Kyle and Owen, along with guest Marty Bowes, discuss various aspects of coaching youth lacrosse. Marty shares his experiences working as the Director of Coach and Player Education at Mass Youth Lacrosse, his journey into the role, and the importance of coach education. The conversation covers practical strategies for coaching youth players, such as implementing a three-second rule to promote quick decision-making and off-ball movement, and the significance of rewarding unselfish play. They also address common challenges faced by youth coaches, including managing skill level differences and dealing with overzealous parents. The episode highlights the importance of maintaining positivity, creating a supportive environment for players, and embedding the rich history of lacrosse in coaching practices.

Topics

02:10 Guest Introduction: Marty Bowes

02:25 Marty's Role at Mass Youth Lacrosse

04:30 Challenges of Coaching Youth Lacrosse

05:50 Coaching Techniques and Strategies

15:20 Parental Involvement in Youth Sports

22:56 Promoting Team Play and Skill Development

29:55 Team Dynamics and Parental Expectations

30:42 Coaching Philosophy and Player Development

32:49 The Value of Assists in Lacrosse

33:42 Encouraging Team Play and Unselfishness

44:42 The Importance of Off-Ball Movement

54:06 Youth Coaching and Positive Experiences

Brooks coach Ian Speliotis joins Kyle and Owen. They discuss the challenges of logistics in off-season, the importance of family support, the excitement of college lacrosse, and the personal story behind Owen's allegiance to UNC. Speliotis shares insights into his background, his journey from being a student at Brooks to his coaching stint at Culver Academies, and his return to Brooks. They emphasize the importance of culture, commitment, and community in building a successful lacrosse program.Speliotis highlights a signature win against Rivers that marked a turning point for the team and outlines the recruiting approach focused mainly on the Northeast while welcoming talent from across the country and beyond. The conversation encapsulates the passion and dedication required to elevate a lacrosse team within the competitive landscape of the ISL.

Topics

00:54 Thanksgiving and Lacrosse Talk

01:41 UNC Fandom Origins

03:07 Guest Introduction: Coach Ian Speliotis

03:25 Coach Ian's Lacrosse Journey

05:22 Balancing Hockey and Lacrosse

08:30 Experiences at St. Michael's College

14:43 Brooks School and Community

18:59 Culver Academies Experience

23:58 Reflecting on a Season Cut Short

24:28 Learning from Experienced Coaches

25:08 Building Player Relationships

25:44 The Importance of Team Culture

26:42 Commitment and Sacrifices in Prep Schools

28:00 The Prep School Experience

29:56 Community and Support at Brooks

41:01 Signature Wins and Turning Points

46:17 Recruiting Strategies and Challenges

49:08 Looking Forward to the Season

Kyle and Owen chat with Elliott Bender, a renowned box lacrosse player and coach known from Instagram and TikTok as 'The Box Lacrosse Guy.' The discussion delves into the growing prominence of box lacrosse, its distinct differences from field lacrosse, and how Bender transitioned from a player to a content creator to fill the knowledge gap for American players. Elliott shares personal anecdotes, the challenges and techniques unique to box lacrosse, and practical drills to enhance skills. The conversation also highlights the importance of finding the right program for young players and the evolution of the sport including women's box lacrosse. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding and improving in box lacrosse.

Topics

00:31 Anecdotes and NBA vs. PLL

01:18 Guest Introduction: Elliott Bender

01:30 Elliott's Lacrosse Journey

03:35 Box Lacrosse Training and Experience

10:38 The Evolution of Box Lacrosse

12:16 Box Lacrosse vs. Field Lacrosse

19:43 Content Creation and Advocacy

27:55 The Friendly Intensity of Box Lacrosse

28:39 Women's Box Lacrosse: A Different Game

30:59 Comparing Men's and Women's Lacrosse

35:13 The Evolution of Lacrosse Gear

38:47 The Rise of Box Lacrosse Travel Teams

42:14 Essential Drills for Box Lacrosse

48:53 Conclusion and Future Plans

Kyle and Owen are joined by new Clark University men's lacrosse coach Matt Columbini. The discussion covers Columbini’s background, his coaching philosophy, and the unique experiences at Emerson College. They delve into his approach to building a competitive lacrosse culture focusing on toughness, preparation, and team-first mentality. The conversation also touches on the challenges of recruiting versatile players, the importance of not specializing too early, and the exciting prospects for Clark's lacrosse program under new leadership. The episode highlights the value of a fifth-year free program at Clark, strategic travel schedules for competitive play, and the anticipation of a dynamic new era for Clark lacrosse.

Topics

00:49 Guest Introduction: Matt Columbini

01:25 Coaching at Emerson College

02:43 Unique Experiences at Emerson

05:15 Transition to Clark University

06:59 Recruitment Strategies and Challenges

15:14 Core Values and Team Culture

17:09 Fifth Year Free Program

19:29 Recruitment Criteria and Core Values

21:12 Balancing Talent and Team Fit

22:55 Position Flexibility and Player Development

26:34 The Goalie's Journey

28:19 Building a Competitive Schedule

32:02 Alumni Support and Program Potential

35:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Kyle and Owen are joined by Patrick Wallace from Goalie Gurus. The discussion covers the unique mentality and challenges of lacrosse goalies, including their psychological pressures and the evolution of goalie training techniques. Patrick shares his expertise on recruiting goalies, evaluating their performance, and the importance of mental health and leadership training. The conversation also touches on the changing landscape of goaltending, the effectiveness of the 10-man ride, and the importance of athletic and quick decision-making abilities for goalies.

Visit www.goaliegurus.com

Topics

00:47 Introducing the Goalie Coach

01:25 The Mentality of a Successful Goalie

02:58 Recruiting and Training Goalies

04:57 Evolving Goalie Techniques

08:03 Challenges and Psychology in Coaching

13:42 Youth Coaching and Goalkeeping IQ

22:43 Advanced Strategies and Sub Games

25:25 The Role of LSM in Lacrosse

26:14 Specialty Positions and Their Impact

27:02 Evaluating Goalie Performance

28:20 The Importance of Game Data

28:58 Club vs. College Rules

30:07 The Evolution of Midfielders

31:58 The 10-Man Ride Strategy

34:29 Coaching Techniques for Goalies

45:01 Memorable Saves and Goalie Stories

49:15 Conclusion and Goalie Gurus Information

Kyle and Owen are joined by Carter Rice, a standout midfielder for the Redwoods in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). They discuss the end of the college lacrosse season, the transition to professional play, and Rice's experiences and challenges in the PLL. The conversation also delves into Rice's time at Syracuse University, his transition from an offensive to a defensive midfielder, and his memories of high school lacrosse rivalries. Additionally, Rice shares his thoughts on playing under coach Anthony Kelly, the emotional rollercoaster of playoffs, and his goals outside lacrosse.

Topics

00:18 Reflecting on Playoff Season

01:02 Special Guest: Carter Rice

04:20 Transition to Professional Lacrosse

10:54 College Memories and Rivalries

21:48 Recognizing Talent: Freshman Year Reflections

22:08 Deciding to Go Pro: The Aha Moment

22:54 Post-PLL Career Plans

23:44 Branding and NIL Experiences

24:59 Coaching Aspirations and Experiences

25:44 Adjusting to PLL Rules and Dynamics

27:17 Defensive Strategies and Techniques

33:40 Funny Stories and Locker Room Tales

39:13 Chasing the Championship Dream

40:34 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Kyle and Owen share their experiences from a summer packed with lacrosse tournaments and coaching. Kyle, broadcasting from a hotel in Scarborough, Maine, discusses his summer schedule, highlighting various tournaments like the New Hampshire-Vermont All-Star Game and the Legacy Tournament in Devens, Massachusetts. He also touches on the evolving dynamics of club teams and recruiting trends. Owen recounts his coaching stint with the Eastern Mass Hawks, detailing the challenges and joys of coaching 2026 players. The duo also explores the importance of fitting in the right college both academically and athletically, shares insights on handling social media in recruitment, and offers tips for parents in the recruiting process. The episode wraps up with a preview of Kyle's upcoming coaching stint at the Lake Placid tournament and news of a coaching change at Clark University.

Topics

00:42 Summer Lacrosse Tournaments Recap

01:49 New Hampshire vs Vermont All-Star Game

02:51 Coaching and Tournament Experiences

05:39 Advice for Lacrosse Parents and Players

07:21 Service Academies and Early Commitments

14:10 MIAA vs ISL All-Star Game

21:27 New England Lacrosse Showcase Insights

26:38 Parental Expectations and Player Performance

26:57 NLS Tournament Highlights

27:45 Challenges of Coaching JV Teams

28:50 Commitment Updates and Recruiting Trends

31:45 Coaching Experiences and Reflections

34:00 Club Coaching Insights and Anecdotes

36:44 Coaching Philosophy and Player Development

47:04 Upcoming Coaching Events and Final Thoughts

Kyle and Owen welcome Ralph Nelson, a key figure in Maine's lacrosse landscape. It’s a comprehensive conversation revolving around the foundation and growth of Maine's lacrosse community. The trio discusses the successful creation of a summer league for college athletes, the challenges faced in organizing it, and the overwhelming buy-in from players. Ralph shares his coaching journey, from his initial role at various schools to building the lacrosse program at Waynflete School. The discussion also touches on the logistics of maintaining a lacrosse team in smaller schools, the challenges of balancing a tight-knit player community, and exciting plans for a fall high school league future.

Chasing the Goal podcast from New England Lacrosse Journal is a Seamans Media production.

Find more daily lacrosse news at New England Lacrosse Journal: https://www.laxjournal.com/

Topics

00:49 Introducing the Guest: Ralph Nelson

02:40 Maine Lacrosse Summer League: The Origin Story

04:16 Challenges and Logistics of Running the League

06:24 Community and Player Buy-In

19:35 Ralph Nelson's Lacrosse Journey

23:14 Balancing Social Life and Lacrosse

23:29 Early Coaching Career

23:52 Challenges of Coaching Lacrosse

24:41 Transition to Club Coaching

25:49 Building a Lacrosse Program

27:32 Struggles with Team Numbers

30:39 Coaching Philosophy and Challenges

41:02 Future Plans and Initiatives