How do lacrosse training aids benefit high school and college teams. What are the most effective training tools for improving player performance. Which lacrosse training aids are recommended for different skill levels and positions.
Essential Lacrosse Training Aids for Player Development
Lacrosse training aids have become indispensable tools for players and coaches looking to enhance skills and team performance. These specialized equipment pieces and devices are designed to target specific aspects of the game, allowing for focused practice and rapid improvement. Let’s explore some of the most effective lacrosse training aids used by top high school and college programs.
Rebounder Nets: Perfecting Passing and Shooting
Rebounder nets are among the most versatile and widely used lacrosse training aids. These sturdy, angled nets return the ball to the player, simulating passes and shots from various angles. How do rebounder nets benefit players? They allow for repetitive practice of crucial skills like:
- Passing accuracy
- Shot placement
- Quick stick skills
- Hand-eye coordination
By providing instant feedback and eliminating the need for a practice partner, rebounder nets enable players to maximize their training time and rapidly improve their fundamental skills.
Shooting Targets: Precision and Accuracy Training
Shooting targets are essential for developing pinpoint accuracy in lacrosse. These specialized nets or overlays feature multiple openings of various sizes, challenging players to hit specific areas of the goal. How do shooting targets improve a player’s shooting skills? They help players:
- Develop muscle memory for accurate shots
- Practice hitting corners and hard-to-reach spots
- Simulate game-like pressure situations
- Track progress and set measurable goals
Many high school and college programs incorporate shooting targets into their daily practice routines to sharpen their offensive capabilities.
Advanced Stick Skills Training Tools
Developing superior stick skills is crucial for success in lacrosse. Several training aids are specifically designed to enhance a player’s control, dexterity, and finesse with the lacrosse stick.
Wall Ball Targets: The Ultimate Solo Practice Tool
Wall ball targets are simple yet highly effective training aids for improving stick skills. These portable targets can be attached to any flat surface, creating a dedicated practice area. How do wall ball targets benefit players?
- Improve passing accuracy and catching reflexes
- Develop ambidextrous skills
- Enhance hand speed and coordination
- Allow for high-repetition practice in limited space
Consistent wall ball practice with these targets is a cornerstone of skill development for players at all levels.
Stick Weights and Weighted Balls: Building Strength and Control
Stick weights and weighted balls are valuable tools for developing stick strength, control, and shooting power. These training aids add resistance to normal lacrosse movements, challenging players to maintain proper form and technique. How do weighted training aids improve performance?
- Increase stick and wrist strength
- Enhance shot power and velocity
- Improve overall stick control and handling
- Develop muscle memory for proper shooting mechanics
Many college programs incorporate weighted training aids into their strength and conditioning routines to give players a competitive edge.
Agility and Footwork Training Equipment
Lacrosse demands quick feet and exceptional agility. Several training aids are designed to improve players’ speed, footwork, and overall athleticism on the field.
Agility Ladders: Improving Footspeed and Coordination
Agility ladders are versatile tools used to enhance a player’s footwork, speed, and coordination. These flat ladder-like structures laid on the ground provide a framework for various drills. How do agility ladders benefit lacrosse players?
- Improve foot speed and quickness
- Enhance change of direction skills
- Develop better body control and balance
- Increase overall agility and athleticism
Incorporating agility ladder drills into regular practice sessions can significantly boost a player’s on-field performance and reduce the risk of injuries.
Resistance Bands: Building Explosive Power
Resistance bands are excellent tools for developing the explosive power needed in lacrosse. These versatile bands can be used for a wide range of exercises targeting different muscle groups. How do resistance bands enhance lacrosse performance?
- Improve acceleration and top-end speed
- Increase lateral quickness and agility
- Enhance core strength and stability
- Develop sport-specific power in shooting and dodging
Many high school and college programs integrate resistance band training into their strength and conditioning programs to build well-rounded athletes.
Goalie-Specific Training Aids
Goalies require specialized training to hone their unique skill set. Several training aids are designed specifically to improve goalie performance and reaction times.
Reaction Balls: Enhancing Hand-Eye Coordination
Reaction balls are unpredictable, multi-sided rubber balls that bounce erratically when thrown. These challenging training aids are excellent for improving a goalie’s hand-eye coordination and reflexes. How do reaction balls benefit lacrosse goalies?
- Sharpen reaction times and reflexes
- Improve hand-eye coordination
- Enhance focus and concentration
- Develop the ability to track unpredictable shots
Regular practice with reaction balls can significantly improve a goalie’s ability to make difficult saves in game situations.
Vision Occlusion Goggles: Training Anticipation Skills
Vision occlusion goggles are advanced training aids that momentarily block a goalie’s vision, forcing them to anticipate shots based on the shooter’s body position and stick movement. How do these goggles improve goalie performance?
- Enhance shot anticipation skills
- Improve reading of shooters’ body language
- Develop better positional awareness
- Increase overall save percentage
Many college programs use vision occlusion goggles to give their goalies a competitive edge and improve their ability to make difficult saves.
Team-Oriented Training Equipment
While individual skills are crucial, lacrosse is ultimately a team sport. Several training aids are designed to improve team coordination, communication, and tactical understanding.
Portable Crease: Perfecting Offensive and Defensive Strategies
Portable creases are lightweight, easy-to-set-up training aids that replicate the offensive and defensive areas around the goal. These versatile tools allow teams to practice specific plays and situations in any location. How do portable creases benefit lacrosse teams?
- Facilitate offensive and defensive drills
- Improve player positioning and spacing
- Enhance team communication and coordination
- Allow for focused practice on crease-specific situations
Many high school and college teams use portable creases to run efficient practices and develop effective game strategies.
Tactical Boards: Visualizing Plays and Strategies
Tactical boards are essential tools for coaches to illustrate plays, formations, and strategies to their teams. These dry-erase boards typically feature a lacrosse field layout and movable magnets representing players. How do tactical boards enhance team performance?
- Improve players’ understanding of complex plays
- Facilitate better on-field communication
- Allow for quick adjustments during games
- Enhance overall tactical awareness
Effective use of tactical boards can significantly improve a team’s strategic execution and adaptability during games.
Innovative Technology in Lacrosse Training
As technology continues to advance, new and innovative training aids are being developed to push lacrosse players to new levels of performance.
Shot Tracking Systems: Data-Driven Performance Improvement
Shot tracking systems use advanced sensors and software to provide detailed analytics on shot speed, accuracy, and release time. These high-tech training aids offer valuable insights for players and coaches. How do shot tracking systems benefit lacrosse teams?
- Provide objective data on shooting performance
- Identify areas for improvement in shooting technique
- Track progress over time
- Facilitate data-driven coaching decisions
Many college programs are incorporating shot tracking systems into their training regimens to gain a competitive edge through data analysis.
Virtual Reality Training: Simulating Game Scenarios
Virtual reality (VR) training is an emerging technology in lacrosse that allows players to practice decision-making and reaction times in simulated game scenarios. How does VR training enhance player development?
- Improve mental preparation and decision-making
- Enhance tactical understanding in various game situations
- Provide additional training opportunities without physical wear and tear
- Allow for position-specific training in a controlled environment
While still in its early stages, VR training shows promising potential for revolutionizing how lacrosse players prepare for competition.
In conclusion, lacrosse training aids play a crucial role in developing skilled players and successful teams. From fundamental tools like rebounder nets to cutting-edge technologies like shot tracking systems, these aids provide targeted practice opportunities that can significantly enhance performance. By incorporating a variety of training aids into their programs, high school and college lacrosse teams can accelerate player development and gain a competitive edge on the field.
Girls Lacrosse Winter League
Registration Closed
About
Run on our 40 x 80 yard state of the art field, the House of Sports Girls Lacrosse Winter League is Westchester’s longest continuous running & most popular program while providing an unmatched value at $225 per player for a 10 game season.
We’re proud of our history helping players & schools prepare for the spring season through competitive, fast paced, “box style” game play.
Our unique structure of Master’s & Emerging Divisions for Modified & High School helps create the most competitive leagues possible.
New This Year!
All Modified and High School games will be professionally live streamed via Live Barn. This value added benefit will allow players to review and critique their own perforate while allowing coaches to incorporate the film into their preparation.
Draw Controls after every 4th goal
Overview
| Youth 5/6 | Mod 7/8 | HS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | 12/4/22 | 12/4/22 | 12/4/22 |
| End | 3/5/23 | 3/5/23 | 3/5/23 |
| Team Fee* | No | No | No |
| *Minimum Number of Players Required | 10 | 12 | 18 |
| Player Fee | $225 | $225 | $225 |
| Guaranteed Games | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Rosters Due | 11/1/22 | 11/1/22 | 11/1/22 |
| Play Day | Sunday | Sunday | Sunday |
| Games Start at |
9:00 AM
|
10:00 AM
|
12:45 PM
|
| Games End at | 9:50 AM | 12:40 PM | 9:00 PM |
| Max Number of Teams | 4* |
|
|
| Emerging | N/A | 6 | 10 |
| Masters | N/A | 6 | 8 |
| Championship | No | Yes | Yes |
| Format (Field + Goalie) | 5v5 | 6v6 | 10v10: 9 Field + Goalie |
| Field Size In Yards | 40 x 20 | 40 x 40 | 80 x 40 |
| Field Size in Feet | 120 x 60 | 120 x 120 | 240 x 120 |
| All Games are 2 x 25 Minute Halves | |||
* Will expand if there’s a demand
FAQ’s
Q: When are Rosters due?
A: By November 1st.
This gives us a month to iron out League details
Q: Will there be a Free Agent Team?
A: Our goal is to have as many players possible playing. We do have Free Agent Teams planned. However, if we do not get enough interest to field a Team, we’ll try to assign Free Agents to Teams with low rosters.
Q: My school is interested but not enough to field a full team, what can we do?
A: We will look to combine you with another Team in a similar situation. We had success doing it last year
Q: I don’t have a Coach, what can I do?
A: We will assign a House of Sports Coach to your Team at no additional charge
Q: I don’t have a Goalie, what can I do?
A: We’ll reach out to other Teams to see if their Goalie would like to get additional gams in. If all else fails, we’ll use a “Hector the Rejector.”
Q: Is there a Team Fee?
A: While there is no Team Fee, we due have a minimum Roster size. Teams failing to see the minimums will either be asked to take Free Agents or have players pay incremental fee
Contact Us
Amy Communications Director
Communications Director
CoJo Frederick
Director of Girls Lacrosse
Chyna Hill
Assistant Director, Girls Lacrosse
FAQ | LAXSoft
- Why are some buttons on the Main Menu disabled?
- I had to shut down my computer during halftime, will this affect my statistics recorded in the 2nd half?
- I have spelled a player’s name incorrectly.
If I update his name will it affect any of the statistics recorded for that player? - I don’t have a portable computer, can I still use LAXSoft for capturing, storing and reporting on my team’s lacrosse statistics?
- Lacrosse can be a fast moving sport and I can’t easily track both teams statistics. Do I have to keep all of the opponent’s “Ground Balls”, “Takeaways” etc.?
- I forgot to start the clock and recorded some statistics. Is it important to have the exact time?
- Our opponent scored a goal on their own goal that was credited to our team. How is this recorded?
- Does LAXSoft run on an Apple Mac or iPad?
- I have a player that isn’t showing up on the roster?
- Sometimes in our indoor recreation league there is no goalie, so a canvas form with cut-outs at various places overlays the goal. How do we account for “Saves” when there is no goalie?
- When I try to choose the game on the Main Form, there are no games to choose from. What is the problem?
- I want to modify a few records for a game that was just completed, but all of the action buttons on the form are disabled. How can I update these records?
- There are times during the game when I can’t identify the player that was offside or that “pushed from behind” because “Loss of Possession” penalties can be “delayed” whistle calls and because the referee does not give a number or I can’t hear his call. How can I record this information without knowing the player?
- Do I have to record opponent’s statistics at the Player level or can I assign all opponent statistics at the team level (like I did last year)?
- I don’t see a listing for Missed Shots (MS) on any of the reports. Are they included in the “Total Shots:?
- If a player is on the same team for 2 seasons, do I need to have separate records for each season?
- Can I enter prior year’s game statistics into LAXSoft, so that I can get all of our player’s Career data into LAXSoft?
If I update his name will it affect any of the statistics recorded for that player?
How do we account for “Saves” when there is no goalie?
Are they included in the “Total Shots:?Why are some buttons on the Main Menu disabled?
Buttons are enabled based upon what you have setup in LAXSoft. For example, if you have not entered any Scheduled Games or don’t have any Players entered, the “GameTime” button will be disabled.
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I had to shut down my computer during halftime, will this affect my statistics recorded in the 2nd half?
No. All actions are saved immediately in the local database – you will lose nothing. Once you have re-booted your computer and opened the GameTime form, all display fields will be recalculated.
The game time clock will be set to the time of the latest statistic. For example, if the last game statistic was a ground ball with 5 seconds left in Period 2, then the game clock will show that time. If needed, run down the game clock to the end of the period or manually set the period and the time.
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I have spelled a player’s name incorrectly. If I update his name will it affect any of the statistics recorded for that player?
No, there is an internal unique number (PNum) for all players. Any information that you change about a player will have no affect on the statistical records stored for him. You may change his name, the Jersey number, or his primary position. All reports will reflect the latest information. WARNING: If a player leaves the team and had game statistics, changing his name and information to a new player who takes his place will assign all the older player’s stats to the new player.
In this situation, inactivate the first player and then add the new player. You will then be able to reassign the prior player’s jersey number.
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I don’t have a portable computer, can I still use LAXSoft for capturing, storing and reporting on my team’s lacrosse statistics?
Yes. You may capture lacrosse statistics on paper and enter them later. On the report menu, print several copies of the “Manual Stat Sheet” form. You need at least 1 page per period but it would be safer to have an ample supply on hand. After the game, you may enter the stats into the GameTime form. Although, you may not have the exact time for most statistics, you can enter them by period or by approximate time. Usually, it is important to enter the accurate Period and Time for all goals and penalties. This will allow you to reconcile your statistics back to the official score book.
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Lacrosse can be a fast moving sport and I can’t easily track both teams statistics.
Do I have to keep all of the opponent’s “Ground Balls”, “Takeaways” etc.?
No, your primary focus is on your team. Except for Face Offs, Goals, Shots on Goal, the Opponent statistics are optional. On the “GameTime” form the “red” smaller sized action buttons can be considered optional. Many people begin using LAXSoft for only the key stats for their team. Once they have mastered the tool, they expand the number of statistics collected. In the “Action Buttons” figure below, the buttons on the left side are for “your” team and the smaller buttons on the right are for the opponents. However, there are 4 buttons on the opponent side that are colored in black (FW, SO, G- and PN). The first three are actions that apply to both teams. A “Goal Scored” (G-) by your opponent is a Goal Against for your goalie. A “Shot on Goal” (SO) by your opponent is a “Save” for your goalie and a “Face-Off Won” (FW) by your opponent is a “Face off Lost” by your player. The fourth button “PN” is a penalty for your opponent which is an action that will help you in determining when a score is an Extra Man or Short Handed goal.
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I forgot to start the clock and recorded some statistics. Is it important to have the exact time?
You don’t have to change the time they will be reported in the order entered on the Game Narrative report. The Time and Period are important for Goals, Assists, and Penalties, that’s why the pop up form to record these allows you to set the time before saving the record these
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Our opponent scored a goal on their own goal that was credited to our team. How is this recorded?
Unlike hockey, lacrosse does not assign goals to the closest player on the field. In lacrosse, these goals are entered as “team” goals. Click on the “team” entry on the Player roster to credit the team with the goal.
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Does LAXSoft run on an Apple Mac or iPad?
LAXSoft must run on a Windows computer. There are Windows emulators that you can run on the Mac that will allow you to run LAXSoft.
This limitation is because LAXSoft was developed using an advanced relational database (Microsoft Access) that is not available on Apple computers.
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I have a player that isn’t showing up on the roster?
To show up on the roster for a Game, the player must be active, not graduated on the Player record, and be active on the team. Click on the IR/Unable to Play tab to see if the player on the “Injured Reserve”. Double-click his name to release him from the IR. Check that the player is assigned to the team that you have selected for this game and that his graduation date is later than this season.
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Sometimes in our indoor recreation league there is no goalie, so a canvas form with cut-outs at various places overlays the goal. How do we account for “Saves” when there is no goalie?
If there is no player in goal, then the only way to record these stats is to make an entry in the Player database for “Hector the Rejector” (an inanimate player) and place him in goal for that game.
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When I try to choose the game on the Main Form, there are no games to choose from. What is the problem?
Either one of two things have occurred. First, there may be no games scheduled for the team or if there are games scheduled for this team, the season is not “active”. Check which seasons are active and/or check the schedule for the team.
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I want to modify a few records for a game that was just completed, but all of the action buttons on the form are disabled. How can I update these records?
When you have clicked on the “Post Game Results” button, the game result is set to “Won”, “Lost” or “Tied” and all action buttons are disabled. However, you can still fix these records after clicking the “Remove Game Results” button. This will remove the result and will allow you to make changes as needed, when you have completed these updates, click on the “Post Game Results” button once again.
Posting the game results does not have to be performed immediately at the conclusion of the game. You may wait until you have reconciled with the official Scorebook or verified your stats.
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There are times during the game when I can’t identify the player that was offside or that “pushed from behind” because “Loss of Possession” penalties can be “delayed” whistle calls and because the referee does not give a number or I can’t hear his call. How can I record this information without knowing the player?
You can assign these types of statistics to the “team”. Click on “Team” in the Player Roster (see screen below), then click on the action button (e.g., Ground ball, Penalty-Loss of Possession). These entries show up as “Team statistics” on reports. Later, if you can identify the correct player, you may modify the record.
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Do I have to record opponent’s statistics at the Player level or can I assign all opponent statistics at the team level (like I did last year)?
Do I have to record opponent’s statistics at the Player level or can I assign all opponent statistics at the team level (like I did last year)?
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I don’t see a listing for Missed Shots (MS) on any of the reports. Are they included in the “Total Shots:?
Yes. Total Shots is the sum of the Goals Scored, Shots on Goal and Missed Shots. Missed shots are those shots that do not result in a goal or a save by the opposing goalie. In the chart below, the player has 3 goals, 2 shots on goal and 7 total shots. You can deduce that this player missed 2 shots (which were included in his”Total Shots”). The Shot On Goal % would by 5 divided 7 (71%) because of the player’s 7 shots, 3 were goals and 2 were saved by the goalie resulting in 5 on goals. The Score% would be 3 divided by 7 or 43%.
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If a player is on the same team for 2 seasons, do I need to have separate records for each season?
No, the start and end date can span one day or multiple years. In the screen below, the Player was on JV for the 2003 season and joined the Varsity for the playoffs at the end of the year(5/20/2003)..jpg)
