Winter Lacrosse 2024

LOCATION: Frederick, MD

This winter, Fundamentals Academy is partnering with with Blue Collar Lacrosse to offer Canadian Box Lacrosse! Practice starts mid October 2025.

Interested? Late registration is available while space lasts! Email: bluecollarlc@gmail.com

Why Should I Play Box Lacrosse?

From major organizations & pro leagues

  • USA Lacrosse (governing body) — Article laying out why box builds skills that transfer to field (decision-making, stick skills in traffic, shooting accuracy, both-ends play). Includes coach quotes supporting box for youth. USA Lacrosse

  • Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) — “How Box Lacrosse is Preparing American Players for the PLL” argues that NLL experience (tight spaces, quick decisions) elevates field performance; notes entire PLL rosters benefit from players who also play box. Premier Lacrosse League

Hall-of-fame / Championship coaches

  • Regy Thorpe (U.S. Indoor National Team head coach) — “There are so many skills in the box game that can carry over to the field game to help young players develop.” USA Lacrosse

  • John Desko (5x NCAA champion, Syracuse) — “One of the things I like about box, which I think all young kids should play, is that the ball never goes out of bounds.” (Emphasizing pace and extra touches.) USA Lacrosse

  • Bill Tierney (7x NCAA champion, Princeton/Denver) — Widely quoted for advocating heavy youth box play because of more touches and skill development in tight spaces. (Frequently cited quotation; see compilations.) A-Z QuotesTeam Superstar LAX

  • Dom Starsia (4x NCAA champion, Virginia) — “American field players would really help themselves if they were exposed to a steady stream of box experience… It is almost a requirement to have a top player with indoor experience on your roster right now.” (Compilation of his comments.) A-Z Quotesbluestarlacrosse.com

Current pro voices / case studies

  • Andy Towers (PLL Chaos head coach) — Regularly credits box principles and chemistry for Chaos success; USA Lacrosse profile highlights how “thinking inside the box” has translated to PLL wins. USA Lacrosse

  • Blaze Riorden (PLL goalie / NLL forward) — USA Lacrosse feature and NLL media show his uncommon field-goalie/box-forward crossover; his journey is often used as a development example of how box skills (tight-space reads, finishing) complement field. USA LacrosseYouTube

Additional media supporting the transfer of skills

  • USA Lacrosse – Benefits of Box — Breaks down specific carryovers: small goals/large pads → pinpoint shooting; shot clock/boards → pace & quick decisions; everyone on short sticks → ground balls, dodging, passing in traffic; constant O↔D transitions. Useful for parent/board packets. USA Lacrosse