Making The Team

Some Tips for Making the Team:

 
Probably the single most important thing to do is to work hard in the off-season and take advantage of the many opportunities provided by the WHS program to get better by participating in the many off-season camps (team, instructional, recruiting), clinics, leagues (fall-winter) and especially the green day sessions and conditioning sessions being run by the WHS coaching staff (perfect time to be coached by your coaches, helps to learn the team's philosophy, schemes and terminology).  Now, if you are-were wondering what you can do to help you make the team come tryout time, here are some tips that may be able to help you out.  Keep in mind just doing these things won't ensure you make the team, however, they may help your chances.
 

In preparing to tryout for lacrosse; here are (6) of the dumbest things you could do:

  1. An attackman or midfielder that shoots before he looks...You must look at the goal, see the open net, square your shoulders and shoot like you mean it (snap those wrists and "shoot to net"). Players must be able to shoot on the run, coming out of a dodge, left handed-right handed and not just standing in front of the goal and ripping it. Step downs, C-Cuts, Give-Go's, Hitch-Go's, Back-Front Cuts and etc.
  2. A defenseman or MF defender that doesn't address the ball properly and doesn't play with his stick in the ball carrier's hands...if he keeps the stick down on his side (do not do this); are you playing defense with your feet or do you swing the stick, do you go behind the ball carrier???
  3. A goalie that isn't ready when the ball is shot (always follow the ball in your "ready" position)
  4. A player that comes to tryouts but isn't in shape: did you participate in the opportunities and agility-conditioning-speed program provided in the off-season?
  5. A supposed "student athlete" that isn't academically-socially or paperwork eligible (concussion program, physical-insurance, ECC, participation policy, team guidelines) prior to the 1st day of tryouts. In our program we call this "good standing"...BE IN GOOD STANDING!
  6. Bad Attitude: being NON-coachable and Un-Disciplined...Listen to your coaches and at the very least ATTEMPT to do the things they are teaching you to do

All of these can be managed by you and only you (NOT YOUR PARENTS), you are responsible and will be held accountable...You are trying out for the team, not your parents!

 

For Field Players:

  • Be in shape: go to the winter conditioning program, so you can hustle through the entire practice, must be ready for the fourth quarter and over-time periods.  Typically, you ONLY have 3 weeks once the season starts before the 1st game (in 2021 it's 16 days) and it's not enough time to be in optimal lacrosse shape. Studies have shown there is a difference in running on your own and being pushed by the group (your teammates and coaches), a big difference

  • Right now in the off-season Start Shooting: follow the shooting document or at the very least shoot (100) times a day; 50 left and 50 right all on the move the way you've been shown-coached

  • Right now in the off-season Do 20 GB's right-20 GB's left: each day as you were shown in skills/drills and then during tryouts get 1st time GB's and at least 6 ground balls per tryout practice; this will get you noticed

  • During tryouts push the ball to the next-open player (one more): Be able to handle the ball well enough to get that ground ball to the next or more skilled players (zero turnovers), be an unselfish player, understand and use the 2 pass rule, pushing it-swinging it to the next player, and know the 1 more call...Don't be a "black hole"

  • During tryouts play strong position defense all over the field: know the defensive schemes and how to play defense (especially attackmen: if you can't or don't ride hard, with maximum effort and-or properly for us, an attackman's playing time may be limited, as we've discussed riding hard is really playing defense)

For Goalies:

  • Being ready before the shot
  • Hands up, seeing-watching the ball, communication and moving aggressive (stepping through the ball) to every shot from warm-ups through to the end of tryouts/practice
  • Taking care of the ball (throwing and running) after the save
  • Staying mentally strong...as much as we would like you to, YOU WILL NOT STOP EVERY SHOT, get over it and stop the next one
  • As a goalie stopping the ball is the easy part, the hard part is making the right decisions out of the cage and clearing the ball
  • Part of playing goalie and being an elite goalie is being a leader on the field, know the defenses and communicate properly

All Players:

  • Believe in yourself and take action; don't talk about doing it, do it
  • Go to class, pay attention and don't screw around...even at lunch or in between classes, don't be that guy who gets in trouble
  • Do your homework, all of it every day and then show it to one of your parents or guardians so they know you're trying; you'll be amazed at what this does for you
  • Just by doing the work and going to/actually paying attention in class, your grades will get better
  • Sit in the front of the class, it will HELP you be a better student...Be the Best
 
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