2011 US Lacrosse Convention

Just returned from this years US lax convention in Baltimore.  There are always a few gold nuggets to be found at the convention that a coach, player or administrator can bring back to their programs. Whether it is JHU women's coach Janine Tucker's  'Making of a midfielder', or Jen Adams (with Dana Dobbie) 'Working the 8', to the U19 national team outlining defense strategies named red, white, and blue of course (with gold to boot) to the keynote speaker Jackie Joyner Kersey describe her Olympic journey, there are so many take aways, you leave the event feeling nourished and excited for the season.

I really enjoy listening to these coaches continuing to innovate with this great game. Jen Adams described how to use behind the crease effectively as a feeder to have unobstructed passes to cutters. We tell our players to go to 'X' about 5 yards behind the crease.  If the feeder gets right up on the crease, there is no place for a defender to get in front of them. Listening to the U19 coaches describe how to isolate and shut down a key offensive player (that's the gold) or Janine Tucker describe the mentality that they look for in their midfielders, makes me think these coaches have forgotten more lacrosse that I will ever know.

There are always familiar faces and acquaintances to catch up with and Baltimore crab dishes to be consumed.  For the cost of about $400 ($100 flights, $125 hotel rooms, $3.20 train fare to the convention hall, $50 registration fee, plus meals and tax) there is no better investment for a town or club team to make in the game.

Now only if we didn't have 3 feet of snow on the ground. As we were sitting in the airport next to some of our local umpires, they are getting ready to start working college games in 4 weeks! Our season starts in 10. Can't Wait!