How can you improve your lacrosse skills. What are the fundamental techniques every player should know. Which drills are most effective for developing core lacrosse abilities. How can coaches create engaging and productive practice sessions.
The Art of Creating Effective Lacrosse Instructional Videos
Creating high-quality lacrosse instructional videos is a complex process that requires careful planning, execution, and collaboration. Kevin Meany, a seasoned lacrosse coach, shares his experience of producing a series of short instructional videos for Swax Lax training balls. This project offered valuable insights into the intricacies of video production and the importance of teamwork in creating effective educational content.
The process involved several key steps:
- Selecting appropriate drills and games
- Hiring a professional videographer with lacrosse coaching experience
- Developing scripts to explain the drills
- Coordinating players and coaches for demonstrations
- Recording voiceover narrations
- Editing and synchronizing video footage with narration
Despite initial expectations of simplicity, Meany discovered the challenging nature of creating concise, informative videos. The team faced obstacles such as condensing scripts, perfecting voiceovers, and ensuring seamless editing. This experience highlighted the significant effort required to produce professional-quality instructional content.
Essential Lacrosse Skills for Players at All Levels
Mastering fundamental lacrosse skills is crucial for players of all ages and skill levels. These core abilities form the foundation for advanced techniques and strategies. Let’s explore some of the essential skills every lacrosse player should focus on developing:
Proper Stick Grip and Cradling
A correct grip and cradling technique are fundamental to ball control and overall play. How should players hold their sticks? The dominant hand should be placed near the top of the stick, with the other hand about halfway down. Cradling involves a rhythmic rocking motion of the stick to keep the ball secure while moving.
Dodging Techniques
Effective dodging allows players to evade defenders and create scoring opportunities. Two crucial dodges for youth players to master are:
- Face Dodge: A quick change of direction by moving the stick across the face
- Split Dodge: A sudden change in direction by switching the stick from one hand to the other
These dodges help players develop agility, coordination, and quick thinking on the field.
Shooting Fundamentals
Accurate and powerful shooting is essential for scoring goals. The “Step Down Shot” is a fundamental technique where players fully extend their stick and hands while stepping and rotating into the shot. This method maximizes power and accuracy, making it a crucial skill for offensive players to master.
Advanced Techniques: Behind the Back Passes and Shots
While often considered an advanced skill, behind the back passes and shots can be introduced to youth players to enhance their coordination and stick control. Why teach this technique early? Introducing complex movements at a young age can accelerate overall skill development and increase players’ comfort with their sticks.
To execute a behind the back pass or shot:
- Grip the stick with both hands
- Bring the stick across your body and behind your back
- Use a quick, snapping motion to release the ball
- Follow through with the stick coming around your opposite side
Practice this technique slowly at first, gradually increasing speed as players become more comfortable with the motion.
Dominating the Draw: Strategies for Midfield Success
The draw is a critical aspect of women’s lacrosse, often determining possession and game momentum. How can players improve their draw skills? Here are some effective strategies:
- Practice proper stance and grip on the stick
- Develop quick reflexes and hand-eye coordination
- Work on upper body strength and core stability
- Study opponent tendencies and adjust techniques accordingly
Individual drills can significantly enhance a player’s ability to win draws. These exercises focus on improving reaction time, stick skills, and body positioning. Coaches should incorporate draw-specific drills into regular practice sessions to help both draw specialists and circle players excel in this crucial aspect of the game.
Leveraging Technology: The Role of Instructional Videos in Lacrosse Training
In today’s digital age, instructional videos have become an invaluable tool for lacrosse players and coaches. How do these videos enhance the learning process? They offer several key benefits:
- Visual demonstrations of proper techniques
- Ability to pause, rewind, and review specific movements
- Access to expert instruction regardless of location
- Supplementary material for in-person coaching
Coaches can use instructional videos to reinforce concepts taught during practice, while players can study them independently to refine their skills. Parents new to the sport can also benefit from these resources, gaining insights to support their children’s development.
Designing Effective Lacrosse Practice Sessions
Creating engaging and productive practice sessions is crucial for player development. How can coaches structure their practices to maximize skill improvement? Consider the following elements:
- Warm-up and stretching
- Skill-specific drills
- Small-sided games
- Team strategy work
- Conditioning exercises
- Cool-down and review
Incorporating a variety of activities keeps players engaged and addresses multiple aspects of the game. Coaches should balance individual skill work with team-oriented exercises to develop well-rounded players.
Utilizing Swax Lax Training Balls
Specialized equipment like Swax Lax training balls can enhance practice sessions. These softer balls allow for indoor practice and reduce the risk of injury, making them ideal for introducing new skills or working with younger players. Coaches can design drills that take advantage of these balls’ unique properties, focusing on technique without the fear of hard impacts.
The Importance of Fundamentals in Lacrosse Development
While advanced techniques and strategies are exciting, the importance of mastering fundamentals cannot be overstated. Why should players and coaches prioritize basic skills? Strong fundamentals provide:
- A solid foundation for advanced skill development
- Increased confidence on the field
- Better performance under pressure
- Reduced risk of injury due to proper form
Coaches should regularly incorporate fundamental skill work into practices, even for experienced players. This consistent reinforcement ensures that players maintain proper technique and can execute basic skills flawlessly during game situations.
Developing a Well-Rounded Skill Set
While specialization can be beneficial, developing a diverse skill set is crucial for overall player growth. Encourage players to work on skills outside their primary position. For example, attackers should practice defensive techniques, while defenders can benefit from offensive drills. This comprehensive approach creates more versatile players and improves overall game understanding.
Lacrosse Training Beyond the Field: Mental Preparation and Strategy
Physical skills are just one aspect of lacrosse excellence. How can players and coaches address the mental side of the game? Consider incorporating these elements into training:
- Visualization exercises
- Game situation analysis
- Team strategy discussions
- Mental toughness drills
- Goal-setting sessions
Developing strong mental skills helps players perform under pressure, make quick decisions, and maintain focus throughout the game. Coaches can integrate mental training into regular practice sessions or dedicate specific time for these exercises.
Utilizing Video Analysis
Video analysis is a powerful tool for player development. By reviewing game footage or practice sessions, players and coaches can:
- Identify areas for improvement
- Analyze opponent strategies
- Reinforce positive performances
- Develop team tactics
Incorporating regular video review sessions into the training regimen can accelerate player development and improve team performance.
Building a Comprehensive Lacrosse Training Program
Creating a well-rounded lacrosse training program involves more than just on-field practice. What elements should be included in a comprehensive approach? Consider the following components:
- On-field skill development
- Strength and conditioning exercises
- Nutrition guidance
- Mental preparation techniques
- Game strategy and analysis
- Recovery and injury prevention
By addressing all aspects of player development, coaches can help athletes reach their full potential both on and off the field. This holistic approach not only improves performance but also promotes overall well-being and long-term success in the sport.
Tailoring Training to Individual Needs
While team training is essential, recognizing and addressing individual player needs is crucial for optimal development. Coaches should work with players to identify strengths and weaknesses, setting personalized goals and creating targeted training plans. This individualized approach ensures that each player receives the specific support and guidance needed to improve their unique skill set.
Leveraging Technology in Lacrosse Coaching and Player Development
As technology continues to advance, its integration into lacrosse training and coaching becomes increasingly valuable. How can coaches and players harness technology to enhance their development? Consider these innovative approaches:
- Virtual reality training simulations
- Wearable devices for performance tracking
- Mobile apps for skill development and strategy
- Online platforms for remote coaching and collaboration
- Data analytics for performance evaluation and improvement
By embracing technological advancements, coaches can provide more targeted and effective training, while players can access resources and tools to support their development outside of traditional practice settings.
The Future of Lacrosse Instruction
As the sport of lacrosse continues to grow and evolve, so too will the methods of instruction and player development. What might the future hold for lacrosse training? Some possibilities include:
- AI-powered coaching assistants
- Augmented reality training aids
- Advanced biomechanical analysis tools
- Personalized training programs based on genetic and physiological data
- Global online communities for skill sharing and development
While these advancements may seem futuristic, they represent the potential for significant improvements in how lacrosse skills are taught, learned, and perfected. Coaches and players who stay informed about emerging technologies and training methods will be well-positioned to excel in the evolving landscape of lacrosse instruction.
As we continue to explore new ways to enhance lacrosse training and development, it’s clear that the combination of traditional coaching wisdom with innovative technologies and methodologies will shape the future of the sport. By embracing these advancements while maintaining a strong focus on fundamental skills and comprehensive player development, the lacrosse community can ensure that the next generation of players reaches new heights of excellence on and off the field.
What I Did This Summer — Swax Lax Lacrosse
EquipmentGames & Play
Written By Kevin Meany
Boys Lacrosse Shuffling Drill
I spent a good part of this summer the same way I have spent most of the past 25 summers — working lacrosse camps. This summer I also got to do something a little different. The founder of Sum It Up Lacrosse and Swax Lax, Laura Gump, asked me to help make 10–12 short videos that would help explain and demonstrate some drills and games that we find effective at Sum It Up Lacrosse and that would also showcase the Swax Lax training balls we use.That sounded pretty straight forward and kind of fun. I’ve been coaching for years, I think Swax Lax balls are awesome, I love movies — how hard could it be? Well, I got a chance to find out.
Smiley Face Using Swax Lax Balls
If, like me, you are not creative, talented, or knowledgeable about something, I recommend that you find and hire people who are. Luckily, I am blessed to be surrounded by a lot of creative, smart, and talented people, and I should probably tell them that they are all those things more often than I do.
Laura helped pick out drills and games. I got a professional videographer who is also a lacrosse coach to shoot and edit. I had a couple of interns write up a script explaining the drills. I had a whole camp full of players and coaches to demonstrate all the games and drills. The campers and coaches looked good and followed direction. It didn’t rain the day we were shooting. We had plenty of Swax Lax balls. This wasn’t so hard.
Until I read the scripts aloud. They were all 3–4 times longer than the under a minute we wanted. We needed to savagely edit them down. Then Laura and I went to the studio to do the voiceover narration. It’s a lot harder than it sounds to read your lines without a mistake (and poor Laura had a miserable cough that week). I’m pretty sure we needed at least 6 takes for each segment.
Getting the videos edited and synched up with the narration was thankfully done by a professional.
Now that I know what goes into the making of a bunch of one-minute instructional videos, I have a much greater appreciation for the writers, producers, directors, camera and sound people, and the actors who create movies or even TV commercials. That stuff isn’t easy.
So, that’s what I did this this summer, I made instructional videos for Swax Lax training balls while learning to appreciate the amount of energy and effort needed to create a video that doesn’t look like you shot it on your cell phone — and I worked lacrosse camps.
I am pretty proud of the results and think the videos came out pretty well. But you can judge for yourself — take a look!
lacrosse training drillsswax laxswax lax lacrosse training balls
Kevin Meany
Kevin Meany is the head boys coach at Swax Lax Lacrosse. He was a goalie for Providence College, and when he’s not coaching for Swax Lax Lacrosse, he coaches varsity and middle school lacrosse at the Morristown-Beard School in Morristown, NJ.
He’s also a valuable contributor to the Swax Lax team.
Videos – Short Lacrosse
This draw video highlights drills individuals can do on their own to increase their ability to win the draw. These drills are great for both draw specialists and circle players. This is a supplementary video from my presentation “How To Dominant On The Draw” I discussed at the Florida Launch Coaches Clinic. Click below to download the Power Point.
Download File | |||
This video discusses how to properly grip and cradle a lacrosse stick. If you are a parent who has never played the sport, it will give you a few important pointers you can use to help your son or daughter improve this important fundamental of the game. |
This video is breaks down Face Dodges and Split Dodges – two of the most important dodges for our youth players to learn how to perform. |
This video discusses how to perform a Behind The Back pass or shot. While considered by most to be an advanced skill, I like to teach it at an early age to help youth players improve their coordination and comfort level with their stick. |
Parents this video breaks down the fundamentals of shooting. I refer to something called a “Step Down Shot” in the instructional portion. This is simply a type of shot when you have the time and room to fully extend your stick/hands and step/rotate fully into the shot. |
Learning the proper mechanics of this shot will help you in all your other aspects of shooting. It is followed by some shooting progressions you can use to help your son or daughter practice various shots.This video is for my Southern Tide Training Group. This is a wall ball routine (with instruction for you parents) the boys can practice to help improve your stick skills for the spring season. |
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