SPARKS, Md. — The fastest game on two feet is getting faster.
That’s the perspective from members of the U.S. Girls' U15 Youth National Team after playing the sixes format of lacrosse Friday in the Brogden Cup.
“It’s a very fast pace and you have to adjust,” said Mackenzie Klammer of West Hampton Beach, N.Y., who tallied a game-high six goals and three assists in USA’s 27-8 opening win over Canada. “But I think a lot of the girls are enjoying it and having fun.”
The pace of the game, fueled by a 30-second possession clock and no draws after goals, leaves little time to recover from missteps. Too much thinking leaves you behind.
“There’s no time to think about it if you make a mistake,” said Avah Robinson, who added four goals in the USA’s opening game victory.
Both players had their first sixes experience and likened the style of play to another sport that they know.
“The up-and-down style and having to play both offense and defense is a lot like basketball,” Robinson said. “I like the fast play and the overall speed.”
The adjustment to the quicker sixes tempo should get easier as players become more familiar with the format, which will be used at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“These are some different concepts and the kids have to absorb them quickly,” said Darcy Messina, head coach of the U15 girls' team as well as St. Anthony’s (N.Y.). “Sixes certainly is the future, and having these girls get this experience now is valuable. Coachability is a big factor for them as they are adapting.”
The 24-player USA U15 squad features girls from the high school classes of 2029, 2030 and 2031, and includes athletes from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.
Regardless of location, the sixes experience is new to virtually all.
“One of the main adjustments they have to make is off-ball movement because if there is no fast break, they tend to stand,” said Hall of Famer Lisa Lindley, head coach at Darien (Conn.) High School and an assistant with the U15 squad. “As coaches, we’re trying to get them to incorporate more two-man game. Let’s pick for the ball or cut through and create space.”
Messina views the freeform aspect of the sixes game as a big selling point. “I think the beauty of sixes is that it’s like back yard play,” she said. “A controlled freelance will set up the team for success.”
The Brogden Cup is a tournament featuring the U15, U17 and U19 boys' and girls' teams from USA Lacrosse, Lacrosse Canada and the Haudenosaunee Nationals. It started with eight sixes games played among split U15 squads Friday at USA Lacrosse. U.S. teams combined to go 7-0.
All three age groups will be in action Saturday at USA Lacrosse and nearby St. Paul's (Md.), as the event moves to the traditional field discipline. Teams will be seeded for championship play Sunday.
Goalies Embrace Sixes Challenge
With a shorter field, fewer players, no faceoffs after goals and generally a faster pace of play, most of the U.S. U15 boys had their first exposure to sixes Thursday.
Even the players that do the least running on the field – the goalies – had to adapt to the unfamiliar format.
“It’s really fast and there’s a lot of shots, which means I get hit a lot, and that’s not fun,” goalie Jacob Tenenbaum said. “The biggest adjustment is definitely getting up after a goal is scored and clearing the ball quickly. You have to reset mentally after every goal.”
Christian Caldroney, a second-year U.S. Youth National Team athlete who attends IMG Academy in Florida, shared Friday’s goalkeeping duties with Tanenbaum and said the reduced field size was a significant adjustment.
“Sixes is harder than the field game because everything is compact and all the shots are from closer in,” he said. “You have to stay engaged because you’re seeing so many more shots.”
As in the traditional field game, goalies must still help direct the defense in addition to making saves.
“You have to talk through picks and off ball stuff, where in the field game we’re talking more about slides,” Caldroney said. “Either way, you still have to be communicating.”
Despite the heavier shot volume aimed in his direction, Tanenbaum came away impressed with the sixes format.
“I liked it,” he said. “I really liked the pace of play, and it’s awesome to be here and represent our country.”
Brogden Cup Results
Friday, Sept. 25 (Sixes)
U15 Boys
USA 28, Canada 9
USA 24, Canada 13
USA 15, Haudenosaunee 2
USA 18, Haudenosaunee 3
U15 Girls
USA 22, Canada 12
USA 28, Canada 8
USA 34, Haudenousaunee 2
Canada 25, Haudenosaunee 7