependent on game situations as well as the time and effort that players are putting in outside of practice.
What do the different team colors mean?
At ULTIMATE, BLUE teams are our A teams. WHITE are our B teams.
Can players move up from BLUE to WHITE? Do players move down from WHITE to BLUE?
We have players move up and down levels every year. Some players develop at different times and it will also depend on how much work a player puts in outside of practice. We will move a player up mid-year if it is earned and deserved. We will not move a player down mid-year, however, the player may be given less playing time and offered to play additional time on the WHITE team.
Does ULTIMATE care about WHITE (B) players? Do they get the same programming as BLUE?
Yes, and yes. Our WHITE players are very talented and oftentimes some could play up at the BLUE level, but we have to cap our rosters at a certain amount. Our program for BLUE and WHITE looks exactly the same. Both teams have great coaches and have the same number of practices and training.
In many instances, our WHITE teams are more competitive than other local A teams. They also compete in more competitive tournaments and brackets.
When is payment due for the program?
Payment is due by way of a deposit and then installment payments. The first payment is due on acceptance of your roster spot. The remaining payments will run automatically every month until the balance is paid. The full payment for the year will be due by April 1.
Payments are automatically withdrawn from your account through TeamSnap. We do not accept checks. All payments must be made through TeamSnap.
Payments should be made directly to the ULTIMATE organization. A coach and or Director should never ask you to pay them directly.
Do you offer multiple family discounts?
We do not offer multiple family discounts.
Do you offer scholarships?
Scholarships are offered on a need basis. We do not want a player to not play with us due to financial hardship. Please reach out to your Regional Director to discuss your needs.
Do you offer different payment plans?
We are here to help. If you need a different payment plan, please reach out to your Regional Director to discuss your needs.
Do you offer refunds?
We do not offer refunds, and this is standard practice in the industry. Tournaments are booked 6 to 12 months in advance, and we work off a fixed budget. If a player withdraws from a program, we will not provide a refund. If a player becomes injured and is unable to compete, we will credit half of the dues for the season she is out and put them towards the next season. If a player withdraws from the club at that time, the credit will be forfeited.
Can ULTIMATE Players play for another club?
No. ULTIMATE club membership has many benefits. If you are rostered on our teams, you are not able to play for another club. This does not include additional opportunities like American Select, NB Games, BIC, Nation United, Team USA, etc. that are not affiliated with a specific club program.
Elite
What are ULTIMATE ELITE Showcase Teams?
The ELITE Showcase teams are comprised of our top players across all regions of ULTIMATE- Princeton, NJ (NJ), Philadelphia, PA (PA), Chester County, PA (CC), Chapel Hill/Raleigh, NC (NC), and Charlotte, NC (CLT). These teams are in addition to each of our regional teams and are an additional opportunity for training and exposure to college coaches at top recruiting tournaments.
Do we need to tryout every year for the ELITE team?
Yes. ULTIMATE is a highly competitive and nationally recognized club and we are consistently adding top talent to our teams each year. OUR ELITE teams remain the best players at ULTIMATE, across all regions. ULTIMATE offers ELITE Showcase teams at graduation years 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028. Tryouts for these teams take place each summer for the following year.
Do we need to tryout for the ELITE team and Regional Team?
No. Because ELITE Tryouts are prior to our Regional Tryouts, if you make the ELITE team at your age group, you will automatically be guaranteed a spot on your Regional team. However, because the ELITE teams are the best players of each of our regional teams, a deposit must be placed on BOTH teams to hold your spot. All ELITE team members must play for their ULTIMATE Regional teams.
We do ask that you still attend your regional tryout date.
How many tournaments do the ELITE SHOWCASE teams participate in?
Our ELITE teams will participate in 2 Fall tournaments and 1 Summer tournament. ELITE tournaments will not interfere with Regional team tournaments. Players are expected to attend all ELITE tournaments and activities.
Do the Regional tournaments conflict with the ELITE Tournaments?
No. The Regional vs. ELITE tournaments are deconflicted by the leadership team so players can be fully focused and perform at their best.
Where are the practices held?
The ELITE Showcase format means practices will be held the day before each tournament at or near the tournament location.
For example, the ELITE 2025 Team will have a tournament on Saturday and Sunday in Hershey, PA. Players and coaches will arrive Thursday night or Friday morning for a Friday practice at the tournament location to prepare for the weekend games. By structuring the calendar this way, players will be able to practice and bond with their teammates before their games, while reducing travel time and costs.
How many practices will teams have each season?
Teams will have 2 practices in the fall and 1 practice in the summer the day before each corresponding tournament.
Is playing time equal on the ELITE teams?
ULTIMATE is a competitive travel program and playing time is not equal. Because we are a competitive program and focus on developing our players, playing time is typically not an issue. However, it is dependent on game situations as well as the time and effort that players are putting in outside of practice.
When is payment due for the program?
Payment is due by way of a deposit and then installment payments. The first payment is due on acceptance of your roster spot. The remaining payments will run automatically every month until the balance is paid. The full payment for the year will be due by April 1.
Payments are automatically withdrawn from your account through TeamSnap. We do not accept checks. All payments must be made through TeamSnap.
Payments should be made directly to the ULTIMATE organization. A coach and or Director should never ask you to pay them directly.
Do you offer refunds?
We do not offer refunds, and this is standard practice in the industry. Tournaments are booked 6 to 12 months in advance, and we work off a fixed budget. If a player withdraws from a program, we will not provide a refund. If a player becomes injured and is unable to compete, we will credit half of the dues for the season she is out and put them towards the next season. If a player withdraws from the club at that time, the credit will be forfeited.
Recruiting
Who assists high school players if they want to continue to play lacrosse in college?
ULTIMATE Lacrosse is one of the only clubs in the country that has multiple resources dedicated to helping high school players navigate the recruiting process. Our resources are listed below:
Maddie Dachowski, Director of Recruiting, NORTH (full-time position)
Former ULTIMATE Alumna, DI Lacrosse standout at LaSalle and former DI College Coach at Marist University
Darla Poulin, Director of Recruiting, SOUTH (part-time position)
DI leader at High Point University and former DI College Coach at High Point University
Michelle Dejuliis (DJ), Head of Recruiting + Founder of ULTIMATE (full-time position)
Hall of Famer previously at Penn State, Founder of the Women’s Professional Lacrosse League and Futures, Former USA player and Coach
Our Directors provide webinars on the overall process and regularly meet with players 1:1 throughout the recruiting process from 9th grade through 11th grade.
What can I expect from ULTIMATE Lacrosse in the recruiting process?
ULTIMATE Lacrosse is responsible for guiding players through the recruiting process. This includes hosting webinars for overall information on a seasonal basis (ie. 9th grade fall, 9th grade summer, 10th grade fall, etc.), 1:1 meetings to provide feedback and guidance on creating and editing school lists, video feedback, email feedback and playing feedback. We want our players and families to be successful and we are very hands on with the support that we provide.
What software does the club use for recruiting?
As a member of ULTIMATE Lacrosse, you will have Premium access to IWLCA Sports Recruits. This is the number one recruiting platform that NCAA Women's Lacrosse programs utilize. The platform allows our teams to have standardized communication with college coaches and we can more easily monitor the communication our players have with college coaches.
We also have a Recruiting Club Drive that includes a repository of information for our families. It includes information that helps our families navigate the recruiting process including information on clinics vs. showcase, what players should be focused on when, etc.
Do we need to purchase film at every tournament?
We offer a “White Glove” service when it comes to film. Many of the tournaments we attend include film at no cost (IWLCA Tournaments, STEPS Tournaments, and Robinson Tournaments). ULTIMATE will purchase film for the tournaments where film is not included; we split the cost amongst families. This dramatically reduces the costs i.e., $45 – 50 a tournament vs. $250 a tournament. This allows for a more cost-effective way of getting film, as well as ensuring every player who wants film has access to it.
If a player does not want the additional film, she can opt out of it.
Does ULTIMATE Lacrosse go to tournaments that college coaches attend?
At ULTIMATE Lacrosse we attend the most competitive recruiting tournaments. We tailor our tournament schedule to ensure our teams are playing in front of the best college coaches and against the best players.
Does every player need to want to play in college?
No, not every player needs to want to play in college to play at ULTIMATE Lacrosse. We develop and challenge our players to reach their full potential so that they can fully and confidently pursue a playing career in college it they want to. We give all players the tools they need but also support players in their #ultimategoal and this can include playing for fun, playing to make their high school team, and or playing in college.