Should you specialize in the goal? My answer might surprise you.
You shouldn’t. But Jonathan if I don’t specialize those kids that started playing when
they were ten are going to beat me.
they were ten are going to beat me.
It’s not true. From my days as an Olympic athlete I learned a lot about Long
Term Athletic Development. The rules that it takes for an athlete to succeed long
term in any sport. Not just lacrosse. And all of the scientific research points
to having a well-rounded athletic background for ultimate athletic success.When I was growing up I played three sports. Soccer in the fall. Hockey in
the winter, and lacrosse in the Springs. And when I got involved with the sport
of luge that made four. It wasn’t uncommon for me to go from a lacrosse game
to a hockey game right afterwards. And I truly believe that this multi-sport
approach not only gave me better tools to play the sport I loved which was lacrosse
but it made me a better athlete overall.
Term Athletic Development. The rules that it takes for an athlete to succeed long
term in any sport. Not just lacrosse. And all of the scientific research points
to having a well-rounded athletic background for ultimate athletic success.When I was growing up I played three sports. Soccer in the fall. Hockey in
the winter, and lacrosse in the Springs. And when I got involved with the sport
of luge that made four. It wasn’t uncommon for me to go from a lacrosse game
to a hockey game right afterwards. And I truly believe that this multi-sport
approach not only gave me better tools to play the sport I loved which was lacrosse
but it made me a better athlete overall.
For a great resource you want to check out www.LTAD.ca to learn about Long-Term
Athlete Development. It’s eye opening. North American’s have this all wrong
and we tend to specialize way too early thinking that the more we practice the better
we’ll be. It’s just not the case.
Athlete Development. It’s eye opening. North American’s have this all wrong
and we tend to specialize way too early thinking that the more we practice the better
we’ll be. It’s just not the case.
And now with all the talk about travel teams, and recruiting teams, and teams
that go to these tournaments to get discovered, it’s all a mess. You’d be better
off taking a break. And that’s the other key thing that happened to me by participating
in multiple sports, it made me better but it also kept me fresh. I loved to play
and I never got burned out because I didn’t give myself the chance to get burned out.
that go to these tournaments to get discovered, it’s all a mess. You’d be better
off taking a break. And that’s the other key thing that happened to me by participating
in multiple sports, it made me better but it also kept me fresh. I loved to play
and I never got burned out because I didn’t give myself the chance to get burned out.
So I highly recommend you do something different from lacrosse when you get the
chance. If in the off-season you want to play a tournament or two, go ahead. But
in the fall go play some football or some soccer. Or maybe even some field hockey.
In the winter keep your skills sharp and play some hockey or basketball. You
will be a better lacrosse goalie in the spring when you do that.
chance. If in the off-season you want to play a tournament or two, go ahead. But
in the fall go play some football or some soccer. Or maybe even some field hockey.
In the winter keep your skills sharp and play some hockey or basketball. You
will be a better lacrosse goalie in the spring when you do that.
Keep this article in mind the next time you think you’ve got to play a ton of goal
to be a great lacrosse goalie. It’s not always the right choice.
to be a great lacrosse goalie. It’s not always the right choice.
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