Instant Payday Loans No Credit Check Instant Payday Loans No Credit Check

Tag Archive for lacrosse training

Build A Better Athlete: Maximize your gains after you train

mcherenson / May 31, 2012 / No comments

From: ESPNHS

As part of ESPN’s Build A Better Athlete series, Sarah Snyder, coordinator of sports nutrition at University of Florida, has nutritious post-workout shake recipes that will help athletes maximize their muscle repair and growth.

“Right after a workout, the muscle-building and repair process begins. The longer you wait to take in nutrients, the longer it will take your body to absorb them and your window for recovery closes.

Each recovery smoothie recipe below includes some sort of protein, whether it’s yogurt, milk or whey protein. Protein repairs muscle tissue damage and stimulates growth after a workout. Whey protein absorbs in your system quickly, while casein protein continues the process.

The other key ingredients you need in your post-workout shake are carbohydrates. The sugar you get from chocolate milk or cherry juice are two good examples of carbohydrates.

Anything with a high fat content in the shake isn’t ideal because it takes longer to break down. So try not to go overboard on the peanut butter or use ice cream.

 POST-WORKOUT SHAKE RECIPES

Strawberry Banana Orange Smoothie
1 cup Greek yogurt for protein and probiotics
8 oz. of orange juice for Vitamin C
1/2 banana for potassium
1/2 cup of strawberries for Vitamin C and fiber

Very Berry Smoothie
1 cup Greek yogurt
8 oz. skim milk
1/4 cup frozen blackberries for antioxidants
1/4 cup frozen blueberries for antioxidants
1/2 frozen strawberries for Vitamin C and some fiber

Chocolate Banana Shake
8 oz. low-fat chocolate milk
1/2 frozen banana
1 scoop of 100 percent chocolate whey protein
Ice

Strawberry Banana Shake
1 scoop of 100 percent vanilla whey protein
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 frozen banana
1-2 tsp. of honey
8 oz. of orange juice or skim milk

A shake is ideal for athletes after their workouts because it will digest quickly and will get nutrients in their systems right away.”

Share your recipes here.

 

 

 

Category: Lacrosse IQ / Tags: , , , , , , ,

Hydration is Essential to Athletic Performance

mcherenson / May 22, 2012 / No comments

From http://sportscoachhub.com/

“If you have teenagers, you know that they’re probably the most hydrated age group on the planet. For some, drinking water becomes almost a fetish and certainly is a common teen affectation.

“Younger kids, however, will drink when they’re thirsty – sometimes not until they’re REALLY thirsty. They dutifully bring their water or sports drink bottle to practice and to games but rarely bother to use it. As soon it gets just a little bit tepid, they’ll have nothing to do with it.

 

“Not that you need one more thing to think about, but try to monitor how much they’re drinking during practice and games. With the heat of summer on the way, they’re going to lose more water through sweat and physical activity and need to replenish themselves.

“Dehydration is very common among kids playing youth sports, and they need to be aware of the importance of consuming fluids to keep themselves alert. According to the Mayo Clinic’s website, common symptoms of moderate dehydration include headache and lightheadedness as well as sleepiness and fatigue, all of which puts the player at risk of suffering a painful injury through not being sharp. They won’t see that baseball headed toward them, for example, or will twist an ankle from running awkwardly because they’re sluggish.

“Symptoms of severe dehydration can include rapid heartbeat and breathing, drop in blood pressure, among other severe concerns, all of which are very preventable with a bit of parental nudging to drink while on the bench.

“Coaches and parents should know – and watch for – symptoms of dehydration. We also need to know the basics of how to treat other common youth sports injuries. Which is why I was happy to find a new website from Safe Kids USA that offers some basic tutorials and instruction to help us prepare for safety concerns ranging from dehydration and heat illness to concussions. Check it out.”

Category: Lacrosse IQ / Tags: , , , , ,

What Boys Can Learn From Girls Lacrosse – Part 2

mcherenson / April 27, 2012 / No comments

This week on this blog, we posted an article on what boys can learn from girls’ lacrosse. The article was re-posted on Lacrosse Playground and received several comments from what seem to be men, demeaning girls lacrosse as “inferior” to the boys’ game.  The comments called girls’ lacrosse “lame”  and the points present in the blog “a joke.”

First, the Lacrosse IQ blog is focused on developing the Lacrosse IQ for all players and to develop a higher IQ, players and coaches must become students of the game and sports overall. Closing the mind to other sports – including those across the gender lines — will retard the development of a higher lacrosse IQ. Simply, when boys call another sport lame and fail to open their minds to learn from it, they deny themselves the ability to grow as athletes and lacrosse players.  Lacrosse players can learn angles and anticipation from tennis, torque and follow-through from golf, bowling and baseball, vision from hockey and basketball, etc. If you’re not learning as a lacrosse player, you’re not growing.

Next, the post was written from the perspective of male lacrosse coaches, educators and former college players. The negative comments depict a pervasive attitude in men’s lacrosse that a sport without contact is less-than and provides no insights into the sport overall. This could not be further from the truth and frankly undermines the boys’ games and the development of players. Boys lacrosse players and coaches should be watching and learning from girls’ lacrosse and vice versa.  If you don’t, you do so at your own peril because those who do, will develop a higher lacrosse IQ.

While the warlike element of lacrosse is often touted, lacrosse historians remind us that it was called the medicine game and the creator game and was seen as a spiritual journey and that’s exactly how our boys and girls should view the sport… a journey.

Take the journey. Open the mind and develop the body. Grow your lacrosse IQ.

Please share your comments here.

Category: Lacrosse IQ / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What boys can learn from girls’ lacrosse.

mcherenson / April 24, 2012 / One comment

A men’s lacrosse game may attract larger crowds but listen up, boys – there is a lot that can be learned from girls’ lacrosse and by no means should the female version of the game be ignored or downplayed.  There are some key differences between boys and girls lacrosse – from the physicality allowed to the sticks used to the rules enforced – that have changed the way girls are playing the game…and in a good way.

To begin with, girls’ lacrosse is a purer form of the game, with a lineage closer to the sport’s early history.  In the female version of the game, players abide by rules that are closer to the original regulations, with being “out of bounds” only recently resulting in a stoppage of play.

The sticks used in girls’ lacrosse have a shallower pocket than the sticks boys use in their games.  This lack of pocket depth forces girls to be more aware of where the ball is, since the ball is more likely to fall out of a shallow pocket.  For this same reason, girls also must be aware of their body positioning, grip placement, and stick location at all times since any false movement could mean loss of the ball.  From this, boys can see how increased awareness makes girls more attentive to the physical aspect of the competition and can learn to increase focus on the mechanics of the game.

Girls are also experts at defensive positioning.  Much like in basketball, girls’ lacrosse players are not permitted to openly check each other so girls don’t have the option of knocking another player out of position.  Instead, girls are always aware of their location and must be precise about their positioning.  If boys can add this additional consciousness to their game, they would be able to improve their method of body-checking while remaining in proper position to defend their goal as necessary.

Teamwork is also hyper-important in girls’ lacrosse.  In the girls’ game, each player needs to always be aware of their position on the field and communication plays a huge role in that.  When the whistle is blown to stop the game, girls are not permitted to move.  Therefore, they must think ahead when they see a ball going out-of-bounds.  It can be easier to beat someone one-on-one without the physicality allowed in boy’s lacrosse, so girls rely on their teammates to let them know when their competitors are in their area so they can make the moves necessary to retain ball possession.  Enhancing team communication for boys’ lacrosse can make a team stronger and more primed on both the offensive and defensive zones of the field.

# # #

Category: Lacrosse IQ / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Why coaches need training, too.

mcherenson / April 18, 2012 / No comments

Released only days ago, the 2011 US Lacrosse Participation Survey reported that more than 680,000 athletes participated on an organized lacrosse team in 2011, which is an increase of approximately 60,000 players since 2010.  This represents the largest one-year increase since US Lacrosse began tracking national data in 2001.

There is no doubt about it – lacrosse awareness is spreading and interest in the game is exploding.  While participation numbers are growing each year at every level of the game, more than half of the total players compete at the youth level (15 years of age and under).  And with all these new young athletes stepping up to the stick, the sport will, more than ever before, need experienced and knowledgeable coaches to train them.

At the younger lacrosse levels, many town teams are being coached by well meaning parents of players who want to help out and spend time with their children . . .but know very little about the game itself.  While this motivation is great, it would be even better if it were paired with training and lacrosse education.  New lacrosse players need to learn the fundamentals of the game early on and without an experienced coach their chances of doing so are slim.

Youth lacrosse coaches need to have specific skills that would not have been acquired along the way while coaching another sport or watching lacrosse on TV.  They need to be well-informed about lacrosse-specific skills, on everything from how variations in how a player holds his/her stick will change the way a player throws to why different offensive tactics will work for some teams but not others.  Good training programs will not only assist less experienced coaches to be positive role models and great motivators but will also educate them on how to effectively, safely, and age-appropriately coach young players.

Town programs work very well for instilling the love of the game in children but would be better prepared to develop more well-trained players by investing more resources in the training of coaches.  There are also certification courses available (such as the Coaching Education Program offered by US Lacrosse) for coaches to obtain necessary knowledge about the sport and about coaching, specifically.  Beyond that there are private clubs that may be able to provide additional training resources.

For a lacrosse player to advance and become a better athlete, he or she requires proper coaching, which might need to be found beyond the town program.  For a more advanced education, there are training academies and elite leagues that youngsters can participate in.  Similar to ice hockey, these training academies provide specific skill development that is not available at the town or school level.  These league teams consist of separate, individual teams made up of the best players and trained by skilled, certified coaches.

# # #

Category: Lacrosse IQ / Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

So What Do College Lacrosse Coaches Look For?

mcherenson / April 2, 2012 / No comments

Athleticism and Lacrosse IQ

University of Virginia’s men’s head lacrosse coach Dom Starsia discusses the qualities he looks for during the recruiting process. (Original link)

Category: Lacrosse IQ / Tags: , , , , , , , ,

So What Do you Eat Before You Play?

mcherenson / March 28, 2012 / 7 comments

Here are some youth sports nutrition tips from the JustMommies blog…

Offering high – carbohydrate foods (also called complex carbohydrates) versus high protein and fatty foods two to three hours before a game is very important to maintain the energy needed for them. Some examples of high-carbohydrate foods are foods such as pastas, breads and cereal which are digested quicker than high-protein and fatty foods. Unfortunately, most children, and adults, forget just how important nutrition is to good health and athletic performance.

Fruit is actually an excellent source of complex carbohydrates and fluids and can be eaten one to two hours before a sporting event.  My children enjoy raw, dried and canned fruits or fruit juice before we head out to a game.

Fluids are extremely important, before, during and after a game and my children have discovered that staying hydrated makes for a better performance.  For elementary and middle-school aged children, eight ounces of water before, during and after the sporting event is extremely important, especially if the outdoor temperatures are high. During a game, athletes should be allowed to take fluid breaks when needed to maintain their best and safest performance, and of course, caffeinated and carbonated beverages are not recommended.

If your child tires easily in practice and appears irritable, and their performance suddenly declines, dehydration may be the cause. The following are more signs that your child is dehydrated:

  • Dry lips and tongue
  • Sunken eyes
  • Bright colored or dark urine or urine with a strong odor
  • Infrequent urination
  • Apathy or lack of energy
  • Thirst

So pack up those water bottles and sport drinks (and don’t forget the fruit) and head out after a healthy meal full of high-carbohydrates to enjoy your child’s sporting activity.

SO WHAT ARE YOU EATING BEFORE YOU PLAY? Share your tips here.

Read more: http://www.justmommies.com/articles/sports-nutrition-tips.shtml#ixzz1qQvhyCe4

Category: Lacrosse IQ / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Help maximize your child’s lacrosse potential

mcherenson / March 22, 2012 / One comment

Your child’s learning to play lacrosse? That’s awesome – it’s a wonderful sport with deep historical roots and an emphasis on speed, endurance, coordination, and teamwork. And it’s lots of fun.

As a parent, you want to make sure your youngster gets the most out of their new pursuit – in terms of both exercise and enjoyment – while maximizing their potential. Of course, there are a number of factors that will influence your child’s ability to reach that potential.

One of the most important of these factors can actually come directly from you. Your perspective on competition and its role in your kid’s life will absolutely influence their athletic experience. If you communicate the upbeat message that sports are fun, and that you’re proud of his or her efforts on the field, your child will internalize this positive input and get greater enjoyment from practices and games.

Access to high-quality training is also very important. The earlier your child begins learning proper technique, the better. Once a bad habit forms, it’s very difficult to “un-learn” – your child will need even more training to help eliminate flawed techniques. So provide excellent instruction from the start, and you’ll enhance your youngster’s enjoyment and pace of improvement.

Other factors that directly impact lacrosse potential are:

  • Athletic environment (does your child have a safe, comfortable place to practice and play?)
  • Involvement by parents and siblings (are sports part of the positive family dynamic?)
  • Exposure to other sports. When a child plays multiple sports, they have the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of athleticism. They maximize the development of a collective sports IQ by learning different skills and how to play their best in a variety of scenarios.
  • Practice. Any child who wishes to improve skills (no matter how much innate talent they possess) must practice regularly.

# # #

Category: Lacrosse IQ / Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Skills Every Child Can Master for Lacrosse (and Life) Success

mcherenson / March 8, 2012 / One comment

For most parents, the ultimate goal of youth sports is to have a positive experience, one that will help their children grow in healthy physical and emotional ways.

The Blog, “The Sports Doc Chalk Talk by Dr. Chris Stankovich” offers this short list of important learning points to focus on throughout your child’s athletic career so that he/she will not only play to her highest potential on the field, but also use the sport experience to maximize her overall human development as well:

Process Goals – Most parents encourage their child to play hard enough to one day become the best kid on the team (or league).  There’s nothing wrong with this encouragement, of course, but keep in mind that all outcome goals (like becoming an All Star or team MVP) always begin with process goals. When thinking about process goals, keep in mind these are the types of goals that are fully under the control of the athlete (like maintaining a strength training program, running, mastering plays, etc.).  Outcome goals are not completely under the control of the athlete, especially if the goal is to win an award thats voted on by the coaching staff or league.

Focus - Parents can help their children with focus at very young ages by teaching the basics — like learning how to pay attention to relevant cues (i.e. the next pitch) while ignoring irrelevant cues (i.e. the people in the crowd).  The skill of focus is an important one, and can also be transferred to many other areas in life — including the classroom.

Resiliency – The old saying of “It’s not how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get up” may be one of the greatest lessons that can be learned through sports.  Resiliency, or mental toughness, is a terrific skill to help your child master as there are countless sport experiences that involve stress, frustration, adversity, and losing.   Resiliency also helps with motivation — another great life success skill!

Humility – Winning with grace and keeping the ego in check are skills parents can teach their kids through various successful sport experiences.  Humiliating, taunting, and embarrassing opponents are never good things – on or off the field.

Sportsmanship – Similarly to winning with grace, kids can also learn to be good sports during those tough times as well – like after a humiliating loss, or after experiencing a blown call by a referee.  Sports, like life, aren’t always “fair,” but what’s most important is to respect the rules and opponent at all times – even when spirits are down.

Dr Stankovich suggest you conduct your own family audit and see how your gang stacks up.

Please share other ideas here.

Category: Lacrosse IQ / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Practice and Commitment Leads to Some SICK Stick Skills!

mcherenson / March 1, 2012 / One comment

FROM OUR FRIEND BARRY MARENBERG’S BLOG

Posted by Barry Marenberg on February 1, 2012

At the beginning of every lacrosse season – no matter what grade/age I’m coaching, we spend a great deal of time working on the fundamental skills: passing, catching, groundballs.  We then move on to shooting and dodging, defense, rides and clears, etc.  To master these skills takes a great deal of time and commitment and those who do commit are able to see the fruits of their labor as they develop.

Coach B's Lax Blog

We all know there are some great college and professional lacrosse players out there – both past and present.  Over the years I have seen players do things that are just mesmerizing.  The Gait brothers’ air dives, the Powell brothers’ crease dives, Kyle Hartzell’s rusty gate checks, etc.  This weekend I watched as Team USA lacrosse took on the University of Denver.  Now Team USA is comprised of professional lacrosse players.  Denver is a top-notch NCAA Division I COLLEGE team.  One would think that a team of professional superstars would rout a college team.  Not quite!  Denver took Team USA to overtime and lost in sudden death.  A lot to be said for both of these team.

Denver is led by All-American Attackman Mark Matthews, who has demonstrated some unbelievable lacrosse moves in the past.  He did not disappoint this weekend either.  Take a look at Mark Matthews (#22) “sock dodge” through the Team USA defense in the video below.  They never saw it coming!!  Very impressive!  I had to rewind the DVR at least a half a dozen times to watch it in amazement.

As effortless as Mark Matthews makes this look, I’m pretty confident that he put endless hours in practicing this dodge.  And so, the lesson – AGAIN – practice hard fellas.  If you commit to it, it will pay off for you.

Category: Lacrosse IQ / Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Entries