Lacrosse skills you’ll learn at DU’s premier camp
As a lifelong lacrosse player and coach, I can’t think of a better place for young athletes to hone their skills than the University of Denver’s premier lacrosse camp. Nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains with elite Division I facilities and coaching, DU offers the ideal environment for taking your game to the next level.
Through intense drill work, game play, and direct mentorship from the coaching staff, players of all ages and skill levels will gain tremendous value from their time in Denver. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the top lacrosse skills you’ll learn and improve upon during your time at the Pioneers’ camp:
Stick Skills
It all starts with stick skills. Whether you play attack, midfield, or defense, having complete control of your stick is fundamental. At DU, coaches will work tirelessly on developing lightning quick hands through repetitive, high-intensity stick work. We’re talking hours of wall ball each day to ingrain flawless fundamentals. You’ll also learn advanced techniques like quick sticks, face dodging, split dodging, and more. Your hands and overall ball control will reach new heights at the Pioneers’ camp.
Footwork and Agility
In today’s fast-paced game, footwork and agility separate the standouts from the pack. DU’s coaches implement footwork ladder drills, cone drills, and other agility exercises to improve your speed, quickness, footwork, and change of direction. You’ll learn to stop, start, and explode out of cuts with purpose. Increased agility gives you an edge when dodging defenders or chasing down ground balls. Expect your coordination and mobility to be challenged in new ways.
Shooting
What good is dodging if you can’t finish with a blistering shot? Shooting drills make up a huge chunk of the daily camp regimen. You’ll learn proper shooting mechanics, accuracy, and increased velocity. The coaches really harp on quick release shooting and shot placement. When you’re being hounded by a defender, you must be able to get off an accurate shot in the blink of an eye. Your shooting will become more dangerous at all angles and distances after your time in Denver.
Dodging
Dodging is where the rubber meets the road. At DU, you’ll work on dodging against live defenders to simulate game situations. Coaches will share all sorts of slick dodging moves to add to your repertoire like the face dodge, roll dodge, split dodge, bull dodge, swim dodge, and many more. You’ll learn when and where to deploy each maneuver. Dodging with both hands will be stressed so you’re a dual threat. Defenders’ ankles will be breaking left and right after gaining elite dodging skills at the Pioneers’ camp.
Off-Ball Play
While the ball carrier gets a lot of glory, lacrosse is the ultimate team game. Mastering off-ball play is crucial. At DU, coaches will work extensively on moving without the ball to get open for passes, setting effective picks, spacing, cutting hard, and more. You’ll also learn defensive principles like denying passing lanes, recovering on defense, communicating effectively through backside rotations, and applying relentless ball pressure. Off-ball play separates good lacrosse players from truly great ones.
Transition Play
Today’s lacrosse features tons of up-and-down transition play after turnovers or saves. DU puts heavy emphasis on developing your skills during the transitional scramble. You’ll perform intense situational transition drills focused on outlet passes, clearing efficiently up-field, recognizing odd-man rush opportunities, and recovering properly on defense. Learning to make quick decisions and maximize opportunities in transition leads directly to more goals.
Game Situations
While drills are important for honing skills, nothing beats game experience against top competition. Throughout the camp, coaches will construct game situations that mimic high-leverage moments you’ll encounter during actual games. You’ll be put in pressure cooker scenarios to test your skills and decision-making when the game is on the line. The situational training will give you reps in managing end of game scenarios, man up/man down, riding on clears, and more. Your lacrosse IQ will grow exponentially.
Goalie Training
For goalies, DU offers an intensive training curriculum tailored specifically to the unique demands of the position. You’ll work hand-in-hand with the Pioneers’ goalie coaches to develop lightning quick reflexes, superior hand-eye coordination, better rebound control, improved clearing ability, and rock-solid fundamentals. Expect high-volume shooting drills to test your skills along with classroom sessions to grow your lacrosse IQ as a netminder. Goalies gain a tremendous tactical and skill advantage at the DU camp.
The University of Denver lacrosse camp is truly an immersive learning experience tailored to boosting every aspect of your game. Through a mix of skills training, game play, and direct mentorship from the top-tier DU coaching staff, players come away with more confidence, new abilities, and a passion for excellence. Don’t miss your chance to become a complete lacrosse player at one of the nation’s premier camps!
Getting familiar with DU lacrosse coaching staff
One of the greatest assets of attending the University of Denver’s premier lacrosse camp is the opportunity to learn directly from the Pioneers’ world-class coaching staff. DU is home to some of the brightest minds in lacrosse who have helped build the program into a perennial NCAA tournament contender and a hotbed for developing elite talent.
Throughout the camp, players will work directly with the coaches in drills, game situations, classroom sessions, and more. It’s an invaluable chance to gain insights and perspective from lacrosse experts who have trained All-Americans, Tewaaraton Award winners, MLS draftees, and many other standouts. Let’s get familiar with the DU lacrosse brain trust:
Head Coach Bill Tierney
The legendary Bill Tierney needs no introduction. With 7 NCAA championships and countless other accolades under his belt from his time at Princeton, Tierney has since led a lacrosse renaissance at Denver. Under Coach Tierney’s tutelage, DU has ascended to national prominence, consistently ranking among the nation’s elite. Players gain a tactical and motivational edge learning from one of the all-time coaching greats.
Associate Head Coach Matt Brown
Matt Brown joined Tierney’s staff after a stellar playing career of his own at Johns Hopkins where he won a national title. Coach Brown works primarily with DU’s offensive unit to maximize their firepower and scoring efficiency. Offensive players will gain new weapons absorbing Brown’s knowledge of dodging, shooting, spacing, off-ball cuts, and many other nuances of elite offense.
Assistant Coach Trevor Tierney
Trevor Tierney, son of Bill, joined Denver’s staff after his own standout career as Princeton’s goalie and being drafted into the MLS. Coach Trevor brings goalie expertise along with insights into efficient off-ball play from his time as a field defender. Goalies gain a dream mentor while field players pick up new off-ball tactics from Coach Tierney.
Assistant Coach Patrick Saunders
An All-American long stick midfielder at Princeton under Bill Tierney, Patrick Saunders oversees face-offs and defense in his role on Denver’s staff. Under his tutelage, DU has featured dominant face-off men and shutdown defensive units. Face-off specialists will improve draws and wing play working with Saunders. Defenders learn masterful positioning, communication, and fundamental skills from the cerebral coach.
Beyond the full-time staff, DU lacrosse camps also feature appearances from the program’s elite players. Counselors share firsthand advice from their own development paths to stardom. Bonding with the Pioneers’ stars helps fuel the campers’ passion for excelling in the sport.
Given DU’s coaching pedigree and depth, players gain an insurmountable advantage in skills, IQ, and inspiration from direct access to these brilliant lacrosse minds. There’s no better brain trust to learn from in the sport than the University of Denver staff.
Preparing for high intensity lacrosse training
Make no mistake about it, the University of Denver’s premier lacrosse camp will challenge your skills and conditioning to the absolute limit
Living like a college lacrosse player
Beyond the chance to hone your skills on the field, one of the coolest aspects of attending the University of Denver’s lacrosse camp is the opportunity to experience life as a college lacrosse player. During your time on campus, you’ll get a taste of the Pioneers’ daily routines, training environment, and team culture.
Here’s a glimpse at living like a DU lacrosse player during your time at camp:
Train at Elite Facilities
You’ll gain access to Denver’s pristine Division I facilities. We’re talking perfectly manicured grass fields, the innovative Johnston Indoor Practice Facility, spacious locker rooms, state-of-the-art workout rooms, hydrotherapy and training equipment, and more. It’s a professional atmosphere that brings out your best performance.
rigid Schedule
Be ready for an action-packed schedule from sunrise to sunset. You’ll wake up early for breakfast at the dining hall before hitting the fields for hours of skills training and drills. Group film study, classroom sessions, and meals keep you busy in between field work. Late evenings may feature competitive shooting contests. It’s a grind, but cementing these habits help you thrive later.
Team Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and team meetings happen inside DU’s dining hall. You’ll bond with new friends and future teammates over delicious, nutritious meals to refuel. Coaches also use team meals to reinforce culture, expectations, and camaraderie. This tight-knit atmosphere breeds excellence.
Dorm Living
Campers stay right on campus in DU’s brand new, state-of-the-art dorms. You’ll room with fellow campers and new best friends. Residence halls become a second home filled with lifelong memories. Living on campus immerses you in the college experience.
Compete with Top Talent
You’ll compete against an elite crop of players from across North America. Iron sharpens iron. Matching your skills against other passionate, talented athletes pushes you to new heights and prepares you for collegiate competition. The level of talent brings out your best.
Attending Denver’s camp gives you a big leg up adjusting to the demands of college lacrosse. By training in DU’s structures and culture, you’ll gain mental toughness, work ethic, and relationships that pay dividends down the road. The experience sticks with you long after camp ends.
Developing critical thinking on the field
Physical skills and athleticism set the foundation, but lacrosse IQ separates the true greats. At the University of Denver lacrosse camp, developing your critical thinking and ability to make split-second decisions on the field is a major point of emphasis.
Throughout your time in Denver, coaches will sharpen your in-game IQ through various teaching methods:
Situational Scenarios
You’ll participate in tons of situational drills that replicate real-game environments. Coaches will put you in pressure scenarios like end-of-game face-offs, power plays, man-down defense, and more. By repeating situational training, you’ll learn to make smarter instinctual decisions.
Classroom Sessions
Chalk talks, video analysis, and whiteboard sessions with coaches sharpen your understanding of offensive and defensive concepts. You’ll gain a deeper grasp of spacing, rotation, slides, picks, passing angles and more. Increased lacrosse IQ leads to quicker reactions in game situations.
Film Study
Poring over game footage shows you new perspectives and details you miss in real time. At DU, you’ll study film of NHL and top college teams alongside your own game footage. Observing high-level execution helps cement ideal positioning, technique, and decision-making.
Asking “Why?”
Coaches encourage campers to ask “why?” instead of blindly following directions. Understanding the reasoning behind drills, strategies, and fundamentals allows you to adapt on the fly during games. You’ll gain a deeper comprehension of the sport.
Focus on Details
At camp, coaches harp on the finer points of footwork, off-ball movement, passing angles, two-man games, and more. Mastering the minutiae gives you advantages in any situation. Your brain becomes wired to notice and leverage smaller details.
Sharpening your lacrosse intellect is a central theme at Denver’s camp. By honing your ability to think critically on the field, you’ll unlock new potential to outsmart opponents and dominate gameplay. Your decision-making will reach new heights.
Drills to improve dodging and shooting
Dodging defenders and blistering shots on cage are two of the most exhilarating parts of lacrosse. At the University of Denver camp, you’ll perform specialized drills to take your dodging maneuvers and shooting skills to new heights.
Here are some of the top drills to sharpen these key offensive talents:
Zig-Zag Dodge Drill
This intense dodging drill utilizes cones to simulate defenders. You’ll zig-zag in and out of cones while performing quick stick handles to improve coordination, footwork, and change of direction speed. The drill ingrains slick dodging instincts.
Alley Dodge Drill
Work on dodging angles by weaving down the alley and finishing with a shot on goal. Focus on using your body to ward off defenders while keeping the stick protected. This high-repetition drill cements your angles, footwork, and body positioning when dodging in tight spaces.
Split Dodge Shooting
In this combo drill, perform a split dodge around a dummy defender to gain separation then sink a quick shot on goal. The defender pressure forces you to sell your dodge and get off an accurate shot under duress. Go-to-goal dodging improves immensely.
Behind-the-Back Shooting
After cradling to build momentum, move the ball behind your back then switch hands for a wicked sidearm shot on cage. This advanced shooting drill improves hand-eye coordination, power, and the ability to release from odd angles. Your repertoire expands.
Quick Stick Chaos Drill
Make rapid stick moves and exchanges with teammates to simulate chaotic game action before burying your shot. The constant movement and ball exchanges prime your body for shooting after taking contact or working through traffic. Shooting under chaos becomes second nature.
Through high repetition and game-speed execution, these targeted dodging and shooting drills develop key scoring skills. The University of Denver’s staff has perfected these drills over years of working with elite talent. Your offense will become a weapon after repping these drills daily.
How to communicate effectively with teammates
Lacrosse depends heavily on teamwork, chemistry, and communication. At the University of Denver camp, you’ll learn valuable techniques for communicating effectively with teammates on the field to build greater cohesion.
Here are some tips for clear communication with your team:
“Talk” With Your Stick
Make your intentions known by “speaking” with your stick. Point and direct teammates with your stick to show them where to cut or slide. Use vocal tones like “Here!” or “Leave it!” to complement stick direction. Your stick guides teammates like a conversation.
Brief & Clear Calls
Shouting long-winded instructions leads to confusion. Use clear, concise commands like “Slide!” “Help left!” “Cut now!” Brief communication allows teammates to react quicker. Crisp calls become natural with practice.
Establish Code Words
Create code words and shorthands your team understands like “Seal” for sealing a defender on a pick. Unique terminology helps your team execute faster. Repetition ingrains the code words at camp.
Make Eye Contact
Don’t just speak into a void. Make eye contact with specific teammates to ensure your message connects. Eye contact engages teammates and confirms comprehension. It becomes second nature with reps.
Lead By Example
Actions speak louder than words. Lead vocally but also demonstrate proper technique and intensity. Blend vocal leadership with exemplary play. Your teammates will follow suit.
Like any skill, clear communication improves through conscious effort and repetition. Applying these tips at DU’s camp builds the vocal leadership and connection vital to a championship team.
Improving speed, agility and quickness
Speed, agility, and quickness (SAQ) are fundamental athletic traits that elevate your lacrosse game. The University of Denver camp places heavy emphasis on drills and training techniques to unlock new potential in these key areas.
Here are some of the SAQ drills you can expect to perform:
Ladder Drills
Agility ladders build lightning fast footwork. You’ll develop quicker feet blazing through ladder rungs with combinations of forward, lateral, and backward movements. Ladders improve coordination and explosiveness from your stance.
Dot Drills
Quickness and change of direction are vital in lacrosse. Dot drill circuits require rapid multi-directional movement between dots on the field. Sharper deceleration, pivoting, and acceleration become instincts.
Resistance Sprinting
Sprint resistant bands or sleds build top end speed strength. Pushing through added resistance improves stride power, hip drive, and overall speed. You’ll pull away from defenders.
Position-Specific Movement
SAQ drills also focus on motions specific to your position. For example, defenders work on backpedaling, lateral slides, and recovery speed. Face-off specialists improve their clamp speed and explosiveness out of their stance. Customized training optimizes your speed.
Plyometrics
Plyometric jumps like box jumps, hurdle hops, and broad jumps develop the power to change direction on a dime. Increased explosiveness gives you an extra gear in lacrosse’s constant start-stop motions.
Prioritizing these drills at DU elevates your athleticism to thrive in lacrosse’s up-tempo athletic demands. Speed, agility, and quickness translate directly into game-changing dominance.
Advanced lacrosse stick handling techniques
Developing lightning quick stick skills separates the adequate from the elite lacrosse players. At the University of Denver camp, you’ll learn advanced techniques to take your stick handling and ball control to the highest level.
Here are some of the advanced stick handling skills coaches will instill:
Behind-the-Back Cradling
Protecting your stick from checks is critical. You’ll learn to confidently cradle and control the ball behind your back while changing direction. Varying motions throw off defenders.
Quick Sticks
Rapid exchanges of the ball between your stick and teammates’ simulate game pace. Quick sticks sharpen your hands, reaction time, and passing precision. Execution becomes second nature.
Split Dodges
The split dodge utilizes a lateral juke to split defenders. Your hands sell the fake while your lower body stays positioned to attack upfield. Devastating dodges emerge from honing this move.
Face Dodges
The face dodge uses your wrist and stick handle to create space from a defender. Sell your fake and then gain separation with rapid cutting. You’ll perfect disguising your intentions.
Roll Dodges
Roll dodges involve rotating your body while cradling to keep the stick shielded. The movement masks your next attack angle. Footwork and hand coordination meld together.
Repping advanced stick work like this thousands of times builds unconscious ball control. Defenders can’t touch you. Leveraging these techniques at DU gives you an unfair edge over opponents when it matters.
Situational lacrosse strategy and gameplay
Knowing how to react in pressure situations can make or break a lacrosse game. The University of Denver camp dedicates ample time to situational gameplay scenarios that replicate high-leverage moments.
Here are some of the clutch scenarios you’ll encounter:
Man Up/Man Down
You’ll run 6-on-5 and 5-on-6 simulations to practice executing and defending against extra-man advantages. Repetition builds chemistry for capitalizing on power play chances.
End of Game
Late game situations require strategic mastery. You’ll practice tactics like holding for the final shot, stalling techniques, face-offs, and tenacious ride defense in end-of-game simulations.
Sudden Victory Overtime
OT lacrosse brings do-or-die intensity. Situation-specific drills prepare your skills and psyche for overtime battles. Thinking on your feet becomes instinct when the game is on the line.
Tactical Adjustments
Coaches will manipulate game scenarios to emphasize using your lacrosse IQ. Make quick reads reacting to situational defensive looks, tempo changes, and matchup adjustments. Mental flexibility is vital.
Simulated Fatigue
Drills performed under simulated fatigue force you to focus mentally when physically exhausted. Digging deep in the clutch wins championships.
By drilling high-pressure scenarios at DU, your skills and strategy evolve to thrive when the spotlight is brightest. Situational training builds true gamers.
Position-specific skills for attack, midfield, defense
While lacrosse depends on well-rounded players, each position requires its own specialized skillset. The University of Denver camp devotes focused training to build elite attackmen, midfielders, and defenders.
Here are some of the top position-specific skills you’ll develop:
Attack
Attacks will improve dodging, shooting, stick protection, two-man games, picking, spacing, and off-ball cuts. Repping your craft against top defenders accelerates development.
Midfield
Midfield drills hone transition speed, offensive skills, defensive positioning, clearing, wing play, and conditioning to run all day. You become a true two-way threat.
Defense
Defensemen drill stick checks, positioning, angling, communication, conditioning, footwork, and instill a shutdown mentality. Locking down top attacks boosts confidence.
FOGO
Face-off specialists refine techniques like the clamp, rake, jam, and swim move along with bottom hand strength and explosiveness out of their stance. Winning possessions is their craft.
LSM
Long-stick middies work on defensive skills while also building offensive upside like shooting, dodging, and clearing. Becoming a complete player gives them an edge.
Goalie
Finally, goalies develop rebound control, footwork, tracking, communication, outlet passing, and mental toughness through specialized drills with DU’s coaches.
Whether you want to be a scorer, lockdown defender, or face-off stud, Denver’s camp tailors training to amplify your strengths at your position.
Proper lacrosse nutrition and hydration
Optimizing your nutrition and hydration gives you a big edge on the lacrosse field. The University of Denver camp emphasizes fueling your body properly to maximize performance.
Here are some key nutritional tips to boost your lacrosse game:
Hydration
Proper hydration is crucial, especially in Denver’s high altitude. Sip water constantly during practice along with sports drinks like Gatorade to replenish electrolytes lost through sweat.
Balanced Meals
Fill up at the dining hall with wholesome balanced meals combining carbs, protein, and healthy fats. Good nutrition maintains energy and aids recovery.
Smart Snacking
Strategic snacks like fruit, nuts, yogurt, and protein bars between practices and meals keep your blood sugar stable. You’ll avoid crashes.
Refueling Post-Practice
Quickly refuel within 30 minutes after intense sessions. Chocolate milk, smoothies, and recovery shakes speed up muscle repair.
Proper Portions
Given the grueling camp schedule, you need ample calories. But beware overeating which can hinder performance. Focus on quality fueling, not huge quantities.
Caffeine Caution
While caffeine has benefits, excess amounts can dehydrate you. Hydrate even more if you consume caffeine before sessions.
Paying attention to nutrition and hydration gives you an edge you can feel. Proper fueling helps you maximize training and outwork opponents.
Injury prevention and lacrosse conditioning
Remaining injury-free is crucial to your success in lacrosse. The University of Denver integrates injury prevention and lacrosse-specific conditioning to keep your body durable and primed for the field’s demands.
Here are some of the techniques they emphasize:
Dynamic Warm-Ups
Thorough dynamic warm-ups prep your body for activity and reduce injury risk. Light jogging, skips, shuffles, and joint rotations increase range of motion.
Post-Practice Recovery
Active cooldowns, stretching, ice baths, and other recovery techniques prevent soreness and allow maximum adaptation between sessions.
Strength Training
Lifting develops lacrosse-specific strength in your legs, core and shoulders. Increased strength protects joints and connective tissues.
Plyometrics
Explosive plyometric drills boost power and agility while minimizing strain on joints due to their bodyweight nature.
Cardiovascular Training
Extensive cardio improves stamina to keep moving all game long. You’ll outwork opponents, especially late in games.
Movement Analysis
Coaches analyze your movement and mechanics to identify imbalances or compensations that increase injury risk. Correcting dysfunction prevents issues.
Using the latest training principles allows you to both maximize performance and longevity in your lacrosse career. Preventative training gives you a physical edge.
College lacrosse recruiting tips and advice
For elite high school players, participating in the recruiting process is the next step in your lacrosse journey. The University of Denver camp devotes classroom sessions to providing tips and advice for navigating the collegiate lacrosse recruiting trail.
Here are some of their top recruiting insights:
Show Don’t Tell
College coaches rely heavily on game film. Focus on consistently dominating games with your play rather than talking yourself up.
Attend Prospect Days
Prospect camps hosted by colleges give coaching staffs a chance to evaluate and meet you in person. Take full advantage of these opportunities.
Highlight Your Academics
At top academic institutions, the student portion of student-athlete is crucial. Showcase your academic transcript, test scores, and classroom strengths.
Build Relationships
Get to know coaching staffs early in the process, and keep the dialogue going. Coaches want players who fit their program’s culture.
Manage Expectations
Understand that even top recruits sometimes wait to commit. Trust the process, work hard, and your spot will come.
Gaining recruiting guidance from DU’s staff helps demystify the process. Their tips set you up for collegiate lacrosse success on and off the field.
Making lifelong friends and memories at DU lacrosse
Beyond developing your skills, the bonds and memories formed at lacrosse camp last a lifetime. The camaraderie and friendships built at the University of Denver camp become invaluable.
Here’s how DU lacrosse camp forges lifelong connections:
Grind Together
Enduring the rigors of camp together breeds lifelong bonds. You’ll push each other to be your best daily.
Camp Competitions
Friendly shooting contests, film trivia, dorm challenges, and other camp competitions build team spirit and inside jokes.
Exploring Denver
During what little free time you’ll have, explore Denver with new friends by hiking, grabbing a bite downtown, or visiting local spots.
Senior Mentorship
Leaning on leadership from seasoned veteran campers provides mentorship. You’ll stay in touch for years.
Future Teammates
You’ll build relationships with future high school or college teammates at camp. Getting a head start eases transitions.
The stories, bonds, and memories forged through struggles and triumphs at DU lacrosse camp stay with you for life. The friendships transcend camp.