Q & A with TomMarechek

Marechek's Q&AMarch 2, 2001 from allacrosseamerica

Dear Tom,
As a coach who is gearing up for the upcoming spring season (I coach a 7th and 8th grade team), what drills do you have your players at Glen Elg do that you think are particularly effective? Thank you very much.
Jeff Bradley

Jeff,
The first two weeks I would work mainly on stick work and fitness. Unfortunately, players don't spend enough time on stick work and it shows during practices and scrimmages. I force the issue to my players to work on thier shooting and passing at home against a wall or a net. This is the only way they will get better and, most importantly, feel comfortable when playing in games.
Try to keep practices less complicated so players don't get to discouraged.
Tom Displays a Nice Fake Against Buffalo

Tom,
Could you send me some advice on faking people out? I'm a big lacrosse player. I also play attack/goalie (in field lacrosse).
Matt Krupka
Matt,

Faking people out takes alot of time and practice. The best way to fake a goalie is through body motion along with stick fakes. I use the quarter turn fake. You turn your top hand a quarter of the way while you cradle. This will let you get a shot off quickly while you are in the faking motion. Eluding players and goaltenders comes from timing and deception.

February 9, 2001 from alllacrossamerica

Tom,
What is your opinion on offset heads? Do you use one, and if so, do you feel they give you an advantage you wouldn't have with a non-offset stick?
Rick M
Rick,
I think offset heads are good because they give you a good balanced feel when you are cradling the ball. The weight of the ball is always at the front of your stick and that gives you the ability to pass and shoot a lot quicker. The offset head was designed because bending your handle became illegal. The reason for bending your handle was because you always knew that the correct side of the head was in the right position.
Tom,
What sort of drills do you recommend doing for youngsters who want to work on the opposite hand stickwork and shooting?
At my All Pro Lacrosse Camp I tell players to practice switching hands on the wall. They should start by throwing the ball softly and catching it after one bounce. Using the push-pull motion, gently hold the stick in your opposite hands, keeping your arms away from your body steer the ball out of your stick towards your target. Once you get good at this start passing with your opposite hand on the move with a partner.

Dear Tom,
As a masters lacrosse player who feels the bumps and bruises after every time I strap on the pads, I'm curious. How do you train during the week to get ready to do battle each weekend in the indoor league? What sort of conditioning do you do? Thanks Tom.
Bill Pascoe
Bill,
I stretch out my entire body during the early week, and then I go for nice easy light jogs. I lift light during the season to keep myself flexible and lift heavy during the off season to become stronger. Since I play at least one game and one practice a week, I like to feel loose so I don't tighten up. You are prone to injuries if you are tight and not stretched before a solid practice or game -- believe me, I know! Thanks Bill.

February 2, 2001
Hey Tom,
What are some drill or tips you have for shooting/passing behind the back? How could I increase my accuracy so that I could use it more effectively in a game?
Thanks,
Mike
Mike,
Always practice shooting behind your back first by passing to another person.You should first lob your passes softly to your target until you are becoming more accurate. Later you should use a push- pull method that really teaches players to pass and shoot with more velocity and precision.The stick should go over your neck and not your head or back.Your bottom hand should pull while your top hand pushes at the same time creating a stap like motion. Your shoulder should be turning with your arms to be able to shoot or pass behind the back.
Tom shows off the behind the back

Tom,
I want to play lacrosse in college. What can you recommend so that I really get noticed quickly and so that the coachs will realize my ability?
James
My first advice for you is to never get discouraged and always practice on your own. Coaches like to see alot of hustle in lacrosse and if you are athletic you should work on field positions, where to be in accordance to your teammates and always moving off ball, things like that. You must learn how to pass and catch comfortably in order to advace your shooting skills to the next level. You will get the most out of learning at home on you own, using the garage door or a wall etc. Good luck with everything James!
Tom displays good off-ball movement

Tom,
I see that more and more kids are using mesh strung sticks instead of traditional. Do you have an opinion on which is better or is it strictly a personal preference?
Wayne
I would rather see a young player use mesh strung sticks because it keeps a more consistant pocket than a traditional head. The average lacrosse player does not want to waste time in fooling around with their pocket everyday.Traditional sticks are a little more harder to work in and the leather tends to stretch so you are always fixing your stick.
I grew up playing with traditional so I like the feel better than a mesh pocket.I also think with a worked in traditional stick you are able to hold the ball better.It is to one players preference over another! Thanks, TM.