Comments on: Defining Toughness In College Lacrosse

By: Lacrosse All Stars – Is There Such a Thing as TOO Much Gear?

Lacrosse All Stars – Is There Such a Thing as TOO Much Gear? — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:25:43 +0000

[...] I’ve always been a proponent of the phrase, “Look good, feel good, play good”, and I love new gear just as much as the next guy, but is that what should be blasted all over the headlines? In the past, teams have given exclusive gear rights to certain media outlets, but is this really helping them now that everyone is showing off their gear? Should a lacrosse team be known for what they wear? Or what they do on the field? [...]

By: Three Keys To Becoming The Best Lacrosse Midfielder | Lacrosse All Stars

Three Keys To Becoming The Best Lacrosse Midfielder | Lacrosse All Stars — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:03:47 +0000

[...] Reason: The greatsALL mention toughness as a key trait, and yet none of these guys are “fighters”, or “big [...]

By: chatchai sirisuth

chatchai sirisuth — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:16:00 +0000

I played with Steve Merrell at USD. He was one of the toughest players I’ve ever seen and a tremendous leader. USDLAX!!!

By: ronnie

ronnie — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:03:00 +0000

Quite frankly, I feel there is a lack of toughness permeating throughout our sport. I believe in many ways style has transcended substance. The sad irony is that our sport, once considered exclusive, is actually losing its toughness during a period of huge gains in mainstream credibility.
could not agree more with this statement

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:41:00 +0000

I agree with what you’ve said here. However, I hesitate to completely commit to the notion that players like Mikey Powell are not tough. Flashy, yes. Concerned with looks, yes. But, he was tiny. And he wasn’t scoring points from outside 6 yards very often. What that means is that more often than not, Powell ended up on his backside after the goal – and the men hitting him are running at about 6’2″, 200+ lbs.

As a former player, referee, and coach, it makes me cringe when I see the increasing rate of praise for the players that are working hard but not necessarily producing, while the best player gets brushed off as all talent and no work ethic. Sometimes this is the case, but I have seen more “best players” that are a result of their own work ethic than the other way around. I agree that certainly we should be praising the work ethic of the hard-nosed players. But ultimately the game is about producing. So, for an offensive player, that means points.

I just don’t like pretending that every great player is simply god-given talent and no work ethic. Usually, the great players are great because they have worked to get there. And just because they have flow doesn’t mean that they are lazy. Praise the hard workers, absolutely. And the guys who make the right play for the team certainly deserve praise as well. But let’s also give the Mikey Powell’s of the world credit for being undersized and still finding a way to be… well, Mikey Powell.

By: Sdlaxmom

Sdlaxmom — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:46:00 +0000

Well written article! Toughness comes from discipline; a regimen that develops or improves a skill. Something Danny has always demonstrated!

By: Ramberg Media Group - The News Platform

Ramberg Media Group - The News Platform — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:41:54 +0000

Coker College Adds Men’s Lacrosse…

We liked your article, so we (RambergMediaGroup) would be interested in hearing from you, our readers like it….

By: gucci2sale

gucci2sale — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:58:59 +0000

Thanks for posting this. Very nice recap of some of the key points in my talk.

By: Connor Martin

Connor Martin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:57:47 +0000

Word.

By: Frederick Plaisted

Frederick Plaisted — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:35:10 +0000

Great post for the start of the season!

By: Connor Wilson

Connor Wilson — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:31:06 +0000

good points, Reece. It is hard to coach it if you try to force the tough guy thing. It becomes a sort of manufactured toughness and the truth comes out when the veneer cracks and things actually get tough. Kind of like wearing construction boots and camo on the sideline… (I'm looking at you, Stevenson. haha. All in good fun). if you feel the need to “show” your toughness, you're probably not that tough. Attitude is great, actions are better.
a coach with a laid back attitude or one who doesn't yell all the time can put his players through the toughest drills and breed tough men not because he told them how to do it but because he showed them how to do it and then let them at it til they had it down and played that way naturally… A crazy coach that seems over the top isn't really believable and it always seems forced. I agree that kids give up on that BS quickly. I guess it comes down to really good coaching and leadership.

By: reecepacheco

reecepacheco — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:59:30 +0000

Excellent post. I entirely agree. I am dismayed by the current state of the game's marketing, but I'm hopeful it can turn around.

An important question though, how do you coach toughness? When a coach tries to make a team tougher, it often backfires. I think it has to come from an honest position and an exemplary leader – best example I can think of is Lars Tiffany at Brown. He definitely inspires his players to be edgy, hard-nosed players.

By: Defining Toughness In College Lacrosse – Lacrosse All Stars | Drakz Free Online Service

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:29:36 +0000

[...] original here: Defining Toughness In College Lacrosse – Lacrosse All Stars Share and [...]

By: laxer19

laxer19 — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:51:30 +0000

great insight to not only make myself, but my team and program better.

By: Striding Man

Striding Man — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:10:04 +0000

Reminds me of this other guy who writes AMAZING stuff. Oh wait that's you! :)