Do you know your best dodge?
You should and I’ll tell you why.
You need to know your strengths as a lacrosse player.
Whatever position you play, know your strengths.
Of course, working to develop your weaknesses (or I prefer to call them “areas for growth”) is beneficial, but…
But know your strengths.
Hopefully, just asking you this question gets you thinking.
Your best dodge is the one you execute most effectively under pressure, combining your unique moves with the ability to read the defender and the game.
Is it the roll dodge? Jump step? Question mark dodge?
Here’s how knowing the answer to that question will help you and your team.
1-CONFIDENCE WHEN FACING PRESSURE
When the game is on the line and you have a defender in your face, you’ll instinctively revert to your strengths.
Knowing your best dodge gives you a reliable opportunity to attack with confidence.
2-MAXIMIZES YOUR STRENGTHS
Whether it’s speed, quickness, deception, or power, understanding what you excel at allows you to emphasize those qualities in your play.
It’s very simple: play to your strengths.
Let your opponent try to figure out what you’re great at.
Once again, knowing your strengths is much more important than developing your weaknesses.
That’s because the key to winning is leveraging what you’re already great at.
Got it? Good.
3-BUILDS YOUR FOUNDATION
Your best dodge can be the foundation for developing other advanced moves.
If you’re great at a split dodge, for example, defenders may overcommit, setting up opportunities for other dodges like rollbacks or face dodges.
Build your foundation and expand from there.
4-STRATEGICALLY EXPLOITS MATCHUPS
Awareness of your best move helps you assess matchups quickly.
For example, if you’re explosive bursting out of a “hesitation” dodge, you’ll know to attack slower, bigger defenders or use that to freeze up sliding help.
5-GAME PLANNING
Coaches can incorporate your strengths into offensive schemes, creating situations where you can showcase your best moves.
If you’re a shifty dodger, the coach can call out matchups or strategically design plays to leverage your winning moves from topside, the elbow, or from X.
As you can see, there are a lot of great reasons to know your best dodge.
WHY THIS MATTERS
When you know what you’re good at, you use it to your advantage to win your matchups, and ultimately help your team with the game.
You have to know your strengths to help yourself and your team win.
Before you leave here, take a minute and answer these questions to yourself.
What is your best dodge? Are you sure? How do you know?
What is your trademark move?
When you know the answers, you’ll instantaneously be a better lacrosse player.
(*If you’re feeling bold today, post your best dodge below in the comments.)
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