PLAYER SPOTLIGHT JOEL WHITE
Rochester Rattlers // Georgia Swarm // Syracuse ’11 // U.S. U19 ’08 // U.S. Indoor ’15
1. Just 13 Americans appeared in NLL games last year. Is it a dying breed?
The large overlap between the [MLL and NLL] seasons is a reason for the recent decline. I also think the caliber of players coming out of Canada is increasing, with not only great stick skills but very athletic players, which is making it tough for Americans to just pick it up after college and make a roster. If Americans want to make a more signifi cant impact on the NLL, it will have to start with more participation at a younger age, whether that means more box training in the states or more American college players going up to Canada and playing summer ball.
2. How does playing defense in box compare to the field game?
The big similarity is on-ball defense, playing with hands and feet, working to drive the offensive player to the outside. It also takes time with the transition from box to fi eld. Slides are much longer and need to be more planned in fi eld than they do in box. Obviously, the biggest difference for me in the two is the stick. I tell kids that I go back to the fundamentals every season. I don’t think they believe me, but I really have to.
3. describe your experience as a member of the U.S. U19 (2008) and indoor (2015) teams ?
One thing that sticks out the most about 2008 was not on the lacrosse fi eld. It was actually on a soccer fi eld outside of the dorms. The England team and our team played a full-out soccer game together one afternoon and into the night. I don’t think our coaches were thrilled once they found out about it, but we had an absolute blast! — M.S.
USlaxmagazine.com
September/October 2016 US LACROSSE MAGAZINE
53
©PAUL SASSO
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