Team USA world champion defender Megan Douty (Maryland 2015) and U.S. hopeful midfielder Myles Jones (Duke 2016), who are featured in our November edition of US Lacrosse Magazine, train at the highest level as they aim for the gold standard. But it’s important to remember they didn’t start out as elite lifters. Young athletes hoping to follow in their footsteps should exercise in a manner suitable for their age and development stage.
Jason Clement, the vice president of operations for BlueStreak Sports Training in Stamford, Conn., a hotbed for lacrosse, trains male and female lacrosse athletes from ages 9 to 18 and older, including former North Carolina draw specialist Sammy Jo Tracy (Fox Lane) and 2016 Duke graduate Case Matheis (Darien). His company’s slogan is “train with a purpose,” so as each athlete progresses from elementary school to professional lacrosse, their workouts progress as well.
Clement simplifies each of Douty’s and Jones’ exercises to an appropriate comparison for kids ages 9-12.