Free Play Academy Newsletter #9
What will be covered:
1. What is the highest skill in lacrosse?
2. Connor Shellenberger.
3. A golfer’s story of when he was in prison.
What is the highest skill in lacrosse?
In lacrosse, decision-making is at the top of the hierarchy for attributes needed to be an elite performer.
This is why we must give the greatest portion of our time with the athletes on developing this. The skill-development of being able to execute a skill is great, only if the player is about to decide correctly when to use it. Skill-development later on in the player’s development, when they’ve reached a level of proficiency, is then most potent.
When developing players do not put the carriage before the horse.
Connor Shellenberger.
Arguably the best offensive player in college lacrosse at this moment.
Connor is physical, tough, skilled & poised. A proven national champion already and looking to lead the University of Virginia to another championship this year.
Check out a few highlights from last spring in Charlottesville. 👇🏼
A golfer’s story of when he was in prison.
“The beginning of accomplishing your goals and living your dreams resides in the power of visualization.”
James Nesmeth was an average golfer. He generally shot in the mid to low nineties, but dreamed of improving. However, his efforts to raise his golf game were interrupted by the war in Vietnam.
James was captured and became a prisoner of war, where he spent seven years imprisoned in a cage that was 4 and a half feet long and 5 feet tall.
During his imprisonment, he saw no one, talked to no one and had no physical activity. For the first few months, all he did was hope and pray for release. He soon realized that he had to find some way to occupy his thoughts or he would go insane.
James decided to practice his golf game.
He would then grasp the club, feeling its rough grip on his fingers. He’d imagine his stance and heft the club’s weight in his hands as he started his back swing. He visualized taking his practice swing, addressing the ball and hitting his shot. He’d watch the ball’s arc as it flew beautifully, coming to a soft landing in the center of the fairway.
In the real world, he was never in a rush. Golf was his escape, and he would take his time and enjoy every moment. He did the same in that small cage in Vietnam. He thought through every step and would even stop to get water, just as if he were actually playing a real round.
His imagined golf game took just as long as if he were physically on the course. He hit each shot and played every hole to its conclusion until the ball dropped to the bottom of the cup. He did this every day for 7 years.
Here’s where the story takes an amazing turn. Major Nesmeth was finally released and came back home to America. Physically speaking, his condition had deteriorated as much as you would expect after living in a tiny cage for so long.
Even so, soon after his return, he decided to go and play golf at his favorite course. Amazingly, he shot a 74. He hadn’t swung a real club in 7 years and had undergone indescribable physical deprivation, and yet he had cut 20 shots off of his average.
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.