What are the key elements of winning lacrosse faceoffs. How can athletes improve their faceoff skills. What equipment is best for faceoff specialists. Which exercises enhance faceoff performance. How do mental and physical preparation impact faceoff success.
The Art of Lacrosse Faceoffs: Strategy and Skill
Lacrosse faceoffs are a crucial aspect of the game, offering teams a chance to gain possession and set the tone for play. These intense moments require a combination of strategy, physical prowess, and mental acuity. Understanding the nuances of faceoffs can give players and teams a significant advantage on the field.
What exactly is a lacrosse faceoff?
A lacrosse faceoff is the method used to start each quarter and restart play after a goal. Two opposing players crouch at the center of the field, with their sticks parallel to the midline and the ball placed between the heads of their sticks. At the sound of the whistle, players compete to gain possession of the ball, using a combination of strength, speed, and technique.
Why are faceoffs important in lacrosse?
Faceoffs are critical because they determine initial possession of the ball. Winning faceoffs consistently can provide a team with more offensive opportunities, control the pace of the game, and potentially lead to quick scoring chances. A skilled faceoff specialist can be a game-changer, influencing momentum and overall team performance.
Essential Techniques for Dominating Lacrosse Faceoffs
Mastering lacrosse faceoffs requires a combination of physical skills and mental preparation. Here are some key techniques that can help players excel in this crucial aspect of the game:
- Develop a strong grip on the stick
- Maintain a low, balanced stance
- Practice quick reaction times
- Learn to apply leverage effectively
- Cultivate mental focus and toughness
How can players improve their grip strength for faceoffs?
Grip strength is crucial for maintaining control during faceoffs. Players can enhance their grip through targeted exercises such as:
- Using hand grippers
- Practicing wrist curls with weights
- Squeezing tennis balls
- Incorporating fat grips into weight training routines
- Performing farmer’s walks with heavy dumbbells
Consistently working on these exercises can significantly improve a player’s ability to maintain control of their stick during the intense moments of a faceoff.
What is the ideal stance for a faceoff?
The ideal faceoff stance involves a low, balanced position with feet shoulder-width apart. Players should keep their weight on the balls of their feet, ready to explode in any direction. The body should be coiled like a spring, with knees bent and core engaged. This position allows for quick movements and the application of maximum force when the whistle blows.
Equipment Essentials for Faceoff Specialists
Choosing the right equipment can give faceoff specialists a competitive edge. The proper lacrosse heads and shafts can enhance performance and provide the necessary control and power during faceoffs.
What features should players look for in a faceoff lacrosse head?
When selecting a lacrosse head for faceoffs, players should consider:
- Stiffness: A stiffer head provides more control during the clamp
- Shape: A flatter scoop can help with quick ground ball pickups
- Flex points: Strategic flex points can aid in winning the clamp
- Weight: Lighter heads allow for quicker movements
- Durability: Faceoff heads take a beating, so durability is crucial
Popular faceoff heads include the Warrior Burn FO, StringKing Mark 2F, and ECD Weapon X. These models are designed specifically for the demands of faceoff play.
What type of shaft works best for faceoff specialists?
Faceoff specialists often prefer shorter shafts for increased control and maneuverability. Key factors to consider in a faceoff shaft include:
- Length: Typically 30-32 inches for optimal control
- Material: Carbon fiber or aluminum for strength and lightweight feel
- Grip: Textured surface for better handling during quick movements
- Flexibility: Some flex can help with the clamp, but too much can reduce power
Shafts like the STX Surgeon Sci-Ti and the ECD Carbon Pro 2.0 are popular choices among faceoff specialists due to their balance of strength and maneuverability.
Physical Preparation: Building the Faceoff Athlete’s Body
Success in lacrosse faceoffs requires a well-conditioned body capable of explosive movements and sustained effort. Tailored strength and conditioning programs can significantly enhance a player’s faceoff performance.
What are the most effective exercises for faceoff specialists?
Faceoff specialists should focus on exercises that build explosive power, core strength, and overall conditioning. Some key exercises include:
- Sled pushes and pulls
- Box jumps
- Medicine ball slams
- Lateral lunges
- Planks and Russian twists for core strength
- Sprints and agility drills
These exercises target the muscle groups and movement patterns most crucial for faceoff success, helping players develop the strength and explosiveness needed to dominate at the X.
Why are sled exercises particularly beneficial for faceoff athletes?
Sled exercises, especially forward and backward pushes, are exceptional for faceoff specialists because they:
- Build lower body power without loading the spine
- Improve explosive start speed
- Enhance overall body strength and coordination
- Mimic the pushing motion used in faceoffs
- Develop mental toughness through high-intensity work
Incorporating sled work into training routines can significantly boost a player’s faceoff performance by improving their ability to generate force quickly and maintain effort throughout the game.
Mental Preparation: The Psychological Edge in Faceoffs
While physical skills are crucial, the mental aspect of faceoffs can often be the deciding factor between winning and losing. Developing a strong mental game is essential for consistent success at the X.
How can players improve their mental focus for faceoffs?
Enhancing mental focus for faceoffs involves several strategies:
- Visualization techniques: Mentally rehearsing successful faceoffs
- Breathing exercises: Calming nerves and improving concentration
- Positive self-talk: Building confidence through affirmations
- Routine development: Creating a pre-faceoff ritual for consistency
- Mindfulness practice: Staying present and focused in high-pressure moments
Regularly practicing these mental techniques can help players maintain composure and execute their skills effectively under the pressure of game situations.
What role does aggression play in faceoff success?
Controlled aggression is a key component of successful faceoff play. It involves:
- A assertive mindset focused on winning each draw
- Quick, decisive movements at the whistle
- Physical engagement with opponents within the rules
- Relentless pursuit of loose balls
- The ability to intimidate opponents through confident body language
Cultivating this aggressive mindset, balanced with discipline and control, can give faceoff specialists a significant edge in their battles at the X.
Strategic Considerations: Beyond Individual Skill
While individual skill is paramount, faceoff success also depends on team strategy and coordination. Understanding and implementing effective team-wide approaches can maximize the impact of faceoff wins.
How do wing players contribute to faceoff success?
Wing players, particularly Long Stick Midfielders (LSMs), play a crucial role in faceoff situations:
- They provide additional pressure on opposing faceoff players
- They can help secure loose balls that squirt out from the faceoff
- Their long sticks offer an advantage in ground ball situations
- They can quickly transition to offense or defense based on the faceoff outcome
- Their presence can influence the opposing faceoff player’s strategy
Effective coordination between the faceoff specialist and wing players can significantly increase a team’s chances of gaining possession from the draw.
What are some advanced faceoff strategies teams can employ?
Teams can implement various strategies to gain an edge in faceoff situations:
- Quick clamp and pop to a specific wing player
- Faking a clamp and raking the ball backwards
- Using a “plunger” technique to push the ball forward
- Incorporating defensive slides immediately after the faceoff
- Changing faceoff specialists to present different looks
By developing and practicing these strategies, teams can adapt to different opponents and game situations, maximizing their chances of winning crucial possessions throughout the match.
Training Regimens: Developing Faceoff Excellence
Becoming an elite faceoff specialist requires dedicated training both on and off the field. A comprehensive training regimen can help players develop the skills, strength, and mindset necessary for consistent success.
What should a weekly training schedule look like for a faceoff specialist?
A balanced weekly training schedule for a faceoff specialist might include:
- 3-4 on-field practice sessions focusing on technique and repetitions
- 2-3 strength training sessions targeting key muscle groups
- 1-2 conditioning sessions for improving endurance and explosiveness
- Daily grip strength exercises
- Regular mental preparation and visualization exercises
- Film study to analyze opponents and self-evaluate performance
This comprehensive approach ensures that players are developing all aspects of their game, from physical skills to mental preparation and strategic understanding.
How can players track and measure their faceoff improvement?
Tracking progress is crucial for continuous improvement. Faceoff specialists can measure their development through:
- Keeping a log of faceoff win percentages in practices and games
- Timing reaction speeds to whistle blows
- Measuring improvements in strength and conditioning metrics
- Recording and analyzing video of faceoff performances
- Seeking feedback from coaches and teammates on technique and effectiveness
By consistently monitoring these aspects, players can identify areas for improvement and celebrate their progress, fueling further development in their faceoff skills.
The Future of Lacrosse Faceoffs: Trends and Innovations
As lacrosse continues to evolve, so do the techniques and strategies surrounding faceoffs. Staying ahead of the curve can give players and teams a significant advantage in this crucial aspect of the game.
What emerging trends are shaping the future of lacrosse faceoffs?
Several trends are influencing the development of faceoff play:
- Increased specialization, with dedicated faceoff athletes
- Advanced analytics to study faceoff tendencies and success rates
- Development of new stick technologies specifically for faceoffs
- Greater emphasis on the athleticism and versatility of faceoff specialists
- Rule changes aimed at promoting fair and competitive faceoffs
These trends are pushing faceoff play to new levels of sophistication and athleticism, making it an increasingly important and exciting aspect of lacrosse.
How might rule changes affect faceoff techniques in the future?
Potential rule changes could significantly impact faceoff techniques:
- Stricter enforcement of hand positioning could lead to new gripping techniques
- Changes in allowed stick specifications might alter equipment choices
- Adjustments to the faceoff procedure could emphasize different skills
- Modifications to wing player positioning might affect team strategies
- Introduction of time limits for faceoffs could increase the pace of play
Players and coaches must stay informed about potential rule changes and be prepared to adapt their techniques and strategies accordingly to maintain a competitive edge in faceoff situations.
Best Exercise to Be Dominate as a Faceoff Athlete in Lacrosse
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A lacrosse game starts in a dynamic impartial, strategic fashion, where the lacrosse faceoff comes into play. The faceoff, an aggressive way to start the game, offers both teams, more so the chosen dynamic athletes, a fair chance to earn possession of the ball, which should be an aggressive and exciting start to the game. But, unfortunately, many coaches need to teach or train physicality; more so, the skill set so the team can feed off of momentum through a small window of opportunity.
A common practice for many faceoff athletes is to aggressively get the ball, which is the mindset most athletes need to gain. The lacrosse athlete has been taught to snag the ball in their pocket to control where it will go on the field. The faceoff player can win the ball forward or backward to afford their team the best opportunity to scoop up the loose ball and possibly score.
The faceoff should be a massive, chaotic scramble, where players encompass wrestling, basketball, and football techniques to constantly box, push, and control their opponent’s body and stick to aggressively check the opposition and dominate the loose ball among the turmoil. Although it is tough to judge which team will come out with possession of the ball, using a straightforward exercise at the end will ensure success on your faceoffs.
What makes faceoffs more exciting is the benefit of the Long Stick Middies (LSMs), that can get involved using their speed and aggressiveness with the ground ball battle until possession is established. Great faceoff athletes, coupled with a great wingman, in that of a good LSM, can lay a firm foundation for successful faceoff contenders and bring intimidation to start at the youth level.
There are several strategies for winning the faceoff in lacrosse; therefore, following the guidelines will improve your chances.
Have a Plan
Although your coaches might have a specific faceoff style, please follow that; as you practice, it might be best to have your unique style for effective results. Decide on implementing both strategies for winning the faceoff. Furthermore, communication is vital, so your teammates know what to expect, so they can react and learn how to react.
Finally, having a plan allows you to beat your opponent.
Your Grip Strength is Weak
Once you have decided on your plan of attack, it’s now to accompany it with the appropriate grip strength. If you draw the ball out in various directions, having a solid grip enhances your stick stills and gives you the advantage because your opponent might not have adequate grip strength. Therefore, to improve grip strength, there are various ways to work on it (direct exercises, exercises using fat grips and wrist roll exercises, and indirect exercises squeezing tennis balls, etc.), where the forearms are targeted through various exercises that provide a holistic approach to practice and the game.
Have a Power Position
Before getting into the faceoff circle, you should be mentally ready and strong. Therefore, when you get down into the circle, work to maintain balance by staying low, using quickness, and staying aggressive. It would be best if you had adequate leverage to win.
Mental Focus
If you focus on the goal, your opponent’s stick, or anything else, you will lose the faceoff.
Speed Matters
As soon as the whistle is blown, the athlete must react quickly to be the first player to the ball; urgency. Athletes can train their reaction and reflex of speed through various speed training techniques or by a qualified professional to build self-confidence. It sends a strong message to everyone that lacrosse is an aggressive sport, and you are ready to win.
Apply Leverage; It’s An Art!
Whoever uses their entire body as leverage and generates more torque (force) than their opponent will ultimately be the one to win the faceoff battle. A good strength and conditioning program can teach athletes how to utilize every muscle to gain an advantage over their opponents.
Don’t Be Soft!
Your attitude as a faceoff athlete can shift the game’s momentum.
For this reason, as mentioned above, those more aggressive athletes would typically win the faceoff.
This strategy demands a certain kind of mentality. But unfortunately, this mentality can only come with aggression, strength, and explosive exercises developed in the weight room. Unfortunately, one exercise many faceoff lacrosse athletes lack to develop strength and power is dynamic sled exercises; however, there is one sled exercise that builds explosiveness and toughness, which is the sled push forward and backward.
The sled pushes forward and backward and loads the lower body (glutes, quadriceps, and calves), not the spine. As a result, the sled trains your legs for power and explosiveness. Additionally, the sled propels you forward, which helps you dominate your opponent (as seen in the video).
If you don’t have access to the sled, you are out of luck!
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A lacrosse game starts in a dynamic impartial, strategic fashion, where the lacrosse faceoff comes into play. The faceoff, an aggressive way to start the game, offers both teams, more so the chosen dynamic athletes, a fair chance to earn possession of the ball, which should be an aggressive and exciting start to the game. But, unfortunately, many coaches need to teach or train physicality; more so, the skill set so the team can feed off of momentum through a small window of opportunity.
A common practice for many faceoff athletes is to aggressively get the ball, which is the mindset most athletes need to gain. The lacrosse athlete has been taught to snag the ball in their pocket to control where it will go on the field. The faceoff player can win the ball forward or backward to afford their team the best opportunity to scoop up the loose ball and possibly score.
The faceoff should be a massive, chaotic scramble, where players encompass wrestling, basketball, and football techniques to constantly box, push, and control their opponent’s body and stick to aggressively check the opposition and dominate the loose ball among the turmoil. Although it is tough to judge which team will come out with possession of the ball, using a straightforward exercise at the end will ensure success on your faceoffs.
What makes faceoffs more exciting is the benefit of the Long Stick Middies (LSMs), that can get involved using their speed and aggressiveness with the ground ball battle until possession is established. Great faceoff athletes, coupled with a great wingman, in that of a good LSM, can lay a firm foundation for successful faceoff contenders and bring intimidation to start at the youth level.
There are several strategies for winning the faceoff in lacrosse; therefore, following the guidelines will improve your chances.
Have a Plan
Although your coaches might have a specific faceoff style, please follow that; as you practice, it might be best to have your unique style for effective results.
Decide on implementing both strategies for winning the faceoff. Furthermore, communication is vital, so your teammates know what to expect, so they can react and learn how to react. Finally, having a plan allows you to beat your opponent.
Your Grip Strength is Weak
Once you have decided on your plan of attack, it’s now to accompany it with the appropriate grip strength. If you draw the ball out in various directions, having a solid grip enhances your stick stills and gives you the advantage because your opponent might not have adequate grip strength. Therefore, to improve grip strength, there are various ways to work on it (direct exercises, exercises using fat grips and wrist roll exercises, and indirect exercises squeezing tennis balls, etc.), where the forearms are targeted through various exercises that provide a holistic approach to practice and the game.
Have a Power Position
Before getting into the faceoff circle, you should be mentally ready and strong.
Therefore, when you get down into the circle, work to maintain balance by staying low, using quickness, and staying aggressive. It would be best if you had adequate leverage to win.
Mental Focus
If you focus on the goal, your opponent’s stick, or anything else, you will lose the faceoff.
Speed Matters
As soon as the whistle is blown, the athlete must react quickly to be the first player to the ball; urgency. Athletes can train their reaction and reflex of speed through various speed training techniques or by a qualified professional to build self-confidence. It sends a strong message to everyone that lacrosse is an aggressive sport, and you are ready to win.
Apply Leverage; It’s An Art!
Whoever uses their entire body as leverage and generates more torque (force) than their opponent will ultimately be the one to win the faceoff battle. A good strength and conditioning program can teach athletes how to utilize every muscle to gain an advantage over their opponents.
Don’t Be Soft!
Your attitude as a faceoff athlete can shift the game’s momentum. For this reason, as mentioned above, those more aggressive athletes would typically win the faceoff.
This strategy demands a certain kind of mentality. But unfortunately, this mentality can only come with aggression, strength, and explosive exercises developed in the weight room. Unfortunately, one exercise many faceoff lacrosse athletes lack to develop strength and power is dynamic sled exercises; however, there is one sled exercise that builds explosiveness and toughness, which is the sled push forward and backward.
The sled pushes forward and backward and loads the lower body (glutes, quadriceps, and calves), not the spine. As a result, the sled trains your legs for power and explosiveness. Additionally, the sled propels you forward, which helps you dominate your opponent (as seen in the video).
If you don’t have access to the sled, you are out of luck!
Video 1:
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Elite faceoff specialists often separate the great boys’ lacrosse teams from the rest in the state
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“Definitely be patient,” Alexander offered for those learning faceoff techniques. “Really take in a lot of the advice older guys will give to you. Because you’ll lose, but man, you’ll start to notice over time how to get better. Eventually you can get to the top.”
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At The Faceoff Factory workouts, Alexander met St. John’s Prep faceoff specialist Chris Esposito, Norwell senior John Mullen, the South Shore League’s reigning MVP, and Dracut’s Brock Desmarais, a senior who also benefitted from the mentorship of older players.
The Division 2 state wrestling champion at 152 pounds, Dracut’s Brock Desmarais is a man on the move for the lacrosse program too.Winslow Townson for The Boston Globe
When Desmarais was in eighth grade, he stood on the varsity sideline for every game and watched senior Allyn French take faceoffs and lead the Dracut offense during a run to the Division 3 state semifinals.
French became one of the first Dracut boys’ lacrosse players to play Division I when he enrolled at newly classified Merrimack College in 2020. Every spring after his college season, French returned to Dracut to work with his alma mater’s faceoff specialists and midfielders, a group that has been led by Desmarais the past three years.
“Allyn French was a big inspiration for me,” said Desmarais, who won the 152-pound Division 2 wrestling title this winter.
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“I always looked up to him. He was doing it all, winning faceoffs and scoring and playing defense, and he really showed me that a kid from Dracut can go D1./cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/12871521/10183745.jpg)
It’s definitely a lift every time he comes back [to coach]. Our families are super close. He’s my go-to guy for faceoffs, so having him there is awesome.”
Desmarais — who will play lacrosse at Rutgers — is paying it forward by training French’s younger brother, Owen, a freshman. Sophomore Derek Shwerchesky is also learning the ropes, and Desmarais gives both pupils a ride to The Faceoff Factory workouts in North Andover every Wednesday night.
French and Swerchesky also joined the wrestling team this winter, a sport Desmairas said has helped with his faceoff technique.
“To have so many resources dedicated to that part of the game is a huge help,” Dracut coach Paul Ganley said of his faceoff unit.
“I’m a huge fan of the wrestling program at Dracut, so we always try to encourage our kids that aren’t tied to a winter sport to gravitate towards it. Usually the best faceoffs kids are also wrestlers and those two kids behind [Desmarais] are ready to pick up the slack.
”
Like French, Desmarais is Dracut’s leading scorer on top of his role taking faceoffs.
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‘If [Justin Alexander’s] not the best in the state, he’s 1B behind [John] Mullen in Norwell. He just gives us so many possessions. He really works at his craft.’
Franklin boys’ lacrosse coach Lou Verrochi on faceoff specialist Justin Alexander
For many programs, winning a high percentage of faceoffs is too important for that player to get tired out playing in the midfield, so top prospects like Alexander often become specialists in their craft before their high school careers even begin.
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Using Alexander in that role has allowed Franklin’s attacking line to put up gaudy numbers, including a 17-point first quarter in the Panthers’ opening win over Attleboro. Franklin coach Lou Verrochi believes his starting trio of Luke Davis, Jayden Consigli, and Tyler Sacchetti form the best attack in the state, and Alexander is the engine that makes that offense run.
“If [Alexander’s] not the best in the state, he’s 1B behind [Mullen] in Norwell,” said Verrochi. “He just gives us so many possessions. He really works at his craft. He’s just one of those kids who is totally dedicated and his brother was the same way. He came in as a freshman as the heir apparent and it’s been a seamless transition from Jacob to Justin.”
“If [Justin Alexander’s] not the best in the state, he’s 1B behind [Jphn Mullen] in Norwell. He just gives us so many possessions. He really works at his craft,” said Franklin boys’ lacrosse coach Lou Verrochi of Alexander (left).VARUN DESAI
⋅ Cape Cod Academy defeated previously-unbeaten Monomoy, 16-15, Monday with seven different scorers contributing.
“It took all 10 players out on the field to work together and pull off this win,” said CCA coach Christian Sears.
Even though the Seahawks only won 25 percent of faceoffs, Jack Bunnell led an excellent defensive effort with John Valerio (15 saves) excelling in net.
“Going into this game, we knew [Monomoy] had a good faceoff middie and some fire power with their shots, so we were apprehensive from the start,” said Sears.
With the game tied in the waning seconds, Brady Livingston intercepted a pass and scored with nine seconds remaining in a Cape & Islands battle.
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Related: Globe Top 20 boys’ lacrosse poll
⋅ Vacation week brings a slate of traditional tournaments headlined by the Coaches Cup, Players Cup, and Chowda Cup. All three tournaments run on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday with eight-team fields advancing to try and win the championship. The Coaches Cup opens at Wellesley Tuesday, moves to Bridgewater-Raynham Thursday, and concludes at Hingham Saturday. The Players Cup starts at host sites Tuesday, moves to Needham and BC High Thursday, and concludes Saturday at North Andover. The Chowda Cup is at Hanover Tuesday, Marshfield Thursday, and Norwell Saturday.
⋅ Arlington moved to 3-0 Saturday after defeating Wakefield, 5-3.
It was the first time the Spy Ponders had beaten Wakefield since joining the Middlesex League in 2011 . . . Duxbury continued to win games in dramatic fashion with Sam Wien providing the OT winner in an 8-7 comeback at Longmeadow on Saturday, as well as the tying goal and winner in a 15-14 OT win at Lincoln-Sudbury Tuesday . . . Weston pulled out an 8-7 OT win over Westford Tuesday with sophomore Quinn Garry providing the tying goal and sophomore Joe LaDosci netting the winner
Friday, Andover at No. 11 North Andover, 6:30 p.m. — These border rivals are both on the rise with the Scarlet Knights posting some huge offensive numbers early in the season; Andover (3-0) edged Chelmsford, 10-9, before cruising vs. Tewksbury and Central Catholic.
Friday, No. 4 Franklin at No. 6 Acton-Boxborough, 7 p.m. — Franklin has a loaded schedule over vacation week with nonleague matchups against No. 12 Medfield and top-ranked St. John’s Prep to follow. The Panthers open the slate with a tough matchup against a disciplined and talented Revolution squad.
