The ultimate purpose of the Team Minnesota Development Academy is to utilize a long-term, player-centered developmental structure, which is based on a coaching curriculum that accelerates the participant’s development as a difference-making lacrosse player. Each player is important to us, and thus we pride ourselves on our individual coach-player interaction and player/participant ratio.
What is Player Centered Development?
Player Centered (Team MN) vs Command Style Development
Coach’s role:
In the player centered approach:
Focus is the Player
Creates a challenging environment that forces the player to try new skills
Provides the proper options when confronted with un-anticipated game situations
Encourages players to understand the “why”
Develops whole players
In the “command style”:
Focus is the Coach
Narrow, failure-phobic drills that force players to only do what they can do now
Provides solutions to only anticipated situations
Tells players what to think and does not encourage understanding the “why”
Develops clones - limited skill-set specialist
Player’s Role:
In the player centered approach:
Focus = Learning
Solve Lacrosse Problems
In the “command style”:
Focus = Performing your limited, defined role competently
Execute coach’s direction
The goal of all of the Youth Development Academy and programs is to use a Player Centered Approach to produce players that:
Are instinctive
Are creative
Take initiative
Think independently within the team structure
Understands proper options (Lacrosse/Athletic IQ)
Solves problems
“Own the game”
The Team MN Staff believes that this approach coupled with the technical elements is what separates our players and their development process.
We thank you for trusting in us to develop your player! We are committed to providing an unmatched learning experience for student athletes and their families.