Lacrosse & Cello

My youngest son wasn't aggressive enough in his past lacrosse game. So did I yell him? Did I curse at him (which I would never do)? No... I threatened him with an hour of cello practice. :)

Don't tell my wife as the cello is her favorite kid activity. Of course, it is not my sons' favorite activity!

After the cello threat, he went out and scored three goals & had two assists in his travel game.

So the next time your little guy is too passive... bring out the evil cello!

Will
Beginner Lacrosse.com

When playing defense - Do you like a wide lax head or a narrow head?

When playing defense - Do you like a wide lax head or a narrow head?

Please answer the poll below and help other defensemen.




Will
BeginnerLacrosse.com

One Hand Passing & Catching Lacrosse Drills

My boys & I work on our stick skills and arm strength by doing one hand passing & catching lacrosse drills. These drills also build great hand-eye coordination and help you to grab those errant game passes... those that are almost out of reach.

So if you are bored with your regular wall ball drills, try using only one hand to hold your lacrosse stick and catch a pass. Begin by holding the stick in the middle of the shaft. For a more advanced drill, you can try holding the stick at the bottom of the shaft (tougher to hold but more realistic for snagging errant passes).

Will
BeginnerLacrosse.com

Preseason Training for Spring Lacrosse

It is that time of the year! Time to sign up for Jan-March "preseason" lax sessions in order to prep for the regular Spring lacrosse.

So if you want your child to shake off any lax rust before the regular season, you should search your local area for any Jan-March offerings NOW... especially, if your son has been focusing on other sports and hasn't picked up a lacrosse stick since last season.

Will
BeginnerLacrosse.com
http://www.beginnerlacrosse.com
  

Fall Lacrosse Tournaments

If your child can't get enough lacrosse in the fall off-season, check with your coach or lax association to see if there any local tournaments that your child can attend.

In our neck of the words (CT), there are the typical large travel tournaments for the "elite" fall lacrosse teams. Nevertheless, there are also many local one-off events (i.e. 7v7 lax tournaments, box lacrosse tournaments, etc.) which are fun, near-by and low cost.

There is always a lacrosse game going on if you look around!

Will
BeginnerLacrosse.com
http://www.BeginnerLacrosse.com

Two Man Two Ball Lacrosse Drill

Here is a great lacrosse drill for quick reaction training in order to improve your lacrosse stick skills - Two Man Two Ball Passing Drill.

Have two kids facing each other, each kid with a ball and then have them start passing to one another at the same time (so both balls are in the air at the same time).

This will teach them to pass accurately and then quickly re-focus on catching. This is a good hand-eye coordination drill for lacrosse.

It is also a fun drill because kids will laugh when their balls collide mid-air or when they have to "dodge" a ball because they forgot to quickly change their attention from the thrown ball to the incoming ball! :)

Will
BeginnerLacrosse.com
http://www.BeginnerLacrosse.com

At what age should boys play summer travel/tournament lacrosse?

At what age should boys play summer travel/tournament lacrosse (in order to prepare for college recruiting)? Should they play summer lacrosse when they are young so they are used to the summer lacrosse tournament "lifestyle"? Should they play only when they reach high school lacrosse in order to save money and enjoy their summers? Please answer the poll below to help lacrosse parents.

Answers should be focused on maximizing a kid's lacrosse development and recruiting success. Also feel free to leave a comment about this subject.



Will
Beginner Lacrosse.com
http://www.BeginnerLacrosse.com

Positional Lacrosse Clinics - Attack, Defense & Goalie

As your son progresses in lacrosse, you should look for positional clinics. These are programs where the coaches focus mainly on the skills needed for a specific position (i.e. attackman, middie, defenseman, face-off specialist or goalie).

When he is young, your son will benefit from the typical all-round training programs offered by most lacrosse camps and clinics. However, when he is more skilled and has settled into a lacrosse "speciality", he should look for more appropriate skills-based training. For example, a defenseman is unlikely to need much face-off training.

Many lacrosse schools offer sporadic positional clinics so you need to keep your eyes open (as they are very infrequent in our neck of the woods). You can also ask older lacrosse kids (or local coaches) to give your son tips for playing his favorite position.

Will
Beginner Lacrosse.com
http://www.beginnerlacrosse.com

Save Money On Lacrosse Balls

We have added a page where you can get great deals on used lacrosse balls - http://beginnerlacrosse.com/lacrosse-equipment-used-balls.asp

New lacrosse balls cost $2-3 each and your son will lose tons of balls while practicing. Therefore, consider buying used lacrosse balls to save some money.

Will
BeginnerLacrosse.com
http://www.beginnerlacrosse.com

Lacrosse & Back To School

The lazy days of summer are almost over and it is time to go back to school. It is also time for serious lacrosse players (and their families) to sign-up for fall lacrosse clinics.

So while the average lacrosse player is playing football and his lacrosse stick is moldering in the closet, the kids who want to be stars in the Spring are going fall lacrosse programs. Check with your local lacrosse association or coaches to find fall programs near you. 

For example, our town runs a very limited fall program. In addition, local sports facilities are offering a variety of courses (but they are also more expensive). There are even nearby lacrosse leagues and box lacrosse options. So look around and you should be able to find a program that you can fit into your family's busy schedule. If you are still too swamped by kid's homework and school activities, you can always find a good wall and get your son to practice wall ball on a regular weekly basis. 

Will

BeginnerLacrosse.com

http://www.BeginnerLacrosse.com

Lacrosse "Swag"

For many kids, the best part of a lacrosse summer camp is the "swag". This is the prizes that are given out at the end of the day or at the end of the week. The prizes are awarded due to either by winning various raffles or winning contests (i.e. fastest shot competitions).

Most camps usually offer t-shirts and hats as the usual swag. They also reserve a few gloves, sticks, etc. as the grand prizes. Nevertheless, kids can win some great stuff. For example, at one camp this summer, my youngest son won a lacrosse helmet and my older son won a defensive long pole. As a parent, I was pleased by this swag because the boys were so excited about their prizes... and because these prizes helped to "reduce" the cost of the camp. :)

So while you are looking for the best instructional lacrosse summer camps, your kids will be looking for camps that are fun and have lots of swag!

Will
Beginner Lacrosse.com
http://www.BeginnerLacrosse.com

Lacrosse Goalie Clears

On my son's spring lacrosse team, we had a very good goalie. He often made miraculous saves... but he needed to work on his clears.

After he made a save, he was very deliberate. He slowly circled behind the net and then looked for an open man. However, by the time he was ready to make a clear, everyone was covered .

In lacrosse, you need to make clears quickly when your opponents are unsettled (and your teammates are still open). Don't give your opponents time to switch from their offensive mentality (where they are trying to create space) to a defensive mentality (where they are looking to ride your teammates).

Get rid of the ball! Passing is always the fastest method for getting a ball up field. Develop your transition game and take advantage of unsettled situations.

Will
BeginnerLacrosse.com
http://www.beginnerlacrosse.com

Best Lacrosse Gloves & More

Just bought a top-rated pair of lacrosse gloves for one of my sons. The regular price was $165 and I got them for around $40.

I know it is months before regular spring lacrosse but do you think that lacrosse retailers will be discounting things when we get closer to spring lacrosse? :) You should look through the Closeout Section at Lacrosse Monkey as you can find some great savings on many brand new lacrosse items (i.e. gloves, shafts, heads, cleats, etc.). Many lacrosse retailers are clearing out their inventory so they can order newer models... and this results in some great savings on select lacrosse items.

Also look at the front page of Lacrosse Monkey to find additional sales coupons that you can apply to the clearance prices.

On caveat, check the sizes as the assortments are not available in all sizes or colors. Also items can sell out quickly... so buy it if you like it and the item is being offered at a great price (as it may not be there tomorrow).

Will
BeginnerLacrosse.com
http://www.beginnerlacrosse.com

Lacrosse Footwork Drills

My son had a great year as a defenseman on his middle school travel lacrosse team. However, when the coach was giving the year-end review of my son's performance, the coach stated that while my son had gotten dramatically better at his stickwork, he needed to work on his footwork, speed and agility.

To be an even better lacrosse defenseman, my son must focus on beating speedy attackmen with his feet... and not his stick. :) Therefore, I have added the following drills to my son's off-season training:

• Timed 40 yard dashes - My two sons compete and this "naturally" improves their speed.
• Suicide drills - Sprint to the 10 yard line & touch the line, sprint back to the zero yard line & touch the line, sprint to the 20 yard line & touch the line, sprint to the zero yard line & touch the line... and so on. Helps with speed and the ability to quickly change direction.
• Shuffle drills - Set out two cones and have kids shuffle sideways without crossing their feet between the two cones. Helps with lateral movement (i.e. improves a defenseman's ability to move and screen off an opponent from the goal).
• Backward drills - Make them run backwards to the 20 yard line, touch the line and then sprint "forward" back to the zero yard line. This will work on their ability to move backwards at speed and without falling down. This is especially useful for defensemen and middies who need to stay in front of an attacking opponent.
• Zigzag drills - Place 6-8 cones in a staggered zigzag pattern down the field. Have each player sprint to the first cone, cut left to the second cone, cut right to the third cone and so on. This drill will work on improving your son's ability to make quick changes of direction when running at speed. Useful for all offensive players, especially middies.

Some people swear by agility ladders. However, I haven't made up my mind yet and I am not sure if they are tremendously useful. I would prefer to do more one-on-one drills where my son works on his change of direction "reaction" versus fast attackmen (i.e. my younger son). Not sure if the fast "tap dancing" of agility ladders makes a huge difference in this area.

For more drills, please visit our main lacrosse drills page or our lacrosse agility training page.

Will

BeginnerLacrosse.com

http://www.beginnerlacrosse.com

Lacrosse Defense Slides

Just saw an interesting and/or weird tool designed to help lacrosse players learn how to slide on defense.

You use this "defense slide rope" to tie the defenders together and teach them how to slide in lacrosse. When one defender moves to cover an open opponent (i.e. an opponent who has blown past his middie coverage), the rope "forces" the other defenders to slide and cover.

Here is a link - Warrior Defense Slide Rope

Will
BeginnerLacrosse.com
http://www.beginnerlacrosse.com




Will
BeginnerLacrosse.com

How To Improve Your Lacrosse Shooting

If your son needs to work on his lacrosse shot (and every kid does), you need to give him some targets. Rather than buying some expensive lax targets or a "goal blocker", just use water bottles. Make it fun and promise him an ice cream if he can knock over the water bottle (cone, box, etc.).

Kids should always focus on shooting low. It takes goalies more time to move their stick and block a bottom right or left shot (versus a center/high shot). Moreover, low bounce shots are often erratic due to an uneven ground (and are thus harder for the goalie to block). 

Will

BeginnerLacrosse.com

http://www.beginnerlacrosse.com

How To Practice Body Checks in Lacrosse

One of our off-season lacrosse goals is to practice body checks. My oldest son is entering sixth grade next year and he finally gets to "legally" body check in lacrosse. Therefore, we have to unlearn what was considered a penalty this year.

I bought a martial arts kicking shield via ebay in order to practice body checks and to avoid being killed by a crazed lax defender. I just hold the kicking shield and let my son practice his WWF moves on me. :)

Here is a video on lacrosse body checking techniques.

Will
BeginnerLacrosse.com
http://www.beginnerlacrosse.com

Beware Lacrosse Select Teams

Generally, your son will play kids from other town teams in lacrosse.

However, occasionally he will play kids on select teams. These are the best kids from a county or region chosen by tryouts.

These elite lacrosse players are very good. Imagine a team with the best two or three players from your son's team playing every position. The kids are fast and shoot very well.

These select teams have historically been summer teams where they travel to various tournaments. However, given the growing popularity of lacrosse, these teams have spread into the fall and even overlap into the spring season. They are always looking for games so occasionally they will play town teams (as a kind of "light" warm-up for real matches against other select teams). You could also compete against them at some of the larger spring tournaments.

Since these select teams are generally very good, be prepared to be shellacked! We played a Long Island select team this spring and lost 10-1 (despite having a solid team from a historically strong lacrosse town). Our coach (a former Division 1 player) stated that these 11 year old boys shot faster and more accurately than he did in college.

If you want your son to become a college lacrosse player, these select teams give you a good idea of the competition that he will face during the recruiting process.

Will
BeginnerLacrosse.com
http://www.BeginnerLacrosse.com

Tape Your Lacrosse Sticks!!!!

We recently "enjoyed" a game that was played during a monsoon. The kids were losing their grip on their stick... and even their lax stick butts were coming off. :)

You should tape your sticks when things are dry. Tape the areas where your son needs the most grip (i.e. near the butt of the stick and/or the head). However, the tape position should depend on your son's likes and dislikes. We like to leave the middle of the stick tape free so my boys' hands are easily "slide" to another position on the lacrosse stick.

Try sports tape or spend a little more and get specialized lacrosse tape. FYI - We are cheap so we stick to the regular sports tape!

If you get the position wrong, it is easy to cut off with an Exacto blade, etc.

So before the next rainstorm, prepare by taping your son's stick!!

Will
BeginnerLacrosse.com
http://www.BeginnerLacrosse.com

Travel Lacrosse

If your son makes a travel lacrosse team, you need to be prepared to "travel".

Our Connecticut-based 5th grade travel team competes against "local" teams that are within a 30 to 60 minute drive. Moreover, during the spring Lacrosse season, they also compete with stronger teams that are further away (i.e. Long Island, NY) and elite teams that are even further away (i.e. Maryland).

So parents should be prepared to devote many hours (of travel) to lacrosse if your son makes a travel team! :)

Will
BeginnerLacrosse.com
http://www.BeginnerLacrosse.com