by
posted 09/05/2009 Gentlemen,
It is time to think about your 2009-10 lacrosse season and your responsibilities over the course of the Fall. Please pay attention to the following priorities.
1. Go to class, pay attention in class, do your work, AND turn it in on time. This is your single most important responsibility even if you are playing a Fall sport. Please do not come to me in February and tell me you are on academic probation, or you have night school to retake a fall class, or you have tutoring because you've fallen so far behind on your school work. I will of course prioritize your academic success but I will not be happy about it. Don't think you can put it off, do it when its due and do it as it should be done.
2. Please make sure you are running over the fall. Lacrosse is called the fastest sport on two feet for a reason. We will finish every practice with four stops, accept that as fact now and get ready for it. Its not punishment its preparation. You should be able to run 5 miles at no more than 8 minute miles. Work on it.
3. Lacrosse is also a game dependent on explosive changes of direction. Quick feet are important both offensively and defensively. You should all consider the various forms of speed and agility training out there with places like Velocity Sports, Rhino, Pure Sports Lab...or an individual trainer.
4. Lacrosse is a physical game. A supervised weightlifting program that promotes core strength would also be beneficial to all of you. Core strength will improve your ability to protect your own space and take it away from other people, it can also help your durability over the course of the season. Any physical trainer can set you up with solid program. Or you can look at places like ADAPT.
5. I do not have all our dates for the season, but please consider that the State Championship is the first weekend of June, we are likely to host WA teams here in Portland the first week of May, we will hopefully be traveling to San Fran one of the first two weekends in April, and in WA the last weekend in March. This year the early March test date could be the best one for you to shoot for from a lacrosse point of view. Please consider that in making your preparations.
6. Along these lines, the early season WA trip for the NW Challenge has been moved back to the end of March; Friday, March 26th - Sunday, March 28th. This is the last weekend of our Spring Break. Players expecting to play on the Varsity Team should consider this commitment in making Spring Break plans. You can go to their website
http://www.northwestinvitational.com for updates on who else is attending.
7. Don't let your stick collect dust, hit the wall. When you shoot on cage try shoot on the run and pay attention to form (overhand) and your off hand. Practice shooting in close, not just time and room. Bring a defenseman along and challenge them 1 v 1, or play 3 v 3. Goalies, you should be seeing shots.
8. Play in a fall and/or winter league with Rhino or Lacrosse NW.
Email me with questions or concerns.
