USA lax is increasing U15 tournaments

You say playing in tournaments is great for players, so I think the State Championship playoffs would count to that end. Then, I think you give LaxFest too much credit for crowning the best team. Further, you say playing in U-15 tournments is great because the games don't count toward league standings. It seems, without playoffs, league standings don't count for much either.
I didn't want to grouse, but I think there were several better ways to reign in hypercompetitive coaches/parents without taking away the playoffs. But, as they say the fat lady has sung.

You make your point very well in your post. It seems that "crowning the best team" for 8th grade players is your main focus (most 7th graders never step on the field for the "state championship). Also, the need for league standings and playoffs are a greater value to you than more kids playing more games.

There is plenty of time for "crowning" in high school and in college. The focus on BYLW is to provide a safe, supportive environment for more kids to learn to play better lacrosse.

Just for clarity:
A "Tournament" is when a bunch of teams show up at one location and they play a couple games (pool play), then the tournament manager decides which teams play each other for the tournament play-offs. All the teams play about the same number of games, and most if not all of the players get lots of game time. One or two days total time.

Instead of disparaging LaxFest, why not spend your efforts in supporting and improving this event?

This will be my last response so I hope I get my major points across, as well as respond to your (I believe wrong) assertions.
First, last year we had a balanced team (at least half the team was 7th graders, with several starting and greatly contributing). Moreover we were competitive (made the playoffs), so I think the league has room for TEAMS of both 7th and 8th grade players in the playoffs. As for the remark this means more to me than the kids, the kids are the ones most disappointed about the lack of playoffs.
Second, the best way to get "more kids to play more games" is to grow the game to other communities, rather than rely on "tournaments" and, as another no-playoff supporter says, "add unscheduled games at the end of the season." More communities supporting the game and their own team leads to more competitive teams instead of big lacrosse organizations with multiple teams to pick the "best" players from.
In fact, I've put a lot of my time doing exactly what I just described--growing the game. Finally, I hope I did not disparage Laxfest, as I think it is a great way to culminate the season and I think the organizers make it a fun event. But I do not believe it takes the place of a State Tournament.

So while the coaches and parents are running around wreaking havoc, the hids are out there grinning from ear to ear playing the game. I guess that is wrong. My bad.

Belax, I find it amusing how you try to stir the pot and when anyone questions your position, you act put upon. If the goal is having kids enjoy playing the game, take them to the new USA LAX Tournaments.

Steve, sorry, but this is a sore subject for me. I do plan on pushing our board to allow our boys to compete in this tournament again this year. However, I thought the state tournament was a great opportunity for teams to face other teams in state that they may not have faced during the regular season. I guess I just don't understand the logic in taking additional games away from these kids, 10 games makes for a short season. They have taken away 3-4 additional weeks of play. Do they plan on extending the season? More play = better lax players. Who looses?

I agree that the kids would enjoy a longer season, but I don't think playoffs meet that goal.

Last year, out of 37 teams, only 16 made the playoffs. Half of those only got in 1 more game and only 4 teams got 2 more.

Only 2 teams got 4 more games.

If your goals are for ALL the kids to get more games, this isn't the way.

I think the lack of playoffs is likely to get MORE kids more games as coaches add unscheduled games at the end of the season (like happens a lot at the 5-6 level).

This issue is not going to be resolved by complaining on message boards. I am pleased that you plan on working toward your desired solution with the board.
Having been involved with select soccer for years before lacrosse, there is a concern about burnout and pushing all kids too far, too fast. For those driven kids that desire the opportunity to play year round, there are select lacrosse alternatives that provide year-round training and competitive tournament solutions.
I look forward to you positively pursuing your agenda. Steve