Lacrosse (M)

Despite school holiday, Jupiter High clinic draws good crowd

By Mike English

TC Palm

Palm Beach County schools took Monday off to celebrate President's Day, but dozens of young lacrosse players turned up at Jupiter High School for lessons anyway.

The Jupiter High boys and girls lacrosse teams sponsored a one-day clinic at the idle campus for players from first through eighth grades.

The camp drew 18 girls and 38 boys, and on the boy's side most of them currently are enrolled in the JTAA or Palm Beach Gardens youth lacrosse programs.

"This was a great turnout for our first time," JHS boys coach Don Blumenthal said. "I would say three quarters of them have played in the JTAA. Only about seven or eight of them have never played before."

On the girls side, 18 young campers turned out, said JHS girls coach Sarah Burlingame.

"Only about half of the girls are involved in the JTAA program," Burlingame said.

For some, it was the first time they have touched a stick.

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Grandieri's efforts to honor fallen friend stymied by University officials

By David Bernstein

The Daily Pennsylvanian

A captain in his senior season, Penn's Brian Grandieri has hit his share of big shots in his career. But even he'll tell you that the most meaningful points he ever scored weren't for Quakers coaches Fran Dunphy or Glen Miller.

They were for Evan Brady.

A neighbor, schoolmate and childhood friend of Grandieri, Brady was a standout lacrosse player for Rose Tree Media Optimist Youth Club, and seemed set to continue playing at Malvern Prep, a Catholic school outside of Philadelphia.

But on Sept. 11, 2001, at 15 years old, he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma - bone cancer.

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"Your lacrosse stick should become part of your body!"

Youth Lacrosse USA

To become proficient in passing and shooting, the player must be able to propel the ball from the stick with the wrist "snap." Many beginning players pass and shoot with an arm motion, or "push" the ball, which causes the ball to leave the stick on a low trajectory resulting in a low pass or shot. An excellent way to develop the wrist snap is to utilize the wall. Go to a cinderblock or brick wall and stand approximately 3 to 5 yards away. Any wall will work (no windows), but a smooth concrete surface at least 10 feet tall is the best.

You can and will observe daily improvement if proper technique is maintained. Increase the reps as wrists become stronger. Aim for as many reps as possible with desired form, however. This is a lefty-righty work out. Attempt to do as many reps as possible. Remember, your goal is to strengthen the wrists, to become proficient in releasing the ball with the snap of the wrists, to gain hand speed, and to develop a quick release.

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The single most effective training technique that was implemented in my game, and the one that I preach first and foremost to my players as a coach, is one of the oldest. “WALL BALL” is the one aspect of training that can help a player develop and be the sure handed ball control player, regardless of position, that every team needs.

By Paul Carcaterra

January 6th, 2004

Youth Lacrosse USA

Paul Carcaterra is widely regarded as one of the top youth lacrosse teachers in the USA. he is a former captain and All-American at Syracuse. He plays for the MLL New Jersey Pride. Carcaterra also is co-director of No Limit Lacrosse Camps (which he co-directs with MLL All-Star John Gagliardi).


As this wonderful sport evolves, both from an equipment and training standpoint, we are all exposed to new ideas about how to become better coaches and players. I have been involved with the sport of lacrosse for 21 years, at the youth/high school (Yorktown), college (Syracuse), international (Team England), and professional levels(NJ Pride). There were many innovative ideas that helped me become a strong player, and now a high school (Fox Lane) coach in Westchester County, NY. However, the single most effective training technique that was implemented in my game, and the one that I preach first and foremost to my players as a coach, is one of the oldest. “WALL BALL” is the one aspect of training that can help a player develop and be the sure handed ball control player, regardless of position, that every team needs.

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