Free Play Academy Newsletter #47
Topics will be covered:
Enjoy it.
How the most prolific goal-scorer in D1 history shot.
The Free Play Academy Performance 6.
Enjoy it.
Win, lose, or draw.Goals, assists, or none at all.
Neither of the top two lines matter! What matters most is if you enjoyed the experience.
- Do you enjoy the competitiveness of the game?
- Do you enjoy the camaraderie with your teammate's?
- Do you enjoy the testing of your knowledge?
- Do you enjoy the feeling of growth from the last time you were on the field?
- Most of all, does the game still spark you and give you JOY!
The game is much more than statistics.
It's much more than a single game or training.
The game is about being part of a collective group that teaches you lessons that you'll be able to take with you in any endeavor later in life.
Relax, enjoy the process and fall in love with it.
REMEMBER it's just a game.
It may be your passion, it may be your calling, but if you don't ENJOY the ride then it won't be worth it in the end.
Parents: Take a deep breathe and marvel at what your child is doing!
If you watch them with truly pure eyes, you'd be amazed at how much your child has accomplished!
Be proud, be supportive, but most importantly be their cheerleader, because before you know it the ride will come to an end and you want the journey to be a positive one for your child.
How the most prolific goal-scorer in D1 history shot.
Forget what your coaches say about shooting over hand.
The best shooters in the game most of the time shoot from the upper hip - lower shoulder level.
Any Mac O’Keefe fans in here? How did he shoot..?
And yes, he is the recorder holder for most goals scored in the history of division one college lacrosse.
https://youtu.be/KO1Fzh8EH0I?si=CmXCrUXo6tr-yAfE
The Free Play Academy Performance 6.
#1: The Breath
Taken from the Free Play Academy Performance Loop:
Breath Control = Arousal Control
See the breath control technique we recommend (see below).
Feel free to play around with the times as you get comfortable with the technique.
However, please keep the box pattern, the same times for each of the four breathe segments.
Controlling the breath will bring calmness to
our nervous system, this is the key to be able to gain control over ourselves.
When experiencing physical pain or exhaustion, and able to gain control of our breath, we will be able to recover better in the moment.
Falling back on our breath will also allow us to achieve emotional control within ourselves.
Emotions such as fear, anxiety, frustration, sadness, etc. do not serve us in moments when we must perform.
Choose to witness these emotions with a calm mind and choose to detach from them in the moments when we must perform.
Next week, Sleep..
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.