Day in the Fall
7:00a - Lift & Practice (Can also occur in afternoon)
Mornings in the fall will start with a team practice, and lift or a captains' practice. Our time together is limited in the fall per Ivy League rules, however we are able to use up to 4 hours per week of lacrosse-specific activity during our "off-season". Our off-season typically runs from September through the end of November.
For a 5-week block during the fall we have our "Non-Championship Season". We typically have our NCS in the month of October. During this window we are allowed 32 hours of lacrosse-specific instruction. During this time is when we have our intrasquad scrimmages (Burrito Bowl, BBQ Bowl, and Alumni Game) and where we travel to play a top team in the country. 2021 sent us to the Headstrong Invitational at Johns Hopkins University where we beat both High Point and Richmond. In 2022, we competed and defeated UNC in the Bob Kemp Classic in Washington, DC. In 2023 we went to Philadelphia to battle Maryland and Lehigh. In the fall of 2024 we are playing Notre Dame in Chicago.
In addition to these trips, we are sightseeing, and doing service.
Each fall we also have our alumni game, held here in Cambridge. After connecting with our alumni professionally in the morning, we take it to the field for a spirited and competitive battle.
Captain's practices are practices held without any coach involvement, organized, led and run by our leaders. They occur throughout the entirety of the fall.
Below is an example of one of our practices in the fall. This was one of our first times together after the Covid break!
9:00a - Breakfast
After practice, our players return to the locker room where they have access to our nutrition station. Players fuel up with a protein shake at our smoothie station, grab their vitamins and a few power bars before heading back over the bridge to eat breakfast together. First-Year students have access to Annenberg Hall, as well as all of the Residential Houses where they can dine with upperclassmen.
10:00a - 11:20a - Class 1
The culture and values of Harvard Lacrosse are based on an appreciation and gratitude for the gift of being a Student-Athlete at Harvard. The expectation of our student-athletes is to immerse themselves completely and passionately in the subject and concentration area of their choice. This passion and freedom to study "what they want" will lead to success and intellectual development that will prepare them for a life of meaning and impact after graduation.
Learn more about how Harvard Lacrosse players Choose Their Own Path while at Harvard
11:20a - 12:20p - Lunch in Harvard Square
After your first class, students will grab a bite to eat either in a dining hall or in Harvard Square. Harvard Square is our vibrant down-town area of campus. It features coffee shops, stores and restaurants representing every cuisine imaginable. While every student and community member has their own favorites, you can never go wrong with a burrito from Felipe's Taqueria.
12:20p - 1:00p - Quick Study
Before heading off to your 2nd class of the day, students will review their coursework or finish up some brief studying either in a cafe, lounge or library. This is also a great time to review film that we send out each day via our film app, Scorebreak. We send out Micro clips each morning after our practice for players to review prior to our next practice.
1:10p - 2:30p - Class #2
After a quick study break, you will head to your 2nd class of the day. Classes at Harvard are offered in one hour and twenty minute time blocks. A typical schedule will have two classes per day, though you have the ability to curate your own schedule.
2:30p - 5:30p - Study/Extra Work
Each afternoon, you will have time to progress on your personal goals. Many players use this time to get extra skill work in on the field or in the weight-room. Others take this time to review film and develop their IQ, through our HLX Player Development Pipeline.
All students will use this time to work on their schoolwork. Starting in your First Year, you'll work closely with a team of dedicated advisors who will assist you in transitioning to college life and navigating Harvard’s academic curriculum. The team is comprised of:
- Proctors
- First-Year Advisors
- Peer-Advising Fellows
Advisors in academic departments can also provide subject specific tutoring and guidance as you choose your concentration, which you'll declare in the fall of sophomore year.
Learn more about the Student-Athlete Academic Success Resources at Harvard.
5:30p - 6:30p - Dinner
Each of our 12 Residential Houses has a dining hall which all students can access. Meet up with upperclassmen in their "House" for dinner, or feel free to enjoy your first-year space in Annenberg Hall. Meals can even be ordered through the Harvard Dining app should you be in a rush!
6:30p - 10:00p - Studying / Hangout
After dinner, you have the rest of your evening to enjoy your time. If you have extra work to do, you can meet up with friends to study or find your own space. If you are on top of your school work, you can hang out with your friends. All first-year students live in Harvard Yard, so it is a quick walk to see your classmates.
Winter Break / Training at Home
Boat structure
A foundation of our program. Our team is broken up into three Boats throughout the winter. Each Boat consists of roughly 15 guys and are designed to enhance Peer to Peer competition, collaboration, and growth. Our program relies on our Boat programs to sustain and propel us through winter break. Fully player led, our team is able to stay connected, motivated and challenged throughout the winter as we prepare for our season. We rotate our Boats during winter break to strengthen new relationships while testing our leaderships.
During the winter, our upperclassmen lead our younger players through workshops related to the internship hiring process. Here is an example of one of our Internship Process HLX Talk:
Mirror Program
Our players are paired up with another teammate throughout the winter to create our Mirror Program. This program is designed to develop friendships and relationships that can enhance our culture and skill/program development through free flowing conversations. The candid exchange of perspectives via text, Zoom, FaceTime etc covering points of view about our program as well as local and global events, professional development and pride and passion for HU and HLX.
Finding your voice, ability to share opinions and perspectives is a skill that we want to be a hallmark of our program. Candor and candid exchange of thought and thoughtful opinion is a bedrock feature of HU and should be within HLX. This honesty is integral for your intellectual evolution and for your fidelity and devotion to our team, its values and the lofty goals we have set. Narrowing that gap between who you truly are and how you see yourself will help bring your dreams into focus and make them more achievable.
IDP
During winter break, our guys are focused on their preparation for the impending season. We send out a detailed workout and skill development plan that our players strictly follow. You can expect roughly 2 hours per day dedicated to preparing your body for the season.
Each player will receive an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for them to focus on during their break. Prior to leaving for break, each player with meet with Coach Byrne and our staff to develop their own unique IDP.
Day in the Spring
Players return to campus in late January for captain's practice as they prepare for the season.
Starting February 1st, we are officially in season. We are now afforded ample time to have lacrosse specific instruction during our weeks. This allows us the time we need to prepare for our games as we further install our offensive, defensive and special teams systems.
7:30a - Breakfast
Taking advantage of Annenberg Hall or any residential dining hall, our guys rely on a big breakfast to help them sustain the demands of in-season life.
9:00a - 2:00p - Class & Lunch
Traditionally, students take two classes per day though you have the ability to control your own schedule. Similar to the fall, your morning will be spent in class, in lunch and studying.
2:30p -3:30p - Pre Practice Routine
Every player has a different pre-practice routine. Some go to the training room to get preventative work on their body. Others choose to hit the wall for 20 minutes. Many come to the locker room to decompress and review film on their own before we begin our practice session.
3:30p - 4:00p - Film
Our staff meticulously studies film each week for opponent specific preparation and for the betterment of our play. We send out daily film packages to review independently. as well as thorough scouting reports.
Our game preparation sets us apart. It is the best in the country. We spend roughly 30 minutes each day in season teaching through film.
4:00p - 6:00p - Practice
Highlights of our win over #3 Princeton in front of a sold-out Jordan Field.
6:00p - 6:30p - Post Practice Routine
After practice each day, our players go through their post-practice routine. We put a huge emphasis on hip flexibility and core strength. Many guys use this time to focus on that. Other players get extra reps on the field. Some go to the training room to get rehab work done.
On nights where practice runs late, we order catered dinner for our whole team. Felipe's, Pinnochios and Sweet Green are some of our favorites to enjoy together.
7:00p-10:30p - Dinner & Study
Our Residential Houses are unique in that they all offer both a dining hall and a library. This becomes helpful in season as you return home from practice and are able to get everything done efficiently. Of course, you can go to a library or meet with a group should you need to.
Day in the summer
New Boats and Mirrors:
Each summer we re-shuffle our Boats and Mirror program. This allows new relationships to be formed while continuing to strengthen our culture, skill development, and candor.
Strength and Conditioning:
With the summer comes a new workout style. We do not send a big packet. We send a weekly document that has our strength, speed & agility and IQ components woven in. Sending this every week allows our players to stay focused on take ownership of their day.
Internships
One of the great elements of Harvard is the ability to study what you want, knowing that your professional career will not be contingent on your academic concentration. Harvard should not be viewed as a “Trade School” but rather an incubator for thought, creativity, ideas and dreams.
We encourage our players to Choose Their Own Path at Harvard, while diving deeply into academic concentrations that interest and excite them. Your Harvard Degree, in any of 100+ concentrations, will be your key to open any door to pursue whatever career or vocation that you choose. The power and reach of that diploma will open avenues to any industry, corporation, or company on the planet fueled by our Global Alumni Network and mentored by our Career Services Office.
Here are examples of how our current student-athletes spent their past summers. Ranging from Financial Analyst to Farm Hand.