Being better all around player

[NickBritt]

I'm going to be playing at a higher level than i am used to so i'm figuring that i'm not going to be able to get away with some of the things i take for granted.
I need to become more of a team player because my teammates are going to be as good if not better than me so what are some ways to be a good team player?

[exile lacrosse]

pass the ball. set people up. dont go for "all the glory" make the extra pass. thats not saying if u have a great shot dont take it however.

[TheKOB]

I'm going to be playing at a higher level than i am used to so i'm figuring that i'm not going to be able to get away with some of the things i take for granted.
I need to become more of a team player because my teammates are going to be as good if not better than me so what are some ways to be a good team player?

Look for the pass instead of shooting. If you just focus on the goal like you've got blinders on, you'll probably get laid out and give up the possession, if the difference in talent is as much as you seem to be concerned about. Play as more of a team, moving the ball around, etc. Listen to the coaches and execute how they tell you too. Look up to the older players and ask them for advice if you can find one you can trust.

BTW, does that video that promises to make you the best player you can be do any good? That might be worth checking out...

http://www.insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?pagerid=21&view=PROD&cat=62583&HIDECONTENT=YES&prod=45568

what level are you going to and coming from?

[Longest]

I'm going to be playing at a higher level than i am used to so i'm figuring that i'm not going to be able to get away with some of the things i take for granted.
I need to become more of a team player because my teammates are going to be as good if not better than me so what are some ways to be a good team player?

You need to understand the tactics and strategies of the team you will be playing with and what your role is to be. Your info lists you as a middie so obvoiusly you will need to understand both the offense and defense of your team. You will need to know: what guys are expected to be where; when will they move; what are they looking for; who is expected to have the open look; who is the easy but least favorable pass should you need a dump off. You should expect that all of your teammates can execute if they get the ball in the situation your team is working for, whether you guys want #3 getting an open look 7 yards out or you're looking for a layup.

Defensively, you will need to understand the slide packages at a higher level. You must always know who the #1 slide man is but also, who is #2. When you get to a higher and higher level it's the later slides (#2 and even #3) that matter more. Expect your teammates to have a proficiency at individual skills, whether that's positionally, takeaways, ground balls, etc so don't feel like you need to compensate for your entire team, play within the team strategy.

I will cite the oft-maligned Mike Powell, a player of exceptional athletic ability who nonetheless played within the system he was placed. He WAS such a high level baller, like many of the Cuse free-wheeling players, that Desko altered his system to take advantage of the key abilities of his personnel. THat's less important than the lesson that Powell, 4 time AA, 2 time Tewaraaton, admitted that he was succcessful b/c he played with his teammates in the system they understood and that is as much as you can ask of any player.

Dan