Mark Millon Lacrosse Camps--Pomona, N.J. July 21 by Gerald Goulder

Last week the YLUSA.com 2002 Summer Lax Camp Tour rolled onto the campus of Stockton State College in Pomona, N.J., just outside Atlantic City. What I found was, frankly, unexpected. After touring many of the big college lacrosse coaching staff camps where often the teaching and coaching talent is spread way too thin, I found a camp teaching lacrosse techniques. Led by a camp owner who was actually on site working with the campers throughout each day (except when the revised MLL schedule took him to Baltimore for a few hours one day).

Who would have thought that Mark Millon, master of lacrosse, would actually be working his camp--on the field all day, in the dining halls, wartching lax videos with the campers in the evenings? I didn't. I expected the usual "star player" camp where the name player drops by for some give-aways, autographs and a little stick show.

This is a teaching camp as good as any other in the USA. A camp that stresses working on the techniques kids aren't good at so they improve. Telling them not scoring is fine, learn the technique. No camp champs or MVP's, just improve your game implementing what you are being taught.

And these campers get taught technique. Stick skills. Foot work.Passing, feeding, shooting, riding defense, how to work the wall, running with your shoulder turned, quieting their cradle...and on and on. More than most coaches have forgotten. Full speed. Going hard. And a wealth of lacrosse technique information so that the campers know what to work on when they leave camp at the end of the week, inlcuding a personalized practice agenda.

I noticed several intersting aspects of the Millon Camp from the get go. First, learning full speed, going hard. I think sometimes lax coaches teach kids at too slow a movement/pace. When they are taught going hard they really can learn the technique better. Thet get it down right.They can better learn the feel of the technique done right. Can't be any better than being taught the roll dodge being bumped hard by Mark Millon as he tells you what to do, what you need to do better, then gives you another chance to do it on him.

A second facet of note about the camp is that Millon actually loves teaching kids lacrosse. He isn't off on the golf cart away from the action. he's in it. he teaches so many camps and seminars himself that he knows how to explain lacrosse techniques to kids. A lot of big time college coaches can't teach kids. And a lot of big time lacrosse players can't teach. They can't explain what they are doing. Millon loves teaching. he comes from a family of teachers and he genuinely enjoys teaching himself.

This is one of five Millon Lacrosse Camps. He actually turns kids ($$) away limiting his camps to a maximum of 250 players. They don't lmit enrollment at the big college program camps.

I also liked the special teaching sessions where the campers get to take 15-20 minutes with any coach and ask questions about their own play and how to learn specific techniques better. Forget all the goodies kids, if you can get special teaching sessions like this they are worth more than all of the freebies combined.

The coaching at the camp is good. Obvioulsy overseen by Millon and including many top college coaches and players. I believe the ratio I counted was 8.5:1.The day I was at the camp John Blatchey, a Towson State honorable mention All-American and current MLL Baltimore Bayhawks attackman, was coaching hands on. Later in the week "all everything" Bayhawks goalie Greg Cattrano was visiting camp.

I learned so much about lacrosse techniques I couldn't wait to work with my son again. Millon probably could add a few coaching camps which would also do a lot to improve youth lax play.