New England Lacrosse Journal‘s Chasing The Goal

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/

Lacrosse legend Corey Bulken, an assistant coach at Severn School, shares insights on his playing career, coaching philosophy, and transition to coaching high school and college levels. He delves into the evolution of lacrosse, mentoring relationships, recruiting strategies, and the fulfilling experience of impacting players beyond the field.

Aaron Verardi is in his 10th season as head coach of the Harford Community College lacrosse program. In 2023, Verardi led the Fighting Owls to the Program's first NJCAA national championship. The team also finished the season undefeated for the first time with a 12-0 record.

Bishop Feehan High lacrosse coach Tom Sheerin is the guest. Sheerin has been on the coaching staff since the school introduced the game as a varsity sport in 2005. Sheerin also has 21 years of coaching experience with the Attleboro Titans youth lacrosse program.

Thayer Coach Bill Daye, who played collegiately at the University of North Carolina, took over the program in 2023.

Mike Zhe joins Kyle and Jack to preview the upcoming ISL season.

New Attleboro High School lacrosse coach Jim Black joins the show to talk about topics including strategies, coaching philosophies, and team dynamics. Coach Black discusses the challenges of taking on a coaching role in a competitive league like the Hockomock, emphasizing the importance of building a strong team culture and focusing on skill development.

Jim also covers the significance of establishing connections with players and families in the community, acknowledging the historical prominence of football in Attleboro and the need to cultivate lacrosse talent. Coach Black outlines his approach to coaching, drawing on experiences from his own playing days and mentorship from influential figures in his life.

The conversation also delves into specific drills and training methods, with Coach Black and the hosts sharing their favorite drills for improving skills such as ground balls, passing, and shooting. 

The guest is new Taft School Coach Max Rosner. He was a head coach for NXT Lacrosse Club (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), assistant coach of the 2017 Under Armor Underclass Tournament team (Towson, Maryland), and assistant coach for the 2021s, 2027s and 2030s Next Level Lacrosse teams (Bethesda, Maryland).