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lax-crazy
04-11-2008, 05:52 PM
This thread was made so people can post tips and drills that help them with there lacrosse game. I mainly will be focusing on the athletic side. Anyone is welcome to post, just make sure you read the thread first before posting. I say that so muiltiple people don't post wall ball, or the same drill for whatever.

my contribitions:

t-nations 100 tipes for serious athletes
http://www.t-nation.com/readArticle.do?id=1354863
http://www.t-nation.com/article/performance_training/50_more_tips_for_serious_athletes&cr=performanceTraining

Foot work and some agility stuff with cones, lines, jump rope and speed ladders

http://www.performanceworkouts.com/exercise_guides_agility_1.shtml


here is the wallball set that I do whenever i get a chance, it takes me 25minutes to go through it, and it is something that I really actualy think helps a ton. everything is done right a full set right and a full set left

15 regular (that's 15 with the right then 15 with the left)
15 Pass -> catch -> switch hands
15 pass -> switch hands -> catch
15 quick stick
10 cross body catching
10 behind the back
10 1handed pass and catching

I do that twice all the way through. I got it off of "30 Days to scoring success" if you get a chance check it out.

Try setting short term (2 weeks about), midterm(1-3moths), and long term goals(6months-a year+).
work on my righty on the run as a more this week, or get better stretchs in as a short term. It's something that can be started soon and easly achieved. Midterm would be able to play with my weak hand confidently. It takes longer than the short term
Long term make the starting line up, make all stars, move from Defence to O. Win conference.

This way you have aims and something to work towards. You can take the short term, mid term, and long term goals into lifting that stuf also.


Vision also posted some tips

1) When training stick skills (throwing, catching, faking, craddling, etc.), wear your gloves whenever possible. That's how you play in a game, and it makes some things more difficult, so get use to it.

2) If you plan on putting on a lot of weight during the offseason (15+ lbs), be sure you're strengthening your ankles. If you come back the next season, 15 lbs heavier, and all you did for your lowerbody was Squat and Deadlift, your ankles/feet will be in pain once you have to start running.

3) In terms of strengthing your ankles/feet, calf raises aren't the only exercise available. Jumps, Sprints, Olympic lifts and their variations, farmer's walks, DB dorsiflexions, Balancing drills, Foot exercises (google for ideas). I also suggest being barefoot as often as possible (do your warmups this way if it's possible). Proper footwear is also very important.

4) Of all the different types of grip training (pinch, support, levering, crush, etc.), levering will have the most transfer to lacrosse. There are many different exercises. Check out the sledge hammer ones in this article:
http://www.dieselcrew.com/articles/r...bat%20Grip.pdf

5) When training to get faster, be sure you rest long enough between your sets of sprints or Jumps. For example, if you were doing sets of 20m sprints, you should be resting approx. 2 minutes between each set. General rule is rest 1 min for every 10m sprinted. I suggest you keep your sprints to under 60m. When doing Jumps, it's the same idea. Also, keep your reps to under 5 for the majority of jump exercises.

6) Do not perform any exercises that cause pain. If the exercise is important (ie. squats), but you're still feeling pain when performing it, chances are your technique sucks. If you're sure your form is correct, and there are still problems, try different variations. Using Back Squats as an example, you could try Front Squats or Box Squats. If that doesn't work, try zercher squats, or single leg squatting exercises.

7) Playing with your stick for 30 minutes a day will go a long way. The more you focus on technique, the more you'll get out of it. Goofing around won't help you improve that much.

8) When playing wallball, 50% of the time should be working on your wrong hand. Not only will it help you get better using your off-hand, but it'll help strengthen that side of your body. Going one way all the time can cause imbalances which may lead to pain later on.

9) With any stretching or mobility drills you do, try and focus on getting the same range of motion with both sides (most importantly with your arms). The flexibility in one shoulder normally becomes a lot greater than the other when you're throwing and catching with one side so often.

10) A wall ball drill that will help with the accuracy of your shots:

Pick a point on the wall. Hit the the target with a normal overhand throw (good hand). If you hit the target, move 45 degrees downwards (between overhand and sidearm). If you hit the target, move down another 45 degrees (sidearm). If you miss, restart with the overhand. Continue doing this all the way down to an underhand shot. Once you get them all in a row, do the same drill with your wrong hand.

These are the 5 positions: Overhand, Overhand/Sidearm, Sidearm, Sidearm/underhand, Underhand.

11) For in-season strength training, 0-2 sessions per week is normally the best you can do with all the games / practices. I suggest training fullbody each time. This is what I do:

Pick 3 exercises (examples): Lower (Back Squat), Push (Bench), Pull (Row).

Start with a weight you can do 4 sets of 3 reps fairly easily (about your 6 rep max). First day you train, do 4x3 of the exercises. Next time you get to the gym, try and get more reps. Keep at it until you get 4x8, then rotate in new exercises and start all over again. If you ever get stuck at a certain rep, change exercises. Doing this only once a week, I can normally see improvements. The stronger you are (most of you are extremely weak), the harder this will be. Eventually, you'll have to just focus on maintaining your strength.

12) Stop trying to find exercises that will give you a "faster shot" or "harder check". Strength training is general. Do the major exercises, and improve in them. Play lacrosse to get better at it and improve your technique. These work well together.

13) Playing around with mini sticks, or sticks with huge pockets may be fun, but when you go back to your normal stick everything is going to seem more difficult. Use them at your own risk.

14) The Olympic Lifts are not necessary. If you don't know them, and have no coach to teach them to you, that's not a problem. Sprints + Jumps + Med ball throws + Squats are as good, if not better.

15) During games/practices/any exercise, be sure to drink something. Water is okay, Gatorade is better(I like it water-down). Even better is to add some protein powder to that gatorade. A 1:2 or 1:3 ration of protein:carbs is ideal.

16) Start a training log. It'll help you keep track of your progress, and you'll be able to see which exercises you get the most out of. Setting goals is also very important. Set them at the end of your season (if this is for strength training), and achieve them by the end of your off-season.

My goals this off-season (I play box) were: weigh 210(starting at 190), Deadlift 455(335), Bench, 225(165), Broad Jump 2.75m(239), and do 18 chinups in a row(10). Next week is my last week before season starts, so I'll be testing soon. I've already made weight.

17) When doing Deadlifts, use a double-overhand whenever possible. Once you can't hold onto the bar anymore, add chalk. Once that stops working, then switch to a mix grip (one over, one under). This will make your grip much stronger.

18) A few good websites:

Elitefts.com <-----probably the best
T-nation.com
Charliefrancis.com/community
Sherdog.net <-----(the strength and power forum)
higher-faster-sports.com

19) Try to eat healthier. Make sure you eat your protein, fiber, fruits/vegetables, and healthy fats. For food you don't enjoy eating, you can eat better tasting food with it to help. For example, I eat a bowl of spinach every day. I don't like eating it, so what I do, is eat it slowly through out a meal. I always have something better tasting in my mouth at the same time.

20) Sleep at least 8 hours a day, 9 or 10 is better. Naps during the day work well for me as well. I've also noticed that I feel much better sleeping from 11-8 than 1-10 (sleeping while it's dark outside)



Once again please read and make sure what you are going to post is not posted already, this is to just have a clean thread. Also the goal of this thread is to share knowledge on training for lacrosse, so we can all be elite players and go on to amazing colleges, or elevate your lacrosse game.

vision
04-11-2008, 06:33 PM
21) Warmups:

I) Get body warm (jog, bike, pushups, jumping jacks, etc.)
II) Static stretch if necessary (I focus on my hips)
III) Activation exercises if necessary (if this doesn't make sense, ask)
IIII) Mobility drills (hard to explain in words, I'll find a video of possible)

Through out the mobility drills I do build up sprints (about 20m). Before, I go at 50%, sometime in the middle I do 75%, then I finish my warmup with 100%.

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Lax4life528
04-11-2008, 06:42 PM
Sticky this ASAP. good tips all around.

lax-crazy
04-11-2008, 06:45 PM
when shooting wear your helmet and gloves, I do wallball with my helmet every once in a while, but I always do everything with gloves on

vision
04-11-2008, 06:52 PM
22) When squatting, think about sitting between your legs, not on top of them. This will allow you to get much lower, and your knees will feel more comfortable.

23) When doing sprints, if you're having problems with the technique of your starts, try doing pushup or falling starts. This will help get your body at the correct angle for acceleration. Also be sure that you're pushing off with both feet. (assuming you're in a 2 or 3-point start) You shouldn't only be pushing off with your front foot.

vision
04-11-2008, 07:01 PM
24) This has more to do with playing than training, but, BE CONFIDENT. When you believe you are the best player on the field/floor, you're going to play that way. This also relates to lifting. Don't ever think about failing a lift. NEVER FAIL A LIFT! If you start to make it a habit to miss a lift, you're going to do it often without much thought.

lax-crazy
04-11-2008, 09:13 PM
Take advantage of www.E-lacrosse.com and any website that has lacrosse videos. Find good games, watch them, learn them. A big thing is watch the same game a few times. Watch it first normaly, following the ball. Then maybe watch it again to be more familiar with it and maybe see something you missed. Then watch it again for what everyone does off ball. The off ball is huge. You should watch and study what people do off ball. So next time you watch a game on t.v watch the off ball movement besides just following the ball. It well help with your in game intelligence.

MiddieMan05
04-11-2008, 09:42 PM
15 pass -> switch hands -> catch


question about this part of the wall ball. Do you mean you throw the ball, then you switch hands while the ball is in the air? If I'm getting that correctly, seems like an odd thing to do since you could easily drop your stick and let up a turnover or something along those lines.

26laxman26
04-11-2008, 09:56 PM
question about this part of the wall ball. Do you mean you throw the ball, then you switch hands while the ball is in the air? If I'm getting that correctly, seems like an odd thing to do since you could easily drop your stick and let up a turnover or something along those lines.

Yes, this is correct. It will help you get used to switching hands and being able to catch and throw with both hands. After practicing, you will be able to switch hands quickly and smoothly after each throw and then catch with the other.

lax-crazy
04-11-2008, 09:58 PM
Yes, this is correct. It will help you get used to switching hands and being able to catch and throw with both hands. After practicing, you will be able to switch hands quickly and smoothly after each throw and then catch with the other.

got it right on the money

lax-crazy
04-12-2008, 06:16 PM
Not sure if it is a tip, but it helped me with my game a lot. I think all offensive players should invest in 60 lacrosse balls. The amount of shooting you can do with that many balls in an hour is insane. Kids always spend money on new heads, or new gear. Why don't you drop some money on a lot of lacrosse balls. They are $15 for 12 balls at www.qclax.com if someone knows where to get cheaper balls post it.

You can easly get out 300+ shots off in an hour which will help your accuracy and shooting ability immensely.

If not 60 balls you should at least get 20+, for good sets of shooting. The more balls you have the less time you will spend shagging lacrosse balls which means more time shooting.

MaKiMaKi13
04-12-2008, 06:27 PM
Not sure if it is a tip, but it helped me with my game a lot. I think all offensive players should invest in 60 lacrosse balls. The amount of shooting you can do with that many balls in an hour is insane. Kids always spend money on new heads, or new gear. Why don't you drop some money on a lot of lacrosse balls. They are $15 for 12 balls at www.qclax.com if someone knows where to get cheaper balls post it.

You can easly get out 300+ shots off in an hour which will help your accuracy and shooting ability immensely.

If not 60 balls you should at least get 20+, for good sets of shooting. The more balls you have the less time you will spend shagging lacrosse balls which means more time shooting.

Great tip man http://www.sportstop.com/product/120BALLSCHOICE/Case_of_120_NCAA_Game_Lacrosse_Balls__White_Yellow _or_Orange.html

is about as cheap as it gets 120 for 120$

and just to add www.laxtube.com is another good source of games to watch

MiddieMan05
04-13-2008, 09:18 AM
for wallball, I'd also add a few on the run throws and catches. Maybe 15 or 20 of those righty and lefty.

lacrosseking2
04-13-2008, 12:21 PM
sticky this now this is awesome

vision
04-13-2008, 12:46 PM
I'll add more when I'm done a few exams.

EDIT: I've got a long list of wall ball drills that I can post up later.

middiesrulz
04-13-2008, 05:28 PM
I thought it always helped to bring about 20 balls so when you miss you can also run and that get your blood pumping, I don't know, I guess I don't think standing there shooting balls will help you, because running is a big part of lax.

lax-crazy
04-13-2008, 06:49 PM
I thought it always helped to bring about 20 balls so when you miss you can also run and that get your blood pumping, I don't know, I guess I don't think standing there shooting balls will help you, because running is a big part of lax.

why don't you just do sprints? When I go shoot, I go for shooting. I can do on the run shooting that will get my blood going and all of that, but I go to shoot to work on my shooting, not to work on my running. I do other things for that.

middiesrulz
04-13-2008, 07:37 PM
Well I'm still in school, it's nearing the end of the year so I got finals and everything so I don't have much time, my suggestion is for people like me who don't have a lot of time aside from their practice and school, I hardly find time on weekends after my friends call me for movies and stuff. I practice my shots about an hour on Saturday and probably 3 hours on Sunday, if I go to a lacrosse game on Saturday then I won't have time. However running while shooting is something I didn't quite think about, I do it but I didn't think of it when I posted earlier.

MaKiMaKi13
04-14-2008, 07:14 PM
Just other wall ball drills to add to lax-crazy's you guys can decide on the reps depending on how experienced you are

Throwing on the run: (This only works if you have a big wall and room to run) line up 5-7 yards from the wall on the far running alongside the wall (towards the other end) throw and catch the ball on the run. The important part is to throw the ball on the run and not always catching the ball stick side.

Around the world: (pick a spot on the wall. Throw overhand, then 45degree, then sidearm, then 45degree (below sidearm), then underhand. Once you're done that, repeat with the other hand.

Reaction time training: (start a certain distance away and throw ball at a target on the wall. Every time you catch it you take a step closer and repeat. The harder you throw the ball the harder it becomes.

Face dodge- catch-face dodge-throw- 50 right, then 50 left
Split dodge- throw right, catch right, split dodge to left hand, throw left, catch left, split back to right hand- 50 right, then 50 left

vision
04-14-2008, 10:39 PM
Did you get around the world and reaction time training from me? I remember posting those a while back (I put around the world in one of the tips)



Wall Ball:

Following done with both left and right hand:
- Overhand
- Quickstick
- Overhand Bounce
- Sidearm
- Sidearm bouce
- Underhand low
- Underhand high
- behind the back
- reverse behind the back
- 1-handed quickstick
- crosshand
- lob passes (aim for corners)
- jump shot

Variations of many above drills:
- catch -> switch -> throw
- catch -> throw -> switch
- vertical run
- horizontal run

Freestyles (just play around):
- faking (try it on the run as well)
- stick handling / ball control(make **** up, as long as the ball is in your stick you're good. Just avoid bad habits)
- loose balls (use both left and right hand. Practice 1 hand as well. On the run practice)
- dodges (I don't know any of the names, sorry)
^^^Be creative and combine and of these in a row.

My inventions (kinda):
- Around the world (see tips and Maki's post)
- Reaction Catches (see Maki's post. To improve difficulty try running instead of taking steps, try different types of throws(not always overhand), or use a bumpy surface for the wall)
- Run away catches: Throw ball at wall, turn around and start to run, catch ball on the run, repeat)
- Switch quickstick: This one is just for fun, but by far the most difficult. Set up close to a wall like you would for a normal quickstick. Throw left, catch left, switch, throw right, catch right, switch, throw left... Remember this is a quickstick still, so the transition must be smooth. I'm only able to get it a few times before messing up.

lax-crazy
04-14-2008, 10:53 PM
I did this drill for D a few times with my coach.

We went down a line once side steping parallel to the line, once back peddling/side stepping and droping our hips going across it. As we were doing that we would drop our hands and get our gloves to the ground, sorta to simulate stumbling. I liked it, it also helps you get low when you cover you guy. Try it sometime. Go down a 30 yard line and every 2-3 side steps get your gloves to the ground. or if you are practicing dropping your hips on D do it every 3.

lax-crazy
04-18-2008, 10:06 PM
A while ago I read that Joe Walters did 1 on 1 lax during fallball. I have been thinking about this and tried it out with my roommates( ones a middie and one is a goalie). We played it like 1 on 1 basketball, winner takes the ball from the top, and you have to clear it to a certain point. This will seriously get your cardio going while working a lot on your O and D. It's something to try some time if you have a few friends.

we are both middies so it worked great for us.

MaKiMaKi13
04-18-2008, 10:39 PM
Did you get around the world and reaction time training from me? I remember posting those a while back (I put around the world in one of the tips)

I think so i'm not entirely positive though I just have a big word document saved with a wallball routine and a few shooting drills I like to do, but if they are props to you man I tried em out and its good stuff

Shooting Drills that can be done by yourself or with a buddy
Rapid Fire: About 15-20 balls are lined up on the top of the arc. A player begins at one end of the line of balls he quickly scoops the ball and shoots at goal. He goes around the top of the arc, shooting each ball one by one.

Make sure that you bend low to get good control of the ball and maintain proper shooting technique.

Shoot and Score
The first step is to position an attackman behind the goal and have a middie about 15 yards away. Have the middie throw the lacrosse ball to the attack man and cut/dodge towards the goal. The attackman should feed him the ball about five yards away from the goal and the midfielder should rip it. Can be done however long just make sure to do it with both hands and maintain proper technique

You can also switch roles so you get used to playing different positions in addition to varying the distance in which you start feeding the middie

lax-crazy
04-22-2008, 12:17 PM
That new Nike campaing SPARQ has some drills on it and some other stuff worth checking out.

http://www.sparqtraining.com/training/

Dpole1313
05-11-2008, 03:58 PM
the grip training link doesn't work could you repost it?

lax-crazy
05-11-2008, 04:18 PM
try PMing Vision about it, He posted it and I copy pasted it, so the link somehow got screwed up

adgood10
05-13-2008, 03:40 PM
what should i throw off of cuz i have a wall but there is grass right below it so the ball just like roles back to me?

lax-crazy
05-13-2008, 09:22 PM
how tall is the wall?

lax-crazy
05-13-2008, 09:36 PM
I posted this in another thread, but I figure I should post it here.

Are you using the correct mechanics?
Identifying where you are going wrong in the motions
fixing it
then practicing it over and over.
Then repeat it, and make sure all of your mechanics are right.

As for accuracy once again mechanics help a ton, and so do 20+ balls. Get tons of them and shoot. Do different drills.

"30 days to scoring success" has lots and lots of useful drills.

Also there are 3 main types of shoots. In close, on the run, time and room. Work on each one and accuracy with each.

What I do is 3 days a week of "30days to scoring success" then I do 3 days a week of

50 left and 50 right close range shots with fakes
25 on the run lefty then righty.
50 time and room outside lefty, then righty.

I will also switch it up and do a week of dodges, and work on shooting under pressure, and shooting out of the dodge.

I also get my roommate (who's a goalie) to step in cage so I can really work on my accuracy.


Also don't just shoot for corners, try shooting hip high away and inside, five hole, and all of those. I also keep everything over hand with exception to when I am faking and shooting.

vision
05-14-2008, 06:58 PM
the grip training link doesn't work could you repost it?

I'm pretty sure the website was redone, and now the link isn't working.

lax-crazy
08-22-2008, 04:45 PM
this is something that a friend (merc169) posted in another thread that holds true and should be followed.... and to keep this thread alive since a lot of people keep on asking wallball tips, and agility tips

"train efficient and train FOR SOMETHING. I said in another post train for size or train for strength or train to lose fat but choose one to actually train for. Focus on it, go to war with it, destroy it, then conquer it."

I am also not a big fan of long drawn out wallball sets, I like getting to a wall banging out a good 30-40 min, get it done and do other things, I find my focus waning after 45min. I also just do 30-40 min 4-5 times a week. I pick a small dot or a small traget and go wild with me sets trying to hit it as many times as you can.

Merc169
08-25-2008, 11:58 AM
this is something that a friend (merc169) posted in another thread that holds true and should be followed.... and to keep this thread alive since a lot of people keep on asking wallball tips, and agility tips

"train efficient and train FOR SOMETHING. I said in another post train for size or train for strength or train to lose fat but choose one to actually train for. Focus on it, go to war with it, destroy it, then conquer it."

I am also not a big fan of long drawn out wallball sets, I like getting to a wall banging out a good 30-40 min, get it done and do other things, I find my focus waning after 45min. I also just do 30-40 min 4-5 times a week. I pick a small dot or a small traget and go wild with me sets trying to hit it as many times as you can.

I feel so loved. I got recognized. I should get a bad of approval or something.