FROM US LACROSSE
What advice do the top lacrosse players in the world have for youth players who aspire to greatness? We asked current and former members of the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams to weigh in.
We got dozens of great responses, which you can check out below, but four overarching themes stood out:
- Be a good student and person first.
- Work hard every day.
- Play multiple sports.
- Have fun.
(MORE AFTER THE JUMP)
Matt Abbott, midfield
1. Your academics are the most important. You are trying to become student-athletes, not athlete-students, so practice accordingly.
2. Become best friends with the wall. A little bit of work each day goes a long way.
3. The only thing you can really control is how hard you work. Put in the time and effort and it will pay off in the end.
4. Above all else, have fun. I still play this game because I truly enjoy it.
Drew Adams, goalie
Have fun. If you're worried about what college you are going to in sixth grade, your focus is way off.
Mitch Belisle, defense
It is all about wanting it and then executing a path to achieve that dream. Picturing what you want as you push yourself or motivate yourself is the best coach. No one can motivate you more than you.
Kevin Buchanan, midfield
Find a mentor within the sport. Someone who you look up to and can help you become the player you want to be.
Sarah Bullard, midfield
Take every opportunity you can to play and seek out feedback from coaches on how you can improve.
Dan Burns, midfield
Enjoy the process of becoming a better player and, more importantly, a good teammate. The games will end some day, but the friendships you make will last a lifetime. Treat the last guy on the depth chart the same way that you would treat the best player on the team, because each person is just as valuable to the team’s success.
Kristen Carr, defense
Have fun. Try something new. Ask questions. Never settle.
Ned Crotty, attack/midfield
Wall ball. Having a good stick, especially as an offensive player, is so important! Also, play multiple sports. Focusing on one sport will not help you become a better athlete.
Taylor D'Amore, attack
Stick skills are learned through practice on your own time away from the game.
Tucker Durkin, defense
No matter how good a player you are, being a good person and student comes first. Coaches want players who are good people first, and good lacrosse players second. From a lacrosse perspective, work on the things you struggle with at a young age. Make it a point to develop your weaknesses and make them your strengths. It sounds cliché, but if you want to be a complete player (which coaches love), then you have to be multi-dimensional.
Chris Eck, faceoff
Always find ways to get better. I tell a lot of my guys to do the little things each and every day and they’ll add up. Small things like opening doors with your off hand or consciously carrying your bag with that off hand will help you in the long run with your stick skills.
Michael Evans, defense
Just continue to work hard on and off the field. By off the field I don’t mean to just work on the lacrosse aspect of life. You have to work hard in the classroom, work hard at being a good person. If you do these things, the rest of the lacrosse stuff will fall in place.
Amber Falcone, defense
Continue to play other sports. Each sport will help in some way to better your lacrosse ability (yes, even cheerleading!).
Kyle Hartzell, defense
Do something every day to get better. Outwork the guy next to you. If you do everything physically possible to better yourself everyday, you can accomplish any of your dreams. Hard work pays off!
Katie Hertsch, defense
Never forget your love for the game and why you play the sport.
Liz Hogan, goalie
Try to find an older player that you can look up to and emulate their moves. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or to try something new.
Marcus Holman, attack
Get out and watch as many LIVE games as you can (TV is fine as well). Watch what makes the best players great and try to emulate their skills in your yard.
Megan Huether, goalie
Don’t specialize too young. Play as many sports as possible. A lot of skills cross over and you will be a more well-rounded athlete as a result.
Kristin Igoe, midfield
Set goals and be willing to put the work in to achieve them.
David Lawson, midfield
Focus on the fundamentals. It wasn’t until at Duke when my coaches stressed the fundamentals that I started having the success I wanted. So many kids are worried about looking good when they play when they should be worrying about playing the game the right way.
Kevin Leveille, attack
Have fun playing the game. Enjoy it with your friends and family. There is so much that you can learn in lacrosse that applies to your everyday life: teamwork, cooperation, leadership, strategy, planning, etc.
Caitlyn McFadden, midfield
Dream big! Always believe in yourself and set your goals high, and know it’s OK to make mistakes.
Rob Pannell, attack
1. Never be satisfied. Always evaluate yourself and be honest about the things you need to work on.
2. Elevate your comfort level. In order to reach that next level, you must increase the level you are comfortable working at.
3. Be consistent in your work ethic and your approach to being the best. These all go for being a student in the classroom and a player on the field. You need both in order to play at the next level.
Kelly Rabil, midfield
Keep the stick in your hands, but be sure to continue to enjoy and gain experience through other sports.
Paul Rabil, midfield
You can never spend too much time on the wall. Never.
Holly Reilly, defense
Enjoy lacrosse and continue to play as many sports as possible.
Katie Rowan, attack
Be creative and try new things.
Jesse Schwartzman, goalie
You have to work hard. Play other sports to develop certain skills that cross over well, and have fun.
Katie Schwarzmann, midfield
Pick up your stick whenever you have the opportunity.
Max Seibald, midfield
Play as many sports as you can. It will make you a better lacrosse player.
Garrett Thul, attack/midfield
As important as on-field skills are, it is how you conduct yourself off the field—in school and as a person—that determines how far your athletic career will take you. As my high school coach used to say, “do the right things and the right things happen.”
Michelle Tumolo, attack
Play as much as you can, no matter if it’s in your back yard, with friends, going to camps, or on a club team. Branch out, meet new people and just love the game.
Devon Wills, goalie
Work hard and focus on the basics.
Lee Zink, defense
Allow yourself to be coachable.
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