Kyle Devitte's 10 Things Every Lacrosse Coach Needs
1. Scorebook
A no-brainer that is often overlooked by the brainiest among us, the scorebook is an integral part of stat keeping in an age when not even technology can break the stranglehold that budgets have over student managers. Most of your stats aren’t automated, or even organized, which is where the scorebook comes in. With columns for goals, assists, ground balls, penalties and any other stats you could need to track, you’ll be able to confidently present your case for all-state nominations at the end of the season or just refer to the stats if questions start to flood in about playing time.
Score It Right Men’s Lacrosse Scorebook: $16.88 on Amazon
Score It Right Women’s Lacrosse Scorebook: $16.88 on Amazon
2. Whistle
You’re either a whistle person or you think whistles are dumb. Either way, you should probably have one just in case. The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a new type of whistle — the electronic button-pressed beeper — but old school is still the best school when it comes to pure play-stopping power. You can go cheap and effective or expensive and … also effective, but with less spit accumulation. Whistle technology isn't exactly the most advanced thing in sports, but there are plenty of options to choose from on any budget.
UNIWA Electronic Whistle: $12.99 on Amazon
Hipat Plastic Whistle with Lanyard (2 Pack): $6.99 on Amazon
Beadnova Stainless Steel Whistle with Lanyard: $4.99 on Amazon
3. Ball Bag
Do you need a bag when a spare bucket from Home Depot will do the same job? Well, yes, because those buckets break easily and the single-handle construction doesn't exactly disperse any weight. As mundane as it may be, a ball bag — or three — is essential gear for any coach at any level. You want something portable and manageable, two adjectives we wish everything could be.
Warrior Ball Bag: $44.99 on Amazon
4. Balls
Lacrosse balls are the one thing that every coach needs in excess. Coaches can order two pallets full of vulcanized rubber spheres and freshmen would still be wandering the woods on the last day of practice searching for the one ball that wards off full-field sprints. But which balls are best for which gender and age group? Well, boys primarily play with white balls unless your field is a constant frozen tundra, then you’re using orange — and girls play with yellow balls. The type of ball has recently come under a mix of scrutiny and luxury, depending on which rules you’re playing under. Balls, like helmets and other protective equipment, must be NOCSAE-certified.
Crankshooter TX1 Extreme Grip Lacrosse Ball Set: $198 per case (120 balls) on Amazon
5. Timer
Since you probably don’t have access to your field’s scoreboard all the time, it’s a good idea to time your drills so you can optimize practices. College coaches do it for a reason, and that reason is time management. A portable timer with a buzzer that doesn’t make you want to cover your ears is going to be the best bet. Here is the best one we could find.
ANJANK Gym Timer 15” Large LED Display Wall Clock: $49.99 on Amazon
6. Drill and Field Cones
Maybe you’re not a cone person. Maybe you mark everything by dropping your stick at an approximate distance to set up a shooting boundary. Maybe you just scuff up your field to mark a key point in the next drill. Well, it’s time to grow up and use a physical marker. Your athletic director hates it when you tear up the grass anyway. The small circular cones are the most effective for lacrosse because players can mash them into the ground with their cleats and the cone will pop back to normal. But cones are actually useful, too.
FGBNM 25-Pack with Carry Bag and Holder: $8.89 on Amazon
7. Team Sideline Apparel
If you don’t want parents to wonder if you just came from a bachelor party or a sheep farm, then wearing the right sideline apparel is a must. The standard coaching uniform is a polo, khakis, closed-toe shoes and a hat. (Although, the hat is optional for those prone to throwing outbursts caused by poor on-field calls.) You should be able to find your own pants and shoes, so let’s look at polos, hats and jackets. You can always go old school with Boathouse, or new school with your preferred team uniform manufacturer like New Balance or Nike. The options don’t end there. This year, USA Lacrosse partnered with Uncommon Fit and Lacrosse Wear on custom U.S. National Teams apparel that got a ton of buzz on social media.
8. Tool Kit
This is a bit of a catch-all category, as a tool kit can be a literal toolbox or an old duffle bag full of useful lacrosse-specific tools. The first thing you need is a cordless drill, preferably one fitted with a Phillips head screwdriver because most lacrosse screws for head-to-shaft fashioning are self-tapping.
FADAKWALT Cordless Drill Set (12V): $29.99 on Amazon
Then you need extra screws for every purpose.
Lockoff Lacrosse Screws: $6.38 (30 count) on Amazon
Extra rolls of tape, but not too many. They tend to walk out on you if you have more than two or three in the bag.
Sinewy Star White Athletic Tape: $6.99 (3 pack) on Amazon
An extra piece of mesh and/or pre-cut sidewall strings for on-demand stick fixes.
ECD Lacrosse Hero 4.0 Mesh: $24.99 on Amazon
For women's lacrosse, an extra leather/runner or two is also prudent.
9. Dry-Erase Field Board
There are so many options when it comes to dry-erase boards. I cannot believe that is a real sentence, but it is. Like most things, it seems simple enough. Get a whiteboard with a gender-appropriate goal and/or field layout and a black marker, then go nuts. Most people go with that option.
Scribbledo Men’s Lacrosse 15x9 Dry Erase Board: $9.99 on Amazon
GoSports Premium Women’s Lacrosse 15x9 Dry Erase Board: $12.99 on Amazon
However, like most things, whiteboards have now gone digital. The 14-inch Playmaker LCD Coaching Board ($45) has options for both men’s and women’s lacrosse and can make your play calling that much more concise.
10. Therapy
Oh, you thought this was a joke? No, coaches need therapy just as much as everyone else on the planet. Except for referees. Referees definitely need it more. But every little bit helps. Every mental edge you can gather is another step toward greatness. Think of it like having a sports coach for your mind. No recommendations here. Find the solution that works best for you, your budget and your needs.
