What does the Defensive Academy offer for lacrosse players. How can defenders improve their skills at this specialized camp. What makes this training program unique in the world of lacrosse.
Elite Defensive Training at the Lacrosse Defensive Academy
The Defensive Academy offers a unique overnight lacrosse camp experience focused exclusively on high-level defensive training. This specialized program is designed for defensemen, long-stick midfielders (LSMs), defensive midfielders, and offensive midfielders looking to enhance their defensive skills. With world-class instructors and a comprehensive curriculum, the Defensive Academy stands out as one of the premier defensive training camps in lacrosse.
Key Camp Details
- Ages: 12-18 years old
- Dates: Monday, June 19 – Thursday, June 22
- Location: DME Academy, Daytona Beach, FL
- Price: $699.00
- Maximum Capacity: 80 campers
- Coach-to-Player Ratio: 10:1
The four-day overnight camp provides an immersive experience for young lacrosse players to focus intensively on developing their defensive skills. With a limited capacity of 80 campers and a coach-to-player ratio of 10:1, participants can expect personalized attention and instruction throughout the program.
World-Class Coaching Staff and Their Expertise
The Defensive Academy boasts an impressive lineup of coaches with extensive playing and coaching experience at the highest levels of lacrosse. The camp is led by two of the most decorated defensive players in professional lacrosse:
Kyle Hartzell
- Head Coach at The University of Texas
- Redwoods LC LSM in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL)
- 2018 Team USA World Champion (Gold Medal)
- Multiple-time professional All-Star and champion
Tucker Durkin
- Defensive Coordinator at Drexel University
- Atlas LC Defenseman and Team Captain in the PLL
- 2018 Team USA World Champion (Gold Medal)
- 7-time All-Pro Defenseman
These elite coaches are joined by other top collegiate coaches and players, ensuring that campers receive instruction from some of the best minds in lacrosse defense.
Comprehensive Skill Development Focus Areas
The Defensive Academy’s curriculum covers a wide range of essential defensive skills and strategies. Campers will receive instruction and practice in:
- Defending from various positions (behind the cage, up top, and wings)
- Defending the 2-man game
- Communication and clearing techniques
- Off-ball and inside play
- Team defense concepts
- Transition defense and offensive decision-making
- Body positioning and footwork
- Man-down strategies
In addition to on-field skills, the camp also focuses on off-field aspects crucial for player development:
- Strength and conditioning
- Speed and agility training
- Yoga and body conditioning
- Mental training techniques
- Diet and nutrition guidance
- Film study sessions
- Leadership development
A Day in the Life at the Defensive Academy
The camp’s daily schedule is carefully structured to provide a balance of intense training, recovery, and off-field activities. Here’s a sample of what campers can expect:
- 7:30 AM – Wake-up call
- 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast
- 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM – Morning skill development session
- 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch
- 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Film study and speed/agility training
- 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Dinner
- 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM – Evening skill development session
- 10:30 PM – Lights out
This structured schedule allows for multiple training sessions each day, interspersed with meals, rest, and off-field learning opportunities.
What Sets the Defensive Academy Apart?
The Defensive Academy distinguishes itself from other lacrosse camps through its exclusive focus on defensive play. While many camps offer general skills training, this program is tailored specifically for players looking to excel in defensive roles. This specialized approach allows for more in-depth instruction and practice in defensive techniques and strategies.
The camp’s emphasis on both on-field skills and off-field development provides a holistic approach to player improvement. By incorporating elements such as strength training, nutrition, and mental preparation, the Defensive Academy aims to develop well-rounded athletes capable of performing at the highest levels.
Facilities and Accommodations
The Defensive Academy is held at DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida. This private school campus offers comfortable accommodations for campers, ensuring they have a pleasant stay during the four-day program. Participants have full access to meals and nutrition, supporting their intense training regimen.
The facilities include state-of-the-art training areas for on-field practice, as well as spaces for off-field activities such as film study, strength training, and yoga sessions. The campus environment provides a focused setting for players to immerse themselves in the learning experience without outside distractions.
Additional Staff and Their Credentials
In addition to lead coaches Kyle Hartzell and Tucker Durkin, the Defensive Academy features a roster of accomplished coaches and players to provide instruction:
Kevin Unterstein
- Defensive Coordinator at the University of North Carolina
- Team USA Gold Medalist
- Former Premier Lacrosse League player
Myles Cohen
- LSM/Defenseman for Furman University
- Former LSM/Defenseman at Boys Latin High School
- 3-year varsity starter with impressive stats (209 ground balls, 63 caused turnovers)
Brett Moyer
- Former LSM for Hofstra Lacrosse
- Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Champion
- Assistant Coach at IMG Academy
Malcolm Chase
- Former defenseman for Whittier College
- Former Major League Lacrosse professional
This diverse coaching staff brings a wealth of experience from various levels of play, providing campers with multiple perspectives on defensive strategies and techniques.
Long-Term Benefits of Specialized Defensive Training
Participating in the Defensive Academy can offer numerous long-term benefits for aspiring lacrosse players. By focusing intensively on defensive skills and strategies, players can:
- Develop a deeper understanding of defensive concepts
- Improve their individual defensive techniques
- Enhance their ability to work within team defensive systems
- Gain confidence in their defensive abilities
- Learn from some of the best defensive minds in the sport
- Build a foundation for success at higher levels of play
The camp’s emphasis on off-field development also provides players with valuable knowledge about strength training, nutrition, and mental preparation. These skills can benefit athletes throughout their lacrosse careers and beyond.
Is the Defensive Academy Right for You?
The Defensive Academy is an ideal choice for lacrosse players who are serious about improving their defensive skills and aspire to play at higher levels. It’s particularly well-suited for:
- Dedicated defensemen looking to refine their techniques
- Long-stick midfielders seeking to enhance their versatility
- Defensive midfielders aiming to improve their defensive contributions
- Offensive midfielders wanting to become more well-rounded players
- High school players preparing for college recruitment
- Any player aged 12-18 with a passion for defensive lacrosse
If you’re committed to defensive excellence and willing to invest in intensive, specialized training, the Defensive Academy could be a transformative experience for your lacrosse career.
Registration and Contact Information
To secure a spot at the Defensive Academy, interested players should register early, as the camp has a maximum capacity of 80 participants. The registration fee of $699.00 covers all aspects of the four-day, three-night experience, including:
- Lodging at DME Academy
- All meals and nutrition
- On-field training sessions
- Off-field development activities
- Access to elite coaching staff
Check-in for the camp is on June 19th at 12 pm, and check-out is on June 22nd at 12 pm. For more information or to register, interested players and parents should visit the official Defensive Academy website or contact the camp organizers directly.
By offering unparalleled defensive instruction in a focused, immersive environment, the Defensive Academy stands as a premier opportunity for young lacrosse players to elevate their defensive game to the highest level.
Overnight Experience – Defensive Academy
Registration
Details
Ages: 12-18 years old
Dates: Monday June 19-Thursday June 22nd
Location: DME Academy — 2441 Bellvue Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Price: $699.00
Max Campers: 80
Coach-to-Player-Ratio: 10:1
Check in/Check out: June 19th at 12pm & June 22nd at 12pm
Staff
Kyle Hartzell
Head Coach at The University of Texas, Redwoods LC LSM, Gold medalist Team USA
Tucker Durkin
Defensive Coordinator Drexel, Team USA Gold Medalist, Atlas LC Defenseman
Kevin Unterstein
Defensive Coordinator UNC, Team USA Gold Medalist, Former PLL Player
Myles Cohen
LSM/D for Furman University, LSM/D Boys Latin High School
Brett Moyer
Hofstra Lacrosse LSM, Former MLL Champion, Assistant Coach IMG Academy
Malcolm Chase
Whittier College Defenseman, Former MLL Pro
Overview
This Camp is designed for Defenseman, LSM’s, Defensive Midfielders, and Offensive Midfielders. The Defensive Academy Overnight Experience will be run by world class defenders Tucker Durkin and Kyle Hartzell, along with other top collegiate coaches and players. Players will enjoy comfortable accommodations on a Private School campus, full access to meals and nutrition, and off-field experiences that keep the schedule fresh and enjoyable between lacrosse sessions. What’s different? Training sessions, drills, film, yoga, pool sessions, strength and conditioning, strategy, and all other lacrosse components will be geared towards getting the most out of defensive players. If you’re a defender, or midfielder looking to improve, there isn’t a better camp available. Period.
The Defensive Academy’s Overnight Experience will be led by current professional standouts Kyle Hartzell (Redwoods LC) and Tucker Durkin (Atlas Lacrosse Club). Kyle and Tucker are two of the most decorated defensive players in the professional game today. Each player represents Team USA and has been selected to multiple Pro lacrosse All-Star Appearances. Additional accolades include MLL Defensive Player of the Year, MLL Championships, MLL 1st Team All-Pro Nominations, NCAA All-American, and NCAA National Championships. Kyle has coached for private organizations as well as at the high-school level in Dallas, TX, and is the Current Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach at The University of Texas. Tucker is currently the Assistant Coach at Drexel University in PA.
Skill Development Focus Areas
- Defending from Behind the Cage
- Defending from Up Top & Wings
- Defending the 2-Man Game
- Communication & Clearing
- Off Ball and Inside Play
- Team Defense
- Offensive Transition Decision Making & Strategy
- Body Positioning
- Transition Defense
- Man-Down Strategy
- Strength Training
- Speed & Agility Training
- Yoga & Body Conditioning
- Mental Training
- Diet & Nutrition
- Film study
- Leadership Development
Sample Itinerary
7:30AM All-Up
8:00AM – 9:00AM Breakfast
9:30AM – 11:00AM Session 1: Skill Development (Stickwork, Groundballs, Checks, Footwork, 1v1 Defense, Team Defense, Body Positioning on and off ball)
12:00PM – 1:00PM Lunch
2:00PM – 4:00PM Session 2: Film Study & Group Speed Agility session w/ Strength Coach
5:00PM – 6:00PM Dinner
7:00PM – 8:30PM Session 3: Skill Development
10:30PM Lights Out
Staff – Defensive Academy
Kyle Hartzell
PLL Redwoods LC LSM
2018 Team USA World Champion – Gold Medal
Inducted into the 2015 NJCAA Men’s Lacrosse Hall of Fame
2014 Team USA Silver Medalist
2011 Team USA Indoor Team Bronze Medalist
2010 Championship Weekend MVP (First defenseman ever to
receive the award)
2x Pro Champion
1x NLL Champion
2x College National Champion
Defensive MVP Salisbury University
All Pro LSM
6x All Star
2x Fastest Shot Champion and World Record 111mph
Record for most points in a season by a defenseman (21)
Record for most 2 pointers in a season by a defenseman (9)
Tucker Durkin
PLL Atlas LC Defenseman and Team Captain
Assistant Coach at Drexel University
2018 Team USA World Champion – Gold Medal
2018 All World Defenseman
2014 Team USA Silver Medal
2014 All World Defenseman
2014 World Games Most Outstanding Defenseman of the Tournament
Johns Hopkins University 2x William C. Schmeisser Award winner
3x Collegiate All American
2013 All MLL Defenseman (Only Rookie ever to be named All Pro)
7x All Pro Defenseman
Bryce Young
Whipsnakes LC Defenseman
2x All American University of Maryland
2nd Team All Big Ten Selection
2x All Academic Big Ten Selection
2017 National Champion University of Maryland
3x Pro Champion
2019 PLL All Star
Myles Cohen
3 year Varsity Starter Boys Latin
2014 National Champs
209 Gb’s, 63 CT’sFurman University
4 Year Letterman
3rd all time in career ground balls
Chase Caruso
Denver Outlaws LSM
Inducted into the 2018 Salisbury University Athletics Hall of Fame
National Player of the year 2007
2x 1st Team All American (2006, 2007)
2x National LSM of the year (2006, 2007)
2x CAC Player of The Year (2006, 2007)
CAC Co-Rookie of the year – Sacred heart (2004)
Ric Beardsley
2020 PLL Assistant Coach – Atlas LC
Head Varsity Coach – Christian Brothers Academy
2017, 2018 Sectional Champions – Christian Brothers Academy
2017 State Champions – Christian Brothers Academy
4x All American Syracuse University
2 time National Champion Syracuse University
1992 USA U-19 Team Captain and World Champion
2x High School All American
3x High School All Section 1
4x High School All Section 1
1 of 9 players to be named a 4x Collegiate All American
ESPN and ACC Lacrosse Color Commentator
Mike Murphy
Defensive Coordinator Whipsnakes 2018-Present
Head Boys Lacrosse Coach The Hill School 2018-Present
Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach Colgate University 2011-2018
Assistant Coach/Defensive Coordinator United States Military Academy 2003-2011
Scott Ratliff
Archers LC LSM
2x College All American Loyola University
2012 NCAA National Champion
2018 Dave Huntley Man of the Year Award
4x Pro All Star
One of the largest enterprises in the Altai science city of Biysk increased its output in 2021
For one of the largest industrial enterprises in the Altai science city of Biysk, Energostroydetal-Biysk Boiler Plant LLC, 2021 was a year of growth and development: the plant increased its output , updated production facilities and expanded the geography of deliveries, the Ministry of Industry and Energy of the Altai Territory reported.
In January 2021, the Board of Directors of the enterprise approved the quality policy. This document determined the main directions for improving the quality of manufactured products and processes.
At the beginning of spring, the plant started manufacturing products for Kazphosphate LLP. Within the framework of the signed agreement, steam boilers, gas-diesel burners and smoke exhausters were manufactured for one of the largest enterprises in the Republic of Kazakhstan – a plant for the production of mineral fertilizers in the city of Taraz.
In the spring of 2021, ESD-BiKZ LLC developed a new line of automated oil-gas burners. Products comply with all technological, consumer and environmental standards applicable to industrial equipment. To date, about sixty burners previously developed by the plant have proven themselves at the facilities of Tatneft PJSC, Lukoil-Engineering LLC, Bashkir Generating Company LLC, Sibur-Khimprom JSC and other large companies.
In July 2021, with the active support of the Ministry of Industry and Energy of the Altai Territory, ESD-BiKZ LLC took part in the 11th International Industrial Exhibition Innoprom-2021 in Yekaterinburg. Among the participants of the exhibition were represented 22 countries of the world, the exhibition was visited by about fifty thousand people, 80% of which are professional buyers from around the world, specialists from industrial enterprises who make decisions on the introduction of new products and technologies in production.
Last summer, the plant passed certification of welding (equipment, technology, welders) according to European Directive 2014/68/EU (PED) “On the safety of pressure equipment.” The certificate was issued by TÜV Rheinland.
Also, the plant received a certificate of conformity with the requirements of the European Union CE for the implementation of a contract for the manufacture of equipment for a start-up boiler house for the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in the Republic of Turkey. All products under this contract were produced and handed over to the customer.
In autumn, the plant began shipping products for the Afipsky oil refinery, as well as for a number of enterprises of the Russian defense complex, including for the needs of the Tambov powder plant, one of the key enterprises of the defense complex of our country.
In November, the plant became a member of the All-Russian Industrial Association of Employers “Union of Mechanical Engineers of Russia”. The Union has been operating since 2006, contributing to the creation of a competitive, dynamic and innovative economy of the country, and also unites the efforts of the participants to form a strategy for the development of the Russian machine-building industry at the level of the leading industrialized countries.
According to the General Director of ESD-BiKZ LLC, membership in the Union of Mechanical Engineers fully corresponds to the strategic goals of the enterprise development. “It contributes to the coordination of our actions with the actions of our Russian colleagues, and also provides an opportunity to represent our interests at the federal level,” said Oleg Pletnev.
According to him, the company’s management strives to ensure that highly qualified employees work at the plant, and this is possible if it produces high-quality products demanded by the market and provides decent wages.
“Hopefully the demand for our products will continue to grow and we will be able to provide more competitive jobs in the city. At least for the next year, the portfolio of orders is serious. I will say the main thing: the plant and its staff, first of all, have great potential,” Oleg Pletnev noted.
The further development of the boiler industry as one of the key priorities is defined by the draft Concept for the Development of the Industry of the Altai Territory until 2030. The main direction of development of the industry will be the improvement and modular unification of boiler elements and auxiliary equipment, increasing competitiveness through the integrated automation of boiler operation, and the development of related maintenance and installation services. An important place in the document is given to the formation and improvement of the mechanism of regional order for the training of specialists (including using the mechanism of targeted training), as well as the formation of a new system of continuous professional education that meets the requirements of innovative development of industry.
Recall: The Biysk Boiler Plant is one of the largest engineering enterprises in the region, a production facility founded in the Altai Territory during the Great Patriotic War on the basis of plants evacuated from the European part of the country to the deep rear. In mid-February 1942, the first group of specialists who arrived in Biysk chose a site for the enterprise and launched the construction of the first stage. Already by September 1942, the first boiler was produced, and in record time, an innovative vertical boiler was designed and put into series. In total, during the war years, the staff of the plant in Biysk manufactured about 500 boilers.
To date, the company has manufactured over 130 thousand boilers of various brands and modifications, whose reliability is highly appreciated by enterprises in various industries both in Russia and abroad.
In 2019, the Biysk Boiler Plant entered the group of enterprises of the Omsk SibGazStroyDetal Plant to develop activities in the power equipment market.