HELP!

[Janani]

Hi I am a freshman and i wanted to start lacrosse. But the problem is i'm not a very good runner, and in my school for tryouts they expect you to be able to run a mile in under 8 minutes. I am VERY slow. my mile is like 12 minutes or w/e. but i really like lacrosse cause it is very funn. so do you ahve any tips to maybe improve my lax? cause tryouts are on March 13th. so i'm kind of nervous..

thanks :)

[laxwarrior23]

dude, just practice runnin a mile every night...that works for me :)

[Laxordie24]

It really helps to just run every day. I did cross country at school this year to help condition for lacrosse and at first I hated it with much passion because I can't stand distance running. After the first week, it gets so much easier both mentally and physically. By the end of the season I was looking forward to practices.

It also helped me to think that I would be training for the lacrosse season, which was a big motivator. A friend of mine and I used to "Lax" on our arms so when we'd be running a race we could look down and remember that the running would pay off. That sounds incredibly cheesy, but whatever helps motivate you.

[lokiinspired]

I know what you mean about the running. I'm not good either, but I just keep practicing. I don't know how much you have been running previous to this, but you'll seriously be amazed about how much you improve by just trying to run a little bit every day or something like that.

Our team runs about three miles together every day. I can't run with the main group because of my speed, but I just make sure that I never stop and push myself to go faster every day. The first times were horrible, but it's getting better and better.

Also, if you have someone to run with who is a little better than you could help. If you're competitive like I am, having someone else to try and 'beat' should help you keep going and try as hard as you can.

Good luck! You'll do great. Just go out with a good attitude and do your best. :)

[Janani]

Well also i'm a vrey bad runner. I have like no motivation. and this is the first time i wil have been playing lacrosse for 2 YEARS. so everyone is going to be in MUCH better shape than me. so i might get cut? and i'm not sure if they cut freshman.

also does anyone know what "Wall Ball" is?

[waynelaxgrl101]

Well also i'm a vrey bad runner. I have like no motivation. and this is the first time i wil have been playing lacrosse for 2 YEARS. so everyone is going to be in MUCH better shape than me. so i might get cut? and i'm not sure if they cut freshman.

also does anyone know what "Wall Ball" is?

wall ball is when you practice your throwing and catching skills using a wall. you basically just throw the lax ball at the wall (using your stick) and catch it. its usually best to practice in an open area as not to break a window, hit someone, ect.

[Janani]

alright. thanks alot!! =) =)

[FallIntoIt]

Well also i'm a vrey bad runner. I have like no motivation. and this is the first time i wil have been playing lacrosse for 2 YEARS. so everyone is going to be in MUCH better shape than me. so i might get cut? and i'm not sure if they cut freshman.


Yeah, I hear you on the motivation bit. I would suggest getting a little mp3 player (I really dig the iPod shuffle, since it's light and can be worn on a lanyard, and it has enough storage space for a good run without getting bored of the music, but any flash memory-based player will work) and try running with that on. My problem, after getting the motivation to run, is not wanting to kill myself while I run because all I can think of what is left of the run. Music helps distract me, so.
As for the motivation - see if you can get a friend to join you on nightly runs. You'll feel bad if you flake on her, and her the same way, so you'll be motivating each other to run out of consideration for the other. This is what my best friend and I do regarding the gym, heh.

Finally - if you have a frosh or jv squad, I don't believe that you'll get cut as a freshman. I wouldn't exactly know, since all we have out here in Arizona is club, and there are no cuts (partially because it's club, partially because we always need all the girls we can get). Regardless, work on running and wall ball (as someone else explained later in the thread) and you should be alright. Good luck :D

[x yankee lax 4x]

i did lacrosse this year. it was my first time starting out. im one of the slowest on the team.. but i try my hardest, most days. if you try your hardest at practice the coaches can tell. but you really need to start working..

wall ball-10 right,10 left, 10 one hand right, 10 one hand left,
running 15-30 minutes a night. i know you may not want to hear this but this is extremely important for lacrosse.
maybe try to get with a few of the girls who are trying out and practice.

[Janani]

i don't really have a wall to practice on, all my walls have windows on them. do you know any alternatives?

alright thanks

[lokiinspired]

If you have a tennis court with one of those big green backboards used for practicing forehand and backhand and whatever, you could use that. That's what I do. But also if you have a school or something with a nice big wall, that would work as well. A lot of people don't like brick, but I've never had a problem with it. Gives you more of a challenge if the bounce isn't quite as expected.

[laxfolife24]

You could always buy a lax wall, but they are expensive. Also your garage walls will work, if you take out the cars. In the winter I go down in my basement because it is unfinished and I play down there. I set up this whole thing with a goal and targets and stuff and it works well.

[x yankee lax 4x]

you can also go to places. like your school. my school lets us do it. you may want to ask your coach.

[Kerosene]

My basement is my miniature lacrosse kingdom. Really, just devote time to doing whatever you can. It adds up fast.

[Janani]

We have to run 3 miles for tryouts, should I just run a mile and quit? or should i keep on going with my sloowwww pace?

[laxfolife24]

Don't quit, there is nothing worse that you can do. Just run through the pain, a lot of it is mental.

[x yankee lax 4x]

never quit. the coaches want to see that you really want it. try as hard as you can. i guess this is sortof off topic but in football tryouts people throw up because they try sooo hard. im not saying your tryouts will be like that. but don't be afraid to push yourself to those limits.

[Janani]

alright thanks a bunch!!

i really hope that i make the team!!!

[goalLAX]

Just wanted to say good luck and come back to let us know how you did.

[lokiinspired]

Yeah, good luck at tryouts, Janani! You'll kick butt. :D Do tell us how it goes!

[Janani]

well today was lax tryouts.

14 people showed up so there are NO cuts.

but i fell and scraped my knee pretty bad, so i couldn't run more than one lap. i felt so bad for quitting. and my new stick was not broken into so it was pretty bouncy.

i don't know HOW i am going to run tomorrow.

[laxfolife24]

Well congrats on getting to play lacrosse.

Tonight take your ball and push it into your stick, make a nice and LEGAL pocket.

And as far as tomorrow goes just push through the pain. A lot of it is mental. Just focus on the running and the adrenaline should take over and you shouldn't feel the pain so much.

[goalLAX]

Well congrats on getting to play lacrosse.

And as far as tomorrow goes just push through the pain. A lot of it is mental. Just focus on the running and the adrenaline should take over and you shouldn't feel the pain so much.


All though pushing though the pain is sometimes necessary, don’t hurt yourself more. I am an athletic training major and have seen many athletes get injured and then push themselves into a season ending injury. So know your body, and listen to it. Congrats on making the team and work hard all season. :thumbsup:

[Janani]

thanks =))

practice wasn't so bad the second dayy.
it was much better, actually.
very tiring, because i forgot my water.
but it's getting better. we have a timed mile tomorrow. I'm very scared. I might just B.**** my way through it.