Author: Enoch C. Williams

Have you heard the news? Boston College Women’s Lacrosse pulled off a jaw-dropping upset against #1 Syracuse on Thursday night, spoiling their perfect season and snatching the ACC regular season title from right under their noses! A Rocky Start for the Eagles At first, it seemed like Syracuse was going to steamroll the Eagles. After BC scored the opening goal, the Orange quickly fired back with six consecutive goals, taking a commanding lead that they held for most of the game. But BC didn’t let that get them down, as Jenn Medjid and her teammates fought back to narrow the…

You know what they say, the 125th time’s the charm! That’s certainly the case for the epic showdown between Johns Hopkins and Maryland’s lacrosse teams. The Blue Jays finally got the upper hand in this age-old rivalry with a nail-biting 12-11 win, claiming the Rivalry Trophy, a share of the Big Ten regular season title, and a bye into the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament. The 6,600 fans in attendance were on the edge of their seats throughout the whole game! A Rollercoaster of a Game It was a true game of ups and downs. Starting with a 5-4…

Your child is finally at the age where he’s old enough to strap up the pads and become a full fledged laxer, but your city doesn’t have a youth program. If you’re also looking to break into coaching, the perfect solution for the ambitious parent/former laxer is to start your own youth program. Although at first the task may seem daunting, with the right help and resources this can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for you as a parent and as a potential role model. Before you dive headfirst into laying the foundation for your town to become the…

Getting ready for your first lacrosse tryout can be a stressful time, as you may not know what to expect, or how to prepare. No worries, though, because this guide will give you peace of mind and get you ready to impress the coaching staff with your preparedness and gusto! Take note of all the necessary items and pack your bag because we’re off to tryouts. Athletic Wear First and foremost, you’re going to want athletic wear that fits you properly and that’s comfortable to run around and sweat in for a few hours a day. Leave the jeans, hoodies,…

Wing play on face-offs can complement a dominant FOGO on your team or counteract one from the opposing team. Strategically positioning your wing-men allows you to create and prevent fast breaks, determine defensive matchups before the whistle has blown, or put your team in position to control loose balls and gain possession. This area of play is often overlooked in the grand scheme of things, but it can really be a determining factor in whether your team wins or loses a close contest. This guide will examine different situations that occur on face-offs, as well as the who, where, when,…

Many lacrosse teams will at some point find themselves in a tight spot monetarily. Even the finest of treasurers can’t always stretch your money far enough. Eventually, your team is likely going to have to hold a fundraiser or three to get enough money to pay the coaches, buy uniforms, and everything in between. With the right attitude, you can make fundraising into a fun event for the kids and make a nice chunk of change for the team while you’re doing it. Here are a few good ways to raise money and keep your team running smoothly. The Classic…

A devastating extra-man offense (EMO) can be the guillotine that finishes off your opponents. Solid man-up units score on roughly 50 percent of their chances, and the ability to consistently stick shots on the man-up is just the thing to put away a pesky opponent once and for all. In order to assemble the best possible man-up unit and maximize their scoring capabilities, there are a few crucial ingredients that must be satisfied. Before breaking down the different pieces of that puzzle, here’s a list of the basic principles that should be in place for all players taking the field…

Once you’ve gotten comfortable with catching and throwing the lacrosse ball, cradling is the next essential skill you’ll need to master. Cradling is crucial to being able to move around the field while both protecting and handling the ball confidently. While it can be frustrating at first, cradling will eventually become natural. Like dribbling a basketball or soccer ball as you run, cradling is something that should be fluid with your body’s natural movements as you walk, run, or dodge with the ball in your stick. Basic Movements The basic cradling motion is a lot like doing curls while weightlifting.…

The new season is upon you. The smell of freshly cut grass lingers in the air. Players lace up new cleats and start to break in new pockets. Tryouts are here, and you’re going to have some tough decisions to make about whom to take for your squad, and how to best shape your team to make a championship run late in the season. This guide looks at ways to evaluate players fairly and accurately, having a hand in everything going on at tryouts, and how to give players bad news they don’t want to hear. Get your whistle and…

You’ve been the head coach for a few years now. Your team has steadily been improving, but just can’t get over the proverbial hump. The local big shot team has beaten your guys a couple of times in a row in the playoffs, and you and the team are ready for greater heights. From creating a culture and atmosphere of winning, to developing players properly, there are some things you can do to build up your program to the point where you are a legit championship contender. Feeder Program A huge part of becoming a top-tier team is having players…