This weeks game summary I was able to watch most of the games or at least a half of the games. (Not looking to start negative discussion but rather talk about play)
Common Mistakes noticed in all the games. Still saw a lot of teams not use the shot clock to their advantage but rather it was to their detriment. Coaching through the box and managing players coming on and off the field caused for player confusion. I really noticed at a 2028 game where players where not ready to come on the field and a team was 2 players down in transition.
lose.
Box substitutions/coaching are horrific throughout 2028-2029 except for the very top teams. Coaches seem intent on subbing out middies, even defending fast breaks, and in almost all cases, it leads to a LONGER not SHORTER man-down (or 2 man down) defense for their team. I've watched so many times over the past few years, the SSDM or LSM (or both) has sprinted 3 steps on the field, and their team gives up a goal. That is just poor coaching. Coaches also seem intent on pulling LSMs off the field immediately upon possession, and several times a game you'll see the LSM still trotting off when his offense turns it over and the ball heads back the other way. It's hard to watch.
So why do coaches do it? My guesses: 1- Tryouts lead to the selection of long legged, goofy/skinny LSMs who can't really defend, can't really body up, and certainly don't "know defense." 2 - Tryouts lead to the selection of some big LSMs who can't actually play offense except from running it up and shooting vs lower quality defenders. 3 - Tryouts lead to the selection of fast midfielders who straight up refuse to ride or play any defense in a real game situation (as soon as tryouts are over). Which creates the need to quickly get them off the field when the offensive unit loses possession.
Amen, and don’t get me started on how they evaluate/coach/play defense overall.
As a lifelong player and a nearly 10 year coach, "how they evaluate" for any possession (except goalie and attack) prior to 9th grade is: Speed (50%), Height (30%), Aggression (10%), All other combined stick skills, position skills, and IQ (10%). If you watch mediocre (Hoco AA and AAA) teams play at 7th grade and 8th grade, you'll notice that the play is fast.....but not good. Poor FO technique, missed passes, poor clears, half-hearted rides, ridiculous low percentage shots, running into double teams, etc.
Hey but the boys are big, fast, and "buzzin'" so I assume it's good lacrosse lol.
Lax is a game of speed. It's pretty difficult to play at a high level, regardless of your stick skills and game IQ if you don't have elite speed.
The best middle school clubs still prioritize speed/height/aggression but they are drawing from a talent pool where everyone has a good stick and excellent game IQ.
In middle school, the physical differences in kids due to varying starts in puberty is so vast that it has to be a primary factor. I know one kid that in 5th grade looked like the next Grant Ament. Kid wasn't big but was super quick with ridiculous dodges and great vision. Fast forward to 8th grade and he hasn't grown an inch. He still has the same speed/stick/IQ but now defenders are even faster and have 50-70 lbs on him. He now looks pedestrian.
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