skip navigation

Off-The-Field Training is Key to Improving On-Field Performance

By Paul Ohanian, US Lacrosse, 10/27/17, 12:00PM PDT

Share

No longer the domain of elite athletes only, structured strength and conditioning regiments are becoming common practice among high school and middle school athletes seeking to energize their lacrosse development.

Lacrosse players know that one of the keys to improving is practice. This includes, of course, coordinated team practices under the guidance of a coach, as well as informal, individual practice, be it wall ball or shooting on the cage.

But practice, for some, isn’t the singular blueprint for improvement. Increasingly, athletes of all ages are also committing time and energy to off-the-field training in hopes of raising their on-field performance.  

No longer the domain of elite athletes only, structured strength and conditioning regiments are becoming common practice among high school and middle school athletes seeking to energize their lacrosse development. 

“Your most successful athletes, male or female, are spending time committed to a year-round training program,” said Jay Dyer, a certified strength & conditioning specialist based in Baltimore. 

Dyer and his colleague, Ryan Carr, recently shared training insights with coaches, parents and youth players during a presentation at the US Lacrosse headquarters, the latest installment in the US Lacrosse Medstar Sports Medicine Health & Performance Series. 

“Sometimes, the higher levels of coordination that they need for their performance goals aren’t there yet and we need to develop those,” said Dyer, who works with youth athletes across many sports. 

A formalized strength and conditioning program can impact all aspects of an individual’s athleticism, including speed, power, coordination, endurance, agility, and flexibility. Ultimately, the goal is to improve on-field performance.

“Staying away from the weight room is not an option in the culture of athletics right now,” Dyer said. 

US Lacrosse logo

US Lacrosse is the sport's national governing body and provides national leadership, structure and resources to fuel the sport's growth and enrich the experience of participants. For more information on US Lacrosse, check out the links below.