Category: Coaches

by Brian Salgado

Wisconsin Lacrosse Community Comes Together to Bring the Sport to Milwaukee

There’s no question lacrosse has experienced meteoric growth throughout Wisconsin. The participation numbers on the boys’ and girls’ sides of the sport grow exponentially season to season, and new programs sprout every year at every age level. Geographically, lacrosse’s allure has touched just about every part of the Dairy State.

However, as prominent as the sport has become, lacrosse has yet to truly take hold in within Milwaukee’s borders.

On Sunday, the Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation (WLF) led the charge to rectify that situation by hosting the Sankofa Clinic, a diversity and inclusion initiative backed by U.S. Lacrosse aimed at exposing lacrosse to underpriviledged and economically challenged communities.

Courtesy  James Ninomiya

Created in 2013, the Sankofa Lacrosse Alliance (SLA) focuses on supporting efforts to expand the reach of the sport. The SLF draws from its network of players and coaches, including many of the nation’s top current and former African-American players.

Spearheaded by Randy Kohn, a past president of WLF, the clinic was an overwhelming success. A picture-perfect day, weather-wise, saw over 60 athletes interacting with over 50 volunteers at Journey House Packers Field in Mitchell Park on Milwaukee south side.

“To start here and see the number of kids here is kind of overwhelming,” said Erin Ennis, president of the WLF. “The event itself, I think, is fantastic to increase the participation rate down here. The volunteers that have come down from the universities and the various high schools shows the outreach and the willingness to give back to the game and give back to the community that we have here in southeast Wisconsin.”

WLF may be the governing body of lacrosse in Wisconsin, but many organizations came together to make the Sankofa Clinic a reality. Journey House – a not-for-profit focused on empowering families on Milwaukee’s near southside neighborhoods – provided Packers Field for the occasion and had roughly 20 athletes participate in the clinic. PeppNation – another nonprofit that offers after-school programs, summer camps and other events throughout southeastern Wisconsin – also brought the event to the attention of its athletes while donating t-shirts for the occasion.

Courtesy  James Ninomiya 

A handful of Marquette University men’s and women’s lacrosse players dedicated their Sunday morning to the cause, as well.

Marquette University High School boys coach Rich Pruszynski brought a handful of coaches and players to help run the clinic for the boys’ side. University School of Milwaukee girls coach Sam Adey brought coaches and athletes to volunteer, as well.

As the nationwide governing body, US Lacrosse works with the local organizations to plan and implement thee clinics. Sankofa-affiliated players serve as the instructors.

Bryce Woodson, Midwest regional manager for US Lacrosse, was one of a handful of former players leading drills for the athletes at Packers Field. He said he has run Sankofa Clinics and similar events throughout the region, but seeing so many people from different parts of the Wisconsin lacrosse community join forces for this initiative is what stood out Sunday morning.

Courtesy  James Ninomiya 

“I think the fact there’s multiple organizations coming together is incredible,” said Woodson, who played collegiate lax at Ohio State. “Having all this collaboration and group effort for one goal is amazing.”

Spreading the Word

Exposing athletes to the sport is just one of the many barriers to entry underprivileged communities encounter with lacrosse. Once the excitement is in place, a myriad of costs – registration fees, equipment, uniforms, etc. – often stand in the way, as well.

Pruszynski believes once kids are ready to join an organized team in Milwaukee city proper, there is plenty of money to be found to make sure the infrastructure is in place to give them a place to play lacrosse.

Courtesy  James Ninomiya 

“The big key here is, we have to eliminate the barrier to entry, which is money,” said Pruszynski, who also is a senior manager for the Positive Coaching Alliance. “We can continue to get the word out to kids here today to make sure we capture that excitement from today. Once we get these kids saying ‘yes’ to lacrosse, we can continue to work with US Lacrosse and write some more grant requests for more equipment and opportunities.

“If we can get over that hurdle by US Lacrosse assisting with donations, then we’ll be fine,” Pruszynski adds.

Starting from Scratch

Charles Brown knows a thing or two about launching athletic programs. As deputy director of Journey House, he plays a major role in the organization’s youth athletics programs, which include baseball, football and basketball. He knows what it takes to build the infrastructure of a youth sports program.

Courtesy  James Ninomiya 

He also knows what it’s like to get in on a new sport at the ground level. Brown’s love of lacrosse started in the 1970s when his high school in Baltimore launched a program. He played in the first two seasons of a new program his junior and senior years.

He brought his passion for the sport with him to Milwaukee, and ever since joining Journey House 15 years ago, he has wanted to bring lacrosse to his athletes.

Brown knows it will take a lot of work to launch a new program, but it starts with exposing more kids in Milwaukee to the excitement of lacrosse. On Sunday, about 20 of his 100 football players attended the clinic.

“But you got to start it if you’re going to expose them to it, and the clinic provides that,” Brown said. “We’re going to get a program, we’ll have a team, and more kids will see

Catching Lax Fever

The excitement was palpable throughout the morning as kids learned the very basics of the sport from Sankofa’s instructors, elite players themselves. Athletes were taught how to cradle the ball in the nets of their sticks, how to fire a shot at the goal with force and accuracy, and how to position their entire body to ensure they catch the ball in the air.

Most of all, they learned that a sport they hadn’t given a second thought before participating in the Sankofa Clinic was more fun than they could have imagined. Take it from Roseana Mendez, an 11-year-old pioneer in her own right who tried lacrosse for the first time Sunday morning. She already plays football and baseball on all-boys teams, often as the only girl on the squad.

“I really didn’t know anything [about lacrosse] other than from movies and shows that I’ve seen,” Mendez said after the clinic. “Then I came here and started understanding the sport. It’s an interesting sport, it’s new to me, and I would like to try it.”

by WisconsinLacrosse

Girl’s Rule Changes

US Lacrosse announced the 2018 rule changes and points of emphasis for youth and high school girls’ lacrosse. The US Lacrosse Rules Committee worked in collaboration with the National Federation of State High School Associations to develop the rules and points of emphasis.

The points of emphasis for 2018 highlight safety and the quality of the game:

  • Illegal Defensive Positioning: Emphasize the three second and shooting space rules to ensure that offense has the ability to create safe shooting opportunities.
  • Contact in the Midfield: Deliberate illegal contact (cross-checks/pushing) made to the body on players in a defenseless position must be carded.
  • Crosse in the Sphere: Stress that it is the responsibility of the defender to keep her stick out of the sphere and throat area of the ball carrier. Violations are a major foul, and repeated violations may be carded.
  • Professionalism: The rules committee continues to encourage all coaches, players, officials and administrators to conduct themselves in a professional manner before, during and immediately following all contests.

Several changes to the rules concern the draw, including the draw setup, which will require players to keep their crosses parallel to and above the center line. Players on the draw circle and the restraining line will be allowed to have their sticks touch the ground, making the draw consistent with other elements of play. Early starts by players not taking the draw will result in the ball going to the non-offending team at the spot of the ball, not the spot of the foul. An illegal draw by a player will result in a free position at the center line with the offending player placed four meters away and illegal draws by both players will result in a redraw.

Other changes include allowing the optional use of a 120-yard unified field for both boys’ and girls’ lacrosse to allow schools the option of lining one set of shared field markings, disallowing stick checks during timeouts and allowing table personnel to use a horn to notify officials of a timeout request by a coach.

At the youth level, rule changes include requiring pelvic protection for goalies, establishing guidelines for a goalkeeper free clear, and clarifying language that allows for legal contact during play, as long as the contact does not physically force an opponent off of her position or path.

 

A complete overview of all girls’ rules is available here 

by WisconsinLacrosse

Coaching Convention

The Forward Lacrosse Coaching Convention is Wisconsin’s largest lacrosse educational event EVER!

DATE AND TIME

Sun, February 18, 2018   12:00 PM – 4:00 PM CST

LOCATION

Kettle Moraine High School
349 North Oak Crest Drive
Wales, WI 53183

With Headliners, Team USA Attackmen and Marquette Assistant Coach, Ryan Brown, and 2-time Big East Champion starting goalie from Marquette University, Cole Blazer. Other special guests include local Division III coaches from Illinois Wesleyan University, MSOE and more. The event features local successful High School coaches from all three Wisconsin conferences, as well as representatives from High School governing bodies and advisory groups such as; Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation and Wisconsin Lacrosse Coaching Association.

Similar to the US Lacrosse Convention in Baltimore, this event will be formatted in an educational “session” style which will be tailored to all audiences interested in learning more about, coaching, program development and general lacrosse knowledge. Attendees will learn:

  • New coaching methods to help individual players achieve better performance and better team cohesion.
  • Coaching theories that apply to a wide variety of scenarios.
  • Strategies to give coaches and players the edge during competition.

This event offers knowledge from some of the best coaches the area that can be easily implemented into any team or program.

Utilizing both on-field sessions with live demonstration from local High School and Youth players, and classroom sessions designed for idea and discussion based sessions tailored to both coaching as well as program development. Built into the day will be opportunities for Q&A with presenters along with opportunities to network with other local coaches in order to strengthen our lacrosse community.

Since multiple sessions will be going at once, we will be recording all of the sessions and giving access to those who attend. There will also be a booklet with each session’s information, such as drill diagrams and key points.

Tickets are available at the link below 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/forward-lacrosse-coaching-convention-tickets-42476277690

by WisconsinLacrosse

Superior Girls Program joining WLF

The Superior, WI girl’s lacrosse program is joining the Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation effective this 2018 season as an independent club.

Previously, the program was a member of a Minnesota association but restructuring in Minnesota lacrosse programs forced the move.     “One of our bigger challenges is our location so we’ll be looking to book multiple games over the weekends.” Said Rob Downs, Superior Girls Coach.

This will be the 3rd season for the program.

Anyone looking to book games can contact Rob Downs here

 

 

by MARK JAMIESON

Please don’t yell at the youth officials. 

I was at the Piggly Wiggly the other day and a young employee wearing a green apron, was stacking canned corn.  It was clearly his first week on the job and I could tell he was doing the best he could.  What caught my attention to this was a few adults standing about 20 feet from him, right there in aisle 5, screaming at the top of their lungs, “You’re doing it wrong! Learn how to stack cans! Go back to produce!”

Completely insane, right? Someone should call the cops.

Did this really happen?  Sort of.  But instead of a green apron and aisle 5. It was stripes and a lacrosse field.  Short of the canned corn, the story is true.

Next time you are at your son’s or daughter’s youth lacrosse game.  Take look at the young person who is officiating.   He or she, has taken the effort to learn their sport from an entirely new perspective.  They’ve passed the rules test and have spent multiple days in classrooms and field education for the right to wear the US Lacrosse patch on the sleeve of their stripes.

While most of these high schoolers only have a handful of years left to play the game, if they can master the art and science of officiating, they can stay active in lacrosse for the next 40.

Most of the young athletes who take the leap into officiating do so for lots of reasons, they can make a little money, their high school coach has encouraged them or they are looking to get a better understanding of their sport. Maybe they just want to work with younger players.

Every year we have a roomful of kids wanting to be officials and by the second season we’re lucky if a handful have returned.

So how come?

To be perfectly honest.  It’s you.  (yeah, I’m looking at you).

Think about it, the most important people in a young athlete’s life are parents, adult family, friends and of course coaches.  But when they put on the stripes it’s those very same people screaming non-constructive feedback.

Like anyone new to the job, there’s stuff to learn. Nobody’s perfect on day one. (Heck, I have yet to be perfect after day 1400)

But here’s the deal.  Lacrosse needs those kids.  Not only to officiate the youth games of today and the high school games of tomorrow.   These are the soon to be men and women who will officiate future national championship games.

Or not.

Please don’t crush them before they get started.   Instead, do something completely unexpected.

Thank them.

 

Mark Jamieson is the Communications Director for the Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation and a Certified US Lacrosse Level 3 Official.

Earlier this season he spent 2 completely miserable, cold, rainy, early Wisconsin spring days helping with the field training of the youth officials. Not once did any of the young people complain or quit early.       

 

by Chelsea Mueller

Lacrosse Preseason

Preseason captains’ practices started last week and I shoveled snow off my driveway this morning. With temperatures below freezing, it’s hard to imagine that green grass, months like April and May or short sleeves still exist; however, in seven short weeks the first games of the 2017 season will be played. Snow will (hopefully) be gone, fields will be lined and players will step onto fields, bundled in layers, to begin another season. Watching players in these first practices is so exciting because we get see the beginnings of a team and their potential. Walking into open gyms, beginning to pass, getting in the first rounds of wall ball for 2017, rust begins falling off of sticks that sat idle for too long in the offseason. Returning players step up and take ownership of their team – setting the tone for practices and games to come. New girls who have never touched a lacrosse stick learn the fundamentals. With every caught pass and moderately on target throw, their confidence – and by extension, the team’s confidence –  grows. To think that come May, these same girls – girls who currently can barely cradle let alone catch a pass on the fly – will be zooming up and down the field only builds anticipation for the weeks and months to come.

This is when a team begins. Of course, there are returning players and already formed relationships, but each season is full of fresh perspective and new approaches to the game. Key players graduate, leaving space for new players to show up and deliver. New plays are hashed out, skills are added to the arsenal. There are many exciting moments in a season – first goals, big upsets, deep playoff runs … the list could go on; however, preseason is one of my favorites because it is full opportunity. It’s a bit of a blank canvas and with our players we can create an incredible team and season. Best of luck to the coaches, officials, players and parents beginning the season, make it a great one.

by WisconsinLacrosse

2017 Girls’ rule changes

Effective for the 2017 girls’ high school lacrosse season, US Lacrosse has announced the following rules changes.  US Lacrosse writes the rules for high school girls’ lacrosse, and those rules are endorsed by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

“The rule changes and approved revisions are a continued effort to minimize the risk of injury in girls’ lacrosse,” said Kathy Westdorp, chair of the NFHS girls’ lacrosse rules committee and a member of the US Lacrosse Women’s Rules Subcommittee. “Several of the rule revisions will reinforce that effort.”

US Lacrosse also authors separate rules that govern youth girls’ lacrosse. Those youth rule sets, also effective January 1, 2017, will be announced in mid-September.

The approved 2017 high school rule changes include updates on eyewear and headgear equipment certifications, the allowance of some ball contact by players, and clarifications on the requirements for the Obstruction of Free Space penalty.

Arguably the most noteworthy revision involves the rule governing the draw. Beginning in 2017, players below the restraining lines on the draw may not cross the lines until possession has been established. This rule change was influenced by concerns that the number of players contesting the ball, either in the air or on the ground, following the draw often leads to a scenario where an excessive number of players were competing in close physical contact.

“By limiting the number of players attempting to put the ball in play after the draw, we trust that there will be fewer fouls and that the ball will more quickly be put into play,” said Laurette Payette, a member of the US Lacrosse Women’s Officials Subcommittee. “The focus of the officials will be on the six players (three for each team) between the restraining lines.”

A player leaving the restraining line early, before possession is established, shall be penalized.

“The rules that govern the game play an important role in both safety and growth,” said Kristen Murray, chair of the US Lacrosse Board of Directors and a girls’ high school coach. “We continue to look for opportunities to simplify the rules to make it easier for officials to make calls and to improve the flow of the game. We want lacrosse to be a safe, fun and enriching experience for everyone who plays.

“We appreciate the efforts of the volunteer officials and coaches who spearheaded the comprehensive rules review and approval process. This process included a thorough review of suggested rule changes submitted to US Lacrosse and NFHS, as well as a review of pertinent injury surveillance statistics.”

A closer look at all the rule changes approved by the US Lacrosse Women’s Game Committee is below. Rule references are from the 2016 US Lacrosse Rule Book and will change for 2017.

Rule 2, Section 9: Outlines the certification changes to eyewear protection.

Rule 2, Section 10: Outlines the ASTM certification changes to headgear.

Rule 5, Section 1: Players below the restraining lines on the draw may not cross until possession has been established.

Rule 5, Section 28: Stick checks may only be requested during a stoppage of the game clock.

Rule 5, Section 28: Stick checks may be requested immediately following regulation or overtime.

Rule 6, Section 1: Adjusted the “note” to remove ‘looking to shoot’ from the Obstruction of Free Space criteria.

Rule 6, Section 2f: Added the wording “except with a kicking action on a non-shooting attempt” to the rule that ‘players may not use their bodies to play the ball.’

Rule 7, Section2: Penalty administration for dangerous shot and illegal shot to be aligned, with the ball being given to the closest defender no closer than 8m to the goal.

In addition, secondary material has been further defined in the Manufacturers Specifications, and the alternate officials duties are now stated within the Appendix.

Suggestions for future rule changes and modifications may also be submitted hereat any time. All submissions are reviewed by the US Lacrosse Women’s Game Rules Subcommittee.

by WisconsinLacrosse

Get the most out of your practices

There’s no better place for your players to improve than practice, but only if that time is used wisely. US Lacrosse has several resources to help coaches position their players for success, and the latest offering is a series of age-appropriate practice guides for boys and girls.

These guides, available free of charge on the US Lacrosse web site, emphasize station-based practices and can work as a “canned curriculum” for a brand new lacrosse coach as well as a starting point to help even the most experienced coach plan practices in a way that the kids will love. Each plan has been carefully crafted to put the athlete first to help them reach their full potential.

There are four books total in the series, each available in PDF format:

Each book includes an overview of the concept of station-based practices, guides to key objectives for success depending on the age of your athletes, several complete practice plans and a sampling of age-appropriate drills that you can utilize in your own practice schedule.

by WisconsinLacrosse

Level 1 Coach Development Program
Upcoming Coach Development Clinic in

Sun Prairie
We are pleased to announce a Level 1 Coach Development Program (CDP) Clinic being held in Sun Prairie. Receive instruction on the responsibilities and philosophies of coaching and how to provide a safe and athlete-centered environment that emphasizes positive growth and sportsmanship.

Level 1 Clinic
February 12, 2016 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Sun Prairie High School
Cost: $75 – includes lunch and clinic materials
Registration: Men’s Game | Women’s Game
Learn More

by WisconsinLacrosse

What’s the rule?

Each season the US Lacrosse Officials Education Program receives emails from coaches, players, parents, and officials on game situations wondering what the correct ruling is. Here are the top 10 questions from the 2016 season.

1. Player A is legally body checked and falls to the ground. While on the ground, he still chops at the other player’s stick with his own. I called this as illegal procedure, but the coach wanted to see it in the rulebook. Was this the right call? I could not find any ruling in the rulebook. My thoughts were it gave him an advantage to be on the ground.

A: There is no advantage gained from playing while on the ground. That player is likely more disadvantaged than the opposing players because his movement is significantly limited while on the ground. Remember that NFHS Rule 5.3 states that it is illegal to body check an opponent who is on the ground (stick checks are okay), and the rulebook does allow for the player on the ground to legally participate in play if he is able to.

2. Can a player be flagged twice for going offside once, returning to his half of the field, and then going offside again?

A: No. NFHS Rule 4.10 Situation F is clear on this game situation: “The same player going offside twice is one technical foul.” This is why many coaches will tell the player that went offside to go and play defense because the team may then play with 8 defenders (7 + 1 goalie) and increase their chances of putting the ball on the ground during the flag down.

3. Offensive player shoots and scores, the ball enters the goal first and then the player touches the crease due to his normal momentum. Is the goal good or does the player entering the crease wipe out the goal?

A: NFHS Rule 4.9.2.n states that a player “may legally score a goal and touch the crease area, provided the ball enters the goal before the contact and with the crease and his feet are grounded prior to, during and after a shot.” As long as the player does not dive (remains grounded) and he touches on or inside the crease line then the goal stands.

4. Assistant coach of Team A is holding a stick while on the sideline during a game. Coach of Team B asks for that stick to be checked. Referee rules it violates pocket depth and issues the penalty per the rules. Does the stick check apply to coaches or just to the players?

A: Under NFHS rules a coach-requested equipment check must refer to a specific player on the opposing team. The major reason is because under NFHS rules the officials must also check the required equipment of a player, and that cannot be done on a coach. According to NFHS Rule 4.27.1 these requests must be made during a dead ball and only one player’s equipment and crosse may be inspected per coach request. The coach may not ask the officials to check the assistant coach’s crosse, nor may be point to a stick on the opponent’s bench and ask the officials to check it. The request must be for a specific player on the opposing team.

5. When are horns permitted? Some folks say they are no longer allowed; or is their use more narrowly specified?

A: Horns are no longer permitted in games played under NFHS rules. All substitutions must be made on the fly. There are youth provisions permitting horns for play in the U9 and U11 age divisions if the local league authorizes their use (NFHS rulebook page 107).

6. Team A is man up and loses possession of the ball right before the end of a period. Team B (man down) gains and maintains possession when the period ends (still man down). Question: Is there a faceoff to begin the next period or does Team B (man down) get the ball?

A: There is no faceoff. Team B gets possession to start the next period at the spot the ball was when the period ended. Rule 4.3.1. Exceptions 1: “In the event of an extra-man situation or a flag-down creating an extra-man situation at the conclusion of a period, the next period shall be commenced by awarding possession of the ball in the same relative position on the field to the team that had possession of the ball (or is entitled to possession by a play-on) at the conclusion of the prior period.” This is why many coaches when there is short time on the clock but longer time on the penalty tell their players to hold onto the ball and not shoot. This is only applicable on a flag-down or when there is an uneven situation. If Team A and Team B have one player in the penalty box then even if one team has possession at the end of the period the next period will start with a faceoff.

7. A goal is scored using a stick that is found to be illegal after a coach requests a stick check to an official during the dead ball before the next faceoff. Does that goal count or should it be waived off? Also, if the player scored multiple goals are all of the goals he scored waived off?

A: The goal should be waved off, the shooter serves the penalty time (1-minute deep pocket, or 3-minutes for any other violation), and the ball is awarded to the opposing team at Center X. Rule 5.5 Situation F states: “Team B is a man down and A1 scores. Before the next whistle, it is discovered A1 was playing with an illegal crosse. RULING: Goal does not count. A1 serves a one- or three-minute non-releasable penalty.” The only goal that gets waived off is the goal scored right before the equipment check that discovered the illegal crosse. If the player scored goals earlier then they remain on the board.

8. During play an official blew his whistle. The defense stopped playing once the whistle was heard, but the offensive player continued to advance toward the goal. He made a shot after the whistle and scored. The officials counted the goal. Should play have been stopped after the whistle?

A: Rule 7.13.3 states: “In the event of an inadvertent whistle, play shall be suspended immediately. The team with possession or entitled to possession when the whistle was blown shall retain possession.” In this situation the goal should not count because the official blew his whistle creating a dead ball. Had the ball been loose outside the crease possession would be awarded via AP. Loose inside the crease awarded to the defensive team. If a team had possession, they would retain possession for the next restart. Rule 4.9.2.f further clarifies that a goal is not counted “after one of the officials has sounded the whistle for any reason, even if the sounding of the whistle is inadvertent.”

9. If a player has five minutes in penalties, he has fouled out. However, if the player in question had three 1-minute fouls. He served 4.5 minutes for them, as we were in a running clock game. So is the 4.5 minutes of time served count towards the five minutes or is it based on the actual time called out by the referee for the foul(s); 3 minutes?

A: The rulebook is quiet on this calculation for running time games, and the convention is to use the penalty time that would be assessed in a stop-time game for the purposes of determining disqualification. Three-minutes of personal fouls (4.5 minutes in running time games) would mean the player still has two minutes of penalty time before being disqualified. As a point of clarification technical fouls do not count toward minutes before being disqualified, only personal fouls.

10. If there are 5 long poles on the field, what is the penalty? Illegal stick, 3 minutes non-releasable or something else? Offending team did not have possession.

A: This is not considered an illegal crosse. This is illegal procedure and is a technical foul according to NFHS Rule 6.5.2.p: “having more than four long crosses in a game.” If the ball is loose this is a turnover to the opposing team. If the opposing team has possession of the ball while there are 5 long poles on the field then a flag should be thrown.

The Officials Education Program enjoys reading and answering the questions. If you have a question from a game this summer let us know by filling out the form here.