The Lacrosse Concierge Approach: Merging Coaching Expertise with Purposeful Play

Every athlete’s journey is unique. As a parent, guardian, or coach, you want to see your player grow not just in skill but in confidence and joy on the field. Over the years, I have worn many hats — from assistant NCAA lacrosse coach to youth pastor, drug and alcohol counselor, and nonprofit leader. Each role taught me something valuable about supporting people through challenges and growth. Today, I bring all those lessons together in what I call the Lacrosse Concierge approach.

This approach is about more than just lacrosse training or lacrosse coaching. It’s about meeting each player where they are, understanding their needs deeply, and crafting purposeful sessions that build skills and character. Let me share how this mindset developed and what it means for your player’s development.

How My Diverse Background Shapes My Lacrosse Concierge Role

My career path might seem unusual for someone who coaches lacrosse. I’ve worked as a program manager for an adolescent halfway house, trained professionals in Safe Crisis Management (SCM), and served on county boards focused on mental health and developmental disabilities. I also live and work as an autistic adult, which gives me a unique perspective on communication and learning styles.

Each experience taught me to look beyond surface behavior and understand the whole person. For example, as an SCM trainer, I learned how structure and clear expectations create safe environments where people can thrive. This is not about punishment or reaction but about proactive support.

In lacrosse coaching, this translates into designing sessions that have clear purpose and structure. I don’t believe in drills just for the sake of drills or sprints just to tire players out. Every movement on the field should build toward a goal, whether it’s improving footwork, decision-making, or endurance.

What It Means to Have a Concierge Mindset in Lacrosse

In hospitality, a concierge anticipates guests’ needs before they ask. They understand who the guest is, what challenges they might face, and connect them with resources that help them succeed. I apply this same mindset to lacrosse training.

Each player has a unique physical, mental, and emotional profile. Some may struggle with confidence, others with focus or stamina. My job is to identify what holds them back and what fuels their passion. Then I build a plan tailored to those insights.

For example, one player might need extra time developing stick skills in a low-pressure setting. Another might benefit from drills that simulate game-speed decision-making to build confidence under pressure. The goal is to make every session meaningful — no wasted motion, no meaningless reps.

Lacrosse coach guiding a young player through purposeful drills

Lacrosse coaching focused on purposeful drills tailored to individual player needs

Applying Structural Clinical Management Principles to Lacrosse Training

Safe Crisis Management (SCM) is a system designed to regulate behavior through clear structure, safety, and expectations. It emphasizes proactive systems rather than punishment or reactive measures.

In lacrosse training, I use SCM principles to create a normative system behind every drill. This means each drill has clear rules and rewards consistency, focus, and accountability. Players know what is expected and see how their effort leads to improvement.

For instance, I don’t have players sprint just to get tired. Instead, sprints mimic real game situations: exploding out of a dodge, closing out on a defender, or chasing a ground ball. These sprints have intent and build the specific endurance players need.

This approach helps players develop discipline and mental toughness while keeping training relevant and engaging.

Why Purposeful Play Matters for Young Athletes

Parents and coaches often ask how to keep young players motivated and progressing. The answer lies in purposeful play — training that connects skills to real game situations and personal goals.

When players understand why they do each drill, they engage more fully. They see progress not just in stats but in how they feel on the field. Purposeful play also reduces burnout because every session has meaning.

For example, instead of endless passing drills, I design exercises that simulate pressure from defenders or require quick decision-making. This helps players transfer skills from practice to games more effectively.

How Families and Coaches Can Support Purposeful Lacrosse Training

Supporting a player’s growth means more than showing up to practice. Families and coaches can help by:

• Communicating openly about the player’s goals and challenges

• Encouraging reflection after sessions to identify what worked and what didn’t

• Celebrating small wins to build confidence

• Being patient with progress, understanding that growth is not always linear

• Partnering with coaches who prioritize purposeful, individualized training

  
  

When everyone works together, players feel supported both on and off the field.

Final Thoughts on the Lacrosse Concierge Approach

My journey through diverse roles taught me that coaching is about more than skills. It’s about understanding each player’s whole story and crafting training that respects their unique needs. The Lacrosse Concierge approach brings structure, purpose, and care to every session.

If you want your player to grow with intention and joy, look for coaching that values purposeful play over rote repetition. Together, we can build not just better athletes but confident, resilient individuals ready for the challenges on and off the field.