Setting the Tone for a Successful Season: The First Two Days of Practice

with John Danowski,
Duke University Head Coach;
first D-I men's lacrosse coach ever to reach 400 wins;
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)

Every lacrosse coach wants to have players that are able to master the fundamentals and improve at a consistently high level. Take this opportunity to go behind the scenes with a top D-I program and get unique insight into how John Danowski designs and delivers his early practices to prepare his team to play fast, throw hard, scrap, and play with confidence!

In this video, Coach Danowski walks through each phase of practice: warm-ups and stickwork, individual drills, small group, half-field, full-field, and end-of-practice drills.

Expectations

Danowski talks about his mantra for setting up players for success early-on. Then, the team demonstrations begins with position work that prepares each athlete, mentally and physically, followed by dynamic warm-ups and stick work. Coach Danowski provides advice on how to handle player discipline and reinforce fundamentals, such as turning to the outside and scooping a ball with two hands.

Throughout practice, Danowski describes not only the drills themselves, but the thinking and rationale behind them. His thoughtful tips will help any coach or player understand the keys to success behind each drill. Drills shown have variations to continue player development at every skill level and create continued interest in the player's individual improvement and preparation for the beginning of the season.

Drill Work

Many of the drills shown in this video incorporate multiple balls, keeping the action and pace at high levels throughout. Coach Danowski leads the Blue Devils through two early season practices, focusing on one or two major principles in each practice. You'll see drills for:

• Shooting - Positional work to help offensive players attack the cage and master finishing.
• Ground Balls - Learn to attack loose balls as a team and gain more possessions.
• Spacing & Exchanging - Develop essential passing and catching skills to maintain possession.
• 1-on-1 Play - Teaches players to put themselves into position to score.
• Teammate Play - Improve communication and off-ball movement on offense and defense.
• Team Play - Full-field and half-field situations and drills to help with clearing, riding, and transition.

You will learn how to teach each of these principles using essential practice drills and Danowski's coaching points.

This video will allow you to improve your individual and team play using the same drills that John Danowski uses in his practices. Take advantage of this unique look at the practices of an elite lacrosse program and implement these successful drills and concepts into your program!

122 minutes. 2020.