The guest is Loomis Chaffee lacrosse coach Bill Ball, who covers a wide array of topics related to prep school lacrosse. Discussions include the anticipation of the NCAA lacrosse tournament, Cornell's prospects, the importance of early season performances, and coach Ball's experiences and coaching philosophy at Loomis Chaffee. Insights into player development, the impact of mentors, the team's playing style, and managing high-performing athletes' expectations are shared. Additionally, they touch on the importance of multi-sport participation, the changing landscape of recruiting, and the unique benefits and challenges of coaching at a boarding school like Loomis Chaffee. The conversation also delves into the competitive nature of the Founders League, the advantages of a Loomis education, and the complex dynamics of coaching different age groups. Topics

00:21 The Road to the NCAA Lacrosse Tournament

00:53 Special Guest: Insights from Loomis Chaffee's Bill Ball

04:30 Adapting to Early Offense: Loomis's Strategy

05:34 Facing Challenges and Celebrating Wins

08:07 Navigating Team Dynamics Without a Key Player

11:44 Building a Strong Team Culture at Loomis

15:32 The Unique Loomis Experience: Academics and Athletics

20:38 Advice for Aspiring Prep School Athletes

21:59 Looking Ahead: The Founders League Championship

22:51 The Thrill of Post-Season Play and School Rivalries

23:55 The Importance of Multi-Sport Participation

24:30 Building Relationships with Club Teams

26:08 The Evolution of Lacrosse and Coaching

31:15 Recruiting and Evaluating Young Talent

35:57 The Unique Challenges of Coaching at Prep Schools

37:15 Loomis Chaffee's Distinctive Approach to Education and Athletics

41:19 The Future of Prep Lacrosse and Closing Thoughts

Chasing the Goal podcast from New England Lacrosse Journal is a Seamans Media production. Find more daily lacrosse news at New England Lacrosse Journal: https://www.laxjournal.com/

The guest is Andrew Kirkaldy, the head coach at Trinity-Pawling. Kirkaldy discusses the challenges and responsibilities of coaching at this level, including player development, mentoring, and recruitment. He emphasizes the importance of teaching life skills alongside lacrosse, reflecting on the pressure to compete for student-athletes and how prep schools provide a nurturing environment for young men to grow both on and off the field. The conversation also touches on Kirkaldy's personal journey through lacrosse, from his playing days in Canada and the NLL draft to transitioning into coaching. Additionally, the episode delves into the competitive landscape of the Founders League, strategies for player utilization and development, and the cultural shift towards incorporating box lacrosse techniques into the field game. Kirkaldy also highlights the accomplishments of his players, the majority of whom continue their lacrosse careers in college, underscoring the program's success in preparing them for the next level. The episode concludes with insights into the unique benefits and challenges of the prep school lacrosse scene.

Topics:

01:29 The Challenges and Triumphs of Coaching Lacrosse 03:47 Coach Kirkaldy's Unique Journey to Lacrosse Coaching 05:27 The Evolution of a Lacrosse Player: From Box to Field 20:20 The Importance of Control and Instinct in Lacrosse 24:52 Analyzing Defensive Strategies in Lacrosse 25:09 The Importance of Aggression and Confidence 25:29 Reflecting on Past Performances and Adjustments 25:50 The Challenge of Coaching at High Levels 26:56 Success Stories: From High School to College Lacrosse 27:27 The Role of Athleticism and Team Dynamics 28:46 Coaching Philosophy: Developing Players and Roles 32:02 Balancing Instructional and Situational Coaching 33:36 Building Character and Life Skills Through Lacrosse 38:32 Personal Journey: From Player to Coach 40:50 Recruitment and the Founders League Dynamics 43:14 Choosing Trinity Pauling: A Focus on Authentic Growth 45:12 The Prep School Advantage and Coaching Perspectives 47:21 Concluding Thoughts and the Impact of Coaching

Chasing the Goal podcast from New England Lacrosse Journal is a Seamans Media production. Find more daily lacrosse news at New England Lacrosse Journal: https://www.laxjournal.com/

The guest is Nashoba head lacrosse coach Matt Biggs, who delves into coaching philosophies, the growth of lacrosse in New England, and the impact of positive youth programs. Discussions highlight the balance between instructional and positive feedback in coaching, the evolution of player skills and mindset, and the necessity for challenging traditional play styles. Coach Biggs shares his personal journey from a player to a coach, his role in building a strong lacrosse culture at Nashoba, and the importance of adapting coaching strategies to player strengths. The conversation also touches on the challenges and benefits of divisional realignments and power rankings in Massachusetts lacrosse, aiming to enhance the competitiveness and integration of teams across regions.

Topics:

00:14 Coaching Styles and Communication on the Field

01:22 Introducing Coach Matt Biggs: A Lacrosse Legacy

02:29 Building a Program: The Nashoba Lacrosse Story

05:42 The Impact of Mentors in Lacrosse Coaching 06:15 The Challenge of Refereeing in Lacrosse

11:47 Cultivating Talent and Team Culture at Nashoba

12:29 The Evolution of a Coach: Offensive Strategy and Team Dynamics

19:40 The Importance of Practice and Developing Young Talent

26:18 Exploring Team Dynamics and Coaching Philosophy

26:35 The Importance of Fun and Culture in Team Sports

28:48 Adapting Coaching Strategies for Youth and High School Sports

31:11 Encouraging Creativity and Individuality in Players

41:23 Navigating Divisional Realignment and Its Impact on Teams

Chasing the Goal podcast from New England Lacrosse Journal is a Seamans Media production.

Find more daily lacrosse news at New England Lacrosse Journal: https://www.laxjournal.com/