I’ve got a useful tool that can transform your game as a lacrosse player – if you use it.
Your lacrosse tournament is over.
So, how did you do?
Don’t answer me, answer yourself.
Let me share the after performance review (the A.P.R.). It’s a framework for self-evaluation.
It’s time to assess your performance so you can be even better for the the next tournament (or game).
Always get better, my friend.
Continue to ask yourself this question: What can I do better?
You’re either growing or regressing. As the saying goes “when you’re green you’re growing and when you’re ripe you rot.”
Here’s a helpful quick self-assessment guide for lacrosse athletes.
If you take a few minutes to do this, you can radically elevate your game performance – so I encourage you to take a little time and answer some of these important questions.
This will help you identify strengths (I’ve talked about how important that is), assess areas for growth, and improve your lacrosse game.
- OVERALL PERFORMANCE.
Describe your general feeling about your performance: What did you feel you did well and where did you feel challenged the most? On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate this tournament for yourself?
Rate your consistency: How consistent were you across the games? Did your performance improve, decline, or remain stable?
- TECHNICAL SKILLS.
Dodging: Since dodging is a master skill, did you effectively use dodges to create scoring opportunities? What dodges were most effective, and where did you struggle?
Shooting: How was your accuracy and power? Did you make use of different types of shots (e.g., overhand, sidearm) as needed?
Stick Skills/Passing & Catching: Was your passing accurate and well-timed? Were you able to receive passes under pressure?
Defensive Skills, ground balls, etc: What lacrosse skills did you do well and where did you struggle?
- TACTICAL SKILLS.
Game Awareness: Were you able to read the defense and adjust? Did you anticipate your opponent’s moves?
Positioning: How was your positioning on the field? Were you able to support teammates effectively and create space?
Decision Making: How effective were your decisions during fast breaks, transitions, and set plays? Do you understand the coaching concepts well enough to execute them?
- PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE.
*Effort: This is a BIG one! Always focus on your effort. It’s one thing you will always have total control over. Did you fight for every ground ball? Did you hustle on the field? Did you give your best effort (and if you didn’t, why not?)
Energy and Endurance: Were you able to maintain energy and were you conditioned throughout the tournament?
Speed and Agility: Did you feel quick and fast when dodging or defending?
Strength and Physicality: How did you hold up in physical challenges, with ground balls, etc?
- MENTAL PERFORMANCE.
Focus: Were you able to stay focused throughout each game? Were you able to stay positive if things didn’t go your way or with the team?
Confidence: Did you play with high confidence, even when facing setbacks or a strong opponent? What was your self talk through the game – was it positive or negative?
(*Self talk is huge, by the way. I’ve discussed the importance of positive self talk many times with players. Remember, the self talk you use can take your game up or bring it down massively. The good thing is you have the power to choose.)
Resilience: How well did you bounce back after mistakes or setbacks?
- AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT.
Identify 3 Key Areas to Improve: Based on your review, what are the top 3 areas where you’d like to see improvement? Write them down now.
Set Actionable Goals: Set clear, actionable goals to address these areas before the next tournament.
Here’s some actionable examples:
- Improve my shooting accuracy by practicing 20 extra shots after each practice.
- Do wall ball every day until the next tournament – and hold yourself accountable.
- Watch lacrosse film on YouTube everyday to better learn the game (15-30’ everyday)
- Talk to my coaches to get feedback and/or clarification on concepts
- Do sprints 1-2 times per week on my own.
- Weight train 1-2 times per week to improve speed, athleticism, and durability.
- Work on my footwork 1-2 times per week.
- POSITIVE TAKEAWAYS.
Highlight Your Strengths: What aspects of your performance are you most proud of? What are you really good at? What are your strengths as a player?
Build on Your Success: Think of specific moments that went well during the tournament and how you can build on these in future games.
ONE MORE THING…SPORTSMANSHIP.
After writing this, there was one more important thing for you to self-assess.
How was your sportsmanship on the field?
Were you a good teammate? Were you respectful to the officials? Did you play with class and integrity?
This is crucial for you to be your best.
And if you want to get recruited for college, this area is non-negotiable.
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