Lacrosse Essentials

Step on the field and begin playing in no time! In Lacrosse Essentials, you’ll learn the fundamentals of the sport through sequential instructions, detailed photo sequences, and expert advice from coaching legend Jack Kaley and longtime coach Rich Donovan.

Lacrosse Essentials takes you inside the game, covering these essential skills and strategies:

• Passing
• Catching
• Shooting
• Riding
• Clearing
• Goaltending

In addition to mastering the fundamentals, you’ll be challenged to expand your repertoire of skills and use those techniques and tactics for a competitive advantage. The many activities and drills will speed learning and improve performance. You’ll also get the latest information on offensive and defensive strategies, systems, and situational play to take your game to the next level.

Lacrosse Essentials is the best—and quickest—way to learn, practice, and play the great sport of lacrosse.

Jack B. Kaley is the all-time leader in winning percentage (84%) for Division I and II universities and has been the head coach for the German national lacrosse team since 2002. His record of 185-33 at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) occurred at an academic institution that had discontinued men’s lacrosse in 1978. His efforts in recruiting student-athletes to a commuter school as a part-time coach with limited resources showed positive results in the 1993 inaugural season with a No. 5 national ranking followed by an undefeated regular season in 1994, which culminated in the first of six National Championship appearances. This launched a 17-year run of excellence, which included four National Championships, a record four-time recognition as National Coach of the Year, and 75 All-American selections. Kaley amassed a 507-176 record while coaching Lynbrook High School, East Meadow High School, Long Island Lacrosse Club, Hampstead Lacrosse Club, and the German National Team. He lives in Westbury, New York.

Rich Donovan is an assistant coach for the German National Lacrosse Team; the boys’ lacrosse coach at The Wheatley School in Long Island, New York; and an official with the Nassau County Lacrosse Officials Association. He began his career in lacrosse at East Meadow High School in New York and then played for the University of Massachusetts (1975-78), where he was a team captain, four-year varsity starter and letter winner on a team that enjoyed two NCAA tournament appearances. He began his coaching career at the University of Massachusetts in 1979 and had subsequent coaching jobs at CW Post College from 1983 to 1985, Hofstra University from 1986 to 1995, and several high schools in Long Island from 1980 to 1982 and from 1996 to the present, and Bridgeport Barrage (Major Lacrosse League) in 2002. Richard lives in East Meadow, New York.