Whiteboard Essentials for Lacrosse Coaches
For lacrosse coaches, a whiteboard is an indispensable tool for sketching plays, mapping formations, and tracking critical in-game stats. Having a dedicated dry erase board designed specifically for the sport makes it easy to visualize and communicate winning game plans.
Magnets Are a Coach’s Best Friend
What self-respecting lacrosse coach doesn’t love magnets? Tactics boards equipped with magnetic strips allow coaches to smoothly shift player tokens around to demonstrate offensive and defensive strategies. As legendary coach Bear Bryant once said, “Have a plan. Follow the plan, and you’ll be surprised how successful you can be. Most times, success is just a matter of luck. Just ask any failure.”
Weatherproof For All-Conditions Use
Lacrosse is played in all kinds of weather. From blustery winds to pouring rain, coaches need a sturdy whiteboard that can withstand the elements. Outdoor-friendly materials like aluminum and tempered glass are up to the task. As lacrosse hall of famer Jim Brown put it, “Make sure your worst enemy doesn’t live between your own two ears.”
Diagram Drills Like a Pro
A whiteboard allows coaches to diagram drills in a simple, visual way. Draw arrows showing player movements, mark spaced stations, sketch ball passing routes – all helping players execute complex exercises. Studies show retention improves up to 65% when material is presented visually rather than just verbally. As basketball legend Michael Jordan said, “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”
Drawing Plays and Formations
Here are some tips for using a lacrosse whiteboard to diagram offensive and defensive plays:
- Use different colored markers to represent offense and defense
- Draw arrows to demonstrate player movement on the field
- Mark key positions like LSM, midfielders, attackmen
- Stage progressive drawings showing play development
- Label or define any uncommon formations
Mapping out plays in this visual way can help teams execute more effectively in games. As education reformer Booker T. Washington put it, “Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.”
Animated Play Diagrams
Bring your drawings to life by capturing time-lapse photos or video as you sketch out plays. Reviewing animated diagrams helps reinforce strategy for players. Studies show our brains process images 60,000 times faster than text. Or as organizational expert Peter Drucker once said, “Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes.”
Mapping Player Positions
A lacrosse whiteboard allows coaches to map out precise player positions for game situations. Use magnets to indicate players on the field. Shift formations around as plays develop. Color code tokens for offense vs defense. This visual mapping helps players learn proper positioning and rotation. As hockey legend Wayne Gretzky once said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Tracking Stats and Metrics
Use your lacrosse whiteboard to track key game metrics like shots, ground balls, clears, and saves. Keeping visual stats helps coaches make informed adjustments. And recording performance over time provides helpful feedback for players. As billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban put it, “Work like there is someone working 24 hours a day to take it all away from you.”
Visualizing Drills and Exercises
Your lacrosse whiteboard is perfect for sketching out practice drills. Use diagrams to demonstrate proper form and movement. Add labels and arrows showing balls, cones, goals, etc. Visualizing drills helps cement understanding. Studies show we remember 65% of what we see vs only 10% of what we hear. As martial artist Bruce Lee once said, “Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless and add what is specifically your own.”
By leveraging the unique benefits of a tailored lacrosse whiteboard, coaches can take their game strategy and communication to the next level. The ability to draw plays, map positions, diagram drills and track metrics provides an invaluable edge. Use your knowledge and creativity to build winning game plans. As basketball legend Michael Jordan said, “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” Now get out there and make it happen!
Drawing Plays and Formations
Diagramming lacrosse plays and formations is a dance of X’s, O’s, and arrows. Like choreographing a ballet, coaches sketch the movements of their athletes across the field. Shifting strategic pieces into scoring position. Here are some tips for coaches looking to step up their whiteboard game:
- Use different colored markers for offense and defense – blue for dodging attackmen, red for sliding defenders.
- Draw arrows showing cutter routes, pick plays, and backdoor cuts.
- Mark key positions like LSM, midfielders, attackmen with labels or initials.
- Stage progressive drawings showing play development over time.
- Label or define any uncommon offensive sets or defensive formations.
Mapping out plays visually can help teams execute more effectively in game situations. Studies show retention improves up to 65% when material is presented visually rather than just verbally. As cognitive scientist Daniel Willingham puts it, “Memory is the residue of thought.” So take thought to diagram smart plays that players can visualize and recall on the field.
Use your dry erase board to turn X’s and O’s into W’s. Draw up distinctive plays only your team knows. Surprise opponents with formations they won’t expect. As basketball legend Hakeem Olajuwon said, “Work on everything. Later the difficult things will become easy.” Master the playbook through repetition and your team will shine when it counts.
Animated Play Diagrams
In the age of smartphones and social media, attention spans are short. This makes animated diagrams an increasingly powerful tool for lacrosse coaches seeking to hold player focus while reviewing game strategy. Like well-edited video, time-lapse whiteboard drawings bring static plays to life in an engaging, memorable way.
Here are some tips for creating compelling animated lacrosse diagrams:
- Use video or a series of photos to capture yourself progressively drawing the play.
- Keep it short – 10 to 30 seconds is ideal.
- Add music or voiceover explanation for extra impact.
- Focus the camera tightly on the evolving diagram.
- Use slow zooms or pans to direct attention.
- Playback on a large screen for maximum effect.
Modern pedagogy recognizes that people learn more effectively through visual, auditory and kinesthetic modes rather than just listening passively. By incorporating multimedia elements into your whiteboard drawings, you can reinforce strategy in ways that stick with players. As educational theorist Edgar Dale said, “What I hear, I forget. What I see, I remember. What I do, I understand.” Animate your play diagrams and help players reach understanding.
Mapping Player Positions
Like pieces on a chessboard, player positioning is critical in the strategic sport of lacrosse. Mapping out formations and matchups on a whiteboard helps teams master spacing and movement on the field.
Here are some tips for using magnets or diagram markers to map positions:
- Use different colors for offense vs. defense.
- Indicate players with initials, numbers or shapes.
- Shift magnets to show player movement over time.
- Mark midfield lines, goal and relevant field markers.
- Diagram how defensive players match up against offenses.
Visualizing positioning this way reinforces a mental model for players. Studies show that spatial and visual learning builds deeper cognitive understanding. As education reformer John Dewey said, “If you have doubts about how learning happens, engage in sustained inquiry: study, ponder, consider alternative possibilities and arrive at your belief grounded in evidence.” Ground your players’ learning in evidence through visualized positioning.
Field awareness separates good lacrosse players from great ones. Mapping formations repeatedly ingrains space and movement into muscle memory. Come game time, your athletes will intuitively know where to be. As hockey legend Wayne Gretzky said, “A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” Diagram positions today so your players naturally go where the game is going tomorrow.
Tracking Stats and Metrics
Stats don’t lie in lacrosse. Key performance indicators reveal strengths to leverage and weaknesses to address. Tracking metrics on your whiteboard provides visual feedback for players and informs coaching decisions.
Here are some suggested stats to track:
- Shots on goal
- Shot percentage
- Assists
- Ground balls
- Faceoff win percentage
- Clears and one-pass possessions
- Penalties and penalty minutes
Presenting statistics visually has more impact than just citing numbers. Use graphs, charts or diagrams to provide players with clear performance benchmarks. Psychology studies show we have a stronger emotional response to visual data than raw figures alone. As polymath John Tukey said, “The best thing about being a statistician is that you get to play in everyone’s backyard.” Play with visual stats to motivate your team.
Leverage your whiteboard stats to reinforce areas of excellence and identify weaknesses. Quantify development over time. Numbers don’t lie, so let hard metrics guide your coaching. Strive for that perfect balance of data-driven analysis and emotional motivation. As management expert Peter Drucker said “What’s measured improves.” Start tracking and watch your team improve.
Visualizing Drills and Exercises
A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when it comes to complex lacrosse drills. Diagramming exercises on a whiteboard reinforces physical and mental understanding for players.
Here are some tips for visualizing drills:
- Sketch player starting positions and movements with arrows
- Mark locations of cones, goals or key field areas
- Use colors or labels for different equipment like balls, sticks, targets
- Add written or verbal instructions for each step
- Break exercises down into progressing segments
The adage that ‘repetition is the mother of skill’ is especially true in lacrosse. By providing visual models of drills, you reinforce muscle memory development with each walkthrough. Studies show we process images 60,000 times faster than text, so a picture says sixty thousand words in coaching. As basketball trainer Tim Grover said, “Success comes from repetition. But real success comes only when you do more than repeat what you’ve done before.” Do more with visualized whiteboard drills.
Keep diagrams of go-to drills handy for continual reinforcement. Repetition ingrains reactions, habits and instincts. Diagrammed drills combined with quality reps build the innate field sense that separates excellent lacrosse players. Do the work today so reactions come easy on game day. Stay focused and get better each practice. As legendary coach Vince Lombardi said, “Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.” Keep visualizing perfection.
Magnetic Tactics Board Benefits
Like chess pieces on a game board, magnets transform a lacrosse whiteboard into an interactive strategic tool. Tactics boards with magnetic playing surfaces offer unique advantages for mapping formations and diagramming plays.
Here are some benefits of magnets on a whiteboard:
- Smoothly shift player tokens to demonstrate motion and positioning.
- Change formations and matchups in seconds for comparison.
- Color code tokens for offense, defense, midfielders.
- Remove and replace magnets easily without residue.
- Use arrows, lines and shapes for directional flow.
The interactivity of a magnetic board keeps players engaged during review and planning. Studies show retention improves up to 90% when people take an active role in learning. World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov said “The point of chess is to be forward-thinking, calculative, creative and flexible.” Magnets make it easy to calculate creative strategy flexibly.
In the fast-paced game of lacrosse, adjustment and adaptation are critical. Magnetic whiteboards let you shift strategy in real-time to counter opponents. As football legend Joe Montana said “I don’t fear throwing an interception. I fear not trying.” Have a magnetic board handy to try new formations without fear. Shift pieces as the game shifts.
Weatherproof For Outdoor Use
Lacrosse is played in all kinds of conditions – sun, wind, rain, or snow. A weatherproof whiteboard is built to withstand the elements for coaching on the field or sidelines.
Here are some outdoor-friendly features to look for:
- Aluminum frame won’t rust or corrode
- Tempered glass writing surface resists moisture
- Scuff-resistant enameled surface for durability
- Waterproof sealants protect board internals
- UV-resistant inks and markers won’t fade
Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi said “We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible.” Don’t let weather limit your coaching – think possibility with an all-weather whiteboard. As health expert Jillian Michaels put it, “The hardest step she takes is the first one out the door.” Take that first step outside with confidence in your gear.
Some of the best coaching moments happen spontaneously on the field. Be ready to diagram plays and track metrics rain or shine. As inventor Thomas Edison said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Don’t miss opportunities – put in the work outdoors with a sturdy all-weather whiteboard by your side.
Customizable Dry Erase Surface
A lacrosse whiteboard should be a coach’s canvas for creativity. Look for boards with dry erase surfaces that customize to your needs.
Customization features include:
- Magnetic backing allows magnet additions
- Large size provides ample diagram space
- Grid lines tailor for sport-specific tracking
- Portable stand option for sideline use
- Marker kits in colors to coordinate offenses and defenses
Like a blank notebook, an open whiteboard surface allows your strategic visions to unfold. Studies show that priming creative thinking before problem-solving improves flexibility and originality. As innovator Jim Rohn said, “Take the time to work on your creativity. Draw, write, design, think, compose. Display your creativity in your room, your office, wherever you have space.” Claim whiteboard space to display creativity.
Customization also keeps players engaged during review. Select vivid marker colors to highlight key concepts and players. Use voice, motion and athletes’ names while diagramming to further reinforce lessons. Make the board yours and keep players tuned in.
Portable and Lightweight
Mobility is key for active lacrosse coaches. Look for lightweight whiteboards designed for easy transport to the field, locker room or wherever strategy sessions happen.
Portability features include:
- Thin profile requires little storage space
- Lightweight materials like aluminum and plastic
- Compact sizes around 3’x2′ for carrying
- Handle attachments for grabbing and go
- Optional wheeled carts for seamless mobility
Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden said “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” Avoid preparation failure by having your strategic tools where you need them. As leader John Maxwell put it, “You have to be before you can do, and do before you can have.” Have a lightweight whiteboard on hand to do valuable coaching whenever opportunity arises.
Portability also allows for impromptu team meetings in nontraditional spaces like hotels and airplanes en route to games. As general George Patton said, “A good plan executed today is better than a perfect plan executed next week.” Execute whiteboard plans on the go and get the edge over less agile competitors.
Sturdy and Durable Build
Lacrosse is a tough sport that demands durable gear, including coaches’ whiteboards. Look for sturdy construction to withstand years of strategy sessions and field use.
Quality build features include:
- Aluminum backing prevents warping
- Steel frame with powder coating for scuff resistance
- Shatterproof tempered glass writing surface
- Weatherproof materials like enameled steel and fiberglass
- Reinforced leg stands for stability
Legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi said “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.” Have the will to invest in a rugged whiteboard built to last through countless practices as your program strengthens and succeeds.
Sturdy gear instills confidence in players and conveys professionalism to parents and fans. Treat your team to quality equipment for the long haul. As Lombardi also said, “Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all-time thing. You don’t win once in a while; you don’t do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time.” Do right with reliable pro-grade gear all the time.
Installation and Mounting Options
For maximum utility, lacrosse coaches need flexibility in where and how their whiteboard is positioned. Look for installation and mounting options to place your board exactly where strategy happens.
Positioning options include:
- Portable wheeled cart for easy relocation
- Adjustable floor stand angles board anywhere
- Wall mounts secure board in locker room
- Suction cup hooks allow attachment to facility glass
- Magnetic backings mount on facility metal surfaces
As leadership guru Tom Peters said “Leaders don’t create followers. They create more leaders.” Create more lacrosse leaders by presenting your strategic vision anywhere it’s needed. Install your whiteboard in primary spaces like the film room, then move it to the locker room, training room or bus when opportunity to reinforce lessons arises.
Adapt mounting strategies over the season too. Use portable options for practices and transition to secure wall mounts for polished game-time use. As American philosopher William James said, “The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook.” Overlook limitations and mount your board wherever wisdom sees fit.
Keeping Strategy Secure
A lacrosse coach’s playbook contains trade secrets that give your team a competitive edge. Keep strategic plans secure so rivals don’t steal your edge.
Security tips include:
- Store board in locked office when not in use
- Position board away from doors/windows during sessions
- Face board to wall and cover when leaving room
- Use coded language for plays if public space
- Have players leave phones outside strategy meetings
As Hall of Fame basketball coach Pat Riley said “There are only two options regarding commitment. You’re either IN or you’re OUT. There is no such thing as life in-between.” Be all-in on commitment and security to protect your competitive edge.
Vigilance against espionage lets coaches dial up daring plays. As NFL legend Vince Lombardi said “If you are afraid to go long with your passes, you are afraid to win.” Don’t be crippled by fear of exposure – take more risks knowing your playbook is protected.
Affordable Budget Solutions
Even cash-strapped lacrosse programs need effective strategic tools like whiteboards. Seek out affordable options to equip your team without breaking the bank.
Cost-saving tips include:
- Buy basic whiteboards starting under $100
- Search for discounted or refurbished models
- Prioritize key features like size over accessories
- DIY cheaper magnetic solution with spray paint
- Split costs with other school sports teams
As billionaire Warren Buffett says, “Price is what you pay, value is what you get.” Get maximum strategic value even on a limited budget with a pared-down but still useful whiteboard setup.
Savvy shopping also shows your administration you can stretch dollars. That earns trust to justify bigger ticket purchases down the road. As author Robert Collier put it, “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” Save small amounts daily, then replicate your thrift and grit into winning game plans.
Choosing the Right Size
Lacrosse coaches need ample room for diagrams and stats tracking. But portability is also key. Choose a thoughtfully sized whiteboard to balance functionality with mobility.
Size considerations:
- Standard 3’x2′ dimensions are portable but limited
- 4’x3′ adds diagram space while remaining compact
- Stand-mount 6’x4′ boards maximize surface area
- Wall-mount larger boards like 8’x4′ for permanent installs
- Outdoor sidewalk sizes 4’x8′ or larger for fieldhouse use
Think critically about where and how your whiteboard will be used. Soccer legend Mia Hamm said “Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back… Play for her.” Play for that enthusiastic beginner within – start with a functional board and upgrade sizes with success.
No matter the dimensions, use the space creatively. Move through drills in sequence across the board. Track stats in columns or zones. Break into sections for offense and defense. Let your board grow with your program.