Author: Enoch C. Williams

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…

Yes, your son did just get whacked with a titanium stick. Yes, that’s legal in this game. No, you can’t run down on the field and give him a piece of your mind! Watching your child play lacrosse for the first time can be a confusing or even scary experience if you don’t know what to expect going in. The game is very fast and there is a lot of rough, physical contact in ways that may get your child in big trouble if performed anywhere off the field. If you’re used to watching soccer or baseball, then this will…

As a lacrosse player, I can tell you that a successful offense is the backbone of any winning team. Coaches have to make the all-important decision of whether to adopt a lightning-fast, run-and-gun style or take a more cautious, slow-and-deliberate approach. And of course, there’s always the option to strike a balance between the two. In this article, I’ll dive into the pros and cons of these varying offensive strategies and share my experiences as a player. Solving the Offensive Puzzle A solid offense hinges on having at least one player on the field who can consistently break through the…