Saturday, May 10, 2014

Mothers Day

Hi Team,

First I would like to thank everyone for putting in the effort to make our team what it has become.  With our next game occurring on Mothers day, I would also like to acknowledge your commitments as "outstanding" as we pull a couple of hours out of a day dedicated to our matriarchs  to play the game of Lacrosse. Take a look at this interesting Sioux perspective of mothers to help embellish this special day.

It's been a little while since I've posted anything to this Blog.  So I'll do a little bit of a recap and cover some of things we've been working on at practice.

Our Lower Cape game;  A tough loss, at times we look to blame others for our own short comings.  This time we can see very clearly how an un-objective official ( working the field alone ) can cause a shift in momentum for the preferred team.  US Lacrosse wants three officials judging every game. And in  doing so you would clearly see a balance that is difficult to achieve by a single official.   It will take a lot more people willing to train and become certified before this ideal is met.  Keep it in mind maybe you could take on the role of Official?

Our Ole Rochester game; Our first tie.  From a coaching perspective this was my toughest game to keep all our players getting field time.  So on mothers day when I assign your line positions I need you the player to keep me on my toes.  "Coach it's our shift next!" would be helpful.

Our Record, 1win 3 loss 1 tie.

Practices; We've been hard at work!

  • Ground Balls; scoop through, knuckles to the ground, keep moving, head up for awareness, goosing the ball, kicking it out.
  • Attack Men; why are attacks called attacks? think about it and get back to me!
  • Grip and Rip;  We spent some time figuring out how to shoot quickly after receiving a pass.  The less time spent cradling and giving up room to the defense the higher our chances are to score.
  • Feeding and Cutting;  We've trained our triangles in the box and behind the crease.  So now we know how to get open and be ready to cut in and rip a scoring goal.
  • Pick and Roll;  Setting a pick will stifle our opponents defense and exhibit our ability to work as a team (you may hear me yelling out to a player "pick him" I assure you I'm not yelling "kick or hit him")
  • Communication; I've got ball, I've got man, Midi back, Here's your help, I've got help, Open, Slide,  Clear.
  • Clearing;  During a transition we need to focus on clearing to the wings, avoid the middle of the field. Run at high speed up the wings. Look for a ready Attack.
  • Zone Defense / Fast Break;  Playing a zone position and abandoning your man to secure the goal and sliding to the most dangerous man. Working the triangles.
  • Give and Go; More of the same from above, with emphasis on ball down recovery and passing.
  • Back to the Box; Getting our defense and midis back down field to defend the goal on a transition. 
Well kids I'll see you at 1pm Mothers Day, remember to be kind to the people in your lives, and put your heart into all your endeavors!

Coach Josh

Friday, April 25, 2014

Trilogy

3x's Trilogy,

Well Team, spring break has come to its end, two games in two days then it's back to the grind.

This week was for many of us just a normal week of going on about our business as usual, but for some there was excitement, adventure, discovery and repose.

One adventure I can speak on was of the awesome clinics put on by Trilogy Lacrosse up on the turf at Gillette Stadium.

For three days youth players from all the MBYLL supporting areas got together and practiced with the professional athletes of the Trilogy Team; Ryan BoyleMitch BelisleMatt Striebel.    
These guys were dynamic teachers who brought their game to their instruction.  They pounded on the fundamentals while providing advanced drills and skills that only hardcore laxers could provide.  If ever you have a chance to train with the Trilogy Guys I can personally recommend that you do!  


One of the things that I got from watching the clinics was the repetition of the use of communication.  As all of you know by now, one of the things I've been harping on is communication.  And that's what the professionals are advocating.  

When we finally hack into the groove of communicating I think we will find that our team will see growth that will lead to better success.  I say better success because I am enjoying the success that we are currently experiencing now.  Breaking through the communication barrier is the tool that will spike our growth as a team and as individuals.

Another bonus for me was that UFC welterweight champion Johnny Hendricks was in the house checking out Gillette, I of course said hi to him. Lucky ME :)

Last thought on todays post, think in threes.

  • 3 lines- attack-midi-defense
  • 3 players per line- center and wings
  • 3 points in a triangle- strong formations in geometry, philosophy and lacrosse
  • 3 groups-coaches, team and individual
  • 3 parts of the player- mind, body and heart
  • Thanks Trilogy Lacrosse for the fundamentals and philosophies
Thanks  To You For Reading
Coach Josh

Monday, April 14, 2014

Tough Break Fast Break

Wow,

Tough Break on the Fast Break, let's make a slide.

I'm sorry to announce for any of you whom may not know, that Dartmouth U13 beat us on our home turf this past Sunday (April 13).  8 points to our 5.  I could see the disappointment in many of your faces :(.  But fret not, you really put on a show of style and ability that made all those spectating either happy or proud.  Standing next to the sub box is a very interesting place to stand as coach.  During the game I was happy to hear the voices of the players off field expressing their support, joy and frustration for players on the field.  Your enthusiasm and focus was both invigorating and encouraging.


Dartmouth Beat us simply because of a couple of dropped ball transitions, accompanied by well executed fast breaks.  It's up to us to work on how we are gonna defend against these fast breaks.  Also we need to spend some energy looking at goosing the ball.  So when we have a dropped ball and scooping through (like in a ground ball scenario) is not an option we can redirect the ball to an attack/midi and prevent the transition.


So for Tuesdays practice you can expect to see some basics, some more basics and probably some basics, along with working the slide.  Communication is gonna be key from this point on! (as if it wasn't already).


You players should be sure and keep your heads up!  It was a tough game and everyone worked hard and put in an excellent effort!  I personally couldn't be happier to see you come together and work as a team.  All the little details that will enable a win will keep coming together with every practice and game that we put behind us.


Thanks For a Great Sunday and best wishes to Coach John L. as he undergoes surgery on his achilles tendon this Tuesday.

Hats off to all the BYL Players, their Fans and their Coaches.

Peace and Lax.

Coach Josh.


Thursday, April 10, 2014

Pre Game

Hello Team,

Are you ready? Are you focused?

Game Day Sunday at BHS at 1:30pm.  We are going up against Dartmouth on our home turf.  Remember to tell your parents that we could use volunteers for fund raising at the concession stand.  Contact Nancy O'Neil through the BYL website if you are able to help out.

Thursday's practice on the turf was an attempt to define our space as players on the field.  Working in a zone, communicating with each other and remembering our basics.  Working the slide and the ride.

If you have time look at some of the previous posts and click on the links, there are a bunch of cool videos covering the things that we're talking about at practice.  It's a useful thing to watch some games and the Pro's and the college teams in action.  Where the mind leads the body will follow.  And please feel free to forward any links you find that you might want me to share.

Guys please remember to check the schedule since we've added a game on Saturday April 26th at 10am on the home turf.

I'll see you Sunday at the school behind the field at 1pm.  We will work out positions and warm up our stick skills.

Have fun and be kind to the people around you!

Peace and Lax

Coach Josh

Sunday, April 6, 2014

First Game Win.

Congratulations Team U13 White!

I would like to congratulate you all on a job well done.
Every player worked hard for their well earned victory today.

12/8 victory over DY.

See You Tuesday.

Coach Josh

Friday, April 4, 2014

Its Game Time!!

Hey Team,

Another exciting week of practices behind us and a game fast approaching.  Finally our first game to be held at BHS on the turf Sunday April 6th at 1:30pm.  Please be ready and geared up by 1pm.  We can find a spot off turf to go over positions and warm up our goalies.

I can't wait to see you guys out there demonstrating your skills!

Remember we talked about communication and we talked about field position, (as well as a great many other things).  If you're open then let the man with possession know it!  Shout the commands "open" or "here's your help" or "I've got your help".
Lets not yell out the name of the person carrying the ball.  Just shouting the name doesn't give him the information that he needs to make a quick decision.
Playing your position and making yourself open gives you the best opportunity to get a touch and make a play.  And eventually we can develop a number of voice commands that will deliver information in a way that we will all know exactly whats going on at the same time!!

As far as positioning is concerned, you have been on one hand taught to "play your man".
But I have been trying to show you how to play your position.
Both concepts are right and there is not really a contradiction here.
If they (the opposing team) have the ball, than cover your man!
If we (U13 team white) have the ball, than play your position and get open and get vocal!

One last thing... AVOID THE SWARM!!!  No matter who has the possession of the ball it never takes the whole team to take the ball at once.
When you see all the Attack and defense piled up in a heated scrum trying to regain possession you need not join in the battle.
What you need to do is get yourself in a position to be open for a pass, or prepared to ride the opposing team and clear the attack!

A few terms that you here all the time but may not know the meanings of;

CLEAR- Getting the ball away from an attack and out of your defensive zone.
RIDE- Cover a defensive player, don't let them clear. 
MAN BALL- Back to communication.  Two players go for a loose or ground ball. One player calls "I've got ball" the other "I've got man".  One picks up the ball while the other defends the scoop by pushing of opposing "man" team players.

I gotta get going for now team, I can't wait to see you on sunday.

BHS has a varsity home game today Friday, April 4 at 4pm.  Try and make it if you can.

Parents please check out the need of BYL for parent volunteers for home games.  There has been an e-mail sent and BYL board member Nancy Oneil. She is looking for your support!  

For All Your Hard Work,
THANK YOU.

Coach Josh





Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Tuesday Practice, Chaos Reigns Supreme!

Chaos Shmaos!

Things can't always go as planned.  And this is true on many fronts.

Today as I arrived early to practice I was excited to see BHS freshman lacrosse playing against Sandwich High (on our field).  Cool I thought for a brief moment, until I discovered that there was still more than a 1/4 of game time to play.  The BHS track team owned the track and field,  and BHS freshman baseball had the u9 field all tied up.  So we shifted gears and found a spot tucked away in a corner and had our practice.

I had worked out a practice plan that never saw the light of day.  This is not desirable! Yet it is quite fine.  After all this is life.   And this is the kind of thing that will end up happening in various capacities though out life on a regular basis.  Fortunately with the help of the other coaches we managed to get in a pretty solid practice.

Well it's late and there is little time for me to work on this post.  So I'll be brief, Yes team, Thursday we can scrimmage.  We sadly missed our game on Sunday due to foul weather and a flooded field, we've been jammed into field corners tighter than the crease.  And every practice you've made the request.  So, finally you will get a scrimmage, this Thursday at six pm.

So come to practice well hydrated and ready for action, we will work positioning for the first portion of practice and then we can have a chance to try them out.

Warm Regards

Coach Josh