Invites for FLG’s Premier Showcase Series will be going out this weekend. Check out our all new HD PROMOs for our Premier Showcases below!
Pursuit of Perfection
For the first time in a month, I did not spend make a long car trip to watch my daughter and the Mercyhurst Lady Lakers Lacrosse Team at a Fall Ball Event. We had two very good FLG Select Team Practices on Saturday, and I thought it might be nice to have a little less Lacrosse, for at least one Sunday.
Then I remembered I had set Team Snap email notifications to all of the girls in the program telling them about the “Fall Classic” on the Lax Sports Network (LSN) on Saturday and Sunday. Over the course of the weekend, the top four National Teams from the last World Cup, as well as defending NCAA Champion, University of North Carolina, would be squaring off at Tierney Field in Sparks, Maryland. Of course, I would have to check it out, after all it would be wrong to lead others to the event and then not watch it myself.
So, I tuned in to the UNC Tar Heels vs. Australia. I was thoroughly impressed with both teams. UNC looked very fast. As the game progressed, it seemed that Carolina’s youthful inexperience was actually a virtue against an Australian Squad that looked a bit tired at times and not able to match the aggressive ride (or re-defend), and overall team speed of UNC. The fact that UNC was without three players who are still in the Pool for the final two cuts for the US National Team (Caylee Waterss, Marie McCool and Maggie Bill), should put the rest of NCAA Women’s Lacrosse, on notice.
Next up, the US vs. Canada. While the announcers were discussing Canada’s lackluster performance on Saturday, I was anticipating a tight game. The Canadians often seem to have our number in these types of events. I could not have been more wrong. The current version of the US National Team, is truly something to behold. It would take too long to list the number of amazing players still in the running to make the final 18 player roster (I don’t envy Coach Fried and his Staff, having to make those cuts). The US put on a remarkable display of high speed skill, athleticism, tenacity and execution. They were firing on all cylinders to say the least. I stopped paying attention to the score and simply marveled at the selfless, continuous maximum effort they put forth. Every Dodge was made with determination, every cut with a purpose, every ride was the picture of gritty, athletic toughness, the ball movement was swift and precise. Are you getting the picture? It appears that the explosion in girl’s/women’s lacrosse has now produced such a volume of elite level players, that the US could likely field at least two teams that would be better than any other Nation’s best.
The most impressive thing of all, was that I never saw even one player act selfishly, trying to further her chances to make the team. Collections of great players, often tend to under achieve as a group due to their lack of cohesion and/or chemistry. This US Team seems to possess an absolute commitment to “TEAM” and a full blown “Pursuit of Perfection”. It should be fun to watch!
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DRILL – Side By
FLG Fusion DRILL called Side By. What we work on in this drill:
- Boys or Girls
- Ages 9 and Up
- 4v3 and 3v2 work
- Playing Fast
- Attacking from different spots on the field
- Scoring in extra-mon opportunities
- Defending in transition
- Off-ball movement
- Playing in tight spaces
- Variations – btb’s, weak hand ground balls, picks, etc.
- Enjoy!
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The Hardest Part About Running a Lacrosse Club
Running a lacrosse club isn’t easy. One of the most difficult parts about the job is treating each team in your club as if they are your one and only. If you get new jerseys for one team, you have to get new jersey’s for every team. If you provide great coaching for one team, you have to provide great coaching for every team. If you practice plan for one team, you should be planning practice for every team in your program. If you do it on the boys side of the program, you should offer it on the girls side.
While running a success lacrosse club can have it’s challenges, it can be done. It’s important to understand that one person can’t make a successful club.
It takes a positive culture.
It takes great coaches, volunteers, and staff.
It take generous families who are open and willing to help the club and do what’s in the best interest of their kids.
It takes tremendous effort, grit, and time.
If you are one of those people who are running club, think about how you treat your favorite team. Maybe it’s that team your son or daughter is on, maybe it’s your best team, or maybe it’s your most coachable team. Now, go treat every team in your program just like them. That sounds like a successful club lacrosse program to me.
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Deliberate Practice
It’s not about how much you practice, as much it is how you practice. Angela Duckworth explains the importance of what’s called deliberate practice. A form of deep practice that is quality, efficient, and mindful.
Let’s say you’re on a great team, you have a quality coach, and you play for a quality program. What’s the next step to getting your talents to the next level?
Know the science of what you wish to master and follow these 4 steps to get the most out of deliberate practice:
- Clearly define your goal
- Full concentration and effort 100% of the time!
- Immediate and informative feedback. This can be self-informed. Use video to your advantage.
- Reps. Reps. Reps. with reflection and refinement
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One Crazy Busy Lacrosse Weekend
This past weekend was a crazy busy lacrosse weekend, even for me. I recently promised myself that I would do my best to say “yes” and travel to as many of my daughter’s lacrosse events. So, after three separate FLG Girls Lacrosse Practices at Long Island Lutheran High School, I began my third long car trip, in as many weeks. The destination was Robert Morris University just outside of Pittsburgh, the site of an eleven team Fall Ball Play Day hosted by Robert Morris and its crosstown rival Duquesne. I arrived at my hotel just before 9pm, in time to have a beer and watch the about 3/4 of the Clemson vs. Louisville Football Game, with my old neighbor, Clint Morano, who was there with lovely wife Janice, also to watch Women’s College Lacrosse the next day.
We arrived at RMU before 9am. The Morano’s went to watch their daughter Natalie and her IUP Crimson Hawk teammates play their first game in the very impressive Joe Walton Stadium, while I went to the lower field to see my daughter, Diana, and the Mercyhurst Lady Lakers take on host RMU. The field was very muddy but both teams slogged through it and performed well. Both teams and the decent sized crowd did well getting acclimated to the 90 second possession clock, which will be in play this spring in NCAA Division I (next year for Divisions II and III). The highlight of my day came during the break between games one and two. Seeing best friends, Diana and Natalie welcome each other with a big hug, was worth a seven hour drive any day.
Plenty of good lacrosse followed with teams from near and far testing themselves and each other. I think every team had at least one tent and a following of family, friends and fans. The tailgaters put out an impressive assortment of food and lots of TLC, all of which seemed greatly appreciated by the players. While the lacrosse was highly charged and competitive, the overall atmosphere was almost festive. Before the day was done, I had bumped into Pete Fallon and Marty Mahon. Pete was a graduate assistant coach when I played at Cortland. He and his wife were there to watch there daughter Taylor, who is a senior at St. Bonaventure. Marty’s daughter Sarah once played with Diana and Natalie at a Prospect Day. Sarah is a junior at St. Francis.
I left just after the Lady Lakers boarded the bus to head back to Erie. Following my GPS, I took a long detour from Interstate 76 onto a more scenic route through the hills of western Pennsylvania. It was a nice ride, almost relaxing. Once again, I found myself reflecting and realizing how fortunate I am to be taking these trips, seeing old friends and of course seeing my daughter play and getting to spend some time with her. So, what did you do this weekend?
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Get Outta the Loop
I’m not talking about the inner circle. The what’s happening at school. The thing that your afraid of missing.
I’m talking about the monotony of your daily routine. The vicious cycle that gets you stuck in your ways. The actions that brings you back to the same place you started. Don’t allow your life to run itself in a loop.
It’s time to break out of that loop.
Step out, so you can step up.
Try something new.
Face those fears.
Do what you can, using what you know. Be the best you. #MotivationMonday
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From Talent To Achievement
Angela Duckworth, Author of Grit, creates a brilliant formula that just might explain how we go from Talent to Achievement.
Learn more about Angela here!
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The Alumni Game
Last Friday, my wife and I headed northwest to Mercyhurst University, in Erie, PA (between 7 and 8 hours driving, from Long Island). This was the second long car ride I had made in five days. We arrived early enough to have dinner with our daughter before she left for the Bonfire, which was part of the Homecoming Festivities. I was able to fit a workout in on Saturday morning, before we met Diana at her apartment across the street from campus. We drove down toward the Lake for an early lunch at “Sara’s” a Classic Roadside Burger, Fries and Shake Place located at the entrance of Presque Isle State Park. Lunch was great (best Orange/Vanilla Shake ever!). Back up the hill, to the Homecoming Football Game we went. It was a thrilling game, whose outcome was not decided until the final seconds. Though, Mercyhurst lost in heartbreaking fashion, 35-34, it was a great spectacle and sporting event. We brought Diana back to her Apartment and we went back to the Hotel for a light dinner.
Now it was time for Women’s Lacrosse Alumni Game. The real reason we had made the trip (though my wife would likely disagree). Alumni Games are a mainstay of College Lacrosse Programs. An event that draws fans and players from the current team as well as teams from the past. The game itself was a lighthearted affair with the emphasis on fun. With many representatives from last year’s stellar senior class, it was competitive, though the overall atmosphere was one of “reunion”. The returning current players seemed so happy to see their now graduated teammates. The Alumni looked like they were just happy to have another chance to be on Tullio Field, a place with many great memories. I did not see many games last season but I did recognize some familiar faces among the parents in attendance. It was great to see Tami Keirn amongst them, with her camera. This is the first time in 8 years that Tami does not have a daughter on the team at Mercyhurst. She appeared thrilled to be there, and she told me “it goes by fast”.
After the game, there was an Ice Cream Social, during which, the Freshman and returning players all mingled with the Alumni. The parents mingled as well. As I reflect upon the weekend and Alumni Game in particular, I think Coach Cooke accomplished what he was hoping for. The “Game” and the “Social” were ways to link the new beginning of this year’s team, with the successful teams of the past. Establishing or strengthening the connection between the present players and those who have gone before them – in short, Building Tradition.
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Fit to Lead
Question: Do you need to be fit to lead?
Short answer: Yes.
In every sense of the word, leaders need to be fit.
- Physically fit to handle the long days, late night calls, and active assignments. Physically fit so they can communicate effectively, stay sharp mentally, and perform at a high level consistently.
- Emotionally fit to handle the pressures of failing, taking responsibility for ones decisions, and consistently standing up for what you believe it right.
- Spiritually fit to exude positivity and enthusiasm. A leader sees the big picture, measuring success on how much work has been created that actually matters, as opposed to how much they’ve earned for themselves or their organization.
Are you fit? Next question, are you ready to lead?
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