BOY'S CAMPS at UMASS DARTMOUTH, DARTMOUTH, MA
Boy’s Full-Field Camp - July 20-24
Full-Field Goalie Camp - July 20-24
Boy’s Elite Camp - July 24-27
Elite Goalie Camp - July 24-27
Dave Evans Extreme Attack Camp - July 28-31
Chris Surran Extreme Goalie Camp - July 28-31
A.J. Shannon Extreme Midfield Camp - July 28-31
Brodie Merrill Extreme Defense Camp - July 28-31
Conor Gill Total Offense Camp - July 31-Aug 3
Player's Choice Total Defense Camp - July 31-Aug 3
Iron Man Shooting and Goalie Camp - July 31-Aug 3
Scroll down to view specific camp descriptions.
4th quarter. Tie score. 12 seconds left in the game. Driving rain. So cold you can see your breath. You can feel the mud caked on your face. You're man-down, but have just got the ball back at midfield. Their best long-stick is between you and the goal, and you can still feel the sting of his last check on your elbow. You watch the ref raise the whistle to his lips.
12 seconds left, and you're wet, tired and hurt, and their best player is standing in front of you with fire in his eyes and you've got the ball in your stick and it's no secret that you're taking him to the cage...and you wouldn't have it any other way.
Everything you've ever done has prepared you for this moment. Every shot, pass, check, goal, assist; all the practices and camps and scrimmages and games; all the wall-ball and time spent alone shooting, chasing down missed shots and shooting again. All of it. All of it has led to this moment, on this field, for these 12 seconds, and you're ready because you've done all you can to be ready. It's what you live for, play for, train for. It's your dream and your passion and your goal. And the secret you possess as you stare down your opponent, the 6-ft. piece of titanium seemingly alive in his hands, is that the fire that burns in your eyes is brighter than the fire that burns in his. The whistle sounds, and the world explodes...
Selecting the Right Camp
We get lots of questions about the difference between all the camps. This should help break it down a little: The Boy’s Full-Field Lacrosse Camp is designed to offer the best balance of full-field play and individual play. It’s designed for the player who is looking for both individual training and team concepts. The Elite Camp is designed to focus more on individual play and situational play. There are less full-field games at the Elite Camp. The Extreme Camps are designed to concentrate exclusively on individual, one-on-one play. There are no full-field games at the Extreme Camps. The IronMan Camp is exclusively for shooters and goalies. Our camps all work well on their own, but are also conveniently scheduled to run back-to-back so that a player can easily attend more than one camp and stay for up to two weeks.
Camp Descriptions
Player's Choice Boy’s Full-Field Lax Camp
at UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA
July 20-24, 2008
$575 (overnight); $475 (day)
This is the camp that has it all. If you're looking for the best balance of game play and individual play, then the Player’s Choice Boy’s Full-Field Lacrosse Camp is the way to go. We've considered calling this camp our "Team" camp, but we thought that people might then think that it was just games and scrimmages and that's not what it is. The Player’s Choice Boy’s Full-Field Lacrosse Camp is designed to cover as much of the game of lacrosse as possible. It's designed to focus on both individual skills and team concepts. It's designed for players who feel that they need to focus on all aspects of lacrosse. It's designed for players who might not have the opportunity to play a lot of lacrosse over the summer and need something that is going to give them everything. It's designed for players who feel that full-field play is an important aspect to any program that they participate in. Lacrosse is a team sport and much of this camp is dedicated to those things that make a team successful, and those parts of the game that require a group of people to perform together to accomplish a like goal.
The morning is dedicated to individual play. Our station sessions allow us to focus on four or five different topics each day, and by position. Stations might include shooting on the run, take-away checks, face-offs, dodging from the wing, and ground balls. The emphasis in the afternoon is on team play and team dynamics. Afternoon topics might include fast-breaks, extra-man offense, unsettled team play, clears and rides, and team defense. Our team session is followed by team practices and the first games of the day (each player competes on a team while the camp is in session). In the evening we play more games and finish the day with IronMan Lacrosse (6-v-6 fast-paced, short field games). Ages 13-18.
Player's Choice Boy’s Full-Field Goalie Camp
at UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA
July 20-24, 2008
$575 (overnight); $475 (day)
Goalies are important to us at Player's Choice and we take a lot of pride in being able to offer some of the finest goalie programs in the country. Current Boston Cannon Goalie and current Derryfield College coach Chris Hettler and his Full-Field staff will work one-on-one with all of our goalies, covering all aspects of net-minding, including: position and posture, stick movement, surface play, outlet passing, directing the defense, defending the break, making the break, reading the field, baiting, clearing, and offensive play. Our goalies will attend comprehensive training sessions in the morning, and will work with the boy’s Full-Field Camp in the afternoon. In the evenings they’ll complete in full-field games and in our IronMan competition. Our Goalie School coaches have included Chris Surran, Jay Stalfort, Ben Wineburg, Jake Coon, Tillman Johnson, Trevor Tierney, Matt Palumb, Sal Locasio, Brian Dougherty, Rob Carroll, Billy Daye, and Paul Schimoler. Ages 13-18.
The Player’s Choice Boy’s Full-Field Lacrosse Camp & Full-Field Goalie Camp are designed to work either on their own or in conjunction with either the Player's Choice Boy's Elite Lacrosse Camp or the Elite Goalie Camp for those players interested in a longer, more intense lacrosse experience. For the Maximum Lacrosse Experience, attend both the Player’s Choice Boy’s Full-Field Lacrosse Camp or the Full-Field Goalie Camp and either the Boy’s Elite Camp or the Elite Goalie Camp and receive $25 off the overall tuition.
Please don't underestimate the overall value of the Boy's Full-Field Camp. It may not have the flashy title of some of our other camps, but for the most comprehensive program, covering all aspects of lacrosse, this is the camp that has it all.
Player's Choice Boy's Elite Lacrosse Camp
at UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA
July 24-27, 2008
$545 (overnight); $445 (day)
The Player’s Choice Elite Lacrosse Camps are intensive programs emphasizing one-on-one instruction, and covering in detail all aspects of midfield play, long-stick midfield & close defense play, and attack play. The Elite programs are designed to work separately or in conjunction with either the Boy’s Full-Field Lacrosse Camp (July 20-24, 2008) or the Extreme Camps (July 30-August 2, 2008). The Player's Choice Elite Lacrosse Camp is designed for experienced players, ages 13-18, who have at least two seasons of team experience. High school seniors are welcome. (In fact, this is a great opportunity to work the bugs out of the system as you prepare to enter college.)
The Player's Choice Boy’s Elite Camp is the result of requests we get from players looking for a longer, more intense lacrosse experience, and from those seeking more one-on-one instruction and the chance to specialize. We've scheduled the Elite Camp to immediately follow the Boy’s Full-Field Camp, and to immediately precede the Extreme Camps, thus allowing a player the option of anywhere from a full week, and up to two weeks, of top-notch lacrosse instruction; and we've limited the enrollment to allow for a more intimate, intensive atmosphere, and the chance to work up close with some of the game's best players. This is an intensive lacrosse camp for serious lacrosse players, and Maximum Lacrosse at its best!
Our Elite Midfield staff will work with you in an intensive lacrosse setting covering all aspects of midfield play, including: facing off, shooting, going one-on-one from all points of attack, drawing the double, reading the defense, middie defense, short stick checks, and strength & conditioning. Our staff will answer all your questions and will utilize situation drills to help make you the best player you can be. In the evening we'll join the other Elite camps for a series of 6-v-6 "Iron Man" tournaments. We guarantee you will leave a better middie!
Now in its 11th season, the nation's only camp dedicated to the long-stick middie position offers players an opportunity to focus in-depth on one of the most unique and important positions in the game. The defensive midfield position has become such a vital and exciting part of lacrosse that it only makes sense to develop a specific program for this unique position. Due to overwhelming demand, we have incorporated close defensive play into the Elite Camp for those who are true defensemen. Our long-stick middie/defense staff will cover all the offensive, defensive, and transition aspects of the "stick" and “close-D” positions, and we'll join the middie, attack and goalie camps in the evening for our 6-v-6 "Iron Man Lacrosse" tournaments.
Our Elite attack staff and staff defensemen will work to make you as lethal an attackman as possible. Advances in shaft technology have changed the attack position dramatically, and today's attackmen need to be quicker, smarter, stronger and better equipped to deal with punishing and relentless defensemen. Our unique program will show you what it will take to become the force to be reckoned with that you should be, and our Gauntlet Training will leave you battle-hardened and ready for any challenge. In the evening we’ll finish the day with our IronMan competition.
The Elite Camp can be attended on its own, but for the Maximum Lacrosse camp experience, attend both the Boy’s Full-Field Camp and/or the Extreme Camp, and the Boy’s Elite Camp. You'll receive all the team and game play at the first camp, and then be able to specialize and cover individual play in greater detail at the other camps. If you attend more than one camp, you'll receive $25 off each additional tuition! Ages 13-18.
Player's Choice Boy's Elite Goalie Camp
at UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA
July 24-27, 2008
$545 (overnight); $445 (day)
Our Elite Goalie staff (including top NCAA shooters) will work with our goalies one-on-one to help them take their game to the next level. Our elite goalie staff will cover all aspects of goalie play in detail, including: position, reading the field, moving to the ball, baiting, outlet passing, quickness, surface play, working through the screen, regaining position, stick mechanics, and making the break, and all of our goalies will face hundreds of shots from our hired guns. In the evening, they’ll join the other Elite Camps for a series of 6-v-6 "Iron Man" tournaments. We guarantee all of our goalies will leave more competent and capable of facing the shots ahead. Ages 13-18.
Player’s Choice Dave Evans
Extreme Attack Camp
at UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA
July 28-31, 2008
$545 (overnight); $445 (day)
Former Boston Cannon and former Brown University All-American Dave Evans is at the helm of the Player’s Choice Extreme Attack Camp. This is a chance for attackmen to work with one of the best. Dave and his Extreme Attack staff will break down the position and get to the roots of attack play. Shooting, dodging, off-ball play, attacking the crease, and protecting the stick are some of the areas that will be covered in depth. Attackmen will go one-on-one against our staff defensemen and Extreme Defense campers, and will compete in IronMan games in the evening. For the Maximum Extreme Attack Experience, attend the Extreme Attack Camp and either the Conor Gill Total Offense Camp or the IronMan Shooting Camp, and receive a $25 discount off the total tuition. Ages 13-18.
Player’s Choice Chris Surran
Extreme Goalie Camp
at UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA
July 28-31, 2008
$545 (overnight); $445 (day)
He’s back! Syracuse All-American and NCAA Championship MVP Chris Surran will be at the helm of the Player’s Choice Chris Surran Extreme Goalie Camp. Chris, who founded the goalie program at Player’s Choice and is one of the finest coaches in the game today, and his staff of goalies and shooters, will cover all aspects of goaltending in an intense program that will focus on technique, form, and preparation. Our goalies will face thousands of shots of all kinds, and in varying situations. Our goalies will join our Extreme Attack, Extreme Defense and Extreme Midfield Camps in the evening for a series of IronMan games. For the Maximum Extreme Goaltending Experience, attend the Extreme Goalie Camp and either the Elite Goalie Camp or the IronMan Shooting & Goalie Camp, and receive a $25 discount off the total tuition. Ages 13-18.
Player’s Choice AJ Shannon
Extreme Midfield Camp
at UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA
July 28-31, 2008
$545 (overnight); $445 (day)
The Extreme Midfield Camp is designed for those midfielders looking for a fast-paced program that will delve into all aspects of middie play and will cover the position from all areas of the field. Rochester Rattler, Buffalo Bandit, Team Canada member, and former Virginia All-American AJ Shannon will offer his personal insight into the midfield position and what it takes to excel at the next level. AJ and his Extreme Midfield staff will cover all aspects of the most diverse position in lacrosse in an intense program designed for the most serious players. In the evening our Extreme Middies will join Dave’s attackmen, Brian’s defensemen, and Billy's goalies in a series of IronMan games. Long-stick middies are welcome! For the Maximum offensive experience, attend the Extreme Midfield Camp and either the Conor Gill Total Offense Camp or IronMan Shooting Camp and receive $25 off of the overall tuition. Ages 13-18.
Player’s Choice Brodie Merrill
Extreme Defense Camp
at UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA
July 28-31, 2008
$545 (overnight); $445 (day)
Former Georgetown All-American and current Rochester Rattler (MLL) and Portland Lumberjax defender (NLL) Brodie Merrill will be in charge of our Extreme Defense Camp. Brodie comes to PCLAX as one of the most talked about and respected players in lacrosse today. He helped lead Team Canada to a gold medal in the World Championships in 2006 where he also earned Best Defenseman honors. He was the MLL Rookie of the Year and was the first player taken in the NLL draft by Portland where he was also named NLL Defensive Player of the Year, NLL Rookie of the Year, and First Team All-Pro. Brodie and his staff will focus on all aspects of long-stick defensive play, including: position, footwork, stick-checks, one-on-one play, and making the most of offensive opportunities with a pole. Brodie’s camp will work closely with our Extreme Attack Camp during the day, and in the evening will join all of our Extreme Camps in our IronMan competition. For the Maximum Defensive Experience, attend the Extreme Defense Camp, and either the Elite Camp or the Total Defense Camp (or both) and receive $25 of the tuition of each additional camp that you register for. Ages 13-18.
Player’s Choice Conor Gill
Total Offense Camp
at UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA
July 31-Aug 3 - $545 (overnight), $445 (day)
Former Virginia All-American and current Washington Bayhawk, Conor Gill, will once again be directing our Total Offense Camp. The camp is designed for attackmen or middies looking to improve the offensive parts of their game. The Total Offense Camp is designed to either function on its own or as a compliment to either the Extreme Attack camp or the Extreme Midfield camp for those looking to spend a full week working on their game. The emphasis will be on scoring goals and Conor and his Total Offense staff will break down the science of goal scoring and will create a program that will make our attackmen and middies more dangerous and more of a threat for opposing defensemen to deal with. Over three days Conor and his staff will focus on honing offensive weapons and helping our goal scores acquire new ones. Attend the Extreme Attack Camp and the Total Offense Camp and receive $25 off the overall tuition. Ages 13-18.
Player’s Choice Conor Gill
Total Defense Camp
at UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA
July 31-Aug 3 - $545 (overnight), $445 (day)
Field Director Chad Smith (former Boston Cannon, former Boston Blazer & New York Saint, former Syracuse All-American, and current coach at Navy Prep) and his defensive staff will work with our Total-D defensemen as they go one-on-one against the attackmen and middies at Conor’s Total Offense camp. There’s nothing better for the game of a defenseman than countless one-on-ones. Nothing will make his game better, quicker. During the day the Total-D Camp will work on stick skills and one-on-one defense, and in the evening will compete in IronMan games. Attend both the Extreme Defense Camp and the Total Defense Camp and receive $25 off the overall tuition. This is a great way to become a better, more lethal defenseman. Ages 13-18.
Pllayer’s Choice IronMan
Shooting & Goalie Camp
at UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA
July 31-Aug 3 - $545 (overnight); $445 (day)
Player’s Choice IronMan Camp is designed for those who really know what they want. The concept is simple: to cover all aspects of shooting the ball and keeping it out of the goal. Our shooters will shoot until it hurts, working on placement, baiting and deception, shot speed, ground use, body positioning, shooting from a stationary position, shooting on the run, coming out of the dodge, handling the feed (both good and bad), and shooting from difficult angles. The shooting camp is open to attackmen, middies, and defensemen. Our goalies, under the direction of former Syracuse All-American Chris Surran, will see thousands of shots from all angles and on different terrain. In the evenings we’ll hold our Goalie Challenge and our IronMan games (which will include an all-goalie IronMan team!) Ages 13-18.
