COMPETITIONS To encourage competition and team bonding, James Madison coach Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe instituted the Duke Dog Challenge. Klaes-Bawcombe divides players into three teams that compete in a variety of challenges and small- sided games, a tradition she started at Hosftra in 2001 and brought with her to James Madison 10 years ago. The three teams are the ‘76ers (the year James Madison signed the Declaration of Independence), the Dukes Dynasty and the Mighty Dukes. As seniors graduate, the incoming freshmen are drafted onto the teams to fill these spaces. “We use these teams to create a competitive environment in practice, and for fitness training, character development and academic accountability. This brings the players together and creates team building opportunities on a daily basis,” assistant coach Julie Gardner said.
The Duke Dog Challenge runs year round. In the fall, there was a costume contest. In the winter, they did a stick-work challenge on Instagram to encourage girls to keep their stick in their hands over the break.
INTRA-SQUAD
Elon coach Josh Hexter incorporates box lacrosse, with full pads and helmets, into his training regime. Playing box equips players to handle high pressure in small spaces. “The full-pads box creates awareness, because you can’t beat your defender with speed alone in such a confined area,” Hexter said. “You need to think ahead and use screens better and create space quicker.”
PLAY BOX
Hexter added that the experience also renews players’ passion for the women’s game. “Many of my players have said they learned to appreciate the women’s game even more now, having had this experience,” he said.
TAKEAWAY
Translate Hexter’s method to your team by replacing a normal practice with another sport that is inherently more confined in nature or involves more contact — whether it’s playing a sport like soccer or basketball that is more hands-on, or adding lacrosse drills within very tight boundaries.
DO YOGA To unwind from the
intense physical and mental stresses of college lacrosse, Colorado coach Ann Elliott has incorporated yoga into her practice schedule. (It helps to have a yoga instructor on the athletics department staff.) The team does yoga every Tuesday and Thursday before and/or after practice.
Elliott said the benefits of yoga include body awareness, strength and balance. “It also works on our mental focus and stress reduction and teaches us to control our mind and body regardless of what is going on around us,” she said.
TAKEAWAY TAKEAWAY
Apply this concept to your team or club. Make sure each team is composed of a variety of age levels and break up friends so that they have the opportunity to interact with teammates that they may not interact with on a normal basis. Combine fitness, lacrosse and just plain silly competitions. Establish a tradition that new team members look forward to being a part of. They will learn important lessons in leadership, competition and accountability.
laxmagazine.com
Unwinding is important. While you may not have access to a yoga trainer or facility, the concept of incorporating a balanced mind/body practice to your program that allows players to slow down, get tuned in with their body and collect their thoughts is valuable at any level, in any environment. Whether it’s a formal yoga session, or a simply guided and focused stretching session, do not forget to speak to your athletes’ need to mentally prepare before a tough practice, and to unwind afterward.
April 2016» LACROSSE MAGAZINE 59
©COLORADO; ©JMU
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