Friday, March 30, 2012
Connor Wilson using Lehigh as an example of improving a defense unit.
The Lehigh men’s lacrosse team just might have the best defense in the country right now, and the Mountain Hawks defensive prowess has definitely contributed in a major way to their overall success. Right now, the Lehigh squad is rolling and looking to make 2012 their year. Let’s take a closer look at what they’re doing right on the defensive side of the ball!
Lehigh runs a complicated defense, with a number of different schemes. It obviously takes time to learn the D, and feel comfortable, but it’s not ALL about experience, as Lehigh starts a freshman in goal named Matt Poillon, and their best defender is probably Ty Souders, who is only a sophomore.
So, how has Lehigh gone from giving away close games to winning them? It all stems from a more cohesive team approach this year, especially on the defensive end. Lehigh Lacrosse defense practice
Lehigh going to work in practice
In the past, Lehigh allowed defenders to be put on an island, and relied too heavily on solid one-on-one defending. I recently laid out three things that anyone can do to become a dominant defender, and in years past, many Lehigh players really only hit two of the three aspects of the game.
The team had players with good footwork, and good stick skills, but the third part of the equation, a high lacrosse IQ, was still lacking to a certain degree. Lacking so much that the Mountain Hawks were losing games they felt they should be winning.
To bump that Lacrosse IQ up, the coaches switched things around a bit on defense, and now they are much more “slide and recover” heavy. Check out the video below for a firsthand run down of what the Lehigh men’s lacrosse team has going on…
The Lehigh defense is no longer waiting for a player to get beat and then reacting. Instead, the defense is sliding with purpose, before a teammate is cleanly beat, and their schemes prepare them for this. The defensive player that was “beat” quickly recovers inside, and by the time most teams have cycled the ball to the backside, the whole unit has recovered, and they are ready to stop the next offensive advance.
This switch in defensive approach relies heavily on a high team lacrosse IQ, and it is clearly something that has taken time to build and learn. It seems a though Lehigh laid the foundation in the fall, and made sure that it was strong. From there, new layers of slides have been added, and tweaks and adjustments have been made. The players have fully bought in, the Lehigh defensive unit is now a single cohesive unit. This unit is winning games for its team.
I went through a very similar defensive transformation when I played at Wesleyan, and it was the linchpin to our success. Like Lehigh, we weren’t blessed with 5 or 6 poles who were all beasts – who could take the ball from anyone. We had talented guys who were willing to play team lacrosse to win games. We were willing to swallow our individual pride, and do the dirty work. From watching Lehigh play, you can tell they are in that same boat now as well.
At Wesleyan, we switched from man-to-man defense to an aggressive, doubling zone defense, which at times closely resembles the schemes that Lehigh runs now. People often disregard defensive players in a zone defense, or in Lehigh’s case, a slide and recover defense, because no ONE person really stands out.
However, if Lehigh is leading the nation in goals given up per game, they must be doing something VERY right. If that thing is relying on a well-orchestrated “no name” defense, then I think Head Coach Kevin Cassesse and the Mountain Hawks will be just fine.
So what kind of defense would YOU rather have?
Seven guys on D (including a goalie!) who are all studs but play as individuals? Or seven guys who play team ball and rely on each other to win games? From personal experience, I’ll take the latter.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
A great example of why to practice at home with your stick
Having great stick does not come from going to practice. Practice is very important, but you need to experiment at home, move the crosse around while keeping the ball in the pocket. All sort of crazy twists and turns. Find a wall, make crazy bounces and catches. Then you can do this:
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Connor Wilson thoughts on being a better D-Pole
1) Footwork And Training
A good defenseman plays defense with his feet more than anything else. As a pole, being able to get your body between the offensive player you are covering and the goal is priority number 1. Defenseman have a number of tools at their disposal to get this done, but without good footwork, those tools will all be dull instruments at best.
The key to good one-on-one defense is dictating play, and remaining one step ahead of the attacking player at all times by maintaining good body position. Against a skilled opponent, staying in front of your man is almost impossible if you can’t move your feet effectively. The drop step, side shuffle and a lateral change of direction are an excellent defenseman’s best friends.
When you train, focus on the things that will help you the most. Bicep curls and bench pressing are NOT the keys here. In this case, you’ll want to work out your legs as much as possible. Using a speed ladder can be great for quickness and body control, and plyometrics can certainly help with speed and power. The focus should be on getting faster and quicker, and also on the ability to play a full game at 100%.
Work a good deal of leg and cardio conditioning in as well, and always go hard when you train. Long breaks between sets don’t replicate game situations, so stay active and keep your feet moving.
Jumping rope for 4 sets of 3 minutes each with 1 minute breaks is a great example of conditioning training. You can also do sprint-jog intervals – sprint for 50 yards, jog for 50 yards, repeat for 20 minutes. Playing good defense for 1 minute is easy, but stopping a 6 minute possession is hard. Prepare for those hard situations so you can dominate on the field!
This focus will lead to strong legs that are there when you need them the most. As an aspiring defender, you want your legs to allow you to float like a butterfly and sting like a giant concrete bee. I’m mixing boxing metaphors now, but if you focus on speed and leg power, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a dominant defender.
2) Stick Work
It’s truly amazing what some of the best defenders in the game can do with their sticks, both when playing one-on-one defense and when carrying the ball. Often times, the best takeaway guys are also the best ball handlers, and I’ll tell you right now, that is NOT a coincidence.
As a defensive player, you want to always be in control of your stick. It is the biggest tool in your toolbox, and when you’re in full control it can fix any situation. Having a great stick is about comfort, confidence and ability, and the only way to develop these three things is practice.
Wall Ball is a huge component of practice. The passing, catching, shooting and ground ball benefits are extremely obvious, yet many young players do not use the wall to their full advantage. Since no one else is for a solid Wall Ball session, hitting the wall is really your best opportunity for self-improvement.
Just as basketball players imagine last second situations while playing on their driveway, it is important that you pass and catch off the wall like you mean it. Work up a sweat while you hit the wall and visualize situations in which you want to improve. This will help elevate your game.
By hitting the wall, you will also see an improvement in your ability to time checks and control your stick, simply because wall ball builds up your strength and eye-hand coordination.
3) Lacrosse IQ – Know The Game!
This one is simple, easy and fun. Watch as much lacrosse as you possibly can.
When you’re watching lacrosse game on TV, pick out a defensive player on the field that you want to play like, and watch him religiously throughout the game. Don’t focus on the ball, or the “action”, but focus on the one guy you think is the best defender.
- Where does he position himself when he’s defending off-ball?
- How does he set up and manipulate the motion of his dodging opponent?
- Can you hear him and his teammates communicating on the field?
- How does he set up his stick checks?
- When does he pressure out, when does he sit back and/or move in toward the crease?
- Where does he go during clears? How comfortable is he with the ball in his stick?
These are all questions to ask yourself as you’re watching the player on TV. Collect all the answers – even write them down. Know it all and value all portions of the game. By focusing on a certain player, you can more effectively learn from the best. And if you can develop an understanding of a player’s actions and reactions on the field, you will raise your Lacrosse IQ tremendously.
While you’re watching, you can also do a little fact checking on this very article. Do the best defenders play primarily with their feet? Do the best takeaway guys also have the best stick skills? Do the best players stand out and go hard 100% of the time?
Try these three approaches for yourself, make an honest effort, and I guarantee you’ll become a much better defenseman.
This is what make certain players great.
Check out this tremendous effort by goalie Brett Queener -- what a great example of both conditioning and heads -up play. The first save was really solid, but check out the second save -- that is Epic. - http://snip.it/s/2ijx @snipit
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
More lax highlights -- Calvert Hall -- this one shows some play development.
Many lax highlight videos just show one shot and the ball in the net. I like that is one shows a series of passes -- a much better way to enjoy and learn the sport.
Loyola vs UMBC highlights.
Some exciting action. This type of highlights video is fun to watch and great to get players pumped up, but I will make two points. To really learn one needs to see games/video that shows more of the play development and if you are making a recruiting video this is not the type of film you need to make. For a recruiting video you will want to show more of your whole series of actions that show how you move, how you think and more of both your offensive and defensive skills.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Keep things fresh -- try new ways to train.
Lacrosse and Rugby 7′s both rely on speed, excellent passing, and top level conditioning. I have developed a new training drill for lacrosse which takes full advantage of all the similarities. This drill is almost entirely based on the rules and principles of Rugby 7′s and it focuses on both creating and defending good dodging opportunities. craigwell-1-dobson rugby 7s
Rugby 7's - physical, fast-paced and exciting. Just like lacrosse.
When I’m watching other sports, I’m always looking for ways to pull over skill sets to my favorite game. While I enjoy regular (Union) rugby, I really like Rugby 7′s; a lightning fast variation of the game that is often used as an out of season training tool by Rugby Union players.
Watch the video below to get the feel for a Rugby 7′s game, and then we’ll get into the specifics of the drill. The action starts around the 2:30 mark.
It’s an impressive game, right?
Since lacrosse also emphasizes the importance of speed, passing, and conditioning, I found a way to develop them using Rugby 7′s as my starting point, and it has grown into an exciting brand new lacrosse training drill. This drill will help your players learn how to move the ball sideways and backwards, while moving the overall possession of the ball forward and down the field as a team.
Many lacrosse players are skilled at finding open men in front of them, but not so much behind them or to the sides. This drill helps teach awareness, creativity, and requires excellent sticks skills for all players. It is also extremely beneficial for defensive players. All of the benefits will translate directly to success on the field.
The Basic Principles Of The 7′s Drill
The coach will create two (or more) even teams, and all the teams will be populated with middies, attack, and defensemen as evenly as possible. Team B will throw the ball from one end of the field to the other, much like a kickoff in football. Team A receives, and carries the ball upfield. The object of the game is get the ball into the other team’s “end zone”. Team B can stop Team A by creating a turnover (takeaway, interception, ground ball, etc).
Forward passes are NOT allowed. The only time a forward pass can be made is as a “punt”, and then the other team must touch the ball before the punting team can regain possession. A team might punt the ball if they are deep in their own territory and under pressure, with nowhere to go but into their own end zone. A player might also “punt” the ball if he is about to go out of bounds with possession. It’s a turnover, but it pins the other team back in their own end.
Team A is only allowed to throw the ball laterally and behind them when retaining possession. Team A can also run the ball down the field (or in any direction) at will, just like they do in the 7′s video I included above.
Full Breakdown Of The Rules:
- Create teams of even strength mixing poles, middies and attack men. Each team should have 7-10 players on it.
- You can play half field or full field. At each end of the field, there should be a defined “end zone”.
- The goal of the game is to run the ball into the end zone.
- Players can run with the ball in any direction.
- Players can ONLY PASS the ball backwards.
- A forward pass is regarded as a punt. If the ball goes out of bounds, the team that threw it (pass or punt) immediately goes to defense and must give the ball carrier 5 yards.
- Picks are legal. Moving picks are NOT legal.
How Play Will Often Shake Out
Team A is on offense. Since the ball can not be thrown forward, Team B should form a defensive line across the field. As a player on Team A tries to break through the line with a dodge, players from Team B must come and meet him to prevent him from just running through. It is likely that more than one player on Team B will be required to stop the player from Team from dodging through the line of defenders. And this is where the drill gets REALLY interesting.
A strong dodger may be able to get through one or two players, but if Team A realizes this, they will bring 2 or 3 defensive players to meet the dodger every time. In this case, the dodger must then know how to draw the double or triple, and THEN make the pass laterally or behind him to move the ball. And there are a vast number of ways for him to do this, with each one hitting on a certain set of skills.
1) Roll away from the pressure, switch hands, throw the look back pass we so often see in the college game.
2) Orchestrate a flip pass behind you to an overlapping teammate.
3) Notice the D has overcommitted, and swing the ball to the opposite side of the field laterally. Basically a side and away look.
These three basic approaches then allow for a lot more creativity and experimentation. Maybe your team will run a double reverse, or start throwing more behind the back flip passes. Maybe your kids will develop perfect throw back passes. It all depends on what the coach emphasizes. How do YOU want to get the ball through the defense? Pick out what you want to work on and make it happen.
Offensively, your players will be tested as skill will trump athleticism, and vision will trump set plays. Forcing your kids to make backwards and lateral passes will only make them more aware of the option on the actual game field. Stick skills will be sharpened, and team chemistry will develop as players will be forced to use the guys on their team to see success. Players will be forced to carry the ball, and make good decisions under heavy pressure while also learning to switch sides while clearing.
Defensively, this drill emphasizes communication and using your feet more than anything else. It prepares the defense to move together, and cover backside players and off ball, often down a man (splitting offensive players off ball). It teaches them to slide with the body and STOP someone, instead of swinging at sticks.
The drill will help your players clear the ball, and possess it on offense, even under pressure. It will open their eyes to new ways of moving the ball, and it will force defenders to communicate, run, and play solid team defense.
Defensive Keys To The Drill:
When a dodger threatens the line that the defense has set up, multiple players will need to meet the dodger. The basic set-up of the drill requires the defense to force the dodger either back, or into a double. That in turn Forces the dodger to move the ball laterally or backwards, and then resetting the line to prepare to stop the new dodger. From there, the defensive team can begin to try to pick off passes, create takeaways with checks or force bad passes which go out of bounds.
If offensive players are dodging through the defensive line with ease, then you know your defense needs to really step it up. Defensive players MUST meet dodgers in bunches, and then recover to find the next dodger. This is the perfect to drill to focus on playing team defense in smaller groups (2-3 guys), sealing off a side, doubling, managing the approach and breaking down to recover.
Offensive Keys To The Drill:
This is a great way for offensive players to learn how to draw two or three men, turn, move the ball and get reinvolved in the offense as it shifts to a new section of the field. A successful team will be able to draw defensive players to one area, move the ball, and then attack the weak side. Quick ball movement, good stick skills, and understanding your teammates are the keys to focus on here. It is also important that your players learn to recognize when it’s a good time for hard dodging, and when it’s a good time to move the ball on.
If your offensive players are having a hard time breaking through the line, the cause is most likely a lack of stick skills and confidence in their ability to make good, accurate passes and dodges while moving their feet. Being able to move the ball to set up strong dodgers on weakened defensive areas is key.
Additional Notes:
Endzones can be replaced with trashcans or goals with goalies in them. Then the offense can shoot from anywhere, but a missed shot is regarded like a punt, and the other team takes over the ball.
There are a ton of little tweaks that can inserted into this drill to make it more appropriate for your team like adding goals, trash cans, or even disallowing punting (to really put the pressure on the team with possession). If your defense is dominating, make one of your attackmen all-time offense, that way, the defensive team will always be a man down. If the offense is dominating, take a pole and make him all-time defense.
Final Thoughts
The benefits of this drill are truly endless and with a couple tweaks to fit your program, it might just become one of your go-to drills. It is fun, requires the kids to run and play as a team, has lots of hidden conditioning, and the benefits a team can experience by looking at something in a new way cannot be underestimated.
By putting our players in new and challenging scenarios, we can truly prepare them for whatever will come their way on the field. Add this drill to your arsenal and you’ll see improvement from your guys at both ends of the field! If you have any questions on how to run this drill effectively, PLEASE ask me in the comment section.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Great ways to improve your lacrosse shooting skills.
Great advice from Connor Wilson -- some very basic points which if followed will make a huge difference in your lax shooting. - http://snip.it/s/2gze @snipit
My one addition and one that Kyle Harrison is always mentioning. Practice your shooting while moving. You don't stand stil in a game -- so don't stand still when you practice.
http://laxallstars.com/5-ways-to-become-a-great-lacrosse-shooter/
When I played midfield in high school, I could shoot the rock hard, but my accuracy was suspect. REALLY suspect. If the ball consistently traveled within 10 feet of the cage I was “on”. I once shot a ball so hard, so sidearm, and so poorly, that it went onto the highway, which was easily 75 yards away from the field and separated by a line of trees. Even my own teammates were laughing at me. Totally fair and completely embarrassing. Needless to say, when I got to college, my coach put a longstick in my hands as quickly as he could.
But after graduating, I stuck around to help coach, as an assistant, and somehow I drew the assignment of warming up and working with our goalies. Due to constant heckling from the kids I was coaching, I quickly realized that my shooting had better improve, and it had better improve quickly! So here is how I made a change in my shooting technique and how YOU can prep to be much better. Syracuse vs. Army men's lacrosse 22
Time to become a great shooter!
These FIVE Tips can help you become a better shooter in only a couple of weeks:
1) Forget Power, and Focus on Accuracy
It is extremely hard to learn how to shoot hard, and THEN work on your accuracy. I tried this in high school, and it does NOT work. The form you develop by focusing on power only is almost universally AWFUL. Focus on shooting the right way, and focus on putting the ball where you want it, THEN work your way up the power scale. Without control, pure power is garbage.
2) Train Simple, Train Hard
So many athletes today think they need to have a personal trainer or be on the cusp of training technology. Bologna. If you want to shoot accurately and hard, you don’t need a trainer. You need a pull up bar and some running shoes. Do pulls ups every other day for your back and arms. Do push ups every other day for your chest and core. Do sit ups or other ab exercises religiously. RUN and work those legs! Great shooters generate control and power with every portion of their body. Be strong, train hard and your shooting will improve. If you are going to hit the gym, focus on Olympic lifts for total body power.
3) Play Wall Ball
It seems like I always use wall ball as a “way to improve”. This is because it is the SINGLE most important aspect of becoming a good lacrosse player. If you can really pound the ball off the wall, it means you can catch and then move the ball accurately. Shooting is very similar, and the skill sets translate effortlessly. Like I said in point 1, focus on accuracy. When you shoot on a cage, the ball can go anywhere. Who cares? But when you play wall ball, you need to be accurate. It’s a great shooter’s best friend.
4) Keep Your Shooting Skill Set Diverse
There are guys out there who are time and room shooters (Forrest Sonnenfeldt, Kyle Wharton) and there are guys who are better on the run (Mike Kimmel, Hakeem Lecky) and then there are guys who are great at both (Colin Briggs, Paul Rabil, Jay Jalbert). You want to be the guy who is great at both. Maybe you’ll be better at one, but practice both. Going out and ripping shots all day from 13 yards is a mistake. Take some on run, take some from low angles. Mix it up and be diverse, because you’ll probably have to do that in a game. Don’t be a one-dimensional shooter.
5) Partner Up For Better Training
I don’t mind seeing a guy out on a field with a bag of balls all by himself. Nothing wrong with that at all. But if you have the chance to partner up when shooting, take it! It is much easier to replicate catching a pass on the run and then shooting, or catching a pass for a time and room shot when you have someone to throw it to you. This partner can be a parent, coach or teammate. Reliance on a partner should NOT be used as an excuse (e.g. my shooting partner can’t make it so I’m going to play video games instead) but it can definitely help you improve!
I’d mention SHOOTING OVERHAND as a sixth tip, but at this point, you should really know better. Don’t believe me? Shoot Overhand. And Shoot Overhand Under Pressure. There, NOW you should believe me.
Got some shooting tips you’d like to share with everyone? Hit up the comments section!
My one addition and one that Kyle Harrison is always mentioning. Practice your shooting while moving. You don't stand stil in a game -- so don't stand still when you practice.
http://laxallstars.com/5-ways-to-become-a-great-lacrosse-shooter/
When I played midfield in high school, I could shoot the rock hard, but my accuracy was suspect. REALLY suspect. If the ball consistently traveled within 10 feet of the cage I was “on”. I once shot a ball so hard, so sidearm, and so poorly, that it went onto the highway, which was easily 75 yards away from the field and separated by a line of trees. Even my own teammates were laughing at me. Totally fair and completely embarrassing. Needless to say, when I got to college, my coach put a longstick in my hands as quickly as he could.
But after graduating, I stuck around to help coach, as an assistant, and somehow I drew the assignment of warming up and working with our goalies. Due to constant heckling from the kids I was coaching, I quickly realized that my shooting had better improve, and it had better improve quickly! So here is how I made a change in my shooting technique and how YOU can prep to be much better. Syracuse vs. Army men's lacrosse 22
Time to become a great shooter!
These FIVE Tips can help you become a better shooter in only a couple of weeks:
1) Forget Power, and Focus on Accuracy
It is extremely hard to learn how to shoot hard, and THEN work on your accuracy. I tried this in high school, and it does NOT work. The form you develop by focusing on power only is almost universally AWFUL. Focus on shooting the right way, and focus on putting the ball where you want it, THEN work your way up the power scale. Without control, pure power is garbage.
2) Train Simple, Train Hard
So many athletes today think they need to have a personal trainer or be on the cusp of training technology. Bologna. If you want to shoot accurately and hard, you don’t need a trainer. You need a pull up bar and some running shoes. Do pulls ups every other day for your back and arms. Do push ups every other day for your chest and core. Do sit ups or other ab exercises religiously. RUN and work those legs! Great shooters generate control and power with every portion of their body. Be strong, train hard and your shooting will improve. If you are going to hit the gym, focus on Olympic lifts for total body power.
3) Play Wall Ball
It seems like I always use wall ball as a “way to improve”. This is because it is the SINGLE most important aspect of becoming a good lacrosse player. If you can really pound the ball off the wall, it means you can catch and then move the ball accurately. Shooting is very similar, and the skill sets translate effortlessly. Like I said in point 1, focus on accuracy. When you shoot on a cage, the ball can go anywhere. Who cares? But when you play wall ball, you need to be accurate. It’s a great shooter’s best friend.
4) Keep Your Shooting Skill Set Diverse
There are guys out there who are time and room shooters (Forrest Sonnenfeldt, Kyle Wharton) and there are guys who are better on the run (Mike Kimmel, Hakeem Lecky) and then there are guys who are great at both (Colin Briggs, Paul Rabil, Jay Jalbert). You want to be the guy who is great at both. Maybe you’ll be better at one, but practice both. Going out and ripping shots all day from 13 yards is a mistake. Take some on run, take some from low angles. Mix it up and be diverse, because you’ll probably have to do that in a game. Don’t be a one-dimensional shooter.
5) Partner Up For Better Training
I don’t mind seeing a guy out on a field with a bag of balls all by himself. Nothing wrong with that at all. But if you have the chance to partner up when shooting, take it! It is much easier to replicate catching a pass on the run and then shooting, or catching a pass for a time and room shot when you have someone to throw it to you. This partner can be a parent, coach or teammate. Reliance on a partner should NOT be used as an excuse (e.g. my shooting partner can’t make it so I’m going to play video games instead) but it can definitely help you improve!
I’d mention SHOOTING OVERHAND as a sixth tip, but at this point, you should really know better. Don’t believe me? Shoot Overhand. And Shoot Overhand Under Pressure. There, NOW you should believe me.
Got some shooting tips you’d like to share with everyone? Hit up the comments section!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Another great thoughtful article by Connor Wilson
http://laxallstars.com/how-to-speed-up-lacrosse-stop-crosschecking/
How To Speed Up Lacrosse: Stop Crosschecking Posted about 5 hours ago by Wilson 529 Views, 12 Comments
There is so much talk about speeding up the game of lacrosse, and making sure that the sport remains the fastest game on two feet. Proposed solutions have included adding a shot clock, changing sideline horn rules, changing the stall warning, and I’ve even come up with some interesting rule change propositions myself! Then there’s some people who think the game is just fine the way it is.
Today we’re going to take a look at another option, and in this case it’s simply enforcing a rule that already exists: Crosschecking. Towson Hopkins Lacrosse crosscheck
Crosschecks are no good.
Some longsticks crosscheck quite a bit, but the biggest offenders are usually short stick defensive middies. I’ve noticed it before, and I continue to notice it this year while watching lacrosse on ESPNU or in person. Of course, the fact that they do it so much makes a lot of sense to me.
First, we’ll talk about WHY it’s done so much, and then I’ll explain the actual legal alternative when playing defense with a short stick.
The Reason for So Much Crosschecking
The first reason that defensive midfielders crosscheck so much is that they are often the guys that are being isolated and dodged on. They have to play as physically as possible, trying to intimidate their opponent at all times. The cross check fits into this mentality perfectly.
As a middie playing defense, you can be more physical by moving your hands apart because this gives you a wider impact area to use. This means you can be less accurate, and focus more on power. The guys dodging on you are going hard, and you’ve want to do everything you can not to get burned.
The second reason that defensive middies crosscheck is much more simple. It’s because the refs let the players get away with it, and not just off the dodge, but ALL OVER THE FIELD. If a ref won’t call a crosscheck when a guy isn’t even dodging, but just carrying the ball, why would that same ref call it on a dodge?
The crosscheck has become popular amongst college lacrosse players because it works and because it is rarely called.
What Players Did Before the Crosscheck
As the sticks have become more advanced, I have wonder, has the art of the short stick poke check been lost? Admittedly, it is a less effective tool than the crosscheck, but unlike the crosscheck, it is actually legal. It is the type of play that we need to get back to promoting in the game. It would speed things up, create more transition play, and allow for more dodge and dump, quick-passing lacrosse.
The poke check was disruptive, but it also took real skill and timing to throw correctly. The poke check took time to master, while the crosscheck can be done by anyone who likes to bench press.
Why Crosschecking is Lame
Right now, the approach is to make the offensive dodging player or ball carrier pick a side. Once they go to the side you want them to, you crosscheck them in the side or back. It is not hard enough to knock the offensive player over usually, but it does throw them off their trajectory and slow them down. It prevents the blow by dodge, AND the roll back, and most offensive players need a step or two (or more) to recover. Like I said, it’s an incredibly effective tool. Is it good for the game?
Two crosschecks, right in front of a ref, not called. Devastating penalties? No. Disruptive game slowers? Yes.
The crosscheck disrupts the flow of the offense, and slows down the game every single time it is used. Add on to the fact that, according to the rules, you can not move your hands apart and hit someone with your stick, and it should be called every time for good reason. It’s bad for the game AND illegal.
Furthermore, it allows coaches to have their teams play even more conservatively on defense, and with college lacrosse begin such a “coaches’ game” right now, taking away some of this power might be a really good thing.
The Return of the Poke Check
The poke check approach will have some people here up in arms. You’ll say offensive players are too good, or too fast, or that the ball just doesn’t come out like it used to, but to that I say “so what?” The poke check can still help players out here, even if the chance for a takeaways is diminished in the modern game.
When a player dodges on you, and you use the poke check technique, you can really take one of two approaches:
1) play the guy straight up and time his move. When he tries to make the move, you poke check him in the chest as hard as you can, trying to dislodge the ball on a split dodge, or slow him down with your stick.
2) play the guy on an angle and drive him down the side, throwing a poke check to the chest if the offensive tries to cut back. On the roll dodge, you have to drop step and recover with a push. Not a crosscheck. What if Zebras Called Every Crosscheck?
We would see more scoring. Offensive middies could get free much easier, and teams would be forced to slide hard. This would result in required ball movement, a premium placed on skill and a lot of action. The pack it in defense (at least when it came to the shorties) would have to change, and defenses would have to press AND help more to keep easy shots off dodges from developing.
And defensively more transition would be generated. You RARELY see a turnover result from a crosscheck. All it does is throw the offensive player off of their current route. They keep the ball, move it on, and set up again. It doesn’t result in good opportunities, and it’s boring to watch. It’s also not that fun to play. When you beat your guy but get crosschecked at the last moment, and it isn’t called, it feels like you got cheated, right? The crosscheck is skill-less defense.
With a poke check, you might actually put the ball on ground. It won’t happen all the time, but it will definitely happen more than with your average crosscheck. If you don’t throw a good poke, the offensive player might get a clean look at goal, and to me that’s a lot better than watching a team cycle the ball around again.
For this rule to have a HUGE impact, the only thing that would have to change is the crosscheck actually being called. It’s already illegal, and I don’t think it’s helping the game.
So, what do you think? Should the Crosscheck stay or go? Is it a necessary evil or are we making life too easy for defensive players right now?
How To Speed Up Lacrosse: Stop Crosschecking Posted about 5 hours ago by Wilson 529 Views, 12 Comments
There is so much talk about speeding up the game of lacrosse, and making sure that the sport remains the fastest game on two feet. Proposed solutions have included adding a shot clock, changing sideline horn rules, changing the stall warning, and I’ve even come up with some interesting rule change propositions myself! Then there’s some people who think the game is just fine the way it is.
Today we’re going to take a look at another option, and in this case it’s simply enforcing a rule that already exists: Crosschecking. Towson Hopkins Lacrosse crosscheck
Crosschecks are no good.
Some longsticks crosscheck quite a bit, but the biggest offenders are usually short stick defensive middies. I’ve noticed it before, and I continue to notice it this year while watching lacrosse on ESPNU or in person. Of course, the fact that they do it so much makes a lot of sense to me.
First, we’ll talk about WHY it’s done so much, and then I’ll explain the actual legal alternative when playing defense with a short stick.
The Reason for So Much Crosschecking
The first reason that defensive midfielders crosscheck so much is that they are often the guys that are being isolated and dodged on. They have to play as physically as possible, trying to intimidate their opponent at all times. The cross check fits into this mentality perfectly.
As a middie playing defense, you can be more physical by moving your hands apart because this gives you a wider impact area to use. This means you can be less accurate, and focus more on power. The guys dodging on you are going hard, and you’ve want to do everything you can not to get burned.
The second reason that defensive middies crosscheck is much more simple. It’s because the refs let the players get away with it, and not just off the dodge, but ALL OVER THE FIELD. If a ref won’t call a crosscheck when a guy isn’t even dodging, but just carrying the ball, why would that same ref call it on a dodge?
The crosscheck has become popular amongst college lacrosse players because it works and because it is rarely called.
What Players Did Before the Crosscheck
As the sticks have become more advanced, I have wonder, has the art of the short stick poke check been lost? Admittedly, it is a less effective tool than the crosscheck, but unlike the crosscheck, it is actually legal. It is the type of play that we need to get back to promoting in the game. It would speed things up, create more transition play, and allow for more dodge and dump, quick-passing lacrosse.
The poke check was disruptive, but it also took real skill and timing to throw correctly. The poke check took time to master, while the crosscheck can be done by anyone who likes to bench press.
Why Crosschecking is Lame
Right now, the approach is to make the offensive dodging player or ball carrier pick a side. Once they go to the side you want them to, you crosscheck them in the side or back. It is not hard enough to knock the offensive player over usually, but it does throw them off their trajectory and slow them down. It prevents the blow by dodge, AND the roll back, and most offensive players need a step or two (or more) to recover. Like I said, it’s an incredibly effective tool. Is it good for the game?
Two crosschecks, right in front of a ref, not called. Devastating penalties? No. Disruptive game slowers? Yes.
The crosscheck disrupts the flow of the offense, and slows down the game every single time it is used. Add on to the fact that, according to the rules, you can not move your hands apart and hit someone with your stick, and it should be called every time for good reason. It’s bad for the game AND illegal.
Furthermore, it allows coaches to have their teams play even more conservatively on defense, and with college lacrosse begin such a “coaches’ game” right now, taking away some of this power might be a really good thing.
The Return of the Poke Check
The poke check approach will have some people here up in arms. You’ll say offensive players are too good, or too fast, or that the ball just doesn’t come out like it used to, but to that I say “so what?” The poke check can still help players out here, even if the chance for a takeaways is diminished in the modern game.
When a player dodges on you, and you use the poke check technique, you can really take one of two approaches:
1) play the guy straight up and time his move. When he tries to make the move, you poke check him in the chest as hard as you can, trying to dislodge the ball on a split dodge, or slow him down with your stick.
2) play the guy on an angle and drive him down the side, throwing a poke check to the chest if the offensive tries to cut back. On the roll dodge, you have to drop step and recover with a push. Not a crosscheck. What if Zebras Called Every Crosscheck?
We would see more scoring. Offensive middies could get free much easier, and teams would be forced to slide hard. This would result in required ball movement, a premium placed on skill and a lot of action. The pack it in defense (at least when it came to the shorties) would have to change, and defenses would have to press AND help more to keep easy shots off dodges from developing.
And defensively more transition would be generated. You RARELY see a turnover result from a crosscheck. All it does is throw the offensive player off of their current route. They keep the ball, move it on, and set up again. It doesn’t result in good opportunities, and it’s boring to watch. It’s also not that fun to play. When you beat your guy but get crosschecked at the last moment, and it isn’t called, it feels like you got cheated, right? The crosscheck is skill-less defense.
With a poke check, you might actually put the ball on ground. It won’t happen all the time, but it will definitely happen more than with your average crosscheck. If you don’t throw a good poke, the offensive player might get a clean look at goal, and to me that’s a lot better than watching a team cycle the ball around again.
For this rule to have a HUGE impact, the only thing that would have to change is the crosscheck actually being called. It’s already illegal, and I don’t think it’s helping the game.
So, what do you think? Should the Crosscheck stay or go? Is it a necessary evil or are we making life too easy for defensive players right now?
Monday, March 19, 2012
A great example of being ready to shoot quickly in traffice
The camera misses the catch and release but a very nice pass and quick reaction to score. -
Thursday, March 15, 2012
This game is a shoot fest!
A bit too edited to see full play development, but a lot of action and hidden ball trick in this action packed video:
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
A good video that explains lacrosse basics.
This is a great video for those that are trying to learn what lacrosse is all about and differences between the women and men's game. Experienced laxers should keep this link handy to share with non-playing friends so they can learn about the sport.
Friday, March 9, 2012
A great way to learn and enjoy lacrosse -- watch some box action.
Make sure to checkout the NLL Netowrk to catch lacrosse action -- here are some great examples:
Two great lacrosse players will be on CBS
This is from the link: http://www.nll.com/news_article/show/137796?referrer_id=389128
CBS Sports Network has announced the broadcast team that will announce National Lacrosse League games on the network this season, starting on April 7. The network announced that Casey Powell, a previous winner of the National Lacrosse League’s Most Valuable Player Award, and Mike Powell, who along with Casey was a former All-American at Syracuse University, join CBS Sports Network as game analysts for the Network’s NLL schedule. The action debuts Saturday, April 7 as the Philadelphia Wings visit the Buffalo Bandits (7:30 PM, ET). The Powell brothers, who were each four-time All-Americans during their college careers, will be joined in the booth by veteran play-by-play announcer Brent Stover.
“I’ve enjoyed playing in the NLL, and I’m looking forward to this exciting new chapter”, said Casey. “I’m excited to bring my perspective as a player to the booth, and really excited to work with my brother Mike and the entire CBS Sports Network team this season.”
“I’ve been a huge fan of the indoor game for a long time”, said Mike. “I’m excited for this opportunity to work with Casey. I’m sure we’ll have some fun in the booth.” Mike has previously served as an analyst, calling Syracuse Orange lacrosse games in the Syracuse area on Time Warner Cable Sports.
NLL on CBS Sports Network Schedule:
Saturday, April 7th Philadelphia at Buffalo, 7:30PM Eastern Saturday, April 14th Toronto at Colorado, 9:00PM Eastern Saturday, April 21st Rochester at Buffalo, 7:30PM Eastern Saturday, April 28th Colorado at Minnesota, 7:30PM Eastern
Playoff Telecasts
Saturday, May 5th Divisional Semifinals
Saturday, May 12th Divisional Finals (Eastern & Western Divisional Finals)
Saturday, May 19th Championship Game
CBS Sports Network is seen in 44 million homes and is available to 98 million households across the country. The Network is available through local cable and video providers (Verizon FiOS Channel 94 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 643 and 1643-HD), and nationally via satellite on DirecTV Channel 613 and DISH Network Channel 152. CBS Sports Network is also available in Canada on the following cable providers: Bell ExpressVU, Eastlink, Cogeco Cable, Rogers Cable and Bell Aliant. For more information and to access the CBS Sports Network channel finder, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Using the Lytro camera at lacrosse practice.
Another look at night lacrosse:
Single click on different parts of the image to refocus and double click to zoom in.
Single click on different parts of the image to refocus and double click to zoom in.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Wall Ball Tips -- make practice fun by making it a game.
Ned Crotty shows his wall ball ideas:
For goalies:
For the ladies wall ball is great.
For goalies:
For the ladies wall ball is great.
Wall Ball --- great fun -- make it a game -- get better.
A really good article about improving the sport but getting parents involved -- specifically by learning to play wall ball too.
http://laxallstars.com/why-lacrosse-parents-should-play-wall-ball/
Last night I went to the CityLax Gala in New York City, and of course it got me thinking of how we can TRULY Grow The Game and continue to Break Down Walls. The event itself was fantastic with big time lacrosse names in attendance, from Billy Bitter to Max Seibald to Jack Kaley, and a lot of money was raised for a great cause. As we all know, it takes money, but it also requires time, to really grow lacrosse. And here is how parents, and other adults, can get even more involved, simply by learning the game.
Maybe you are a parent who has already given financially, or maybe you’re a parent who can’t afford to give any more. Perhaps you’re a teacher, or school administrator, that is working with the lacrosse team. Or maybe you’re just interested in the sport, and want to help the kids in your local community.
There is simply no better way of doing this than by playing wall ball. wall ball artoflax
Wall Ball is SOOOO important!
Photo courtesy the ArtOfLax blog Quick Intro to Wall Ball
For those of you out there that are unfamiliar with wall ball, let me quickly introduce it to you: Wall ball involves a player, a stick, a ball and a surface that they can throw the ball against. It is THE key ingredient to developing great skills with a lacrosse stick, and every great player in the world has spent thousands of hours throwing a ball against a wall. It is also the key to success that every single lacrosse player has at their disposal. ANYONE Can Be Good At Lacrosse!
Wall ball is the great equalizer. Nothing levels the playing field, and land of lacrosse opportunity, like wall ball. So obviously it is something that every player should be doing. But it isn’t limited to players by any means, and in the end, wall ball presents one of the biggest opportunities to really connect with a player, whether the kid is your child, student, or just a youth from the neighborhood.
WHY Adults Should Play Wall Ball
The first reason to play wall ball is that the “do as I say, and not as I do” thing only works for so long, if at all. So if you’re telling your child, student or player to play wall ball, they might. But if you were to take the lead, and actually play wall ball yourself, those words would mean so much more.
And it really doesn’t matter if you played lacrosse in high school or college. In fact, you don’t have to have played lacrosse ever! The point is that wall ball can make any player much better, regardless of their history with the game, and that by getting out there and doing it, you’re setting a good example.
The other big line of reasoning behind adults involved in lacrosse playing wall ball is that it gives you something to talk about with the kids. It’s not a topic like drugs, alcohol, sex, or even school and grades, and it won’t elicit the knee-jerk reaction of “I can’t talk to YOU about this!”, which so many young people possess. It’s an easy bridge to further communication via a safe shared interest. Wall ball can be a great starting point. Keeping It Real
If you’re new to the game, kids will see you struggle. But hopefully, you’ll use your adult maturity levels to just keep at it, and not get frustrated. And after some time and dedication, the kids will see an improvement in skill from you. And THAT will cement how important wall ball is more than anything. If Mr. Smith, the physics teacher, can get that good in only a couple of weeks, you can bet the kids will believe that they can too!
If you’re an experienced player, playing wall ball with kids still sets a great example. The kids see how good you are, and yet they also see that you’re still practicing, and still trying to improve. It can be easy for kids to fall on to the train of thought that they are “good enough” already. But if they see you striving to improve, they may realize that the journey never really ends when it comes to skill development. They will see how much you value wall ball, and hopefully, because they respect you, the kids will want to emulate that behavior. Time to INTERACT!
For parents looking to get their kids off the couch, or find a way to connect again with a teenager that is distancing themselves, wall ball is perfect. It’s something you can do, and learn, together. It’s harmless on the surface, but it can open doors to bigger issues. It creates a bond, often via a shared struggle to improve. It gives you something to talk about on an even footing, or it could even allow for your kids to teach YOU something. If you listen, and keep at it, you might just impress them! And maybe they’ll listen to you more next time you’re lecturing!
For teachers and school administrators, it’s a great way to keep in touch with the kids on another level, outside of schoolwork. And it’s a great opportunity to show the kids you’re more than “just their teacher”. For the adult that wants to get involved with their community and help out, it presents an opportunity to get involved, and help future generations grow as players, and people.
The value of wall ball is clear on the field. It improves a player’s skills, and can help them reach whatever goals they might have. But the activity also improves confidence, and it shows kids how hard work pays off.
So if you’re a parent, teacher, or just a person looking to get involved and do some good, why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that?
Plus wall ball is a lot of fun! So get out there and hit the wall!!!! Want to learn a little bit more about the benefits of Wall Ball? Check out our interview with John Galloway, All-American goalie at Syracuse, and wall ball fanatic!
And if you still have no idea what I’m talking about, check out Ned Crotty and Trilogy Lacrosse’s wall ball video which I will put in a separate post above.
http://laxallstars.com/why-lacrosse-parents-should-play-wall-ball/
Last night I went to the CityLax Gala in New York City, and of course it got me thinking of how we can TRULY Grow The Game and continue to Break Down Walls. The event itself was fantastic with big time lacrosse names in attendance, from Billy Bitter to Max Seibald to Jack Kaley, and a lot of money was raised for a great cause. As we all know, it takes money, but it also requires time, to really grow lacrosse. And here is how parents, and other adults, can get even more involved, simply by learning the game.
Maybe you are a parent who has already given financially, or maybe you’re a parent who can’t afford to give any more. Perhaps you’re a teacher, or school administrator, that is working with the lacrosse team. Or maybe you’re just interested in the sport, and want to help the kids in your local community.
There is simply no better way of doing this than by playing wall ball. wall ball artoflax
Wall Ball is SOOOO important!
Photo courtesy the ArtOfLax blog Quick Intro to Wall Ball
For those of you out there that are unfamiliar with wall ball, let me quickly introduce it to you: Wall ball involves a player, a stick, a ball and a surface that they can throw the ball against. It is THE key ingredient to developing great skills with a lacrosse stick, and every great player in the world has spent thousands of hours throwing a ball against a wall. It is also the key to success that every single lacrosse player has at their disposal. ANYONE Can Be Good At Lacrosse!
Wall ball is the great equalizer. Nothing levels the playing field, and land of lacrosse opportunity, like wall ball. So obviously it is something that every player should be doing. But it isn’t limited to players by any means, and in the end, wall ball presents one of the biggest opportunities to really connect with a player, whether the kid is your child, student, or just a youth from the neighborhood.
WHY Adults Should Play Wall Ball
The first reason to play wall ball is that the “do as I say, and not as I do” thing only works for so long, if at all. So if you’re telling your child, student or player to play wall ball, they might. But if you were to take the lead, and actually play wall ball yourself, those words would mean so much more.
And it really doesn’t matter if you played lacrosse in high school or college. In fact, you don’t have to have played lacrosse ever! The point is that wall ball can make any player much better, regardless of their history with the game, and that by getting out there and doing it, you’re setting a good example.
The other big line of reasoning behind adults involved in lacrosse playing wall ball is that it gives you something to talk about with the kids. It’s not a topic like drugs, alcohol, sex, or even school and grades, and it won’t elicit the knee-jerk reaction of “I can’t talk to YOU about this!”, which so many young people possess. It’s an easy bridge to further communication via a safe shared interest. Wall ball can be a great starting point. Keeping It Real
If you’re new to the game, kids will see you struggle. But hopefully, you’ll use your adult maturity levels to just keep at it, and not get frustrated. And after some time and dedication, the kids will see an improvement in skill from you. And THAT will cement how important wall ball is more than anything. If Mr. Smith, the physics teacher, can get that good in only a couple of weeks, you can bet the kids will believe that they can too!
If you’re an experienced player, playing wall ball with kids still sets a great example. The kids see how good you are, and yet they also see that you’re still practicing, and still trying to improve. It can be easy for kids to fall on to the train of thought that they are “good enough” already. But if they see you striving to improve, they may realize that the journey never really ends when it comes to skill development. They will see how much you value wall ball, and hopefully, because they respect you, the kids will want to emulate that behavior. Time to INTERACT!
For parents looking to get their kids off the couch, or find a way to connect again with a teenager that is distancing themselves, wall ball is perfect. It’s something you can do, and learn, together. It’s harmless on the surface, but it can open doors to bigger issues. It creates a bond, often via a shared struggle to improve. It gives you something to talk about on an even footing, or it could even allow for your kids to teach YOU something. If you listen, and keep at it, you might just impress them! And maybe they’ll listen to you more next time you’re lecturing!
For teachers and school administrators, it’s a great way to keep in touch with the kids on another level, outside of schoolwork. And it’s a great opportunity to show the kids you’re more than “just their teacher”. For the adult that wants to get involved with their community and help out, it presents an opportunity to get involved, and help future generations grow as players, and people.
The value of wall ball is clear on the field. It improves a player’s skills, and can help them reach whatever goals they might have. But the activity also improves confidence, and it shows kids how hard work pays off.
So if you’re a parent, teacher, or just a person looking to get involved and do some good, why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that?
Plus wall ball is a lot of fun! So get out there and hit the wall!!!! Want to learn a little bit more about the benefits of Wall Ball? Check out our interview with John Galloway, All-American goalie at Syracuse, and wall ball fanatic!
And if you still have no idea what I’m talking about, check out Ned Crotty and Trilogy Lacrosse’s wall ball video which I will put in a separate post above.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)