Coaches Perspective

Lacrosse Extras Staff — November 12, 2023

From an individual picking up a stick for the first time to Belle Smith and the most elite players in lacrosse, all who play rely on coaches to maximize their potential. We connected with three different coaches, asking each the same seven questions to get their thoughts on what individuals can do to become great lacrosse players.

Q1. What are 2-3 intangibles (an asset lacking physical substance) that are valuable for a lacrosse player to have?

“Confidence, fortitude, and grit are indispensable characteristics for a lacrosse athlete. Confidence empowers players to trust in their abilities, make rapid decisions and stay composed under pressure, which is crucial for high-level execution. Fortitude provides the mental and physical strength required to endure the lows of games and seasons and to stay positive even when facing challenges. Grit drives players to remain committed to their long-term goals, and contribute to team success, ultimately helping their development and success in lacrosse.”

Coach Roe

“Consistency and patience – in a world built on instant gratification, it’s hard to be patient. That’s why every day you need to just do one little thing that will improve your game. Consistency is king, and the days you don’t feel like lifting, sprinting or working on your skill are the most important days to do it. I believe these two qualities go hand in hand, be consistent with your training, skill work, practice, nutrition, etc. and have the patience to see it through. I give my kids a 30 for 30 challenge – 30 days straight of 30+ minutes working on your craft, stick work, shooting, dodging… film yourself on day one and day 30 and you will be amazed in just a month how much better you can get. If you miss one day because it’s raining or you’re tired or sick, you go back to day one.”

Coach Tintle

Q2. Can you highlight one physical skill that everyone can improve regardless of position or play style?

“Stick work. No matter how good your stick gets, it can always be smoother, faster, quicker, better. The key is to not waste time on the wall or in stick drill lines. (Game speed drills, compete with yourself, time yourself, push yourself) Four keys I harp on are:

1. Throw the ball hard

2. Get rid of the ball quickly

3. Get creative

4. Move your feet

If you’re not dropping the ball every 10 or so reps then you’re not pushing yourself in one of those four areas.”

Coach Tintle

“Speed will forever kill.”

Coach Roe

Q3. What is the most important attribute a player can work on off the lacrosse field?

“The mindset/mental side of the game.”

Coach K

“The most crucial attribute a player can work on off the lacrosse field is the mental aspect of the game, particularly in dealing with pressure and managing nerves. Regardless of how skilled an athlete may be, it is the mastery of the mental game that enables a seamless transition of practiced skills into actual game and showcase performances. By focusing on mental resilience, a player can maintain composure, make strategic decisions under pressure and optimize their on-field performance, all of which are vital for excelling in lacrosse.”

Coach Roe

Q4. Can you talk about a lacrosse player you coached or worked with that stood out to you and what made him/her special?

I cannot pick just one; I have had the privilege to coach/train/mentor a lot of special players. Some characteristics they all shared was a NEED to always improve themselves. They were honest with themselves on what they needed to work on, then they took ACTION. Some of the best players are the most resilient players; they handle adversity head on and don’t make excuses. They just find solutions and move forward.

Coach Tintle

“I can’t just pick one because I work with so many, but I will say that the most special athletes I get to work with are those who are willing to do the work, the ones who take time to ask questions, reflect, get honest with themselves and others [and] don’t make excuses but instead see their weaknesses as opportunities to grow. I work with MANY athletes who eventually find themselves at this point, and it’s an absolute game changer.”

Coach K

Q5. How do you motivate the athletes you work with?

“Honesty. I don’t try and beat around the bush when it comes to the mental game. I also find if I’m open, honest and vulnerable off the bat with the athletes I work with, it creates a more relaxed environment for them to open up. I use personal stories, whether my own or ones I’ve experienced as an athlete, coach, teacher and mentor.”

Coach K

“I don’t. I think motivation is a false reality. I believe in the art of buying in and investment. If you can get your athletes to buy in, invest time and energy and believe that you are leading them on a path from A-Z, then they won’t need motivation to keep them going. I believe they need discipline [and to] put in the hard, consistent work that many others aren’t willing to do.”

Coach Tintle

Q6. The 10,000-hour rule states that for most disciplines it takes 10,000 hours of active learning to become an expert. Do you have a similar rule/advice for creating excellence?

“I like to encourage the 28-90 rule. It takes about 28 consistent days to build a habit and up to 90 days of consistency to add that habit to your lifestyle. I talk a lot about the conscious and subconscious brain and how to rewire your brain, so giving athletes a timeline (as well as ways to track the work/reflections on whether or not they’re actually doing the work and what to do when things AKA life get in the way of us actually showing up to do the work) helps add to the layer of accountability creating new habits is seeking.”

Coach K

“I say, ‘it takes what it takes.’ The best part about sports is nothing is guaranteed. That’s what makes sports special. Just because I put more time into my craft, worked harder, did everything I could possibly do to win, doesn’t guarantee I’m going to raise a championship trophy over my head or finally get fitted for that elusive championship ring. It took me 32 years to finally win a championship. However, regret is something that will stay with you forever. I would rather know I gave it all I had and fell short than regret cutting corners and not giving it everything I had trying to maximize my full potential. I can live with that. I wouldn’t be able to live with regret.”

Coach Tintle

“‘The game never ends’ — the meaning behind this phrase is that athletes should consistently practice with intention, as if they were in actual game situations, staying fully engaged mentally. For example, doing wall ball shouldn’t be just a way to pass the time or to check off that you’ve completed your wall ball for the day. Every rep off the wall should correlate to a potential action on the field.”

Coach Roe

Q7. Is there anything else you would like to add?

“For any aspiring athlete, always strive for greatness and become obsessed with the journey, not the results.”

Coach Roe

“The mental game comes down to recognizing whether you are doing something that is difficult or detrimental. If athletes can recognize the difference between the two and work hard to get through the difficult while experiencing and acknowledging the discomfort, on the other side of that ‘hard’ is ‘hope.’ The hope that you are actually stronger than you thought. The hope that yes, you can in fact do hard things or the hope that what you just went through was not great for you and now you know so you can shift and make adjustments as needed.”

Coach K