by Coach Thomas Neil Zacoi

LACROSSE TRY-OUTS

If you really want a competitive edge and every possible chance to make your high school or club team, it’s

imperative that you take try-outs seriously and do the following! This advise is especially true for rising ninth

graders or if you get a new coach who doesn’t know you!

If you are truly serious about playing this great game in high school and beyond you should be

running three days a week as well as practicing your stick skills five days a week throughout the

year! It’s also important that you show up the first day of try-outs in shape because all programs

include sprints and distance running. This is especially true if lots of new girls come out for the

team and some will need to be cut. Regarding high school teams, if you can’t “run” at least two

miles the first day you’re in trouble and better start training today! You may also be required to run

a timed 40 yard dash the first day.

• Itisalwaystoyourbenefittohavephonedorspokentoacurrentplayerandaskherwhat

to expect at try-outs and if she has any advice.

• Dressweatherappropriate.Thisisespeciallytrueforhighschooltry-outswhenspring-

time weather can be severe! Layering, so you can remove or add clothes, and wearing a loose-fit

ting; water proof jacket is ideal. Bring a large nylon jacket, Under Armour top and bottom, finger-

less fleece gloves and a tight-fitting, brightly colored fleece hat. Remember to use prewrap or a hair

band to keep the hair out of your eyes!

• Cometotry-outseverydaywithapositiveattitudeandexpecttomaketheteam—at-

titude is everything! If you get anxious and everyone does, take some yoga breaths by deeply

inhaling through your nose, fill you lungs until they feel as though they’ll burst, then slowly let

the air out through your pursed (tightly puckered) lips. It is well documented that we only use ten

percent of our lung capacity, therefore including deep breathing as part of your exercise regimen

will increase your stamina.

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• Ifyouarehavingaproblemon-field,visualizationcanbeaneffectivetool.Closeyoureyes

thethinkaboutthebestlax-gameyoueverplayed—nowgooutanddoitagain!

• Arriveearlytowarmup;gettapedandintroduceyourselftothecoachesifnecessary.If

you already know them say hi, maintain eye contact and if one or both extend their hand, give a

firm handshake and a warm greeting!

• It’simperativethatyoubringallyourlax-gearincludingclean,drysocks,surfacespe-

cific shoes (turf-shoes for artificial surfaces and cleats for grass), do not wear Nike Shocks or Keds

Sneakers, a stick, a fitted mouth guard, goggles, a filled water bottle (take a mouth full at every

break and don’t spit it out), prescription glasses, inhaler and medications if necessary. What ever

you do, don’t bring jewelry! By the way, asthma is not a hindrance to playing lacrosse, but you

must condition yourself regularly.

• Highschoolandclubteamtryoutsespeciallyifyou’veneverexperiencedit,differsfrom

school to school and club to club! Therefore you must find out in advance what time of day try-

outsaretakingplaceandadjustaccordingly!Dependingonthetimeofday,eatalightmealor

a health snack an hour and a half prior to physical activity. Arrive at the field early; dressed and

readytoparticipate.Forgetaboutsocializingwithyourpeeps.You’llhaveplentyoftimetodoit

after you make the team!

• Neverhavetobetoldtoputyourgogglesdown,yourmouthguardinortakeoffjewelry!

• Listencloselytothecoach’sinstructionanddowhatyouaretold.Ifyoudon’tunderstand

something, raise your hand and courteously ask the coach to repeat themselves. If others are

distracting you by talking, quietly move away unnoticed.

• Whenacoachwhistlesandshouts“bringitin,”youshouldbeoneofthefirststandingin

front of her or him. The same is true at water breaks. You should always take a drink, but return im-

mediately.Forgetaboutsocializing—doitafterpractice.

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• Whenyouareonthesidelinesandnotactivelyparticipating,payattentiontowhat’s

happeningon-field,youneverknowwhenthecoachwillcallyouin!Donotgetcaughttalkingor

goofingoff.Onlytalkifitisabsolutelynecessary,butfacethefieldandcoveryourmouthwhile

doing so.

• Donotbenegativelyinfluencedbyothersbadplay.Forexamplehalfofagoodcatchisa

good pass. Therefore, you need to be concerned about your performance not anyone else’s!

• Nevercomplainorgossipaboutacoachorateammate!Youcan’ttrustanyoneespecially

those you do not know. Although it’s difficult for young people to understand, you’re in competi-

tionwitheverygirlonthefield!Olderplayersmayfearloosingtheirspotontheteamandyoujust

don’t know what one of them may tell the coach you said!

• Whenyouareactivelytrying-out,youmustdoeverythingpossibletodistinguishyourself

fromallothers—upperclassmenincluded!Volunteereverychanceyougetandbewillingto

play any position without hesitation or complaint! Speaking of which complaining, especially if

there are cuts to be made, can be the “kiss of death” for anyone who does it! And, it usually occurs

unknowinglyafterdistanceruns—becarefulwhatyousayandtowhomyousayit!Alongthose

same lines, the lacrosse community is very small so apply this same advice everywhere you go.

• Attry-outsyouwillrunlapsandsuicides,partnerpass,stretch,doshuttles,small-sided

games and end with a full-field scrimmage. When partner passing keep your feet moving as you

stand and wait your turn! When playing small-sided games and scrimmages, coaches will be

lookingtoseewhatyoudo“off-ball.”Off-ballmeanswhenyoudon’thavetheball.Getopen,trail

theplay,setlegalpicksorwhenyou’reintheattackzonepassandcutawayandmakeyourcuts

hardandvocal!Dowhateverittakestomakeyourselfandyourclosestteammateslookgreat!But,

what ever you, do not get caught standing around or even worse talking to a teammate when you

should be playing.

• Accomplishedplayerswillgetopenandmakethemselvesavailabletotheballcarrier.

Theywillalso“check”playersawayfromtheball.Checkingmeanstorunawayfromtheball(tak-

ing a defender with you), square a turn (hit and pivot), and then sprint back into play.

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• Alwaysplaytothewhistle!

• Regardingcheckingastick,risingninthgradersareatadisadvantagesoyoumustlearn

how to do it properly and safely prior to attending your high school try-outs. This may necessitate

youtakingprivateorsemi-privatelessonsorattendingasummercamp.Checkingisatechnique

in which you dislodge the ball from an opponents stick. It’s done with a controlled and educated

wrist!Aquickdownandup,oranellipticalmotion.RememberthewordDUP!Dupisaneologism

combining the words down and up. Musicians can think staccato! You do whatever it takes but as

anUSLacrosseandPIAAUmpire,Icantellyouwithabsolutecertainty,ifyouchecksafelyandcor-

rectly, I as well as my on-field umpiring colleagues will watch others and leave you alone!

• Runtoandthrougheverycatchandwatchtheballgointoyourstickpocket.Ifyouare

having difficulty catching the ball try moving your hands up which will bring the stick closer to the

mid-line of your body. If you drop the ball and everyone does, pick it up quickly and keep moving.

• Beaggressivetogroundballs!Takeanexplosivefirststep;boxoutyouropponentifnec-

essary and never give up until someone gains possessions. If you are playing 1v1 and don’t win the

ball, stay goal-side, get your stick up, slow her down and play tenacious defense. If you are playing

small-sided games like 1v2 or 2x3, it is imperative that one of you attacks the ball but don’t go past

the 12. Keep the ball and the girl you are marking in sight, keep your stick up and in the passing

lane, bend your knees, stay on the balls of your feet, listen to the goal keeper, safely back check the

ball if she runs past you, but above all be vocal by communicating with your teammate.

• Donot“hog”theball!Makeyourteammateslookgoodbythrowingaccuratepassesand

set quick and legal picks.

• Switchandstayswitchedespeciallyintheattackzone.Thehallmarkofanaccomplished

lacrosse player is her ability to use both hands equally well!

• Runtothewhistlewithyourstickextendedafterballsgoingout-of-bounds.

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• Itisimperativethatyoucommunicatewhenyou’replaying.It’snotnaturalforgirlstobe

vocal,butforgetthatnonsense“I’mtooshy!”Donotcallfortheballifyouarenotopen.ByopenI

mean there isn’t an opponent within five yards of your position. That said remember to run to and

through the ball!

• Makeaconsciousefforttocongratulateeverypersonwhoscores,anddon’tforgetto

“high-five” the goalkeeper, too!

• Whentry-outsareover,thankthecoach(s)fortheirtime.Donotleavewithaquestion

unansweredoraskillunlearned.Lastly,makeeveryefforttohelpcleanupbeforeyouleave.

• Don’tbeoverlydisappointedifyoudon’tmakethevarsityteam.Coachesmakemistakes

andit’sreallydifficulttopickthe“bestofthebest!”Convinceyourselfthatyouaregoingtohavea

terrifictimeplayingJV,andlotsofthingscanhappeninalongseason.“Letyoustickdothetalk-

ing,” continue to improve and you may not leave your coach any choice but to play you up. If you

don’t make your dream team, send the coach an e-mail or better yet send them a handwritten

note. For example…

DearCoachFreespace,

Although I’m disappointed not making the team, I am not disheartened. I love this sport

andwillnevergiveuptryingtoimprove.Irealizeyourtimeisvaluablebutdoyougiveprivateles-

sons or could you to tell me what I need to work on to make the team? If I’m successful doing what

you suggest, can I occasionally play up during the season?

Sincerely yours,

Jane Lax-doe

It’s imperative that you phone the high school booster club president and sign up to play 3RL

indoorsattheIceoplexinSouthpointeorPISAatHarmarville.Freshmenwhohavetheskilland

confidence should ask to play on the varsity team. If that is not possible ask if you can play on both

teams.

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Alwaysrememberwhatyoulearnedatsummercamporelsewheremaydifferfromwhatyour

coachteaches.Itdoesn’tmakeonerightandtheotherwrongtherejustdifferent.Youneedto

focus on pleasing the coach you’re with and keep your mind open to learning new things.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:Iwanttothankmyfriend,mentorandcolleagueMs.BeckyLuzierforeditingthiswork.Ms.Luzier

isfinishingherPh.D.attheUniversityWestVirginia.ShewastheheadcoachatUniversityHighin

Morgantown,W.VA.foryearsandiscurrentlythesecondyearheadwomen’scoachatBethelPark

HighSchool.Sheworksfor3RLandSpringTrainingattheIceoplexinSouthpointeanddirectsa

cliniconTuesdaynightatBPHS.Sheisaphenomenalcoachandaterrificrolemodelforgirls!

I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took an excuse.– Florence Nightingale

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