In lacrosse, the undefeated season is the elusive goal of every team. To win the championship and never lose a game is the ultimate pinnacle in the sport. If you’re a lacrosse coach and want to take your team to the hallowed undefeated record this season, here is a three-part formula for having an undefeated lacrosse season — from coaches who have done it.
“Shoot, you play defense!” – Roy Simmons
Players: “I don’t play close defense. I play long-stick.”
Simmons, Jr.: “Shoot, you play defense!”
Players: “No, I don’t. I play long-stick midfield.”
Simmons, Jr.: “Ok, well, that’s defense.”
When he coached Syracuse, Roy Simmons, Jr. had a lot of talent — especially in 1990 when the team went undefeated and won the national championship. The team had the Gait brothers and Tom Merecheck. (The NCAA doesn’t recognize this championship, because Simmons, Jr.’s wife cosigned a car loan with Paul Gait.)
To get his best players on the field, Simmons, Jr. had to shift players positions sometimes. He never hesitated to. If you see an opportunity for players to help the team at a different position, have them change positions.
“Playing wall ball” – Matt Ward
Undefeated teams need great players., and Matt Ward has specific advice for developing individual players. “Playing wall ball is a great way for kids to improve their lacrosse skills on their own,” he says. He goes on to stress the importance of working on players’ off-hands: “Kids should work on their off hand as much as possible.
Spending time on the wall helped Ward become a three-time All-American and go undefeated in his senior year at Virginia. It will help your players, too.
“Touches on the Ball” – Karin Corbett
Karin Corbett, whose University of Pennsylvania’s Women’s Lacrosse Team has gone undefeated in the Ivy League five times, says practices should be focused “around teaching and touches on the ball.” Taking advantage of teaching moments, and making sure players are constantly catching and passing the ball will maximize your practice time.
As you prepare for the 2016 lacrosse season, take some advice from coaches who have been part of undefeated teams. Use this three-part formula for having an undefeated lacrosse season, and your team might reach the hallowed achievement this year.