FLG LACROSSE: More than a team, it’s a program

Joining a lacrosse team has its rewards. You get competitive training, experience wins and losses, and learn the rules of the game. Still, what may be missing can be even more important and it’s what only a lacrosse program is able to provide: education, personal as well as athletic development and dedication to the future of its players. When you’re part of a program you belong to a group of like-minded individuals who share the same definition of success! There’s a big difference between putting together a lacrosse team and building a lacrosse program. Key among those differences is developing a blueprint that lays out the program’s goals, draws the right people to it and leaves plenty of room for growth and change. A program has a plan, offers equal opportunity, educates and shares its passion with those involved. To be most effective, a program should be built around:

• Great training from qualified coaches who care about personal and athletic development
• Opportunities for equal playing time and guidance through the recruiting process
• A solid program-wide curriculum
• Methodology
• Constructive player evaluations and feedback

A program offers opportunity to its members. At FLG Lacrosse, we are proud of our continuing efforts to improve and structure our lacrosse programs so that they work toward the best interests of each player. We work towards the best interest of each player by:

• Giving multiple repetitions to players at our training events
• Having great coach to player ratios at our events so that each player gets lots of attention, instruction, and training
• Briefing all coaches before our events so they can act in accordance with our goals

At FLG, our programs focus on building toward the future. Sports can play a huge role in getting into the right colleges, fostering leadership qualities and developing a sense of community. How do our programs build toward the future?

• Each member of the program is provided with a free online recruiting profile to research and connect with colleges
• Members get advice and guidance on how to use these recruiting resources
• We meet with families about the recruiting process, opportunities and how to impress colleges
• We offer community service for players in our program to help build their resumes

We take pride in the results of our programs. We’re happy when participants ask questions; it signals their intellectual development for the game and the growth of important life skills. We’re excited when we hear of players who are actively involved in the recruiting process, learning all they can about the colleges and coaches that will guide them through the next important phase of their lives. We’re proud when a parent sends us an article that his son or daughter is doing something productive for their community or school. We’re delighted when we learn that one of our FLG Select Players has been voted captain of his or her middle school, high school, college or professional team. And, we’re honored when our alumni come back to serve as coaches or mentors in the programs that helped them succeed. A program is much more than just a team. It’s closer to a life coaching experience that will serve your son or daughter well beyond the few years they participate in it. It’s a true foundation for their future. How is an FLG lacrosse program closer to a life coaching?

• We have an entire Alumni Community that stays involved in the program. Many of our Alumni come back to share their experiences at the next level with current players in the program
• We provide jobs for our Alumni or connect them with potential leads to get jobs during college and after they graduate
• We offer networking opportunities for Alumni and current players in the program
• We stay connected with our Alumni via social media, text, email, and more
• We offer awards to outstanding studletes
• We maintain an open line of communication for our families in the program and for our Alumni
• If you call or email, we pick up! We don’t hide from families in our program like many lacrosse “program” directors do
• We run coaches clinics so our coaches and trainers continue to develop as leaders and mentors
• Plus, FLG Directors take coaching workshops and attend leadership activities to grow at their job

Our program goes well beyond athletic development. We support, build connections and prepare our studletes for the future. If you currently have a lacrosse program, let us know how you are doing and feel free to comment or share stories about what makes you proud. To learn more about how FLG builds a Program, contact Program Director Corey Winkoff: cwinkoff@flglacrosse.com or 516.750.6500 # # #