Wheres the hustle?

[byualum]

I'm in my 3rd season with same boys, now in 7th grade. I could not agree more with the pace of practice.

I used to be a "we're going to do it until we do it right" guy. Now, we do no drill for more than 10 minutes. If the drill was done poorly, we run. If the drill was done well, I give them 3 choices for the next drill and let them choose.

I also try and do as much full field/transition stuff as I can. You have a lot more transition goals scored at this age (12-14 yr olds) than at the college level. It's a good way to get conditioning in while you practice, instead of just running sprints.

[rmstolley]

As a player I have had alot of bad coaches and one good coach. The difference for me was my coach's enthusiasm, he was always there early, always ran with us, lifted with us, played with us and like what was said before I always got nervous when coach was playing with me, i felt like i had something to prove, I would say to myself "I can't let this old man beat me!"

Another difference for new teams is watching old lacrosse films or MLL games to show the kids how the game should be played and how good they can really be if they try.

[champp]

If we're recommending books, I have to throw in "The Carolina Way." It's Dean Smith's autobiography. A great read!!!

[Rad44]

I think that part of good coaching is routine. Growing up, we always knew that we were going to run sprints at the end of a practice. They were seldom used as threats, it was just part of practice. If we were in trouble, we'd do 5 laps of Indian sprints (which was great because they took up so much of practice, that people rarely messed up!)- everyone wanted to play!

Also, seeing a coach run, lift or throw a ball around is great- it levels the field for a bit.

I have found that coaches who walk around during stretches is also huge in developing a talking/listening relationship with players. If youre trying to teach a drill or new play, there has to be good communication.

[Thriller]

"Never Die Easy" Walter Payton's autobigraphy...one of the most inspiring books I've ever read. Or the video "Pure Payton" based on the book. I used to watch the video before games and nothing got me more pumped up. Walter was one of the last true great Sports role models.

[laxfan25]

"Never Die Easy" Walter Payton's autobigraphy... Walter was one of the last true great Sports role models.

Yeah, but do you really want your players running out of bounds to avoid the hit?

[Thriller]

I think you have Payton confused with Emmitt Smith...

[Hugh Nunn]

"Never Die Easy" Walter Payton's autobigraphy... Walter was one of the last true great Sports role models.

Yeah, but do you really want your players running out of bounds to avoid the hit?

Payton never did this.

[monkeylax]

"Never Die Easy" Walter Payton's autobigraphy... Walter was one of the last true great Sports role models.

Yeah, but do you really want your players running out of bounds to avoid the hit?

AHH!!! Repent! That is blasphemy!! Walter, please don't strike us down from your perch. I don't want a lightning bold coming off Mount Olymipia and frying this message board.