Fall lacrosse -- clinics, team, or 1:1 coaching?

[Anonymous]

What's the best way to improve for a new player? Clinics, being on a team or 1:1 coaching? Son wants to play on a spring team.

[Anonymous]

One answer is "yes".

The more experience the better.

Also, get a rebounder, do 500 rebounds a day, or go to the wall and do 500 reps each day (ideally using both hands - the sooner a righty can throw left the better).

If your son has a friend who is also a beginner, they should get together every day and do 15-30 minutes of throwing and catching.

[Anonymous]

A rebounder or wall ball for sure. If they have some of the stick work down and can scoop, throw, and catch it will be a lot less frustrating when they start playing rec in the spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's the best way to improve for a new player? Clinics, being on a team or 1:1 coaching? Son wants to play on a spring team.

What's the age? What's the experience level? Position/s?

As already mentioned, "wall ball" (literal, or on a rebounder) is always the best first step. I'd say that doing a mindless 500 reps a day isn't your best option. Your kid will get far more benefit from say 200 throws that are done with a purpose and intention (strengthen a strength, improve a weakness). Throw right and catch left, for example, would be helpful instead of 500 lazy throws. Or how many times can your son do 30 throw/catch in a row? Throw/catch 30 no drops, rest 30 seconds, do it again. Or how many well thrown/caught in a minute?

What's your son weaknesses right now? If it is shooting or dodging then 1:1 might be a good option. But practicing without getting to put it into play has limited value, so finding a chance to play or even do 5v5 practice reps would be great.

Depending on the age, outdoor box at McLean could be a great fit. Tighter space requires better stick skills, it's far more touches in games, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the best way to improve for a new player? Clinics, being on a team or 1:1 coaching? Son wants to play on a spring team.

What's the age? What's the experience level? Position/s?

As already mentioned, "wall ball" (literal, or on a rebounder) is always the best first step. I'd say that doing a mindless 500 reps a day isn't your best option. Your kid will get far more benefit from say 200 throws that are done with a purpose and intention (strengthen a strength, improve a weakness). Throw right and catch left, for example, would be helpful instead of 500 lazy throws. Or how many times can your son do 30 throw/catch in a row? Throw/catch 30 no drops, rest 30 seconds, do it again. Or how many well thrown/caught in a minute?

What's your son weaknesses right now? If it is shooting or dodging then 1:1 might be a good option. But practicing without getting to put it into play has limited value, so finding a chance to play or even do 5v5 practice reps would be great.

Depending on the age, outdoor box at McLean could be a great fit. Tighter space requires better stick skills, it's far more touches in games, etc.

Can you explain outdoor box?

-- NP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the best way to improve for a new player? Clinics, being on a team or 1:1 coaching? Son wants to play on a spring team.

What's the age? What's the experience level? Position/s?

As already mentioned, "wall ball" (literal, or on a rebounder) is always the best first step. I'd say that doing a mindless 500 reps a day isn't your best option. Your kid will get far more benefit from say 200 throws that are done with a purpose and intention (strengthen a strength, improve a weakness). Throw right and catch left, for example, would be helpful instead of 500 lazy throws. Or how many times can your son do 30 throw/catch in a row? Throw/catch 30 no drops, rest 30 seconds, do it again. Or how many well thrown/caught in a minute?

What's your son weaknesses right now? If it is shooting or dodging then 1:1 might be a good option. But practicing without getting to put it into play has limited value, so finding a chance to play or even do 5v5 practice reps would be great.

Depending on the age, outdoor box at McLean could be a great fit. Tighter space requires better stick skills, it's far more touches in games, etc.

Can you explain outdoor box?

-- NP

Outdoor box...picture an outdoor ice or roller hockey rink but with terf. It is a small field, 6 v 6 and the ball can be played off the walls (no out of bounds). The small contained field means a lot of reps with passing, scooping, and shooting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the best way to improve for a new player? Clinics, being on a team or 1:1 coaching? Son wants to play on a spring team.

What's the age? What's the experience level? Position/s?

As already mentioned, "wall ball" (literal, or on a rebounder) is always the best first step. I'd say that doing a mindless 500 reps a day isn't your best option. Your kid will get far more benefit from say 200 throws that are done with a purpose and intention (strengthen a strength, improve a weakness). Throw right and catch left, for example, would be helpful instead of 500 lazy throws. Or how many times can your son do 30 throw/catch in a row? Throw/catch 30 no drops, rest 30 seconds, do it again. Or how many well thrown/caught in a minute?

What's your son weaknesses right now? If it is shooting or dodging then 1:1 might be a good option. But practicing without getting to put it into play has limited value, so finding a chance to play or even do 5v5 practice reps would be great.

Depending on the age, outdoor box at McLean could be a great fit. Tighter space requires better stick skills, it's far more touches in games, etc.

Can you explain outdoor box?

-- NP

Outdoor box...picture an outdoor ice or roller hockey rink but with terf. It is a small field, 6 v 6 and the ball can be played off the walls (no out of bounds). The small contained field means a lot of reps with passing, scooping, and shooting.

That's kinda right, but not for the McLean outdoor box. It's on their artificial turf football field. The rest is accurate. Faster paced, more skill work due to tight quarters etc.

It can stink to be on a team with a small roster, but you get even more touches that way.

[Anonymous]

What age would be good to join this? My DS is almost 7 (rising 1st grader) and has not gone through a rec season yet. He has gone through one scooper lesson season and some 1:1 - Will it be better for him to join next year after he plays a rec season in the spring? If he continues on some 1:1 practices this fall/winter, would that prepare him well for the spring rec season?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the best way to improve for a new player? Clinics, being on a team or 1:1 coaching? Son wants to play on a spring team.

What's the age? What's the experience level? Position/s?

As already mentioned, "wall ball" (literal, or on a rebounder) is always the best first step. I'd say that doing a mindless 500 reps a day isn't your best option. Your kid will get far more benefit from say 200 throws that are done with a purpose and intention (strengthen a strength, improve a weakness). Throw right and catch left, for example, would be helpful instead of 500 lazy throws. Or how many times can your son do 30 throw/catch in a row? Throw/catch 30 no drops, rest 30 seconds, do it again. Or how many well thrown/caught in a minute?

What's your son weaknesses right now? If it is shooting or dodging then 1:1 might be a good option. But practicing without getting to put it into play has limited value, so finding a chance to play or even do 5v5 practice reps would be great.

Depending on the age, outdoor box at McLean could be a great fit. Tighter space requires better stick skills, it's far more touches in games, etc.

Can you explain outdoor box?

-- NP

Outdoor box...picture an outdoor ice or roller hockey rink but with terf. It is a small field, 6 v 6 and the ball can be played off the walls (no out of bounds). The small contained field means a lot of reps with passing, scooping, and shooting.

That's kinda right, but not for the McLean outdoor box. It's on their artificial turf football field. The rest is accurate. Faster paced, more skill work due to tight quarters etc.

It can stink to be on a team with a small roster, but you get even more touches that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What age would be good to join this? My DS is almost 7 (rising 1st grader) and has not gone through a rec season yet. He has gone through one scooper lesson season and some 1:1 - Will it be better for him to join next year after he plays a rec season in the spring? If he continues on some 1:1 practices this fall/winter, would that prepare him well for the spring rec season?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the best way to improve for a new player? Clinics, being on a team or 1:1 coaching? Son wants to play on a spring team.

What's the age? What's the experience level? Position/s?

As already mentioned, "wall ball" (literal, or on a rebounder) is always the best first step. I'd say that doing a mindless 500 reps a day isn't your best option. Your kid will get far more benefit from say 200 throws that are done with a purpose and intention (strengthen a strength, improve a weakness). Throw right and catch left, for example, would be helpful instead of 500 lazy throws. Or how many times can your son do 30 throw/catch in a row? Throw/catch 30 no drops, rest 30 seconds, do it again. Or how many well thrown/caught in a minute?

What's your son weaknesses right now? If it is shooting or dodging then 1:1 might be a good option. But practicing without getting to put it into play has limited value, so finding a chance to play or even do 5v5 practice reps would be great.

Depending on the age, outdoor box at McLean could be a great fit. Tighter space requires better stick skills, it's far more touches in games, etc.

Can you explain outdoor box?

-- NP

Outdoor box...picture an outdoor ice or roller hockey rink but with terf. It is a small field, 6 v 6 and the ball can be played off the walls (no out of bounds). The small contained field means a lot of reps with passing, scooping, and shooting.

That's kinda right, but not for the McLean outdoor box. It's on their artificial turf football field. The rest is accurate. Faster paced, more skill work due to tight quarters etc.

It can stink to be on a team with a small roster, but you get even more touches that way.

Get him playing actual games as quickly as possible. This is start to build Lax IQ and reinforce need for strong stick skills.

[Anonymous]

We started lax late as a third grader and just jumped right into it by joining a fall and spring team. Doing the same this year, since it's not his primary sport. I did by him the rebounder and he uses it sometimes. Probably won't pursue clinics or lessons unless he asks. I hope he can at least keep up for now, then if it turns out he wants to focus on lax later, we'll go all in. For reference, plaid several years of club soccer, plus he plays ice hockey 12 months a year. Is it naive to think it's enough to just play recreational lax through elementary school, then pick it up at a higher level later on if he wants to focus on it? I don't think I could handle travel teams across two sports at one time.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We started lax late as a third grader and just jumped right into it by joining a fall and spring team. Doing the same this year, since it's not his primary sport. I did by him the rebounder and he uses it sometimes. Probably won't pursue clinics or lessons unless he asks. I hope he can at least keep up for now, then if it turns out he wants to focus on lax later, we'll go all in. For reference, plaid several years of club soccer, plus he plays ice hockey 12 months a year. Is it naive to think it's enough to just play recreational lax through elementary school, then pick it up at a higher level later on if he wants to focus on it? I don't think I could handle travel teams across two sports at one time.....

To what end for this?

If you are dreaming of your child getting a D1 scholarship or something then sure, picking it up later on is not likely going to work. But for the other 99% of kids it's probably more than enough.

[Anonymous]

Any recommendations on a fall team in Arlington area? I saw a fall clinic that does Wednesday and Saturday- but Saturday game may conflict with soccer games schedule….no high expectations but just want him to be well prepared for the spring rec…

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What age would be good to join this? My DS is almost 7 (rising 1st grader) and has not gone through a rec season yet. He has gone through one scooper lesson season and some 1:1 - Will it be better for him to join next year after he plays a rec season in the spring? If he continues on some 1:1 practices this fall/winter, would that prepare him well for the spring rec season?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the best way to improve for a new player? Clinics, being on a team or 1:1 coaching? Son wants to play on a spring team.

What's the age? What's the experience level? Position/s?

As already mentioned, "wall ball" (literal, or on a rebounder) is always the best first step. I'd say that doing a mindless 500 reps a day isn't your best option. Your kid will get far more benefit from say 200 throws that are done with a purpose and intention (strengthen a strength, improve a weakness). Throw right and catch left, for example, would be helpful instead of 500 lazy throws. Or how many times can your son do 30 throw/catch in a row? Throw/catch 30 no drops, rest 30 seconds, do it again. Or how many well thrown/caught in a minute?

What's your son weaknesses right now? If it is shooting or dodging then 1:1 might be a good option. But practicing without getting to put it into play has limited value, so finding a chance to play or even do 5v5 practice reps would be great.

Depending on the age, outdoor box at McLean could be a great fit. Tighter space requires better stick skills, it's far more touches in games, etc.

Can you explain outdoor box?

-- NP

Outdoor box...picture an outdoor ice or roller hockey rink but with terf. It is a small field, 6 v 6 and the ball can be played off the walls (no out of bounds). The small contained field means a lot of reps with passing, scooping, and shooting.

That's kinda right, but not for the McLean outdoor box. It's on their artificial turf football field. The rest is accurate. Faster paced, more skill work due to tight quarters etc.

It can stink to be on a team with a small roster, but you get even more touches that way.

Get him playing actual games as quickly as possible. This is start to build Lax IQ and reinforce need for strong stick skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any recommendations on a fall team in Arlington area? I saw a fall clinic that does Wednesday and Saturday- but Saturday game may conflict with soccer games schedule….no high expectations but just want him to be well prepared for the spring rec…

Can you share who is doing the clinic? I have a 10-year old son who plays travel basketball who also wants to play lacrosse.