Syracuse University Head Men's Lacrosse Coach;
2020 National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee;
5x National Championship Coach;
2015 & 2016 ACC 'Coach of the Year';
2008 USILA Division I Coach of the Year;
owns the best winning percentage (.750) of any active NCAA Division I coach;
as a Syracuse Assistant Coach, was part of 6 additional NCAA Championships;
All American Player at Syracuse
Syracuse lacrosse has a history rich in success and a winning culture proven by 38 NCAA Tournament appearances and 11 NCAA national championships and 5 pre-NCAA era Championships. Join legendary head men's lacrosse coach John Desko and assistant coach Kevin Donahue for an all access look at their proven techniques and philosophies as they prepare for another season.
Syracuse All Access Lacrosse shows a candid and comprehensive look at four full preseason practices. You will see how Syracuse coaches shape their players individual skills into a championship team. As coaches explain proper technique and proven philosophies, typically to individual players, you are able to better appreciate the details and purpose to the drills shown. Key "Coaching Points" are highlighted to emphasize the most important task and purpose that a given drill is trying to teach.
Day One:
Coach Desko starts the first video with a tour of the Syracuse training facilities showing the locker room, Manley field House and the team room where strategies are developed and game films are studied. The first practice begins with team and goalie warm ups. Passing drills start with the familiar Star and Four Corner progressing to the unique "Spike" and "Diamond" passing drills. Three-on-Two shooting initiating from multiple perspectives is covered in detail. These drills are structured to encourages player communication and develop timing for passing and cutting. The first video concludes with a scrimmage detailing key game situations including sideline play and face off technique.
Day Two:
Coach Desko introduces you to several of the drills during a voice over segment while the team is getting warmed-up and shares what the days practice will hold for the players. Then we follow the team through a quick conditioning segment followed by drill work. The SU coaches utilize multiple variations on the Three Man Weave, Six on Five keep-away and Box passing drills. Time is again spent detailing face offs. Practice continues with Alley Shooting drills designed to give the advantage to the goalie while building on the shooters skills. Ground balls are covered starting individually and progressing to Three on Three competitions. Practice concludes with a team scrimmage where details on game play are reviewed and additional coaching points reinforced.
Day Three
Practice starts with Full Field team passing. Through several different drills the coaches reinforce their game strategies for goalie clears and efficiently transitioning the ball. A variety of individual and Two on Three shooting drills specific for middies and attack are covered so that each player's effort is coached and critiqued. Goalie coaching specific to defending against shots from the GLE are discussed. A One on One shooting drill is developed into an exercise teaching defensive slides and emphasizing defensive communication. Practice concludes with a scrimmage where Ten Man Ride and covering Inbound balls are reviewed.
Day Four:
Assistant coach Kevin Donahue works one-on-one with the goalies on footwork and body positioning. Later he works with middies on face-off skills. Team passing continues with Star and Line drills for both passes and ground balls. Progression drills continue simulating live game situations. A significant amount of time is spent on setting Picks from various positions on the field and the use of Picks for inbound plays. Fast Breaks, Riding, Zone Offence and Zone Defense are covered in a half field scrimmage.
This is truly a must have video for anyone looking to build a championship practice program. The detail and insight shown in Syracuse All Access Lacrosse can easily be used as a solid foundation for any level of lacrosse. This series will improve your understanding of lacrosse and leave you better prepared as a coach or player.
529 minutes (4 videos). 2012.
All Access videos are designed to allow viewers from all over the world to see how successful coaches run their practices in a "live" practice setting. All Access videos allow viewers to see the practices un-edited and in real-time. You will see how top coaches run their drills, interact with their team and staff, how they motivate their team, the cue words they use, the atmosphere of the practice and how practices are structured from day to day. Many coaches visit successful colleges and high schools to watch practice. But if you live out of state or out of the country, visiting another coach's practice can be costly. That's why we created the All Access Practice Series of videos -- to bring the practices to you!