Colorado Mammoth Message Board

How do team practices work? I had heard from players that you all try to get together the day, or morning before a game and do a run through practice and that at times the players get together the day after the game? Outside of that I have heard that the players are on their own to keep in game condition - using the team trainer as a resource. Is this true? I am amazed at how well it all fits together on game day - wish I could get my youth players to play this way! As a team do you hold weekly conference calls or anything similar?

As far as trainers/injuries go do the Mammoth provide the players support in their home cities?

I enjoy your input - it answers many intriguing questions and puts to rest many rumors.

In the National Lacrosse League, teams are only allowed to practice once during a one week period. Teams are allowed a game day shoot around for 1 hour.

Some teams have the luxury of practicing mid week, in markets like Toronto, Rochester, and Buffalo most of the players can make the mid week practice because they all live there. With teams where many players don't live in the market, practices are done the night before whether at home or on the road.

We communicate regularly by email with the players and staff but don't host conference calls. The players communicate hourly with each other all week.

The players are on their own to condition and prepare; I always marvel at their independance and their dedication is nothing short of tremendous.

The team does support any rehab that they have to do. Our medical staff is dedicated to the quickest possible recovery in whatever city they live in. It has been our policy to seek out the most effective and most quality of care in their home cities if they do not live here. It is not a perfect system by any means but we make the best of it.

Bottom line is, the players are responsible for our success in so many ways and they deserve so much credit for the dedication to the team.

SG

What about bye weeks? Even though there is no game scheduled, could a team hold the one practice if it was feasable to try and stay sharp?

Practices during bye weeks are possible but sometimes not feasible. Sometimes with the grueling NLL travel schedule, it is best just to allow the players to rest and recover.

The rule is to allow only one practice in any seven day period so it is possible to practice twice before a game after a bye week. It becomes somewhat difficult when we play on a Thursday and would have to bring the entire team in on a Tuesday. The player's real job would suffer and they would have a hard time getting off.

SG