Camp Curriculum
Individual Skills
ATTACKMEN & MIDFIELDERS:
Day #1
Stick skills: Players are taught to pass and catch with both hands on the run at full speed while under pressure. Players will learn a 20-minute wall-ball work out and receive a magnet of the workout for the refrigerator to assist with memorization and a reminder to strive to do the workout every day.
Stick protection: Players are taught how to effectively use stick protection techniques, such as changing speed, changing planes and cradle tempo, correct body and stick positions necessary to maintain possession and handle the ball under pressure.
Ground balls: Technique, body position, stick position and communication
Face-offs: All players in camp will learn proper face-off technique. Players will learn a variety of clamps.
Day #2
Shooting: We teach the mechanics necessary to increase speed and accuracy on outside shots, on-the-run shots and inside shots.
Outside shots: Concentration is on increasing velocity through proper mechanics in hand position, arm extension, shoulder rotation, putting legs into the shot and following through with the wrists.
On-the-run shots: In addition to the mechanics taught with outside shots, the concentration is on footwork during and after the shot. Focus is on the back-peddle steps after the shot which insures proper shoulder rotation during the shot.
Inside shots: We teach "The 5 P's" of inside shooting. Position (on the field and of stick head to increase angle), Placement (of shot), Protection (stick protection), Patience and (how to) Practice. We cover stick fakes and head and shoulder fakes.
Advanced inside shots: Quick stick, dink and dunk, behind the back and back hand
2-man game: 2 offensive players behind the goal working together to score.
Pick and roll, pick and pop, pick and slip
Up pick, down pick, mid pick
Day #3
Dodging: Players work on perfecting 8 dodges during camp. When and where to execute the dodges most effectively on the field. Players are taught to not predetermine their dodges and instead execute the dodge that counters their defensemen's approach.
Dodges from behind the goal: inside roll dodge, rocker dodge, and question mark dodge
Dodges from the wing: toe drag
Dodges from up top: face dodge, pump fake dodge, split dodge, and swim dodge
Draw and dump: "One more" pass after dodging past defender.
DEFENSEMEN:
Day #1
All stick skills listed above needed to become a complete lacrosse player: Stick skills, stick protection, ground balls and face-offs
Forcing opponents to their weak hand: One vs one defense. Footwork, body and stick position.
Day #2
One vs one defense from X (Behind the goal):
Addressing the ball
Retreat from dodger
Full speed running over the back of the goal. Meeting attackmen with pressure at goal line extended (GLE).
Day #3
Stick Checks:
Defensemen will learn 9 checks.
Basic checks: Poke check, slap check, lift
Forehand take away checks: 2 handed wrap, 1 handed wrap, over the head check
Backhand take away checks: Half-moon, ding dong, back wrap
Clearing passes and over the shoulder catches
Slides: Poke check followed by the body
GOALIES:
Goalies will spend 3 hours per day, 6 stations per day, in goalie specific stations. All goalie coaches have college goal tending playing or coaching experience.
Goalies will work on the following skill sets in camp:
Proper warm up
Stance and positioning
Shot stopping: Close, mid-range, outside
Rebounds
Clearing and outlet passes
Understanding team defense and communication
Being a vocal leader
Mental aspects of the game
Team Concepts & Lacrosse IQ
All team concepts taught are universal to the sport of lacrosse for any team at any level.
Day #1
All Positions
Wing play on face-offs & Increasing playing time on special teams: Wing play focusing on boxing out an opponent. Midfielders that can effectively box out and keep their opponent from winning a ground ball off the face-off will earn increased playing time with teams that use a long stick middie to replace the weakest wing middie on face-offs.
Forcing opponents to their weak hand: One vs one defense. Footwork, body and stick position.
Locking off on the ride: Face-guarding and denying the pass versus defending your goal.
Day #2
Offense
Transition Offense: Standard "L" fast break
Defense
Transition Defense: Defending the fast break
Day #3
Offense
Off-ball movement: When and how to execute an effective cut on a defenseman. Players are taught techniques on how to get open and beat a defenseman before receiving the ball to increase scoring opportunities.
Defense
Team Defense (man-to-man defense with an adjacent slide): Every high school team in the country runs this defense. Teams that slide from the crease as a primary defense must also learn this defense because A) some opposing teams' offenses do not put a player on the crease, therefore they cannot slide from the crease and B) If the opposing offense cuts at high frequency the defense needs to fall back to this defense so a first slide is in position.
Skill Competitions for Prizes
Day #1
Face-off tournament
Day #2
Fastest shot with radar gun
Day #3
One vs. one tournament