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AIR ADAMS Who knew a simple cone drill could elevate the game


for Team USA hopefuls like Brent Adams? BY MEGAN SCHNEIDER


Lacrosse requires versatility, regardless of position, and recent Team USA addition Brent Adams has made that his anthem. He has risen in the professional ranks, reincarnating the Air Gait with slam- dunk goals from behind the cage. “For the last two years, I’ve just really focused on lacrosse with coaching and training,” said Adams, a 2012 Fairfield graduate who just finished his fourth MLL season with the Boston Cannons. “With the versatility you need for lacrosse, I constantly want to be changing my workouts and movements to add a different aspect to my game and my movement on the field.” Adams focuses on completing exercises with control and with a purpose, and teaches his training


BRENT ADAMS TEAM: CANNONS POSITION: MIDFIELD HEIGHT: 6’1” WEIGHT: 180 BENCH: 300 PULL-UPS: 40 MILE: 5:10


VERTICLE REACH: 10’2”


methods to youth players at clinics. While younger athletes can’t jump over a goal like the legendary Gary Gait, the basic movements can be taught by dodging through cones.


“It really comes down to beating my man and having the quicker first step,” said Adams, who has consistently practiced this drill since he first started playing.


His training is rooted in the desire to continually “grind and get better, rather than accept [his] status as a professional lacrosse player.” After not trying out for Team USA for the 2014 world championship, he’s


Boston Cannons midfielder Brent Adams reincarnates the Air Gait with slam-dunk goals from behind the cage.


determined “to do great things.” “It brought me back down to earth when I went back out and played in Baltimore for the US Lacrosse opening,” Adams said. “It’s keeping me humble and busting my butt to get in shape and become better.” USL


CONE DODGING


Works on legs, core, muscle memory


Helps with explosiveness out of a dodge, quick change of direction/speed, agility, stick protection


2 full-field rounds per dodge type; cones set 5 yards apart


1. Exaggerate chopping your feet on the approach to the cone for 1-2 yards.


2. Plant hard with your outside foot and explode out of a split dodge toward the next cone, diagonally with one step. Keep your stick between your shoulders. Complete all cones twice.


3. Once you get to the last cone, repeat steps 1-2 in the next round, but roll dodge to the next cone after chopping on the approach.


JUNIOR GYM RATS


Move cones closer together for a shortened total distance.


4. In the last round, repeat step 2 as quick as possible.


USlaxmagazine.com


November 2016 US LACROSSE MAGAZINE


27


©TREVOR BROWN


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