Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by Anonymous
I'm coaching a 2019 team this summer and we as a program have already discussed how to handle any games we have this summer against Edge Lacrosse or any other team playing down. We will go on the attack. We have two poles are large, strong and extremely physical and unfortunately we have to protect some of our smaller players. We will unleash our beasts and instruct them to intimidate, be overly physical and slide early and finish with every once of nastiness you've got. We will change our slide package and early in games we will look to scare the heck out of these older kids. Sound like hockey? Its the only thing I could think of because a few of our attackmen are on the small side and I don't want to see our guys get brutalized by older thugs. Hit first and hard.


Did a coach in a youth sport really write this? Hitting is the least interesting or exciting part of lacrosse, and in my opinion stick checks and well placed body contact is a part of the game...but seeking out to lay a hard line on an opponent with physicality and trying to make a point to hit first and hit hard (or coach that up) has no place in this sport. All of these kids are a concussion away from losing a place on the field in a game they enjoy. This sport lacks a lot of things that make it a clean and sportsmanlike game we all would like to see, but reading this post is a reminder that we have a long ways to go. Just shameless and sad.


What choice do I have, but to be physical early against an older team? I'm not saying I'm going to instruct anyone to hurt another player or cheap it up. We need to set the tone early and then play our game. Have you looked at the photos posted on the thread of the 2019 Edge team? You are worried about their safety?


My son's team played the 2020 Edge team last Fall. They were not all huge, but they had several very thick, mature kids. They also like to play with stick lengths that are very short and probably not legal. They are not invincible....The two teams played twice and split. I suggest you focus on winning face offs and ground balls and trying to keep the ball down in their end, rather than planning how best to lay out their kids.


Ease up fellas, the coach didn't post he was instructing his kids to hurt, maim or lay out the Edge players. I too would focus on ball control but I would also want to send the signal that our guys may be smaller but we are not pushovers. I wouldn't even mention age or size to my players. but I might talk about patriotism. I would aim for 2+ minute possessions if possible. Back up every shot, force nothing, ride like your life depends on it and remember THEY ONLY USE ONE HAND. Overplay the strong hand.