Free Play Academy Newsletter #6
What will be covered:
1. Predator vs Prey Mindset
2. Will Bowen
3. FO Zone
Predator vs Prey Mindset
A concept I’ve taken from grappling sports, in this case Wrestling.
You can find the full article here:
As players, we have a choice every moment on the field: Are you going to be the predator or are you gonna be the prey player? It’s about where you place your focus, and once mastered, this will change your performance on the field.
“Eyes in front like to hunt, eyes on the side like to hide.”
Biologically speaking, prey animals have evolved with eyes on the side of their head to improve peripheral vision so that they can see everything that is going on around them, in order to protect themselves. Contrasted with predator animals whom have eyes much closer together because they don’t need to be as concerned with the world around them, instead they are focused on their objective and need tunnel vision to attack whatever is in front of them.
Always be mindful of where your focus is moment to moment.
Focus on what matters most.
Embody a predator mindset when needing to perform on the field.
Will Bowen
Continuing on the trend of close defenders, Will Bowen is a top three pole in division one college lacrosse right now.
A brief bio:
Current starting close defender for Georgetown University.
2022 USILA William C. Schmeisser Award Winner for Outstanding Defenseman … USILA First Team All-American … Inside Lacrosse First Team Media All-American … USA Lacrosse Magazine First Team All-American … 2022 BIG EAST All-Tournament Team … 2022 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year (unanimous) … 2022 All-BIG EAST First Team (unanimous) … 2022 Tewaaraton Award Nominee … Gewirz Award for Most Outstanding Defensive Player
Played two seasons previously at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill… Named a 2021 USILA First Team All-American, 2021 Inside Lacrosse First Team Media All-American and a 2021 USA Lacrosse Magazine Second Team All-American
The best word to describe the way he plays defense is: Fundamental.
He plays the position like a true athlete, always having a nose for space and pressure when defending his match up. Incredibly self-reliant when off-ball, he has a great intuitive sense for being able to commit to slides.
The video below is a neat film breakdown of a few clips from last season.
Enjoy!
FO Zone
Certainly something I would have logged hundreds of hours on when I was either in HS or college (instead of having to fast-forward & rewind through ESPN reruns).
The holy grail of film specific for our draw men.
The FO Zone YouTube channel is a well organized catalog of film containing ONLY the faceoff match-up during a specific game. College & professional games.
Enjoy!
The Free Game
The part of lacrosse that is played with the mind.
What will be covered are the 8 Principles of Performance.
Any lacrosse player can own the 1st ever sport psychology methodology specific to the game of Lacrosse.
This purchase will include a FREE consultation with Coach McDonnell via in-person or Zoom.
Here is a preview.
The cost is $24.99
You can purchase The Free Game here.
Lean in, do the work, stay focused and become uncommon.
Have a great week.