When You Arrive On Campus
When you first arrive on campus the coaching staff will introduce you to our IDP format. The Individual Development Plan will detail positive and negative tendencies in the individuals play. Furthermore, the IDP features past meeting notes as well as future goals of both the player and staff members. We believe this method to be an excellent procedure to formulate, apply and execute a players individual growth plan.
Getting In The Gym
A large part of our players development is consistent growth in the weight room. Our esteemed strength & conditioning staff, headed by Coach Mullin, strive to help each player gain muscle and increase endurance. In the Fall, the entire team convenes in Palmer Dixon Gym to lift four times a week as one unit. The strength staff prioritize growth in the following areas: Body Weight, Broad Jump, 20 yd Dash, 5-10-5 shuttle, Front Squat, Hang Clean, Bench Press, Chin Ups and Body Fat.
With The Help Of Technology
Harvard Lacrosse relies a great deal on technology to help with the growth of our players. The staff uses Scrorebreak to break down film, clip plays for specific players, install new schemes. The players also have Whoop and catapult at their disposal to calculate the level of strain during workouts. The coaching staff and strength staff use this information to determine the level of compete on day to day basis and the recovery of each player after a strenuous workout. During the Fall practices the coaching staff is committed to having one on one and positional film that breaks down tendencies of our players. All of this work culminates in pre-practice film sessions with the entire team.
Fall Practice
As a team we make the most out of the hours we are given. A large portion of fall practices focuses on position work with the individual position coach as well as installment sessions focused on teaching schemes and plays. This is layed out in an extensive practice plan sent to each player the morning of a practice day. Each drill is timed out to the minute making sure the team is using each moment efficiently. In the Fall, practices and workouts are purposefully arduous to build a base for the season. Here are some of the philosophies we preach during these Fall sessions: Offense: Fundamentals and Technique, Spacing, Decision-Making, Tempo, Creativity Defense: Cover, Close, Collapse, Communicate, Collect, Clear, Compete Goalie: Balance, Hip Flexibility, Hand Speed, Footwork, Stick Skills Faceoff: Stance, Wing-Play, Exits, Post-Faceoff Skills
Spring Practice
In the Spring we take a vastly different approach. While we continually work at a very high level practices are catered towards recovery. Listening to the players requests and correctly analyzing whoop and Catapult readings help to gauge how the players are doing.
The practices during the season are often centered around the weekly opponent. However, the staff continues to implement drills that will hone the skills of the players. Workouts are also changed to reflect the season. High minute players will participate in a lifting session that focuses on recovery. Whereas low minute players continue to improve their strength and endurance.
Captain Practices
The Ivy League limits the amount of hours we are allowed to coach on the field during the fall. To supplement our time together, our guys participate in player-run Captain's Practices. These highly competitive weekly sessions are transformative for our culture while expediting and harnessing the power of peer-to-peer learning.
Winter Work
Before the team leaves for winter break Coach Byrne, accompanied by the position coach, will meet with the player to discuss the fall season. The meeting notes are then placed into the individual's IDP so they can look back during winter workouts. The staff continues the conversation by reviewing catapult data, which tracks movement totals during practice. Using film clips of practice, the staff can precisely articulate areas that we want to see you improve. We also show you the specific drills you can utilize to improve your game.
When the team returns, Harvard Stadium will have a temporary bubble in place to help combat the elements.
Summer Vacation
At the end of the year, Coach Byrne and the staff meet with players to add onto the individual IDP. Coach Byrne asks that all players join a summer league in order to keep their stick skills sharp. Coach Mullin and the strength staff send out a "summer Workout Packet" to help maintain strength and endurance during the extended break. Great players use this time to make huge strides. Everyday is important to improving on your game. Time to work!