Author: Enoch C. Williams

The time leading up to a game is very valuable for coaches to mentally and physically prepare their players to compete at a high level. Coaches need to ensure that their players are mentally focused heading into the game. From the physical standpoint, players need to be properly stretched and have the cobwebs knocked off the sticks before they step onto the field for game time. Let’s take a look at a good pre-game routine for your team of any age level. Stretching From a physical standpoint, stretching is the most important thing your team should do before a game.…

Knowing how to string a head is one of the most important skills a laxer can have. It gives you the ability to string a stick to throw any way you please instead of having to use a factory stringing job, or rely on teammates or coaches to string your sticks. The best way to perfect your stringing is to first take an old head that’s no longer in use and unstring it, being careful to keep as many of the old strings intact as possible. This guide will teach you how to string a head with a mesh pocket…

Transition offense doesn’t always present itself in the form of a fast break. Sometimes, goals are scored in what is known as a slow break. Slow breaks occur when the defensive players running down the field are able to beat the offensive ones into position and stop the fast-break transition opportunity by the offense. The offensive players can still cash in on the transition chance by moving their feet, moving the ball quickly and preying on defenders who fall asleep for even a second or two. Here’s a closer look at ways to have success on the slow break… A…

Helping kids grow from boys to men. That’s the goal when working with the little guys. Coaching youth lacrosse can be a very gratifying thing, provided you have patience and a good (or childish) sense of humor. A huge part of helping kids develop into top flight players at the high school and college levels is instilling good fundamental skill sets at the lower levels of play. This guide will take a look at the how-to’s of some basic and fun skill building drills for young players. As a coach, you should place a big emphasis on having your players…

Lacrosse has long been referred to as “The Little Brother of War” by Native North-Americans who originated the game, and also by many old-school players and fans. Part of what draws people to lacrosse is the violence and fast-paced, hard-hitting action so inherent in the sport. As a player, your own health and safety (as well as your teammates’ and opponents’) should be valued highly, so make sure to take appropriate steps to avoid injury and stay on the field where you can really help your team. There are things you can do both on and off the field to…

With the professional ranks being so thin, playing college lacrosse is essentially the ultimate achievement for a standout high school laxer. All the best players dream of suiting up at Homewood Field for Hopkins, or ballin’ in the Carrier Dome for Syracuse. Obviously, getting looks from these schools takes a certain level of natural athleticism, but there are other ways to get noticed by the top coaches and schools. While most schools do not offer full athletic scholarships for lacrosse, some do, and others are happy to give partial scholarships for a standout student-athlete. Be proactive in getting your name…

Buried on the bench. Riding the pine. Benchwarmer. Those aren’t exactly terms of endearment. Earning a starting spot can be one of the tougher challenges you’ll face in your lacrosse career. Some players are simply handed spots based on athleticism and the potential that they could become great players, while others have to work extremely hard to crack the starting lineup. If you find yourself on the outside of the starting lineup looking in, there are a few simple and straightforward things you can do to improve your stock in the eyes of your coaches. Crave Consistency Nothing frustrates a…

Not that you need to be a magician, but sometimes every laxer is going to have to pull a rabbit out of his hat. Be ready to reach into your bag of tricks and make a little magic happen in a tight spot. There are some items that are absolute must-haves, and should find their way into your gear bag sooner rather than later. You inevitably will encounter some setbacks with your equipment during the course of the season, so you’ll need to be prepared to deal with any sudden sticky situations you might find yourself in. Let’s take a…

Moving up to a higher level of lacrosse means you have to be able to adjust to the pronounced differences in the game. Bigger, faster, stronger players dominate the college landscape with much more frequency than what you might’ve seen in your high school league. At the high school level, players can get away with not having their game totally refined, and many can get by on natural athleticism. College is a whole different animal, though. As long as you possess a certain amount of skill and/or athleticism, Work ethic and dedication to the game are what can take you…

Nothing ever comes easy. As a coach, most games will present you with the challenge of how to prepare your team to handle certain scenarios or circumstances. Players must know what strategic approaches to take in every situation. Take time in practice to discuss with your team the various scenarios that may play out during a game, and how they should be handled. After all, you can’t be out on the field to make the plays, so the guys who are need to know exactly what you want them to do. Playing Against a Superior Opponent David vs. Goliath, Giants…