Recruiting Advice: Parents, a couple things to try and Avoid this Summer 🛑
Coaches are watching, and us players just want to get out there and have fun playing!
Shoutout to my mom, hope she doesn’t see this 😅😂
#recruiting
#firstclasslacrosse
@EastCoastDyes
How to Cover from X (by
@fcldefense
!) 📚
“Use your stick, keep space, and engage from a strong position. It took me months of repping at Maryland before I was fully comfortable playing with my stick in front but it made a big difference when I got used to it! Keep repping!”
DEFENSIVE BACKYARD FOOTWORK WORKOUT:
@imdunntweeting
put together an At Home Defensive Footwork workout. We receive a ton of questions of what defenders can do on their own.
Follow along with 1 of the top defenders in the PLL!
@fcldefense
Full Video:
Drill: Advantage Dodging 👟 + 2v2 Off Ball
I’ve been loving using this drill for dodging and creativity of movement below GLE, while creating an environment where players are forced to read slides, get shots, or find open guys.
Instead of demanding players get eyes up, or
Unpopular opinion maybe, but I believe heading to college, or having not played a year, I think the jump to college O mid is bigger than to D mid
If you have the athletic tools, which Dante clearly does, and some shtick to you, I think someone can find time there sooner
Yo
@DizzyDante
going from a HS offensive midfielder to taking a year off focusing on football to come back and get starting reps as a DEFENSIVE midfielder needs to be talked about more. Going from O to D mid is one of the hardest things to do in lacrosse
The Complete Defender:
@TerpsMLax
‘ Ajax Zapitello 📝
@imdunntweeting
breaks down why Ajax was such a key cog in the Terps defense in 2022, and why he expects him to continue to ascend into a top NCAA defender!
Your buddy has the ball at X.
Instead of awkwardly taking up space, make a decision. One thing you can do is a fish hook cut.
Act like you’re creating space and getting out of the way, and slowly drag your defender with you.
Then, cut back HARD with your stick up!
This is filthy
@CMALacrosse
@laxdotcom
-
-
Hesitation Hop into a Split(face dodge)
Gets stick to the middle
Gets body turned
Hammers 11 to 5 ⏰
🔥🔥🔥
The “Answer” Move to when you can’t get topside but want to get back to your strength!
Recruiting Advice: Finish in Front!
It’s not always going to happen, and there are times to just get off the shot, but show coaches you can take the contact, and are constantly looking to improve your angle!
How to V-Hold 📝
A v-hold can be a defender’s best friend or a reason they got beat. Learn to use it effectively and it’s a great tool to disrupt shots and passes as dodger’s go to your cross hand side.
More on IG and FCL Online!
@imdunntweeting
#FirstClassDefense
Drill Variation: Cat & Mouse + a Feeder 👀
-Ball Carrier has to
Swing it once D triggers drill
-Statue + D go live to make it 2v1 off ball
#Lacrosse
#FirstClassLacrosse
#GetBetter
Coach Higgins breaks down read steps here in a drill with our Baltimore training group ❗️
As an off-ball player we want to utilize “read steps” to make slides shorter, hedge better, and keep the offense on their toes. The longer we can use read steps to play more than one guy,
DEFENDERS:
Lead with the stick and get DISRUPTIVE in the ball carriers hands as early as possible.
Force them to make snap decisions, and it buys your guys on the backside some time.
Sideline Play:
1-4-1 Pick with a Backside Seal
Loved this play design out of the timeout for a big time shooter!
Study how 27 seals his own defender and Piatelli curls off for the shot!
@CornellLacrosse
Zone Offense:
@YaleLacrosse
📚Carry, Pop, & Throw it Forward
📚2-3-1 into a 1-4-1
📚Double Cut Down + Exchange
📚Deceptive Feeding at X to Move the defender with his Eyes
Simple & well executed!
Approach Drill feat Brett Makar 🚨🐢
Brett breaks down one of his favorite drills to work on his approaches and angles of approach.
We hope this is helpful as you head into preseason!
#FirstClassDefense
EMO: 1-4-1 "Seal/Slip" Look
We've seen some great seals so far this spring (stay tuned), but here's the first "Slip" I've seen someone hit in EMO!
-Defense covers 2 inside with a "4 man" rotation
-Outside player seals the outermost defender
-Picker "slips" but starts to float
Thought of the Week: The Value of Keep Away
Growing up in Baltimore, I always learned stick work through line drills. It was the start and staple to every practice. Partner passing was another commonplace drill. Maybe we'd go partner passing up and down the field, and maybe we'd
EMO Offense: Handling a Shut Look
I like how
@jhumenslacrosse
handles this huge possession with Degnon shut
-First 15 seconds, he cuts in, and they utilize an inside cut off the Shut
-Final ~35 seconds, they're playing 5v4 with Degnon in the low left base
-4 Stay out, Collison
College Recruiting: Writing Emails 📝📚
Some general advice as 2024s write final emails prior to September 1 and 2025s begin their email process this coming year!
Thread 👇:
“Something I’ve learned in my time is how many approaches you take throughout the game.” -
@Ajaxzap4
Having good approaches is essential for any defender - check out FCL Athlete Ajax Zappitello with one of his favorite drills to help!
@fcldefense
#Lacrosse
#FirstClassLacrosse
Really enjoyed this simple "Hand Exchange" Attack Stickwork drill!
Helps reinforce:
-Quick, smooth hand exchanges
-Quick release/passes on the stick
-Receiving loaded from X
Thanks
@DukeMLAX
for sharing!
Comma Shooting Drill w/
@T_dordevic
This is a similar variation to our layup drill, but one that emphasize a quick release and important shooting on the run footwork!
Tucker has always done a great job of getting downhill to the net on the run!
EMO “Open to 222” Look:
@jhumenslacrosse
-Hop Scored Twice on this look
-start in open set
-pick/slip on the inside as the ball moves down
-2 feeders down low
*Timing is key for the inside action*
Simple!
@LacrosseNetwork
@CuseMLAX
@TerpsMLax
Can’t keep changing rules every time it doesn’t suit one team.
Should we change pass interference every time tough call comes up end of game?
EMO 3-3: Hunt the Ball Inside!
Love this goal from
@BrownLacrosse
in their win over Yale. 21 keeps moving to the ball and presenting a target, eventually finding himself in a great spot.
Additionally, this skip from McLane was SO effortless and on a rope. He's got HANDS!
Film Study: Kyle Long “S” Dodging from the High Wing!
Speed, change of speed, Redodges, vision, and deceptive finishing!
Huge party starter for
@TerpsMLax
!
@joekeegs
@LacrosseNetwork
Tucker Dordevic did a great job in his first game of using his elbow to gain leverage on the long pole.
Some have dubbed this the “Chicken Wing”, where you use your elbow to rip through or gain leverage underneath your defender.
Looking to improve your X dodging? FCL Athlete Charles Balsamo has you covered with this footwork drill!
Notice how the movements translate to a game scenario and results in a goal for
@DukeMLAX
🎯
#Lacrosse
#FirstClassLacrosse
Some players I can’t wait to watch this
@PremierLacrosse
Tourney:
•Matt Kavanagh
•Justin Guterding
•John Haus
•Will Haus
•Jesse Bernhardt
•Jake Richards
•Kyle Bernlohr
•Eric Scott
•Jordan McIntosh
•Christian Cuccinello
•Ryan Brown
Should I write out why?
Dodging Tip: 3 Ways to Setup Your Wing Dodge!
How you setup and use angles can result in big results, regardless of how good your initial footwork is!
Checkout the thread to see a few examples from
@fclbestinclass
👇
Weekly Thought: Handling 9.01 as a Recruit!
9/01 is a date every recruit has circled on their calendar. You enter high school and see juniors at your school going through the process. Commitment announcements start to pour in...
Let's dive deeper on advice to handle: 👇
Twister
@UVAMensLax
Beautiful turn of the wrists to the outside by Cormier to add subtle deception into the shot.
I remember
@Joshbyrne94
telling me this was the "true" twister... not the Americanized version that overly manipulates the top hand.
Lethal!
Breakdown: Seal Play with An On Ball Flip from
@TerpsMLax
!
Love how Maltz seals for Tewaaraton winner Wisnauskus, timed with the rollback and flip between Kahn and Malever!
(Sound On)
Eerily similar to 2015
@DU_MLAX
!
The “Spin and Fire 🔥 “- a
@bubba_voigt
special!
There’s a lot to be said for learning to get shots off with you’re strong hand.
Commit to it, and learn to feel the defense collapsing inside so you can raise your game as a tight to mid range finisher!
Want a simple shooting and footwork drill? Ross Scott has you covered 🤝
This rollback shooting drill is a great way to work on shooting quickly out of a change of direction while keeping it relatively light on the legs!
#Lacrosse
#FirstClassLacrosse
#FirstClassAthlete
“As the ball moves through X, let’s try to change chest to chest” 🗣️😤
@imdunntweeting
on keeping your relationship with your man as the ball moves around the perimeter at Best in Class 🎯
So thankful for all
@KyleHarrison18
Has done for this game. A true legend, pro, and inspiration to all of us younger lacrosse players who want to make this game our livelihood.
Thanks 18 🙏
Shooting Around Approaches / Deception!
Lot of great examples we will be covering live tonight in Office Hours!
So critical to have a solid fundamental base to then execute with different release points... it doesn’t just happen in a game!
Post Practice Shooting Workout!
A couple targeted drills players can do post practice, with intentional reps!
Firing off 100-200 balls post practice isn't always realistic or whats best... check this out!
Link:
New Defensive Workout: Defending Below Goal Line!
@imdunntweeting
breaks down some drills and tips you can use as a defender or defensive coach for covering below GLE.
Link:
Class In Session: Pick and Pop!
Notice Nakaie and Brad recognize the 2 man situation, pop to space, and put the ball on the stick!
Simple techniques executed in an NCAA QF Game
@DukeMLAX
@naklemore
It’s important as defenders to keep our sticks down in front of us, and to let the attackers run up the stick.
ESPECIALLY as we’re running full speed with an attacker.
Here’s a drill from
@Brettmakar
that will help you master that skill! 🍿⬇️
Peter Moynihan to Dillon Magee ✊
Slick underhand feed & fantastic facedodge finish from the future
@OhioStateMLAX
midfielder!
Dillon came all the way from Texas fresh off football to put in some work!
@fclbestinclass
Play Fast, but Not in a Hurry
We want to put pressure on the D, we want to play fast, and we want to make quick decisions. However, we don’t want to be rushed, hurried, or lack poise.
As frantic play will pickup down the stretch, keep playing with space, but don’t hurry!
.
@NDlacrosse
's offense has been clicking on all cylinders, and it's due largely in part to their movement off wing dodges 🍀
The key is their midfielders being scoring threats to draw slides, then making the right decision 🔑
#Lacrosse
#FirstClassLacrosse
Thrilled to welcome some of the top 2023 and 2024 Commits to our BIC Men’s Committed event!
This Saturday and Sunday, the boys take action, alternating, alongside our inaugural Women’s Event!
#BestInClass
@fclbestinclass
“Approach to Show Adjacent” Drill
1. Approach top center player with good defensive posture
2. Hedge to adjacent player without opening chest to ball watch
3. Find the passing lane back to top center player
4. Arrive back to your player in good approach form as the ball arrives
Film Room Matchup: Connor Shellenberger vs Bobby Van Buren
Full YouTube video drops tomorrow of over 15 possessions 🍿
UVA walked away with the W 17-6 and it was a great battle between these two elite players!
@UVAMensLax
@OhioStateMLAX
Zone Offense: 1-4-1
@ArmyWP_MLax
Attacking gaps, patience, and manipulating the defense on the perimeter
Active X player causes just a little extra thinking around the base.
Abshire with a great windup and leaner finish attacking the approach
.
@CornellLacrosse
Shadow Boxing drill for defensive midfielders to work on approaches and footwork ❗️
📚 Want more drill ideas? Join our Circle community for monthly webinars with college coaches:
3 Tips to Keep It Classy on the Field!
Sports are competitive and intense.
You need to play with fire if you ultimately want to reach your goals.
However, we do believe that there’s a way to compete, be intense, and not make an @$$ of yourself. ⬇️