This fall, Henry Youth Lacrosse is running Sixes Lacrosse for the second year with our middle school boys — and for the first time ever, we’re expanding the program to include high school boys. Registration is open now, and if you’re new to the sport (or new to “Sixes”), here’s what it is and why we keep coming back to it.
What Is Sixes Lacrosse?
Sixes is a newer, faster version of lacrosse built for smaller rosters and smaller fields. Instead of the traditional 10-a-side game, two teams of six (five field players plus a goalie) play on a compact field with a running shot clock. Games move in four short quarters, and teams only face off at the start of each quarter — after a goal, the goalie simply grabs the ball and restarts play immediately. There’s no standing around waiting for the next faceoff; you score, and you’re already back on defense.
World Lacrosse created the format a few years ago specifically to make the sport easier to pick up, more accessible for growing lacrosse communities, and more competitively balanced. It worked well enough that Sixes was selected as the format for lacrosse’s return to the Olympics — it will make its Olympic debut at the LA Games in 2028. We’ll be playing under World Sixes / PLL Junior rules this fall, with one popular addition: the two-point arc, which rewards long-range shooting and adds another layer of strategy for our players to learn.
If you’ve watched basketball go from five-on-five halfcourt sets to fast-break, three-point-heavy play, you have a decent sense of what Sixes feels like compared to traditional field lacrosse.
Why We’re Playing It: Local, Convenient, and More Playing Time
The biggest reason we run Sixes locally is roster size. Traditional lacrosse rosters need 20-plus players to field a team, which is a tall order in an area where the sport is still growing. Sixes needs just six players on the field at a time, which means we can take our pool of local players and split them into multiple teams that can scrimmage and play games right here at home.
That’s a big shift from years past, when our teams often had to travel all over Metro Atlanta on weekends chasing games against clubs big enough to field a full roster. Sixes lets us flip that: instead of driving an hour-plus each way for a single game, families can play close to home, save their weekends, and still get meaningful competition.
Smaller rosters and smaller fields also mean more touches for every player. There’s no riding the bench on a 10-man unit — with only six players on the field, everyone plays significant minutes, handles the ball, and gets real reps on both ends of the field. For players who are still learning the game, that repetition matters far more than watching from the sideline.
And for us as an organization, that’s exactly the point. Growing lacrosse in our community means giving more kids the chance to actually play the game locally, not just hear about it. Sixes is how we do that.
Beyond the local scheduling benefits, Sixes stands on its own as a great format for developing players — which is a big part of why it’s caught on everywhere from youth leagues to the pros to the Olympics:
- It’s fast and skill-building. With fewer players on a smaller field, kids get the ball more often, in tighter spaces, with less time to think. That forces faster decision-making, sharper stick skills, and better field awareness — the kind of reps that translate directly to becoming a better all-around player.
- It’s more balanced and fair. The shot clock and restart rules keep the ball moving and prevent one team (or one player) from just holding possession and running out the clock. Everyone gets more chances to touch the ball and make plays.
- It’s easier to follow if you’re new to the sport. Fewer players, a smaller field, and constant action make it much easier for new fans, parents, and players to pick up the flow of the game — which matters a lot in a community where lacrosse is still catching on.
- It’s fun. Ask any player who’s tried both — Sixes games tend to be higher-scoring, faster-paced, and just plain more exciting to play and watch than a traditional set-heavy field lacrosse game.
- It’s the future of the sport at the highest level. With Sixes debuting at the 2028 LA Olympics, kids who grow up playing this format are learning the same style of game they’ll see played on the world’s biggest stage.
Want To Join Us For Sixes?
Teams are forming now. Visit “Programs” for more information on our Fall Sixes League and Elementary Teams for this fall. Thanks!
Fall 2026 Sixes Champs
Fall 2026 Sixes Runners Up
