More than a splash of new will highlight the educational sessions at the 2018 US Lacrosse Convention (LaxCon), set for Jan. 19-21 at the Baltimore Convention Center.
Advance registration continues for lacrosse’s largest educational and networking event for coaches, officials and organizational leaders. Through Jan. 12, all-access tickets are just $125 for US Lacrosse members and $165 for the general public. Each figure represents a $35 savings vs. walk-up pricing. Registration includes free access to an audio and video library of sessions for on-demand consumption following the event.
LaxCon annually attracts more than 7,000 participants, and the upcoming event will include a significant expansion of sessions for indoor lacrosse. A new partial box arena, complete with dasher boards, will be constructed in the expo hall.
“Our box lacrosse sessions have more than doubled from previous years,” Rick Lake, men’s game senior manager at US Lacrosse, said. “Box lacrosse makes better playmakers by improving stick skills, dodging techniques and footwork, and it adds to a player’s lacrosse IQ.”
It’s another step in US Lacrosse’s commitment to the indoor game since announcing Oct. 17 a new set of standardized rules for men and women at all levels of play from ages 6U and above.
“We are encouraged by US Lacrosse’s deepened focus on the game of box,” Nick Sakiewicz, commissioner of the National Lacrosse League, said. “It is a very exciting time to be a part of box lacrosse as we continue to see the game grow and develop in various regions across the United States.”
Five instructional demonstrations will take place in the box — led by Georgia Swarm head coach Eddie Comeau, NLL veteran Paul Day, NLL Hall of Famers Tom Marechek and Johnny Mouradian, U.S. indoor men’s coach Regy Thorpe, and Lionheart Lacrosse youth club founder Erik Holt — and three classroom sessions about officiating and game play also are scheduled.
Comeau led the Swarm to the 2017 NLL championship.
“In our session, we will utilize the necessary skills in box lacrosse to develop talent in the outdoor game,” Comeau said. “This reinforces what we already knew in the NLL — we have the best lacrosse players in the world. The youth and college coaches are recognizing the importance of box training.”
LaxCon attendees can take in six of the eight box presentations on Saturday, Jan. 20, before Thorpe assembles U.S. indoor team hopefuls for a 7 p.m. intra-squad game at Clarence “Du” Burns Arena, a short ride east of the convention center. Ticket prices have not been announced, but LaxCon attendees will receive free admission with their credential.
The increase in box sessions also reflects a recent uptick in American players joining the NLL, including Tom Schreiber of the Toronto Rock, who was named the league’s Rookie of the Year after becoming known as “Captain America.” Schreiber remains in the running for a spot on the final 2018 U.S. outdoor team and the 2019 U.S. indoor team.
Also new will be a LaxCon app, which will be made available for download via iTunes or the Google Play store prior to the event.
To view all speaker schedules and register for the US Lacrosse Convention, visit uslacrosse.org/laxcon.