Developing Players for the 
Salisbury Lacrosse System/Style


Presentation at National Coaches Association Workshop
January 11, 2002
Jim Berkman
Salisbury University Head Coach


I.    Philosophy

- starts with recruiting and letting players know what is expected of them & the commitment they will need to make

a.            Academics first

b.           Players who want to get better!!

c.           Players who want to find out how could good they can become!!

d.           All-American dream

e.            Champion

f.             Aggressive/pressure defenders

g.           Up-tempo/unselfish offensive players

h.           Tradition

i.              Bleed maroon and gold

  - EXTRA THINGS              - EXTRA THINGS
            - OUTSIDE 3:30 – 5:30

1.           lifting

2.           agilities

3.           extra running

4.           jump rope

5.           wall work

6.           shooting  

II.                           Individual Development
Philosophy:  Good high school players into great college players  

A.   Develop as an athlete

B.   Develop as a player       
     - complete player
      note: role player not content

              C.   Develop as person 

A.  Individual Meetings with freshman and transfers

                                                              i.      Weekly
1-15 minutes with head coach

                                                            ii.      Academic
   1.     syllabus in folder
   2.     grade reports every four weeks
  
3.     bring in tests and papers, grades

                                                          iii.      Weight cards

  B. Strength
3 – 5 times a week
30 – 60 minutes

        Testing  (Expectations)
1.5 mile run < 9 mins.
bench body wt 10X
15 pull-ups
25 dips
goals

        Weight Log
1.     cards checked periodically

TEAM FITNESS GOALS  

1.                       90%  of team run 1.5 mile under 9 minutes on January 27, 2002

2.                       90% of team bench press their body weight 10 times on January 27, 2002

3.                       90% of team complete 15 pull-ups on January 27, 2002

4.                       90% of team complete 25 dips on January 27, 2002

5.                       Everyone run 6 quarter miles under 1:30 leaving every 2:00 minutes on January 28, 2002

C. Agility/Speed (Video)

i.  Cone Agilities

ii.  Ladder work

iii.  Dot Drill

iv.  Rope Program

D. Running Program
  
i.      End of fall to first practice
   ii.     Variety
  
iii.     Guide/builds base for season
  
iv.     First two days of practice work-outs
  
         1.     1.5 mile run < 9 mins.
  
         2.     6x440 yards on 1:30, leaving on every 2 mins.,  
                  12 min.-workouts
  
         3.     7 a.m. runs – 1st week > 9 mins. – 1.5 mile

E. Wall Program
  
         i.  1st day of fall program
  
         ii.  3 to 6x weekly
  
             -check with freshman and transfers during individual meetings
         
iii. 20 – 30 minutes

   
LACROSSE SKILLS - Wall Drills

1.                  All drills must be performed with both hands.
2.                  Any wall will work, but a smooth concrete wall at least 10 feet tall is the best surface.
3.                  Use your gloves when performing this routine.
4.                  Stand about five yards from the wall.
5.                  Perform this routine 4 to 5 times a week for 15 to 20 minutes and your stick skills will improve a great deal in a very short period of time.
6.                  Drills:
   
a.     Right hand quick stick – 50 times (left hand).
   
b.     Right hand – one hand catch & cradle 50 times (left hand).
   
c.      Right hand (one hand only) quick-stick – 50 times (left hand).
   
d.     Right hand catch & face dodge – 50 times (left hand).
   
e.     Split dodge – throw right, catch right, split dodge to left hand, throw left, catch left, split back to right hand – 50 times.
   
f.        Quick stick – change hands on every toss while ball is in air
   
g.     Cross handed – 50 times each hand
   
h.      Around-the-back – 50 times each hand
   
i.        Side arm after a great hard fake – 50 times each hand.
   
j.        Be creative
– develop your own drill.

Note: This routine takes 15 – 20 minutes.  Crank up your music box and have some fun.  
Develop a set - wall program for the best results.


F.  Goal Sheets

                                                              i.      90 day goals
end of fall to 1st practice

                                                            ii.      specific/accountable

                                                          iii.      end of season to fall

                                                         iv.      It helps to put in writing!!!

What are your weaknesses?

Stick skills/left hand

What are you going to do over next 90 days to improve the above weakness and to attain your goal?

1.                 Wall workout
a.     1.5 times w/ left hand
b.    5x a week
c.     25-30 mins.

2.                 When? You will be there!!

Accountability!!

M.   2:30 – 3:00 p.m.

T.  4:00 – 4:30 p.m.

W.  2:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Th.  7:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Sat.  11:00 – 11:30 a.m.

III.     Fall Practices          (System/Style)

note:       Defense
- Guard them when they get off the bus
- Relentless pressure without fouling  

           
Offense
- Attack the goal at all times with unselfish play

A.          Individual Defense—makes great team defense
  
     - great deal of fall is dedicated to individual defense
  
             1 & 1s with short sticks
  
     1.          Midfield four lines
  
     2.          Attack/Defense – 3 lines

            ii.  Attack Riding drill
            iii. 1v1 Pressure Drill
            iv. 2v2 Pressure Drill

B.      Team Defense
  
             -         talk
  
             -         positioning
  
             -         head on swivel

            i.  slide drill (short stick first)
  
                   1. cross crease

        1. Crease slide  
   
           ii. 2 v 2
               
1. midfield
                2. Attack    Behind    Wing/Behind  

            iii. 4 v 4 Hub drill
  
               -    (short stick first)
  
               -    bread & butter drill
               -    1 time around & then live!!

            iv.  4 v 4 Shut-off to Hub drill
   
                1.  handle under pressure
                2.  3 passes total denial
                     3.   Go to hub drill once 3 passes are complete!!


C . Transition offense

              Philosophy

                                                       i.            Anticipate next pass before you receive it 

                      ii.      And “one” talk, verbal communication

                                                    iii.      One cradle and out (all drills)

                                                        iv.      Dunks not 3-pointers

                                                          v.      80% of goals assisted

                                                        vi.      Step to passes

                                                     vii.      Get to gaps

                                                   viii.      Attack at all times!!

  D.    Transition Drills

-         limited stick work drills

-         defense stick work during shooting drills (daily) and pre-practice

i.       3x2 (2 to 3 cages)

-         coach them!!

-         prior principles

  ii. 4v3 (2 to 3 cages)

  iii.  5v4 (above cage)
   
                     1 – box & 1
                         2 - roll it with crease step-off

iv.  6v4 vs. long sticks
                       - 4 passes before shot!!

 v. 5v4 up & over with trailer
                 a  .      box & 1
                     b.      roll it
   
                 c.      up & over

          vi.  6 x 5 with trailer  
               
-         slow break to 1-4-1
                -         run 6v6
                -         clear on any shot or change of possession  

                            vii.   Full Field Scramble
  
                                           4v3
                                     5v4
  
                                           6v5
                              
     10v10

                        viii.  Two Second Drill
  
                                 - pass every two seconds
  
                                  - switch groups every 3 min.     
                                   
- don’t worry about 10-sec rule or in & out rule
  
                                  - one of best drills to see who can play the game in a very short         period of time

                ix.       Restart scrimmage

                        -   attack on every re-start
Adelphi – example
-         Defense – transition defense
-         Defend every re-start
-         Don’t relax!!

E.  Ride/Clearing Game

i.                   ride/clear scrimmage

            1. one offensive possession

           2.   up & down/re-start

       * 6v6 offense

    -         do not play ½ field all the time
-         play part-of-game into 6v6 offense

F.  Set piece scrimmage

     i. jump ride
     
note:  after clear – coaches send new players on to that end.  

Invert Defense

iv.               Special defenses

v.                 Half-field offensive sets

III.   Mentally/Physically Ready
          A.         Physically through training and self-development
   
       B.    Mentally adjusted through drills
   
       C.    60 minutes of intensity

                                                  i.      Guard the opponent when they get off the bus

                                                  ii.      Attack on every situation                                   

                                                 iii.      Have fun !!