Happy Whiteboard Wednesday – read the labels.. Be careful what you’re putting in your body! If you learn like a student, you’ll start to eat like an champ. Make your body your temple.Organic junk food is STILL junk food.
Want to learn more mind blowing facts about sugar, what’s in our food, and eating like a champion? Watch That Sugar Film – http://thatsugarfilm.com
I heard some great advice today about setting yourself up for a successful future. These three pieces of advice aren’t revolutionary, but can be great guides towards a better life. I especially like the first piece of advice because it’s something I need to do more of:
1. Find mentors. Pick 1 or several people that you’d like to be like in ten, twenty, thirty years. Ask those people how they got to where they are and mimic their successes, avoid their mistakes.
2. Work really, really hard. On the field, a team that’s less skilled can beat a more experienced, skilled team because they can out work them. It’s the same thing in life. Know your competition, who’s in your industry, and go work harder than them.
3. Give back. Don’t get caught up in constantly asking for favors, asking for this, asking for that. Give. Give your time. Give your advice. Give your money. Give a gift. You’d be surprised what comes back around.
Some many Americans want that silver bullet or that short-cut that will lead to a successful future. Setting yourself for the life you want to live requires the ability to listen, energy, the understanding of how important it is to give back, and most importantly, time. Set yourself up for success one moment at a time.
From rocking speedos to Lulu Lemon yoga gear, the practice has gone from understated to all over the main stream. High fashion seems to destroy stigmas and get the masses to want and partake, but what about the benefits of yoga? Well, those have been around for centuries. When the mind’s thoughts and the body’s senses stand still, the practice of yoga can be achieved. Now, what does this mean? How can yoga help athletes of today?
Why should all laxers do yoga?
1. The hands are one of the most valuable tools for a successful lacrosse player. Like a broken finger for a two guard in hoops, a sore hand can be devastating for a lacrosse player, regardless off his position. There are a variety of poses in yoga that allows for you to expand you hands, elongate your fingers, stretch your palm, and create an overall more flexible hand. Similar to applying WD-40 to a stiff hinge of a door, stretch your hands to get longer, stronger, and more flexible.
2. Yoga makes your core stronger and spine longer. Have a stronger core can significantly reduce the chances of developing lower back pain, muscle pulls, and spine issues. A stronger core creates a more explosive athlete who can change direction quicker, get to spots faster, and pick up ground balls that much better. A longer spine, means a healthy spine. It will improve your posture. You’ll have a more intimidating presence on the field and give you the confidence to take your talents to the next level. A healthy spine will elongate your playing career, and most importantly keep your body in a healthy position after your playing career.
3. Never forget, breathe. Breathing is more fundamental than your ability to put on your equipment, scoop a ball, cradle, pass or catch. As you progress through your career and advance to an even higher level, coaches and trainers will demand more and more. The more that’s demanded on your mind and body, the more you need to emphasize on the breathe. Oxygen is one of the best tools to stimulate a healthy body and mind. In words of Mary Grace, “the only reason O2 isn’t promoted is because it’s F-R-E-E.” Take advantage of the simple deep inhales and exhales so you can keep your body energized while you compete, and while you sleep!
4. Injury prevention. The practice of yoga stretches more than your body. It stretches your mind, your stamina, your breathe, your internal organs, your ligaments, and your muscles. As an athlete, you know that stretching everything just mentioned can benefit you in one way or another.
5. Stay focused. Some resort to coffee, some resort to red bull, but have you ever tried yoga? Yoga is the most effective and nature way to sharpen your mind. This creates an overall awareness of your body, mind, and empowers you to take control of your athletic career. Injuries, dropped passes, missed play calls, failed assignments can all be prevented. The more you can focus, the more you can develop one of the most valuable aspects for any athlete, the intellect for the game.
6. Ego boost. Lacking confidence? Are you in chronic pain? Do you feel distracted? Improvements in all those areas can be found through the practice of yoga. A double amputee and US veteran, Dan Nevins, is a successful example of the benefits of yoga.
How has yoga helped you? Comment below!
For today’s Fresh Gear Friday, we’d like to feature the Wear 19 FLG Jersey’s for this summer. FLG Girls & Boys Select Players can earn this jersey in the summer by exemplifying the characteristics of Welles Remy Crowther, a true american hero. Some characteristics of Welles:
Selfless
Courageous
Fearless
Intelligent
Loyal
Loves the Game
Be sure to check out this months Lacrosse Magazine with FLG Alumni, Chris Appell of Lehigh, demonstrating how to play a Big/Little pick! #Studlete
After spending a couple of hours with Assistant Coach, Ian Moore of Arcadia University, he mentioned one of the most simple, yet effective training tips I’ve ever heard.
We were discussing the common issue of athletes over-cradling. Many highly skilled lacrosse players, both boys and girls, cradle too much.
What’s the negatives of over-cradling?
1. The ball is rocking in and around their stick, creating an opportunity for the ball fall out
2. Player’s aren’t in a position to make an accurate pass or get off a quick shot
3. Makes it a lot harder to develop soft hands, quick sticks, or the ability to catch in traffic
Trying having a catch with your palm open. Don’t close your grip until your ready to throw!
Now, after discussing the plague of over-cradling in lacrosse, Ian said, “I have a cure.” He mentioned that he was down at the US Lacrosse convention a couple years back watching Offensive Coordinator Matt Brown of Denver give a presentation. Coach Brown mentioned a drill he does with his team that he had down as a young Canadian. The drill is this…
Have a catch. When the ball is coming into your stick, keep your top hand open. Don’t close the grip of your top hand until you are prepared to throw. Brilliant! This eliminates the desire to cradle as soon as the ball hits your mesh. Try out this drill on your own or with your players and let us know how it works, if you see improvement, or if you find a way to make the drill better!
Today, Coach Wink and I got an opportunity to visit the Haverford School. From the looks of it, this is no High School. In beautiful part West ofPhiladelphia, the Haverford School has the looks of a small college campus. Since its inception in the mid-1800’s, Haverford has maintained an emphasis on moral education and ideals. A ridiculously high reputation amongst the top Colleges and Universities, Haverford continues to be one of the premier boys’ schools in the country. Not only is Haverford a premier academic boys’ school, it’s home to one of the most competitive High School boys’ lacrosse programs in the country.
Haverford was 26-0 last year, ranked the top High School lacrosse team in the country
Coming off two hard fought games, Haverford demonstrated a ‘lite’ practice on a beautiful Thursday afternoon. From the looks of it, nothing about this practice was ‘lite’. A concoction of Division I ready athletes took the field and put forth a college level practice. Switching from drill to drill on the minute, Haverford showed why they are a team to beat. Coach Wink and I had the pleasure of speaking to long time head coach and Athletic Director of the Haverford School, John Nostrant, for an hour during practice. He was telling us the history of the lacrosse program, describing what he’s done to build a successful program, and most importantly, how he helps the studletes at Haverford maintain a focus on their academics.
Coach Nostrant is as real as it gets.
He tells it how it is.
He’s tough, but fair.
He’s the guy I’d want my son to play for.
For a brief while, I was fortunate enough to play for Coach Nostrant during the summer of 2008. Coach Nostrant coached me on the U-19 USA team. He was and still is, ‘some coach.’ He’s a gem and I’m privileged to spend some time with him and his Program. Best of luck to the guys in maroon and gold. Go #Fords
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