Free Play Academy Newsletter #15
What will be covered:
1. More on early specialization.
2. What every youth player with a pole in their hands should aspire to play on-ball defense like.
3. Touches, all about touches.
Something for the athletes that wish to dial their lifestyle in. A simple starter guide on how to book end our days.
More on early specialization.
What is you have a young athlete that JUST wants to play lacrosse because he/she enjoy is so much?
My knee jerk reaction to this would be, absolutely. Intuitively I would think that he/she is intrinsically motivated to participate in something. Do we, as the athlete’s support staff, step in and impose ourselves to demand that there is diversification in their sport experience? I.e. playing other sports? This is a tough situation. However, an analogy I’ve heard recently that bolds well for this is what is the young athlete just wanted to eat macaroni and cheese? Well, as component adults, we would step in because we know better.
And so as apart of the athlete’s support system, we should guide our athletes to take a little time to experience other movement based activities. After some time, if there is still a burning sensation to JUST participate in that one sport, than it may be appropriate to do so.
What every youth player with a pole in their hands should aspire to play on-ball defense like.
Courtesy of Coach King from Colorado Springs, Colorado!
Every young defender should watch this clip 100x and study how #36 Michael Alexander plays on-ball defense:
(1) No windshield wiping (crucial)
(2) Aggressive cross checks as Mackesy tries to get leverage
(3) Fantastic job matching feet and staying patient
Touches, all about touches.
At practice, it must be a priority to maximize the amount of opportunities (touches) we give our athletes in contextual situations.
How do we do this?
With small-sided games/drills, by way of affording more opportunities for passing/shooting/cradling, resulting in amplified exposure to information that regulates actions.
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.