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2016, A Year of Change and Lacrosse

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Bob Schmitt

As 2016 draws to a close, I have been reflecting on this past year, which for me was a year of change to say the least. And most of that, “change”, has centered on lacrosse. This time last year, I was finishing my 24th year in the same job and looking forward to a winter of College Wrestling and a spring of College Lacrosse, as I planned to get to as many of my kids’ events as possible. By the end of January, I had accepted the Assistant Coaching Position at SUNY Old Westbury and by the end of February, I had retired from my job of 24 years.

I was able to see almost all of my son’s wrestling events including the NCAA Regional at Washington and Lee, in Lexington, VA. I became fully engrossed in O.W. Women’s Lacrosse and we enjoyed a great season, qualifying for the Skyline Conference Playoffs for the first time in the program’s four year history.

I was fortunate enough to attend Senior Day at Coker College, in South Carolina, to see my former player and close family friend, Shane Wilson played in his final Home Game.

My coaching duties at O.W., limited my ability to see my daughter’s lacrosse games. However, I was able to attend the PSAC Championships at Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA. The Lady Lakers won their first ever Conference Championship. I then solo road tripped to Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO, to see them compete in the NCAA Playoffs.

On Memorial Day Weekend, I was thrilled to see another former player, Brendan Caputo, playing for Brown. His late goal sent their NCAA Semi-Final game into overtime, before ultimately falling to Maryland in an epic game.

I coached the Long Island TOGZ 2019/20 Team through the summer tournament season. But, by early August, the TOGZ which had been a huge part of my life for almost a decade, would no longer exist. As summer began to wane, I began coaching and working for FLG Lacrosse.

Throughout the fall, there were FLG Practices, Fall Recruiting Tournaments and then various Training Sessions . There were more road trips to see Mercyhurst during their fall ball season.

This past year marked some big changes for me. It has not been easy, but I have tried to embrace it. I am busier than I thought I would be in “Retirement”. But, I am very happy with my present life. I love both of my jobs, and the people I get to work with. 2016 was a great journey. I am looking forward to a great year in 2017. Practice at O.W. starts on January 23. I am anxious to begin!

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Giving Back

Posted on December 20, 2016 by Bob Schmitt

Building More Than Just Athletes – this is the ultimate goal for FLG Lacrosse, a mission statement. What does this mean? We try to take a comprehensive approach to helping our student athletes as they strive to become not only the best lacrosse players they can be, but more importantly, the best people they can be. The focus of our training, is to teach the value of hard work and dedication to long term goals. We are less concerned with wins and losses, than with “getting better everyday”. And “getting better”, means on and off the lacrosse field.

One way to emphasize the off field part of student athlete development, is to provide our players with opportunities to perform charitable acts and community service. “Lax4all” is the not for profit entity started by FLG, dedicated to helping grow the game of lacrosse in areas that do not already have youth lacrosse programs. “Lax4all” has been instrumental in beginning the youth lacrosse program in Roosevelt and is currently working to do the same in Uniondale. For the past month, “Lax4all” has partnered with the Uniondale Athletic Department, to run free weekly clinics in the Gymnasium of the Lawrence Road Middle School. More than 30 FLG Select Team members (Elementary aged and older) have participated in this event. Watching them “give back” by helping others learn the game they love, has been extremely rewarding. A wonderful experience for everyone.

Operation Shoe Box, is a program that facilitates sending various items to U.S. Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each of the past three Saturdays, FLG has encouraged and collected donations from all players participating in its Box Lacrosse Training Program. The response has been impressive, with more than fifty donations, thus far. The thought and care that has gone into creating these packages, is a reflection of the fine families we have in our program. By taking part in this program. our student athletes learn about power of good deeds and helping others. These are the type of “life lessons”, that sports can help teach.

FLG will continue to “Build More Than Just Athletes”. Follow our Blog, to see how.

https://flglacrosse.com/flg-community/

http://opshoeboxnj.org/opshoebox_volunteer.html#.WFl4qNLmqA4

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Just

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Corey Winkoff

Just do it.

Just play.

Just so you know.

Just in case.

Just because.

Why do we use the word Just? Is it really necessary or are we just stuck in a bad habit?

Breaking a bad habit takes recognition, cognition, and work. It’s not impossible. It can be done. The hardest part is figuring out when you will ‘just’ start.

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Work Out Your Mind

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Corey Winkoff

How do you get mental reps?

How do you expand your knowledge for the sport?

How do you work out your mind?

Here are some ideas on how FLG teaches our athletes to become #studletes

Learn to focus on your breath, not always on your movement.

Create a list of distractions that are unacceptable, don’t allow athletes in your program to become victim to those distractions. Hold them accountable for their actions.

Create drills that challenge players mentally and physically.

Quiz your athletes seasonally on what’s they’ve learned throughout the year.

Ask your athletes what they’ve learned at the end of practice.

Send content to your athletes that allow them to develop at their position.

Use creative ways to educate your athletes off the field, not just on it.

#LoveTheGame #FLGLAX #FLG

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10 Reasons To Be a Part of FLG

Posted on July 27, 2016 by FLG Lacrosse Staff

10. It’s a year long program. We have offerings during every season. Our select teams start with Fall Ball, then to Box Lacrosse in winter, Spring Training in the spring, leading up to the summer lacrosse tournament season. Throughout the year, we offer additional training opportunities to make your son or daughter the best they can be.

9. FLG Select Team Coaches are experienced, knowledgable, and have a passion for teaching the game. Currently, FLG has coaches who lead programs in Nassau County, Suffolk County, and at the Collegiate level. Additionally, we have coaches who currently play for Division I, II & III, which is important because they all share their different experiences and remain close to the sport.

8. We are more than lacrosse teams, we are a Program. On top of our Select Teams, FLG runs premier recruiting showcases, FLG brings exposure to different towns by running free clinics throughout the year, FLG runs a slew of unique training programs, FLG has a Lax4all Program that initiates and sustains lacrosse programs in non-traditional communities on Long Island, and FLG has some of the top lacrosse leagues and camps on the island.

College Coaches lined up at an FLG Showcase this past summer

7. FLG has 1 team in each age group to ensure quality play and coaching. This gives us an opportunity to develop each player, team, and guide all families through the recruiting process.


	FLG Committed Team player, Jared Horseman, is a 2016 graduate heading to Marquette this Fall

6. We develop players within our program in a constructive, innovative, and interactive way.Players learn the nuances of the game through unique training programs and FLG’s creative training methods, which are developed by FLG’s experienced team of coaches and Program Directors.

5. We look to prepare the players in our program for the next level; whether it be high school or college, we harp on the importance of responsibility, accountability, time- management, and hard work! Not only do we teach lacrosse, but we tie in life lessons and values that relate to the game! Developing the intangible characteristics in our players is as important as teaching the on-field part of the sport.

4. We have Nassau and Suffolk teams for the convienence of the people in our program. Nassau teams practice out of our convenient Nassau County locations and Suffolk teams will practice out of our convenient Suffolk County locations. Practice sites include Adelphi, LIU Post, Kellenberg Memorial High School, Comsewogue High School, and Hauppauge High School. Additionally, FLG has select teams for both boys and girls.

FLG runs ones of the top individual girls recruiting showcase on Long Island, with the best uncommitted girls and over 50 college coaches.

3. FLG, For the Love of the Game, has an extensive alumni network with studletes who have played at the highest level. After you get recruited, you immediately join our alumni network so we can help with potential internships and job opportunities in different fields of work.

2. FLG Club Directors have 1 on 1 meetings with every family in the program who’ve initiated the recruiting process. No one in our Program will go through the recruiting process alone. All of FLG’s recruitable aged players will get a 1-year membership to Lacrosse Recruits, updates on how to engineer a better recruiting process, and in depth conversations on your son or daughter’s recruiting experience.

FLG has alumni at schools such as Adelphi University who have gone on to win Conference, Sectional, and State Championships

1. Most importantly, we teach, play, and coach because of our love for the game.

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FLG Celebrity Appearance – Matthew Borges

Posted on July 26, 2016 by Corey Winkoff

Matthew Borges, left, just won a Gold Medal for the Under-19 USA Men’s Lacrosse team

Tonight, FLG Alumni Matthew Borges came down to the Garden City Free Clinic at the St. Paul School. Mathew plays Varsity lacrosse for Ohio State University and just captured a gold medal for the U-19 USA Team in Canada. At the clinic, FLG awarded this young studlete a USA practice jersey for his positive attitude, hard work ethic, and coach ability. All characteristics shared by FLG’s Matt Borges. A big thanks to Matt for coming down to our clinic tonight. We hope his positive attributes will motivate the next generation of great laxers in Garden City and all over Long Island!

Tyler Dunne (#11) and Matthew Borges (Right) celebrate after winning the Gold Medal for the U-19 USA Team

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We Don’t Play for the T-Shirt

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Robyn Pastuch

We play for the love of the game.

We play to make ourselves better on and off the field.

We play to become better athletes and better human beings.

We play to improve.

We play to have fun and learn.

Why do you play?

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Wanted: Executive Director to Head Lax4All

Posted on July 12, 2016 by Corey Winkoff

FLG’s Non-Profit Spreads Opportunity to Underprivileged

We at FLG Lacrosse are passionate about the game and what it means to young people from all walks of life. For those in our program, the game serves as a opportunity to bring together like-minded youth, offers a lesson in leadership and provides a healthy outlet after school. FLG wants to spread those benefits while making a positive impact on underprivileged communities here on Long Island and the metropolitan area. In 2008, we founded Lax4All to introduce lacrosse to youth boys and girls in the town of Roosevelt. As a not-for-profit organization, Lax4All is dedicated to raising funds, bringing together volunteer coaches and finding resources to make the game accessible to those who would normally not have the opportunity. The goal of FLG and Lax4All is the same: help build strong, confident individuals who learn respect, leadership and teamwork–the building blocks of success both in sports and in life.

For the past several years, I have personally run the Lax4All program in Roosevelt. Now, we’re looking to offer this program in more and more neighborhoods where economics and insufficient funding have prevented healthy sports programs inside and outside of the schools. In order to be most effective, we’re in search of an Executive Director who will help Lax4All grow.

We are looking for an individual who can provide general oversight to the program, manage its day-to-day operations, help secure essential public and private funding and, above all, be an advocate for our mission.

Our current program relies heavily on assistance from our partners and volunteers as well as donations of used equipment from our members. Funding from private and government sources will allow us to take Lax4All to more neighborhoods where we can make a positive difference in the lives of youth.

The ideal candidate for Executive Director will manage existing revenue streams, develop new revenue streams and seek public/private funding through partnership development, program development and grant writing. Likewise, he or she will work with the team, volunteers and Board of Directors to set long-range goals and increase Lax4All’s visibility within the community. Budgeting, reporting and organization skills are crucial.

For a complete job description and list of candidate qualifications click here. Lax4all Executive Director Description. If you are interested and would like to help us make a difference in the lives of young athletes in disadvantaged areas, please contact me (Corey Winkoff, Program Director FLG Lacrosse), 516-750-6500, to learn more about the Lax4All program, position requirements and salary.

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Did Someone Say FREE Training?

Posted on July 12, 2016 by Corey Winkoff

FLG has begun a series of free training clinics and one may be coming soon to a town near you. Check it out! If you’re a student in grades 2-8 and you’ve never experienced FLG’s lacrosse methodology, here’s your chance! These training sessions are free. Even if you’ve participated in other FLG events, you’re invited to be part of the action. Just register and come on down. There’s absolutely no cost. Experience what FLG (For the Love of the Game) is all about.

What will you experience?

You’ll participate in a series of small area competitive games and station work that put FLG methodology into play. You’ll also receive individual training and tips from FLG coaches and assistants. Our drills give each player plenty of practice with an abundance of touches and repetitions. During the competitive action, you’ll have the opportunity to work on your skills, shooting, distribution, vision, transition play, defense and more.

Why free training?

We’re hitting the road with free clinics that bring FLG training methods to more of Long Island’s young lacrosse players. Improve your game while participating in practice drills, games and competitions and learn firsthand from our experienced coaches and volunteers.

We make it easy.

With ten convenient locations, you’ll find a free clinic in a town near you. Or, join us more than once. Come to as many FLG free trainings in Nassau and Suffolk as you can reach. It’s that simple. For our full calendar of dates and locations click here. Register below and reserve your place today!

You’ll also have a chance to earn fun prizes and take home super giveaways! And, yes, it’s all free!

FREE FLG CLINIC – CLICK TO REGISTER

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Standing on the shoulders of Giants

Posted on July 11, 2016 by flgAdmin

Never lose the appreciation for those who came before you. It’s learning the generation before you. It’s that appreciation and attention that will all you to see further, get better, be greater.

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