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Play More Than Just Lacrosse
    In today's competitive year-round environment, more young players are deciding to specialize in one sport at the expense of other sports. DON'T DO THIS. There is no substitute for playing more than one sport.

Play Lacrosse Year-Round
    Though this may seem to contradict the point above, it shouldn't. Play in leagues throughout the fall and winter. Basically, these ask you to commit one night a week. When playing in these leagues, make sure you address the shortcomings in your game, and don't develop bad habits. If you can't find time to play off season lacrosse, make sure you keep your stick in your hand throughout the year.. A coach can always tell the players who put the stick down in June and don't pick it up again until February or March. Remember, there's always a wall and "wall ball" (see the link this web site).

Stay In Shape All Year Round
    It's amazing how many players come to pre-season out of shape. One thing's for sure, the best players on the team are the ones who work more on speed and agility tend to do better in the spring than those who simply hit the weights. Weight training is important, but you should always do it in addition to, and not to the exclusion of, running and speed/agility training (again, please see this web site for more information). And remember, your stick skills need to be in shape."

Play Up Instead Of Down
    A young player always improves more when she pushes herself, and one way to do this is playing up at the next age level and against superior talent. Quite simply, look to play the sport against the very best competition you can find. This does not need to be in an organized setting nor against female players. There is much that you can learn from the boy's/men's game, especially how to shoot hard and fast.

Clinics/Camps
    Careful! Clinics/Camps are SO expensive, and they vary drastically in the level of play and instruction. If you attend these, MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR MONEY'S WORTH! (Ask questions, find new skills, ask to be put in the most challenging situations you can handle, etc.) Also, go to a clinic/camp that will give you personalized instruction. Before deciding on one, ask questions about the player to coach ratio.

Put Work in Before/After Practice
    The best players not only keep their sticks in their hands year-round, they're also the ones who you'll see on the field before practice warming up on their own and staying after practice to fine-tune their skills after the last whistle blows.