Free Play Academy Newsletter #17
What will be covered:
1. More on the Kavanagh Brothers.
2. Chris Fake.
3. Food for Thought on Player Development.
More on the Kavanagh Brothers.
5 reasons why the Kavanagh Brothers are everything right in the game of Lacrosse
They are FUN to watch. It’s undeniable that they have world-class fluency in Lacrosse and are able to act instinctively on the field at any given moment.
They play with what’s call reckless abandonment. Simply put, they play hard, as if there is no tomorrow. This is the purest way of honoring & respecting the game. I don’t think we’ve ever seen the riding ability of two players like this before. They put fear in the clearing defenders, straight up.
No external motivation need for these two. They are driven by their pursuit to be the best in the game and to represent their family name. They were not going to be denied.
Creativity & unscripted. They are able to just “play”. These two do not need to rely on rigid offensive systems to play, but rather are able to move into the game with an effortlessness that lead to extraordinary ordinary sequences of lacrosse. Not to mention they subtle cues & non-verbal communication between each other in order to play off each other in a world-class fashion. This hasn’t been seen since the Thompson & Gait brothers.
Athletically gifted. They are dynamic & are able to move in ways that others simply aren’t physiologically possible.
Bonus: GRIT. Pat played on one leg with having a partially torn hamstring, you could see the bruising on the back of the leg if you looked closely. Chris was on the receiving end of one of the most violent lacrosse hits I’ve witnessed, he collected himself, got to his feet & got his helmet back on and proceeded with the game. These boys are uncommon.
Chris Fake.
Silently doing his job to practically stalemating a generational talent. Brennon O’Niell, Duke’s best offensive player, was met by an immovable force in Chris Fake.
Copying from a previous post, The best word to describe the way he plays defense is: Confrontational. He plays the position like a junk yard dog, never yielding position or ground, and plays the game with a football-like physicality.
Meat & potatoes. Almost robotic at times, the ability for him to constantly match feed with the best attack men in the country is incredible. Described by his coach, Andy Shay, as having a psychotic work-ethic.
The video below is of film from his freshman year.
Food for Thought on Player Development.
Without Lacrosse sense, your other skills do not matter! This is why many players who can run well, stick handle & shoot like no other...do not succeed! It’s what’s between the ears that is the true separator #LacrosseIQ
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.