THE ACADEMY
A NEW WAY TO LAX
THE ACADEMY
A progressive training program that complements the mind and body of the lacrosse player. Focusing on the educational elements of the game accompanied by speed and strength training specific to lacrosse!
About The Academy Program
ESTABLISHED 2020
Created to focus on the educational elements of lacrosse.
Our aim is to keep players engaged in lacrosse training and competition beyond the traditional lacrosse season.
Coaches from across Cleveland will participate in weekly sessions focused on both position specific development and team development.
Academy will include one day of lacrosse skills training
and one day of physical training per week.
Coaches with experience in all age groups, including college, from across Cleveland will lead intense practices designed to improve upon player’s current skill levels and prepare players to become highly competitive.
Participants will be assigned to one of two groups based on their current skills. Players will practice with players at the proper skill level.
Practice will consist of 90 minutes per week focusing on position warm ups, position specific drills, advanced drilling in regards to practice topic and topic team education such as clear, ride, zone.
Program Details
When Does Academy Train?
2023 - 2024
July 30, 2023 - February 4, 2024
(1) 90 minute practice each week on Sundays.
Grades 3-8 (5:00-6:30pm)
Grades 9-12 (6:30-8:00pm)
- Practices will be held at Force Sports - Rocky River.
JULY 30 AUG 6, 13, 20, 27
SEPT 10, 17, 24 OCT 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 NOV 5, 12, 19
DEC 3, 10, 17 JAN 7, 14, 21, 28 FEB 4
1 Hour Performance training each week (Grades 5-12 Only)
- Choose from a flexible schedule that works for you to build your athletic foundation
Age Group Breakdown
- Grades 3-4 l Grades 5-6 I Grade 7-8 I Freshmen I High School
Tournament Information
Tournaments are A La Carte & Approval Based
Tournament attendance is optional and completely up to each player. Only pay and play in the tournaments that work for your schedule. The majority of our selected competitions are located in the Great Lakes region to eliminate the burden of extensive traveling that you find with most club programs. *Players interested do need approval by Force Lacrosse Academy Staff for each tournament event.
2023 TOURNAMENTS
October I Boo Bash I Erie, PA
November I Turkey Shootout I Oxford, MI
December I Holiday Hustle I Wixom, MI
December I Nutcracker I Rocky River, OH
What Are The Costs?
Per Player
Grades 3-4: $910 per Player for 24 Weeks of Training!
-
Deposit: $227.50
-
9/1/23: $227.50
-
11/1/23: $227.50
-
1/1/24: $227.50
Grades 5-12: $1,010 per Player for 24 Weeks of Training!
-
Deposit: $252.50
-
9/1/23: $252.50
-
11/1/23: $252.50
-
1/1/24: $252.50
Approximate Tournament Costs:
- $150 per player, per tournament.
These are optional! Attend just one tournament or all five. Whatever fits your schedule and budget.
Uniforms and Training Gear
Per Player
Academy Training Pinnie
- Each player will receive a practice pinnie to be worn for each weekly practice.
- Cost included in program fee.
Performance Training Attire
- Players only need athletic clothing and shoes. No lacrosse gear, or cleats, is needed for Performance.
Our Coaching Staff
Kevin Walz
Academy Program Director
Over 29 years of coaching experience for youth, club, high school and collegiate programs. Oberlin College Head Coach 2002-2012.
Current Director of Westlake Youth Lacrosse.
Matt Scheel
Academy Coach
Playing Career
Western Reserve Academy ’04
-
Attackman, Division 2 State Champion ‘01, MSLA A Bracket Runner Up ’04, WRA Gold Medal Award Winner ‘04, First Team All Midwest ‘04, All American ‘04
United States Military Academy at West Point ‘05-06
-
Patriot League Rookie of the Year ’05
Coaching
-
Dublin Coffman 2007 - Offensive Assistant
-
Westlake 2014 - Offensive Coordinator
-
Western Reserve Academy 2015 - Offensive Coordinator
-
St Edwards 2016 - Volunteer/Offensive Assistant
Rory Jeffers
Academy Coach
Played at University of Dayton (MCLA) and currently plays for the Cleveland Demons (IBLA). Assistant Coach at St. Edwards High School from 2007-2013.
Currently in 8th season as Assistant Coach at Baldwin Wallace University (DIII OAC). Specializes on mechanics, player development and transition offense.
Kevin Bresnahan
Academy Coach
St. Ignatius High School 3-year letter winner. Played club at University of Rochester. Current Head Coach at Avon Lake High School.
10+ years of experience at the youth & HS levels.
Alan Katigbak
Academy Coach
Played & is currently coaching at St. Ignatius HS. Played at University of Dayton ‘86-’90. Has 11 years of Youth & HS Coaching experience.
Founder of Lake Erie Summer Lacrosse League.
Benjamin Hobbs
Academy Coach
Played and coached for University School. Graduated from Hobart College in 2000. Over 25 years of playing/coaching experience in NEO Lacrosse. Currently coaches in Avon Lake.
Andrew Spreng
Academy Coach
Grew up playing lacrosse in Westlake's youth program and played at Westlake High School. Went to Miami University and shortly after graduating started coaching at Strongsville. Was the JV coach for two seasons (2018 & 2019) and is now the current Head coach at Strongsville.
Max Rennillo
Academy Goalie Coordinator
Played & is currently coaching at St. Ignatius HS.
Played for Endicott College & Heidelberg Univ.
Has over 14 years of coaching experience.
Kevin Schroeck
Academy Coach
Played & former coach at St. Edward HS. Played for Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. Has held Assistant, Head Coach, Offensive
Coordinator and Faceoff Specialist positions.
.jpeg)
Tj Discenza
Academy Coach
Played for St.Ignatius HS and The Ohio State University. Over 15 years of coaching experience at youth and high school levels.
Matthew Kostecke
Academy Coach
Played at Detroit Country Day School, in Michigan (State Champs in 1999). Went on to play four years at Wheeling Jesuit University. Varsity coach at St. Edward High School (2017-2021) as Defensive Coordinator. Over 10 years coaching Youth and High School Lacrosse. Currently Westlake Youth 7/8 Girls Lacrosse Head Coach.
Paul Allen
Academy Coach
The Gow School, Western NY: Class of ‘89. Started club team & played at Muskingum College. Started AYLA in 2014. Middle School Head Coach. 2015 Avon High School, Head Coach to 2019.
How To Register
CLINICS & LEAGUES
For athletes that have never played and need to learn basic passing, catching, scooping, cradling, shooting
and defending.
Intermediate basic skills and game play. Play with both hands. Dodging technique. Game play basics. Shooting for speed and accuracy. Defending as a team. Passing, catching and shooting on the run.
Advanced skills. Players joining the academy should be able to play competent lacrosse and is looking to develop his game to an advanced level of lacrosse.
7v7 format is optimal to increase the speed of the game and increase “touches” for the boys. This is following the move in US Lacrosse, US Box LAX and our National Youth Lacrosse training guidelines.
Younger boys need a field that is age appropriate to increase their development both technically as well as their “Lax IQ.”
GRADES 3 - 4 I 5 - 6 I 7 - 8 I 9 - 12
MEN'S Ages 18+ Summer League