Quantcast
skip navigation
Home Homegrown Connect Community Camps & Clinics Leagues Events Store Support Search Search

Engaging Players at a Personal Level

by Somer Davidson


Avery at his first Homegrown Camp in 2009

Parents are often apprehensive about putting their children in sports; afraid that they will get discouraged from seeing the others’ advanced skills and lose confidence.
 
That was the case when Tina Deacon and her husband Rob first enrolled their then 11-year old son Avery in a Homegrown Lacrosse program. Even though parents of other players on Avery's lacrosse team, the Deacons were admitably skeptical of what to expect or how Avery would like it. 
 
"With any sport there is usually a handful of star players which inevitablty make the rest feel unappreciated, unaccomplished and unfulfilled," said Rob. "Since Avery was so new to the sport, we were concerned that he would either get discouraged after the first day or simply get lost with all the other kids."
 
That uncertainty quickly vanished at the end of the first day when they saw the smile on Avery's face and the excitement he felt for the game. 
 
"We had heard stories about how Homegrown really connects with the kids and frankly we thought it was too good to be true." said Rob. "But everything we heard about Homegrown and its coaches was spot on. Homegrown delivers on its promise - each player, no matter how advanced he is, will get the attention he deserves. It goes deeper than that though, each player is engaged at a personal level which makes something special happen inside a kid."

It Starts with the Coaches


Avery and his L.D.P. Group in 2010

The Homegrown Lacrosse coaches definitely fulfilled the Deacon's idea of what makes great coaches. 
 
“I look for coaches who have a fundamental knowledge of the game,” said Tina. “They must have patience and make it enjoyable for the kids. They must have good communication skills, and be able to work with all sorts of personalities. Daniel and Aron Lipkin do not care whether the kids win or lose, all they care about is that they put their hand on their heart and believe they are doing the best they can.”
 
With all of the different coaches Tina’s son has had, and being married to a coach herself, she knows the necessary qualities required to be an exceptional instructor.
 
“Very few coaches have command over the group and are able to keep the players’ attention,” shared Tina. “Homegrown Lacrosse coaches make certain that the players come to practice, and make it known that this is for their benefit. They expect the players to participate fully and not fool around.”
 
A good coach will be able to communicate in a way that doesn’t involve yelling at the players, which often times causes the players to become intimidated and nervous around them.
 
“My old football coach used to yell at us, and we didn’t like it,” Avery chimed in. “At Homegrown, they talk with us by pulling us aside, giving us personal attention. They also make sure you know when you are doing something right. Its cool to see how excited they get about something you do.” 

Work Hard, Play Hard


Avery at Homegrown's 2010 Summer Camp

The Homegrown coaches clearly understand and live the notion of "work hard, play even harder."

"They joke around and have fun with the players which makes the practices more enjoyable," said Avery. "Sometimes the coaches will do some really crazy things like dance-offs and made up games like Lacrosse Donkey Kong. I think they have more fun than we do."

For parents like TIna and Rob, this type of interaction is important to see because it gives them a sense of comfort knowing that their child is in postive environment where he is learning and having a blast too. 
 
“The interaction the coaches have with the kids at Homegrown Lacrosse is like no other organization,” says Tina. “Every coach makes it a point that each boy is acknowledged and given full attention, they make certain that each boy knows exactly what he’s doing. The coaches are very approachable and are always ready to help,” says Tina. It’s very critical that they are not temperamental and aggressive with their players.”

Transcending the Lacrosse Field

According to the Deacons, Homegrown's coaches aren't focused soley on how skilled the players are, but rather on instilling confidence, motivation and perseverance within them to improve.
 
Homegrown Lacrosse develops many qualities within the players, and Tina has noticed personal growth in her son over the course of time. 
 
“Since joining Homegrown, Avery has improved his self-confidence, his ability to focus and his dedication to the team,” Tina says proudly. “His personal development in lacrosse transfers over to his studies. He is able to take the skills needed to focus and use it for his homework. The schedule he has in practice helps him form a schedule in school.”

Lasting Relationships

It is important to the Homegrown coaches to build relationships with the players lives beyond the camp. For the coaches, it is the positive impact they can have on a player's confidence - on and off the field - that is more important than simply teaching skills. 

knows of other games or activities besides lacrosse the players are involved with,

It isn't uncommon to see coaches, particularly the senior staff, at games, practices or other activities to support the players. And when the players see their coaches there supporting them, the players know that "their coach"  truly cares for them.

For Avery’s birthday, Aron Lipkin, Homegrown Lacrosse executive director and co-founder  stopped by Avery's practice on his way back from a game to personally deliver a Homegrown Lacrosse staff shirt to him as a present.

“It made me feel really special," exclaimed Avery. "The shirt was so cool! I made my mom wash it all the time so I could wear it to school almost every day during the season.”
 
For the Deacons, that moment in time characterizes what Homegrown Lacrosse is all about.
 
“Homegrown Lacrosse coaches are the real deal,” says Tina. “It’s not about them, it’s about the kids. They are passing their knowledge down to the next generation. They really are a one-of-a-kind organization.”