Hey Team,
For the eleven of you who made it to Saturday's 8am practice I want to say GREAT JOB!!!! This was a non-mandatory practice and I realize that many of you had other responsibilities that prevented attendance. It's okay. To the Coaches that joined in the fun, there will be monuments erected in your honor!
If you weren't there, this is what you missed; The weather!!! Wow what a morning. Pulling into the parking lot of BHS at 7:40am was a little creepy. There was a thick bank of fog shrouding the bleachers and out on the turf, alone in the mist, was the silhouette of a lone Lacrosse Player with a bag of balls, working his shooting skills on the net. At first, Wyatt and I thought is was an ancestral ghost of the game. But as we approached we were thrilled to see it was our good friend Andrew working a sweat in the sunny haze of a warm and windless morning.
As the players tricked in promptly at eight, eight o'five, eight o'6, eight o'eight.....(with the exception of Player #2 who was ready for action by 7:50am) We took to the turf, a quick slightly unenthusiastic warm up, a move into some foot work (by now the blood started pumping). On to passing and shooting drills. Followed by 1v.1 with shots on the net. From 1v.1 we transitioned into 3 v. 2 sideways in 1/2 of the restraining box. A quick water break to replenish, since all were in full sweat, still no wind and the sun melting back the fog, not a more beautiful morning could be asked for. From there we launched into a bit of a scrimmage. A couple of penalty calls and a lot of fun!
Warm Up: Warm ups are dynamic, not static. We do this to loosen the muscles and circulate the blood. The motions we demonstrate are useful in our Lacrosse play. This is key to preventing injury. I'm often telling you to bounce, like a fighter ready in the ring before his fight. This charges and loads the the body with energy and keeps the body limber and prepared for action.
Foot Work: Always work on foot work. Steps in all directions, head up, apply stick skills to increase the value of your work.
Passing and Shooting: This when working with another player includes catching. But working this skill alone is very doable. Work your off hand 50% of the time. If not 50% then 60%. Action reaction method is applied to shooting and passing. Push with the top hand and pull with the bottom hand working dynamically together for power. Pointing elbow and shoulder to your target. Receiving Player is to provide a target by putting the head of your stick in the "box position" verbally communicating with the "open" command.
1 v. 1: This drill was fun and essential. we applied the footwork drill with an opponent. Remember the things we focused on. Not letting the Attack beat our defense, staying between the ball and the net, moving the attack away from the center. Shooting skills were worked as well in this drill. Shooting "over the top" right team? Remember what advise our friend Andrew gave us about defending here. The Tufts play off game scenario. (watch this if you have time! The reference that Andrew shared with us is at minuet 13:00, replay @ 26:10).
3 v. 2: Pass Pass Pass. We did this sideways drill confined in 1/2 of the restraing box. This is real life lacrosse. What we wanted to focus on here was drawing-pulling the defense to the ball and opening up an attack/midi for a pass. More on this tuesday! (I promise).
Scrimmage: This was just us having Fun right? Wrong! Sure it was fun, but whether you knew it or not, I was proud to see you moving about the field using the most important skill of communication. "I've got ball" "I've got back" "open". We don't just shout out the ball carriers name, but we give him information that will help him to make a decision.
Well that wraps up today's post. I've added the links to it. Remember to use the links on the previous posts and work on your cradling (top heavy) both dominant and off hands. See you Tuesday hydrated and ready for action.
Peace and Lax,
Coach Josh
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Third Practice, Five days until GAME DAY!
Hey Team,
Well here we are three practices in, so much ground covered and still just at the beginning of our journey!
We're being threatened by an early spring storm with some meteorological balderdash claiming up to 18" of snow! Keep an eye on the BYL website for possible practice cancelations.
Thanks go out to U15 for giving us the turf for practice today! What fun it is to play on a field with lines and markings. It's our first view of what our game day field will look like. Remember to email your confirmation to the BYL website. I got verbal feedback from the team, and I will post logistics on this blog tomorrow for the trip to nantucket.
Today I had a chance to speak with most of the players about what positions they wanted to focus on this season. It's a great metric to gauge their positions, however I will be busy about encouraging them to play the whole field whenever possible. At this age the kids should take advantage of trying out every role on the field and remain open minded to their possibilities. At this age they are really just at the beginning of a long and exciting lax career, with ample opportunity.
Attack!!!!! That was the bulk of the teams idea of positioning! Ha ha, who doesn't love the idea of being in front of the goal ready to score the winning shot!
Midfielders or 'Midi's'!!! A strong second preference. Have your lungs and legs ready because you are gonna need 'em. This is the running mans position, as well as the important roll of FOGO. Don't forget what we covered in face of drills today, with the threat of snow we may not see another practice before game day and this skill is well needed. I saw good promise and strong wills at practice today. I am happy to say that we have what it takes to win a face off!
Defense! So, not many of you have an interest in playing defense. Well one day you might, what an exciting position! This is a part of the team that has little opportunity to score winning goals, does that sound boring? How about stopping and advance from the opposing team, communicating with your Goalie, clearing the ball and being an essential cog in the gear work of a well oiled machine.
Goalie, yes it's true there are few who walk this path. I'm happy to say that we have a player who is up for the task, and at least one other who is interested in a part time roll as such. I encourage you all to dig deep inside and look to see if there is a goalie in you. Mostly I want you to try this role out for a bit and enjoy the perspective of a wall that will stand through the fiercest battering. By standing in the crease you will see the game in a way that is truly unique.
Well Kiddos, Thanks for checking in! Please take the time to use your parents' laptops and youtube the positions that you want to be. Look for explanations of the roles of these players. There is lots to learn and little time to learn it. Do some homework and bring to practice the things you learn.
With Much Respect,
Peace and LAX,
Coach Josh
Well here we are three practices in, so much ground covered and still just at the beginning of our journey!
We're being threatened by an early spring storm with some meteorological balderdash claiming up to 18" of snow! Keep an eye on the BYL website for possible practice cancelations.
Thanks go out to U15 for giving us the turf for practice today! What fun it is to play on a field with lines and markings. It's our first view of what our game day field will look like. Remember to email your confirmation to the BYL website. I got verbal feedback from the team, and I will post logistics on this blog tomorrow for the trip to nantucket.
Today I had a chance to speak with most of the players about what positions they wanted to focus on this season. It's a great metric to gauge their positions, however I will be busy about encouraging them to play the whole field whenever possible. At this age the kids should take advantage of trying out every role on the field and remain open minded to their possibilities. At this age they are really just at the beginning of a long and exciting lax career, with ample opportunity.
Attack!!!!! That was the bulk of the teams idea of positioning! Ha ha, who doesn't love the idea of being in front of the goal ready to score the winning shot!
Midfielders or 'Midi's'!!! A strong second preference. Have your lungs and legs ready because you are gonna need 'em. This is the running mans position, as well as the important roll of FOGO. Don't forget what we covered in face of drills today, with the threat of snow we may not see another practice before game day and this skill is well needed. I saw good promise and strong wills at practice today. I am happy to say that we have what it takes to win a face off!
Defense! So, not many of you have an interest in playing defense. Well one day you might, what an exciting position! This is a part of the team that has little opportunity to score winning goals, does that sound boring? How about stopping and advance from the opposing team, communicating with your Goalie, clearing the ball and being an essential cog in the gear work of a well oiled machine.
Goalie, yes it's true there are few who walk this path. I'm happy to say that we have a player who is up for the task, and at least one other who is interested in a part time roll as such. I encourage you all to dig deep inside and look to see if there is a goalie in you. Mostly I want you to try this role out for a bit and enjoy the perspective of a wall that will stand through the fiercest battering. By standing in the crease you will see the game in a way that is truly unique.
Well Kiddos, Thanks for checking in! Please take the time to use your parents' laptops and youtube the positions that you want to be. Look for explanations of the roles of these players. There is lots to learn and little time to learn it. Do some homework and bring to practice the things you learn.
With Much Respect,
Peace and LAX,
Coach Josh
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Second Practice U13 Team White
Team,
Thanks so much for giving it your all for our second practice. It seems the first day of spring brought us great lacrosse weather and with the thaw came the mud. Don't be fooled though… cold days lay ahead and warm clothing should be brought to practice in any event.
Well, none of the players accepted the R.O.O.T.S. acronym challenge (see first blog post) and I was able to keep all of the rewards for myself. I will at this point provide for you another one of the letter meanings in this essential acronym, O is for opponents. Opponents are enemies right? No!!!! The team opponents are V.I.P.'s or very important people! Think about it this way, without opposing teams there would be no game. There would be no competition. There would be no excitement. We owe an equal amount of respect for the teams that we come up against as we do for each other. So now you have a good portion of the acronym solved, bring me the rest and enjoy a reward!
So something else to bring to practice next tuesday is a goal that you have in mind for the season, what is it that you want from the game this year? Score your first goal, make a big transition during an offensive strike? Maybe you want to improve your single hand cradling in your off hand? Or maybe you want to play goalie for one quarter per game! You tell me, I wanna know!
Some things we worked on in practice today;
1. Equal Pressure Drill; Hogans Lacrosse-butt to butt. (boxing out the opponent)
2. Passing and catching, the push and pull of the pass, the give with the catch.
3. Off hand passing and catching. Passing and catching over the shoulder.
4. Give and Go Drill.
5. Alley Drills- cradling and dodging in the wings.
6. Ground balls with sprinting and scooping.
Remember guys, communication is the key to team work, remember to talk to each other while out on the field, "I've got ball", "I've got man", "open", "release". These and many other key communication terms will give us an advantage when we are out in the scrum.
Have a great weekend, be kind to your family and we will see you tuesday at 5pm well hydrated and ready for the weather.
Peace and Lax,
Coach Josh
Thanks so much for giving it your all for our second practice. It seems the first day of spring brought us great lacrosse weather and with the thaw came the mud. Don't be fooled though… cold days lay ahead and warm clothing should be brought to practice in any event.
Well, none of the players accepted the R.O.O.T.S. acronym challenge (see first blog post) and I was able to keep all of the rewards for myself. I will at this point provide for you another one of the letter meanings in this essential acronym, O is for opponents. Opponents are enemies right? No!!!! The team opponents are V.I.P.'s or very important people! Think about it this way, without opposing teams there would be no game. There would be no competition. There would be no excitement. We owe an equal amount of respect for the teams that we come up against as we do for each other. So now you have a good portion of the acronym solved, bring me the rest and enjoy a reward!
So something else to bring to practice next tuesday is a goal that you have in mind for the season, what is it that you want from the game this year? Score your first goal, make a big transition during an offensive strike? Maybe you want to improve your single hand cradling in your off hand? Or maybe you want to play goalie for one quarter per game! You tell me, I wanna know!
Some things we worked on in practice today;
1. Equal Pressure Drill; Hogans Lacrosse-butt to butt. (boxing out the opponent)
2. Passing and catching, the push and pull of the pass, the give with the catch.
3. Off hand passing and catching. Passing and catching over the shoulder.
4. Give and Go Drill.
5. Alley Drills- cradling and dodging in the wings.
6. Ground balls with sprinting and scooping.
Remember guys, communication is the key to team work, remember to talk to each other while out on the field, "I've got ball", "I've got man", "open", "release". These and many other key communication terms will give us an advantage when we are out in the scrum.
Have a great weekend, be kind to your family and we will see you tuesday at 5pm well hydrated and ready for the weather.
Peace and Lax,
Coach Josh
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
First Practice U13 Team White
Well Team,
Thank you all for a very exciting and frigid first practice.
I would like to start this post by giving a special thanks to the volunteer coaches that really made it possible for the team to get some solid training in today, Coach Matt, Coach John and visiting Coach Nick great job today! This team effort is what our players need to learn and have fun, you guys made it a great first practice. Also visiting appearances from BYL President Coach Phil.
There are a few important things to consider for our second practice.
1. Based on the weather, let us dress for a frigid cold practice! Dry socks and lots of layers. There is no need for pads on thursday, we will simply focus on 'no contact' drills. Be sure to have cups, helmet, gloves and mouth pieces (We can work scrimmaging next week).
2. Players who know the acronym R.O.O.T.S. and its meaning will win a prize. BYL in conjunction with the governing body, US Lacrosse, focuses on these tenets. Players, parents, coaches and officials' understanding of this philosophy will help us reach our commitments this 2014 season.
3. Self, I'll give you the 'S' in R.O.O.T.S. . SELF identifies with the importance of each individual player. There are 22 players on the team and every individual is essential to our sports success. In the mad dash of all of us working together, it is important that no one gets lost in the shuffle. If the needs of the player are not being met please contact me, it is my priority that every one learns and has fun as an individual and as a team player. It is important that we all show up for practice well hydrated, prepared with proper equipment, warm clothing and a "ready-focus" attitude. (ask your kids, "ready-focus!")
Some of the things covered in todays practice: Throwing, Catching, Cradling, Scooping.
Key words/phrases to listen for: box position, give with the stick, follow through, head up, scoop-through, scrape your knuckles, over the top, off hand.
Key Communications: "ready-focus", "I've got ball", "I've got man", "open", "release". (more explanations to come)
Thank You Everyone for Participating,
We will see you Thursday 5 o'clock.
Peace and Lax
Coach Josh
Thank you all for a very exciting and frigid first practice.
I would like to start this post by giving a special thanks to the volunteer coaches that really made it possible for the team to get some solid training in today, Coach Matt, Coach John and visiting Coach Nick great job today! This team effort is what our players need to learn and have fun, you guys made it a great first practice. Also visiting appearances from BYL President Coach Phil.
There are a few important things to consider for our second practice.
1. Based on the weather, let us dress for a frigid cold practice! Dry socks and lots of layers. There is no need for pads on thursday, we will simply focus on 'no contact' drills. Be sure to have cups, helmet, gloves and mouth pieces (We can work scrimmaging next week).
2. Players who know the acronym R.O.O.T.S. and its meaning will win a prize. BYL in conjunction with the governing body, US Lacrosse, focuses on these tenets. Players, parents, coaches and officials' understanding of this philosophy will help us reach our commitments this 2014 season.
3. Self, I'll give you the 'S' in R.O.O.T.S. . SELF identifies with the importance of each individual player. There are 22 players on the team and every individual is essential to our sports success. In the mad dash of all of us working together, it is important that no one gets lost in the shuffle. If the needs of the player are not being met please contact me, it is my priority that every one learns and has fun as an individual and as a team player. It is important that we all show up for practice well hydrated, prepared with proper equipment, warm clothing and a "ready-focus" attitude. (ask your kids, "ready-focus!")
Some of the things covered in todays practice: Throwing, Catching, Cradling, Scooping.
Key words/phrases to listen for: box position, give with the stick, follow through, head up, scoop-through, scrape your knuckles, over the top, off hand.
Key Communications: "ready-focus", "I've got ball", "I've got man", "open", "release". (more explanations to come)
Thank You Everyone for Participating,
We will see you Thursday 5 o'clock.
Peace and Lax
Coach Josh
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)