This Highlighter of Wednesday’s Weekly Lacrosse Tips is about preparing for practice the right way. Nothing is worse than a bad practice, and you play like you practice. So make sure every practice is your very best effort with the help of Stringers Society.
Preparing for Practice – Every Day MUST Be A Success
Don’t let yourself have a bad practice because it directly translates to your game play. Every practice is a chance to improve, and wasting that chance is unacceptable. If you really want to be a great lacrosse player, it starts with a good practice.
Hydrate Like You Mean It
Taking care of your physical health is the most important part of practice. If you aren’t hydrated, you will suffer the consequences. This is an
“You are over 60% water, keep it that way”
The same goes for making sure you are eating correctly. Your body is a machine, and if you try to run it on garbage that’s all you’ll be at practice.
Never Be the Last One Out There
Besides the fact that you should want to play lacrosse as much as possible, you need as much practice as possible if you want to be great. That extra ten minutes of wall ball before practice every day adds up.
“More Time In, More Production Out”
At the end of the season, that could be a few whole practices you have under your belt that your teammates don’t. This will also help you never be late. Try to remember this golden rule. Fifteen minutes early is on time, and on time is late.
Practice Like You Play, Play Like You Practice
If you are one of those players that just expects to “turn it on” once the game starts but glide through practice, think again. No matter the sport, you need to always be practicing in a game-like atmosphere.
“Don’t Be A Gamer”
Every rep should bring on a 4th quarter mentality so that when the game is really on the line you don’t have to second guess anything.
Challenge Yourself & Your Teammates, But Not Your Coach
Even if you hate your Coach, it’s your Coach and you must listen to them. They have a vision for your team and you may not get it yet. If you try to become the Coach and direct practice, you’ll be sorry.
“Don’t Try To Start A Mutiny”
You might find yourself off the team, or even ruin it for everyone else. If you really think there’s a problem, talk to your parent and ask for their advice. If you think you’re just being sensitive, then you probably are and need to toughen up. You can’t like everyone and you’ll have to make the best of it.
Put The Team Above You
It’s a team. You must help the team and do what you can to make it the most successful team possible. If you are disappointed with your role, you only have a few options.
“Play For The Name On The Front Of The Jersey, Not The Name On The Back”
The best case scenario is to put in extra work, support your teammates, and grind all the way to where you want to be. If you don’t like that option, then maybe you should pick up an individual sport like golf, singles tennis, or track/swimming without being part of a relay.
