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…
Author: Enoch C. Williams
Enoch C. Williams
Enoch is a veteran lacrosse player. He has played on the same team for 20 years, and his teammates are like family to him. He's worked hard over the last two decades to get where he is today, playing in some of the best tournaments in North America with people that have become lifelong friends. Enoch loves pushing himself physically and mentally every time he steps onto the field, knowing that if he doesn't give 100% then there's always someone else who will take his place.
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…
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…