Engage Players Before Games with Inspiring Messages
Nothing gets a lacrosse team fired up quite like an inspirational message right before game time. As a coach, you have a prime opportunity to motivate your players and focus their mental energy right before they hit the field. Using your portable dry erase board, take a few minutes before each game to jot down some uplifting words of wisdom.
Tap into your players’ emotions with inspirational quotes from famous athletes like “A champion is someone who gets up when they can’t.” Remind them of the hard work they’ve put in and that now is their time to shine. Use uplifting phrases like “Play with heart” or “Leave it all on the field.” Consider including references to team concepts like unity, trust, and effort. Even simple messages like “Let’s go [Team Name]!” can energize your squad before they take the field.
Get creative with how you deliver the inspirational messages too. Try different colors of markers to capture their attention. Use diagrams or illustrations to reinforce your point. Engage different senses by having players chant a motivational team phrase. Infuse some of your own personality and passion into your pregame pep talk.
The pregame huddle is the perfect time to finalize strategy, pump up your team, and focus their mental state. An inspirational message on your whiteboard is an impactful way to unite your players and prime them for battle right before the starting whistle. Your players will take the field with extra energy and motivation to represent your team name on their jerseys. By taking a few minutes to inspire your team, you can give them that extra push to play their very best.
Break Down Defensive Strategies with Visuals
Having a strong defense is critical in lacrosse, and as a coach you need tools to effectively teach defensive strategies to your players. A portable dry erase board is the perfect way to break down defensive formations using visual diagrams and illustrations. With an erasable surface, you can walk through various defensive schemes right on the field or in the locker room.
Use different colored markers to visually demonstrate player positioning and movement on the field. Draw X’s and O’s to represent both your own players as well as the opposing offense. Diagram common offensive sets like umbrella, 1-4-1, and 3-3 to prepare your defenders to recognize and react. Illustrate how you want players to slide, rotate, and support each other in different in-game scenarios.
Beyond formations, detail the essential fundamentals like footwork, body positioning, communication, and stick positioning required for staunch defense. Use your whiteboard to teach defenders how to force opponents to their weak hand, dictate the pace of play, and force turnovers. Diagrams allow you to highlight proper checking technique and head positioning when guarding a dodging attackman.
Allowing players to visualize defensive concepts will accelerate their learning. Use the whiteboard to quiz players by erasing parts of the diagram and having them fill in the gaps. Erase and redraw formations until the positioning becomes instinctual. The interactive nature of a whiteboard can foster increased player focus compared to discussing concepts verbally. Use it to keep defenders engaged and asking questions.
Heading into games, sketch out the other team’s offensive tendencies and how to counter them. Your whiteboard talks will equip your defenders with the strategies and fundamentals needed to excel as a cohesive defensive unit. Coupling verbal instruction with clear visuals is an impactful way to sharpen your defense’s mental preparation and cut down on mistakes. Your team will take the field with the confidence to execute your defensive gameplan and shut down the opposition.
Explain New Drills Step-by-Step on a Dry Erase Board
Introducing new drills is a great way to keep your lacrosse practices fresh and challenging for players. However, effectively communicating new drills can be tricky, especially complex ones with multiple steps. As a coach, having a dry erase board on hand allows you to visually walk your team through each phase of a drill before running it live.
Whether in the locker room or on the field, use your whiteboard to diagram each step of a new practice drill. Draw formations to demonstrate player starting positions and movements. Use arrows, cones, and X’s to indicate direction changes, lines to run, and other key drill components. Verbally explain the instructions as you map it out on the board.
Break down complicated drills into smaller teachable steps. Explain one phase at a time and allow players to ask clarifying questions before moving on. Show what proper technique looks like at each step by drawing stick positioning, passing mechanics, and footwork. Use different colored markers to help players differentiate their roles and responsibilities.
Visually walking through a new drill provides an important opportunity for players to conceptualize it before actually running it live. They can better understand how the pieces fit together and their individual jobs within the drill. An erasable whiteboard allows you to redraw and refine the diagram as needed in response to player questions.
The ability to both see and hear drill instructions caters to different learning styles and improves retention. Consider snapping photos of the whiteboard diagram for a visual reference as players continue practicing the new drill. Taking a methodical whiteboard approach will lead to crisper execution and fewer repetitions when you transition a complex drill to the field. Players will know what to expect and perform their roles with confidence.
Review Game Film and Player Techniques on a Rolling Magnetic Whiteboard
Reviewing game film and individual player techniques is an integral part of improving lacrosse performance. As a coach, having a large rolling magnetic whiteboard makes it easy to break down film and provide visual examples right in the locker room.
Use strong magnetic strips to attach paper diagrams, photos, or video stills from games onto the whiteboard. Circle and annotate key elements like player positioning, spacing, and opposition weaknesses. Draw arrows to emphasize things like cutback lanes, passing angles, and defensive rotations. Provide clear visual examples of areas for improvement.
Pause or replay video clips and use your whiteboard markers to diagram proper mechanics. For fundamental skills like shooting, cradling, or scooping ground balls, draw stick positioning, hand placement, and body motion. Compare side-by-side video stills showing proper technique versus common mistakes. Circle flaws and demonstrate correct form.
Beyond game situations, attach photos of individual players to identify strengths and weaknesses. Use a magnetic pointer to highlight areas like footwork, defensive positioning, or shooting mechanics that need refinement. Provide tailored feedback catered to each player’s development needs.
The engaging interactive nature of a rolling magnetic whiteboard makes film review more dynamic. The ability to fluidly attach visual examples from games engages players’ focus and retention versus just watching video. Use the power of visual learning to sharpen your team’s lacrosse IQ. Detailed breakdowns of game footage and individual techniques will accelerate improvement and translate to game day success.
Outline Practice Plans to Keep Players Organized
Running organized, efficient practices is key for player development and team cohesion. As a coach, having a portable whiteboard on hand allows you to outline practice plans to keep both players and coaches on track.
Start by writing out a schedule for each practice. Map out segments for warmups, individual drills, situational drills, scrimmages, conditioning, and cooldowns. Include specific times for each activity. This overview will help keep practices structured and on schedule.
For individual drill stations, use your dry erase board to diagram formations and spell out instructions. Write out coaching points and correct technique reminders. Assign coach responsibilities for managing each station. Diagramming drills provides visual guidance and reinforces verbal instructions to keep stations running smoothly.
Note planned scrimmage situations like man up/man down, time left on shot clock, or required number of passes. Outline any situational coaching points you want to emphasize. List equipment needs for drills to ensure you have the necessary balls, cones, and goals.
Having the full practice plan visibly outlined provides a helpful reference for both players and coaches. Athletes can reference upcoming activities and timing to stay mentally focused. Assistant coaches can follow the outlined agenda and station responsibilities. A whiteboard overview sets the tone for an organized, productive practice.
Use Colored Markers to Highlight Key Points
When diagramming drills, explaining plays, or providing instruction, the ability to highlight key elements in different colors is extremely helpful for player comprehension and retention. Having a variety of dry erase markers on hand allows you to emphasize important lacrosse concepts on your whiteboard.
Use red to indicate proper defender positioning on the field or highlight areas the defense needs to close down. Blue can represent midfielders and green for attackmen in diagrammed plays. Circle or underline scoring areas and passing lanes in orange. Color code player movements in drills for clarity.
Beyond positions, use colors strategically when teaching fundamentals. Red can signal incorrect stick positioning while green demonstrates proper form. Make defensive footwork angles clear by outlining them in purple. Yellow can direct attention to the goalie’s arc or key spots for rebounds.
Varying visual stimuli with different colors caters to diverse learning styles and boosts retention. Studies show we process visual information better when critical elements are color-coded. Colors also make whiteboard diagrams and instructions pop. Use bold shades for key points and softer hues for supplementary info.
Get creative in using a spectrum of colors to reinforce your whiteboard lessons. Differentiate topics with personalized player colors during film review. Make corrections from previous practices in fresh colors. With key points jumping off the board, your players will be engaged and absorb the information being conveyed at a higher level.
Save Whiteboard Sessions by Taking Photos for Later Review
As a lacrosse coach, you put a lot of thought into whiteboard diagrams, plays, and instruction. To get extended value, save these sessions by snapping photos of the board for individual player review later.
Use your phone camera or a designated team camera to capture whiteboard content after sessions. Take overall pictures of full drill diagrams or plays. Also take close-ups of key elements you want players to review. For film sessions, photograph video stills, pointers, and annotations.
Upload the photos to a shared team drive or app. Encourage players to revisit the images as preparatory homework or reminder refreshers. Having the visual references handy allows for quick review of spacing, positioning, assignments and other instructional points.
Email relevant whiteboard shots to individual players if they need extra work on a skill. Attach photos to individualized practice and conditioning plans to provide visual guidance. Share opponent scouting reports digitally so players can study formations.
Whiteboards allow for impactful in-person instruction, but capturing photos extends the educational value. Players retain more when reviewing visual concepts multiple times. Photos also provide teaching aids for assistant coaches leading drills or film review. Simple snaps of your whiteboard save valuable coaching insights for continued growth.
Brainstorm New Plays and Strategies on an Oversized Whiteboard
As a lacrosse coach, you are always aiming to expand your playbook and develop new strategies to outwit opponents. When brainstorming with your staff, an oversized whiteboard is the perfect tool to collaboratively design plays and diagram formations.
Take advantage of ample space to map out player movements from start to finish. Use color coded markers to trace each position’s responsibilities within a play. Draw arrows indicating cuts, picks, and passes. Diagram multiple variations and offensive set-ups for a given play. Add notes on timing, misdirection elements, and key reads.
Beyond X’s and O’s, utilize the expansive canvas to brainstorm fresh strategic approaches. Outline in-game situational tactics for key scenarios like man up/man down or end of quarter. Diagram innovative drills to build skills. Flowchart new practice schedules or strength and conditioning programs.
The unrestricted space sparks creativity and idea sharing. Easily add, erase, and modify elements as coaches build on each other’s thoughts in real time. An oversized board allows everyone to visualize the evolution of strategic concepts. Capture photos to review and refine later.
Don’t limit whiteboard collaboration to coaches’ meetings. Involve veteran players at times to gain player perspective and feedback. Big picture visualization precipitates innovation. Use an oversized whiteboard to tap into collective lacrosse IQ and take your team’s playbook to the next level.
Provide Visual Cues During Timeouts to Focus Players
In the heat of a lacrosse game, players’ minds can start to wander or frustration can set in. As a coach, using timeout whiteboard talks allows you to regain player focus by delivering concise visual messages.
Quickly diagram what you want to see adjusted, whether it’s defensive positioning, shot selection, or better ball movement. Use clear visual references like rearrange defenders’ X’s and O’s or draw lines indicating where you want players to drive. For motivation, jot down concise phrases like “Work Together!” or “Raise Intensity!”
Reinforce your message by holding a formation illustration or keyword in front of players as you speak. The visual will keep their eyes locked in. Erase and change up diagrams to keep attention. Use arrows, stars, or circles to direct attention to your main point.
When emotions run high, visual cues communicate faster than speaking. They also provide mental imagery to reinforce concepts. Alternate colors to recenter focus each timeout. Keep diagrams basic with just key words or shapes. Your whiteboard simplicity will cut through the clutter.
In-game adjustments require player buy-in. Brief timeout whiteboard talks with impactful visuals lead to crisper execution. When you regroup in the huddle, players will return to the field with renewed direction to win the next possession and make a big play.
Get Feedback by Having Players Diagram Plays on Mini Whiteboards
As a coach, getting direct feedback from your players is invaluable for growth. Beyond just asking questions, have players diagram their own thoughts on mini personal whiteboards to drive engagement and candid input.