Lessons Learned From NCAA Coaches in 2015 Laxcoachmike
One of the really interesting things about facilitating this website over the last five years or so has been the unique trends we see sweeping across college lacrosse practices each and every year. With over 125 hours of podcasts with top NCAA Lacrosse Coaches it is amazing how they change or tweak their practice routines on an annual and ongoing basis. Can the same be said for most of us?

First it was the time clock on the practice field and the short duration of lacrosse drills to seven to ten minutes max. Next it was the dramatic increase in transition, or uneven drills compared to “Even” lacrosse drills such as a half hour of 6V6… and also an increase in the creativity and dedication to 4V4 drills instead.

In 2015 we saw continued trends from last year only at a much deeper levels. I ask you to read and consider how these may help put your players in a position to be more successful… I no particular order,[private] Just sign in for all Free Members to read this article,

1. The only consistent element is “Change”

In our early years, we heard Coach Starsia and Coach Bill Tierney talk about changes to practice plans. It really surprised me as I had a tendency to think with the great programs, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Nothing could be farther from the truth. Many of the podcasts I recorded in 2015, many were the second or third time we have interviewed that specific coach over the years. I usually began the interviews reviewing the practice schedule template from the previous interview, even if it was only two years or so previous…

In each and every case (with only one exception) the great lacrosse coaches had made significant changes to their practice routines, most noteworthy, changing the sequence of the drills or types of lacrosse drills.

One of my favorites, Coach Wojcik from Harvard had overhauled almost his entire practice philosophy. I was amazed! Often there are new assistant coaches added or revolving at every program each year. The Head Coaches have always paid tribute to new assistants bringing in new drills and new ideas.

In addition, all the coaches suggested they “stole” an idea from another program, more likely from a coach willing to share. I encourage you to really consider change, not only from season to season, but also from practice to practice….

2. A Dramatic increase in “Crunch Drills”

“Crunch is just one term used by coaches, but the philosophies remain consistent. A “Crunch” drill is a lacrosse drill, usually a transition lacrosse drill where the coaches dramatically reduce the defined playing area.

On the site here are some of my favorites,

Coach Bates (Princeton), Side to Side Toggle click here
Coach Colfer (Cabrini), Crunch Between the Hash Marks, Laxpower click here
Coach JB Clarke (Limestone) Back to Front
Coach Amplo, (Marquette) Cone of Silence, Click here
Coach Rostan, Hampden-Sydney, Crunch in the Circle, click here

And the most “Grown Up Crunch Drill Ever”
Coach JB Clarke, Crunched Clearing Drill click here

Maybe it is the Canadian Box influence, maybe it makes the ball move faster, regardless it works and the kids love it!

3. Game Scenarios on Steroids

For the last three or four years one of the most unique filters that coaches consider when studying and developing practice plans is making sure that every, yes every, lacrosse drill directly emulates a real-game scenario. In 2015 we listened as coaches took it to a whole new level.

A. Regularly Practicing Time Outs… for example in the middle of a 4V4 or a 5V4 lacrosse drill, calling a time out and bring this four or five offensive players or defensive players over for a quick description of a new look, and then immediately re-inserting them back into the same drill. Coaches shared it has helped the coached develop brief, clear concise messages, and the players have learned to focus and them implement in a quick 20 second time frame.

B. Man Up – Man Down… For example in the middle of a clearing drill or a transition drill, immediately go into a one minute Man Up, and then a 30 Second man Up, then immediately return to practice. Now, clearly, this is not the time to put in a new man up play, or a defensive scheme, but in season when those key elements are established, insert Man Up inside of a drill to really emulate a game scenario while the others get a quick water break.

C. Half Time…This came from Coach Pietramala’s podcast. In 2015 they actually started practicing their Half Time, or perhaps a better description is their return from Half Time.

At some point during practice the players go to the locker room, or the far end of the field (often without coaches) for six to seven minutes, return make a few tosses then immediately into a full field 10V10. Thus reducing the amount of times they may come out flat from half time… amazing eh?

I hope you might get some great ideas from these and the other concepts that the great coaches are so willing to share on my sight. All this is made possible in part from our great friends at Krossover. I love it, I use it for film, and I hope you do as well,

By the end of 2015, we will have had well over 700,000 pageviews from coaches like you; I am so humbled by your support,

Thank You, Mike Muetzel, laxcoachmike
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