“Boomer” Lax Coaches
What "Boomer" Lacrosse Coaches Do (and Why It's Time to Evolve)
You know the type. The “Boomer” lacrosse coach is stuck in the past, living in the glory days when the game was slower, simpler, and all about the basics—sometimes to a fault. While there’s a lot to respect about experience, tradition, and a no-nonsense approach, some of these old-school coaches haven’t adapted to the modern game. As a result, they might be holding players back in ways they don’t even realize. Here’s a breakdown of what “Boomer” lacrosse coaches tend to do—and why it’s time to evolve their thinking.
1. Overemphasize Line Drills and Static Drills
Ask a Boomer coach how to start practice, and 9 times out of 10, you’ll get the same answer: line drills. You know the ones—stand in a straight line, pass the ball, step to it, throw it back. It’s the same drill they’ve been running for 20, maybe 30 years. There’s a place for fundamentals, sure, but this obsession with static drills in today’s fast-paced, dynamic game just doesn’t cut it.
The game is all about flow and decision-making now. The best players can read defenses, dodge, pass, and cut all on the fly. Practicing in a vacuum with predictable, robotic movements doesn’t prepare players for that. It’s time to replace some of those static drills with game-simulated situations, where players have to adapt, react, and make decisions under pressure.
2. Cling to Traditional Systems (Even When They Don’t Work)
Boomer coaches love their systems. Whether it’s a rigid zone defense or the same offensive set they’ve been running since the 90s, they stick to what they know—even when the game has evolved around them. They’ll have a laminated playbook from a time before the shot clock, still preaching “pass around the horn” as if clock management and aggressive, fast-paced play aren’t key elements today.
This system-first mentality can stifle player creativity. In the modern game, players need the freedom to improvise, to read and react, to make plays based on what’s in front of them—not based on what a rigid system dictates. Sure, structure is important, but today’s lacrosse thrives on creativity and adaptability, and that’s hard to foster when coaches won’t deviate from old-school tactics.
3. Ignore Modern Conditioning and Speed Training
Boomer coaches love to talk about “grit,” “toughness,” and “hard work.” But when it comes to the actual strength and conditioning side of the game, they often stick to old-school approaches—usually involving wind sprints and endless running, without much attention to modern methods of conditioning, agility, or speed development. Today’s game is faster than ever. It’s not just about who can run the most laps; it’s about explosive speed, change of direction, and functional strength.
A modern lacrosse player needs to be training with more nuance—using strength programs that focus on core development, agility ladders, plyometrics, and position-specific conditioning. The days of just running up and down the field are over.
4. Dismiss Analytics and Advanced Strategy
The Boomer coach often relies on “feel” or “gut instinct” when making decisions. And while experience counts for a lot, the modern game is backed by data, stats, and film breakdowns that can provide deeper insights into player performance and strategy. Ignoring advanced analytics can leave Boomer coaches a step behind in game planning.
Data can reveal a player’s strengths, tendencies, and areas for improvement in ways that go beyond what you might observe during practice. Tracking shot percentages, analyzing player matchups, and dissecting defensive breakdowns through film study aren’t just trends—they’re how teams win today. But too many Boomer coaches dismiss these tools as unnecessary, refusing to take advantage of what the modern game has to offer.
5. Overlook Stickwork and Skill Work in Favor of “Hard Nosed” Play
To a Boomer coach, it’s all about toughness. While toughness is a great quality in any athlete, lacrosse today is a game that requires a high degree of skill and precision. And in some cases, these old-school coaches overlook the importance of constant stickwork development because they focus too much on the "grind it out" mentality. They’ll preach hustle and physicality but might downplay the need to fine-tune stick skills every single day.
In today’s game, ball control, accurate passing, quick sticks, and shooting precision are vital. The elite players aren’t just tough—they’re highly skilled, and that level of finesse comes from relentless work on fundamentals, not just running through a defender or taking hits.
6. Resist Technology and Modern Training Tools
Boomer coaches are often stuck in a tech-averse mindset. They may scoff at modern coaching tools like video breakdown apps, online scouting databases, or even social media as part of recruiting. But the truth is, technology has revolutionized lacrosse. Apps like Hudl, recruiting platforms, and digital film analysis aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re necessary for helping players improve and get noticed.
Players can break down their own film, study their mistakes, and get real-time feedback through tech. If Boomer coaches aren’t embracing this, they’re denying their players the full scope of development tools available in the modern era.
7. Stick to a “My Way or the Highway” Mentality
Boomer coaches often adopt an authoritarian approach: "This is how we do it. Period." It’s their way or no way. And while discipline is important, coaching today’s athletes—especially younger generations—requires flexibility and communication. Players want to understand why they’re doing something. They crave feedback and want to be part of a two-way conversation, not just following orders.
Boomer coaches sometimes miss the opportunity to develop deeper relationships with their players and get more out of them by being too rigid. Great coaching today blends authority with collaboration, teaching players to think for themselves while still respecting the system.
Time for the Boomer Coach to Evolve
Look, there’s no denying that Boomer coaches have wisdom and experience that are invaluable to the sport. They helped shape the foundation of lacrosse. But the game is evolving, and so should coaching methods. Lacrosse is faster, more dynamic, and more skill-focused than ever before. Players and coaches who are stuck in old habits risk falling behind.
The best coaches today blend the traditional grit and fundamentals with modern thinking—embracing creativity, advanced training techniques, and technology. It’s not about abandoning the past; it’s about combining it with the future.
So to the Boomer lacrosse coaches out there: adapt. Teach your players to be creative, to think on their feet, and give them the tools they need to succeed in today’s game—not yesterday’s.
P-Mac
