Nov. 2, 2011
It has been a great Fall for Navy Lacrosse. We have begun our transition from our fall season to our off-season training and individual work. This is a perfect time to update you on the progress of the team in the fall and look ahead to the spring.
One of the first decisions I had to make upon accepting the job was assembling a coaching staff with similar beliefs that could adjust, adapt and learn on the fly. I have been pleased with how quickly the staff has meshed together. Our ability to acclimate quickly to our surroundings, especially with all the dynamics of working at the Academy, has made the transition easier. Coach Wellner and I have worked together over the past four years and while it is nice having someone on staff that knows me and is familiar with a program that I run, it was not the main reason I asked him to come to Navy. He is knowledgeable, hard working and dedicated to improving the programs he has coached. Having two former Mids on my staff in Coach Reppert and Coach Jarboe has been a nice bonus and eased the transition. What stands out the most about the two of them is their knowledge of the game, their ability to lead and the quality of person they are. In my 13 years as a head coach, this staff’s chemistry is the best I have ever experienced.
Our goal this fall was to concentrate on the little things, evaluate the abilities and strengths of the team, and introduce fundamental concepts that will be the cornerstone of our team in 2012. The players responded well to new coaching techniques with high repetitions. We still have a great deal of work to do before we take the field in a real game this spring, however. All of the players are working hard to improve and pick up on techniques that may be different than what they have learned in the past. We talk about “want to” a lot with the team in terms of attitude and effort. Our team has shown the staff it “wants to” get better and is willing to work hard to make that happen.
Our fall schedule consisted of two weeks of early morning “Landing Zone” training and five weeks of practices. We had two scrimmages that were excellent opportunities to apply what we had learned on the field, as well as evaluate how we stand against top competition. The Villanova and Notre Dame scrimmages showed that we have a great deal of potential and still need to refine the details, work on small fundamentals and compete for an entire game. The coaching staff left both scrimmages with positive and negative plays that will help serve as teaching tools as we move into the next phase of our 2012 campaign.
We have moved some players around on the defensive end in an effort to mix youth with experience and athleticism with lacrosse IQ. We are very excited about our athletic midfielders who we will look to play both on offense and defense and take advantage of transition opportunities. Coming off an outstanding plebe year, we are looking to our attack to help control the game and set the tone for the team as well as continue to produce points.
I have been impressed with the Brotherhood that I have heard so much about and have been able to experience this fall. The team is extremely close and takes care of each other. It has been a pleasure to coach and lead these fine young men because of their attitude, work ethic and togetherness. It has been a great experience so far and I am constantly impressed with the stories of the Midshipmen, the mission of the Academy and the results they produce. As I get to know more of our Navy lacrosse alumni, I have learned there is tremendous support and following for Navy Lacrosse. It is obvious the program’s older brothers are successful leaders who have accomplished great things in the Navy, Marine Corps, and civilian business sector.
I look forward to continuing to meet members of the Navy Lacrosse family throughout the year.
Go Navy!
Coach Sowell
