Becoming a Champion: The Midfielder

and John Danowski, Duke University Head Coach;
3x NCAA champions, including back-to-back seasons (2013-14); 2x NCAA Men's Lacrosse Coach of the Year;
seven ACC regular season titles and four ACC tournament titles;
Team USA Head Coach; 2018 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Men's World Championship (Gold medal)

Midfielders are the only players who play both offense and defense, so they need to be complete players. Coach Ron Caputo likes his midfielders to dictate tempo by playing hard and playing fast, so he drills his athletes hard and fast. In this lacrosse video, Caputo demonstrates this notion of drilling hard and fast by applying it to the development of both offensive and defensive skills. On the offensive end, Caputo shows a number of drills and techniques that will enhance a midfielder's abilities in critical areas such as dodging, shooting, and passing. Defensively, Caputo applies drills to potential game-like situations and teaches a useful holding drill that focuses on movement and stick placement. He also touches on important elements, such as quick passing and catching over the shoulder. Caputo's teaching provides an in-depth set of skills and abilities that are a necessity in the construction a complete midfielder.

32 minutes. 2009.