archiveLacrosse All Stars

The Art of the Scout In the competitive realm of lacrosse, success often hinges on meticulous preparation and a deep understanding of the opponent’s strengths, weaknesses, and strategic tendencies. Scouting an opponent is a nuanced and crucial aspect of game preparation, requiring a multifaceted approach that combines technological advancements, in-depth analysis, and strategic foresight. These are some of the best practices for effectively scouting an opponent, offering a comprehensive guide to empower teams with the knowledge needed to gain a competitive edge. Video Analysis: Harnessing the power of video analysis...

17 Intriguing Players in 2024 Winter training camp opens in about 50 days at D1 schools across the landscape. With fall ball in the rear view mirror, let’s take a look at 17 intriguing players. Russell Melendez – Johns Hopkins success in 2023 can be directly traced to the influx of transfers Alex Mazzone (LSM) and Russell Melendez. Melendez is a horse at 6-1 200 pounds with agility, twitch, shake and a venturous style. He’s a future PLL player. His 53 points on 48% shooting gave Hopkins punch from behind...

Coach Speak I’ve been crisscrossing the country covering college football for ESPN this fall. It’s a fun way to see America. We’ve had notable stops in Pullman, Washington, Boulder, CO, College Station, TX, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Starkville, MS, Clemson, SC, Pittsburgh, PA, Lawrence, KS, and Atlanta, GA. Our crew of Mark Jones, Louis Riddick and producer Kim Belton meet weekly with the coaching staffs of both teams for our show. Many of the coaching quotes are gems applicable in the lacrosse realm. Coaching Quotes Heard on the College Football Beat: “Practice...

The Freshman Challenge  The freshman challenge varies from player to player, but it’s fair to surmise that time management, speed and complexity of play and the massive amount of time invested as a D1 college lacrosse player are the three biggest mountains to climb.  The speed of games is exponentially faster in college. Therefore, the speed of decision-making, with smaller windows of opportunity – is a severe upgrade from slower high school ball. This requires improved processing power, speed of hands (ball in/out of stick) along with foot speed, that...

Building Leadership from Within a Lacrosse Team Leadership is absolutely crucial to success in lacrosse. There’s an old saying that has always been somewhat prophetic: “On bad teams, no one leads. On good teams, the coaches lead. On great teams, the players lead.” I don’t know who said it first, but I’ve found it to be as accurate a statement as any in sports. Lacrosse Leadership from within the Group There are coaches across the globe who believe their season’s success or failure lies within the group’s leadership. If players...

Cheating in Lacrosse? The allegations of cheating have become a major storyline of the 2023 college football season. Does cheating exist in D1 lacrosse? And if so, how? Let’s start with a face-off and face facts. Face-off cheating is rampant. Face-offs are within the play of the game and referees are supposed to control that domain. Turf trolls have always tried to gain an edge in their determined pursuit of possession. FOGO’s have been known to use illegal sticks, grab the ball with their hand, hold, fight, lean into the...

The Pregame Playlist – What Gets You Going? The pregame ritual in lacrosse serves as a crucial moment for players to enter the field with focus, energy, and a competitive mindset. Music plays a pivotal role in shaping the ambiance, boosting motivation, and setting the tone for athletes before they engage in the intensity of competition. This article delves into the selection of music for the ultimate on-field pregame playlist, focusing on energizing, empowering, and rhythmically captivating tracks that complement the lacrosse experience. Some songs be a one off every...

How To Shoot Your Shot Lacrosse, known for its speed, agility, and finesse, hinges significantly on the shooting techniques of its players. The term is used throughout all sports, “Shooters Gotta Shoot!” Effective shooting mechanics are a culmination of intricate movements and coordinated actions, involving the sequencing of the body, precise hand positioning, and proficient stick manipulation. This article looks at the biomechanical intricacies and key components of proper shooting mechanics in lacrosse. Foot Position and Body Alignment The initial phase of the shooting motion involves proper foot positioning and...

College Closures and Lacrosse In the dynamic realm of collegiate athletics, the closure of colleges and universities has become a poignant reality, casting profound implications on the vibrant tapestry of college lacrosse. We have seen this in recent years and there is no sign of it slowing down. These closures, stemming from multifaceted challenges, reverberate far beyond the halls of academia, echoing into the world of sports, particularly impacting the fabric of collegiate lacrosse programs. Financial Struggles and Demographic Shifts Collegiate institutions grapple with multifarious adversities, chief among them being...

2023 Fall Review Autumn events are finishing up as the leaves age red to orange, fluttering in the breeze. Get out your rake. Fall is over, Winter is coming. That means the regular season is also creeping near. Just 15 weeks until real games. Three months before the winter portion of the schedule begins. What am I hearing? 2023 Fall Review ACC UNC freshman Owen Duffy will start from the first whistle and may be the Heels best offensive player. Another St Anthony’s product, as the Friars and Chaminade continue...