In order to become a more effective lacrosse coach, you need to incorporate some best practices into your routine. To that end, here are four best practices that lacrosse coaches everywhere should be using:
1. Don’t close your practice with heavy conditioning drills
Countless lacrosse coaches have routinely ended their practices with wind sprints and other conditioning drills. While you want your players to be in shape, you don’t want to save conditioning for last. Doing so interferes with your lacrosse player’s inclination to give you 100% during a game. This is because when an athlete will save some of their energy reserves for that end-of-practice conditioning. This mentality subconsciously transfers into the game, resulting in a reduced effort.
2. Teach some defense without using sticks
Developing lacrosse players tend to overcommit on defense, creating a huge opening for the offense to exploit. This is usually because they will head in stick-first. To prevent this, coach your players through defensive drills without sticks. This will force them to learn how to control their bodies and reduce the likelihood that they will overcommit in a game.
3. Be and educator, not a drill sergeant
Lacrosse coaches like yourself must understand that simply giving players detached instructions won’t cut it. Even if they have many years of experience, your lacrosse players are still learning the game; they are relying on you to teach them. In addition to the general instructions that you give them, make sure that everything that goes on is a lesson. For example, if one of your players makes an error, take the time to show the entire team the correct action; if a player is doing something great, have him demonstrate for you.
4. Use analytics
While analytics has proven to be effective for sports, the word itself intimidating. It makes it seem like you must be a mathematician in order to succeed in sports. However, you don’t need to know complex algorithms in order to benefit from analytics. Analytical data can be as simple as tracking a player’s shot percentage. The key is to use the data you gather to learn where you need to focus your player and team development.
Prepare your players by first preparing yourself
Your lacrosse players rely on you for their success and development in the sport. By implementing best practices like the ones above, you will become better at this task.