Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. Neil Stevens checks in with his National Lacrosse League notebook, leading off with a look at new Toronto Rock centerpiece Adam Jones.
Jones, acquired from the Saskatchewan Rush in a trade that cost Toronto two first-round draft picks, scored two goals in his new team's opener. The trade reaquainted Jones with some former teammates.
Elsewhere, New England impressed in a come-from-behind win over the defending champs, and Cody Jamieson returned from last season's knee injury with a bang.
2. Warming up to take draw controls is as important as warming up for any other aspect of game play, according to Team USA midfielders Ally Carey and Taylor Cummings.
Those two would know. Last summer they combined for 52 draw control wins to lead the U.S. to the gold medal in the FIL World Cup, and they followed that by snagging 13 draw controls apiece as Team USA won the IWGA World Games.
Carey and Cummings offer a three-round warm-up drill for draws, as told to Megan Schneider.
Cummings hosted a session on draws at the 2017 US Lacrosse Convention (LaxCon), highlights of which you can see here.
3. Fred Opie released his latest podcast yesterday, featuring an interview with former Governors Academy (Mass.) boys' lacrosse coach Peter Bidstrup.
Quite a topic: have families become too addicted to their child's sport(s) participation? Bidstrup coached his team to eight Independent School League championships, but left his position to form an education and leadership consulting company.
4. The Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association has endorsed the US Lacrosse rules for youth girls' lacrosse.
IWLCA President Kathy Taylor cited the national governing body's counsel from its Sports Science and Safety Committee in the development of its rules for ages 6U through 14U. US Lacrosse based its rules on a progressive introduction of skills commensurate with a young player's physical, cognitive and emotional development.
Rules interpretations sessions are scheduled for LaxCon Jan. 19-21 in Baltimore. Tickets for the annual education and networking event for coaches and officials are on sale here and currently priced at a $35 savings vs. walk-up. Attendees can browse LaxCon hotels and book rooms here before Dec. 17 to take advantage of discounted rates. Market pricing takes effect thereafter.