[ Lacrosse ]
Lacrosse is a game of speed, strength and agility. It is a game of mental and physical toughness. To compete effectively in such a physically demanding sport, players need to be in the best possible shape. The AR Norwood Acceleration program is perfect for lacrosse players because it uses patented Athletic Republic protocols that generate measurable results in an athlete’s speed, strength, power and agility. In fact, many of the world’s top professional and elite athletes have benefited from Acceleration programs.
Now you can train like a pro. With the Acceleration program,
the average athlete will see a 2-4 inch increase in vertical jump, a decrease of 0.2 seconds in a 40-yard sprint, and a 50% reduction in recovery rates.
Below is a detailed overview of our lacrosse-based programs:
Objectives
- Improve running biomechanics
- Increase explosive power
- Increase stride length/stride frequency
- Increase maximum sprint speed
- Increase anaerobic tolerance
- Improve foot speed/agility
- Improve eye-hand coordination
- Enhance posture/body positioning
- Improve overall strength to reduce the risk of joint and tendon injuries
Components of Lacrosse Training
- Dynamic Warm-up/Cool-down
- Speed Training
- Strength Training
- Cardiovascular/Endurance Training
- Plyometric Training
- Flexibility, Dynamic Balance and Agility Training
- Core Stabilization Training
Dynamic Warm-up/Cool-down
- Dynamic warm-up consists of activities to increase heart rate, blood flow, muscle temperature, and breathing rate. Warming up allows muscles to stretch more easily and joints to move more easily, thereby preventing pulling muscles, most commonly hamstring and quadriceps. Our warm-up also focuses on agility, speed development and flexibility.
- Cooling down ensures athletes relax their muscles and reduce next-day soreness.
Speed Training
- Players run on Athletic Republic Generation II Super Treadmills. These treadmills can reach speeds of 28 miles per hour and an incline grade of 40 degrees.
- Players are taught proper running mechanics at high speeds. Stride efficiency and power make a faster, quicker runner.
- Players also learn visually by seeing themselves in a mirror and by using Dartfish video motion analysis —something they cannot get on the field.
Strength Training
- Lacrosse players need incredible upper body strength to throw farther, defend better and catch more easily. A sound weight-training program promotes stability and reduces the risk of injury.
- Players utilize resistance bands, free-weights, medicine balls, and physio balls to strengthen muscles, joints and connective tissues.
- The exercises are biomechanically specific to on-field skills including muscle movements used in shooting and passing.
Cardiovascular/Endurance Training
- Cardiovascular and endurance training at AR Norwood includes short interval/high intensity sprinting sequences on our Athletic Republic Generation II Super Treadmills. By using the same energy systems and tactical movements utilized in lacrosse games, athletes become fitter and faster.
Plyometric Training
- Plyometric training is an effective form of power training ideally suited to lacrosse. Players perform specific plyometric drills for increased motor performance (coordination), explosive power, vertical jump height, lateral power and rotation, and landing strength.
- Plyometric training combines elements of both speed and strength in single movement patterns that include the Athletic Republic PlyoPress, cord technology, longitudinal and vertical jumps, box jumps, and medicine ball drills for upper body and middle body torso power.
Flexibility
- Lacrosse-specific flexibility exercises include static stretching, isometric stretching, and active isolated stretching (AIS). Improved flexibility helps to prevent injuries by assuring the muscles and tendons work together properly. It also makes the muscles more elastic for increased lower body explosiveness.
Dynamic Balance
- Lacrosse is a game where a player’s center of gravity and body control are incredibly important. Lacrosse players perform a series of balance-specific exercises to strengthen their stabilizing muscles and allow for better muscular synergy and joint control.
- Training routines include unstable and stable lifts, dynamic balance movements with the Bosu ball, and a variety of off-balance training aids.
Agility
- Agility is the ability to change speed and direction while maintaining effective control of the body. In order to improve agility, athletes learn a variety of agility drills, including advanced ground-based agility patterns and use of a speed ladder.
- Ground-based agility patterns are conducted on our indoor Field Turf, track, and wood court.
Core Stabilization Training
- Core stabilization is essential for proper posture, balance and stabilization. Functional exercises focus on spinal stabilization and increased proprioception (the ability to read and respond to changing conditions) during sports activities.
- Core training consists of dynamic, multi-joint exercises that use free weights, medicine balls and circuit training.