Thanks to our special guest, Bill’s lifelong friend Bryan Kelly. Coach Kelly has been leading the lacrosse program at Calvert Hall since 1996, competing in the MIAA, which is widely recognized as the nation’s top conference for high school lacrosse. Bryan also leads the FCA Maryland club program. 

NXT Founder Peter Lawrence steps in as Co-Host for this show. Here are some notes to help you enjoy this new episode!

Youth Sports Hot Topics

6:40 For parents: Trust the process and let your children make their own story

22:15 For coaches: Managing a subpar team or a down season by finding the small wins, celebrating effort and keeping it fun. “We don’t talk about winning games, we talk about getting better” 

31:00, For players: Play with joy, freedom & love, instead of playing with fear that comes along with an outcome-driven mindset

Questions & Answers

41:00, Creating a healthy culture within the club lacrosse world, the FCA way

44:00, Talking respect for the Philly lacrosse scene, with shoutouts to Conestoga, Haverford, La Salle, Malvern & Radnor

47:40, Lessons learned coaching the MIAA conference against the nation’s top high school programs

53:00, The importance of the mental game to this sport, and working to remain process-driven rather than outcome-driven

57:30, The imprint of the late Coach Dave Huntley on the Calvert Hall program

59:30, Bryan’s constant desire for self-improvement as a coach, educator, manager and mentor 

1:04, Offensive philosophies in lacrosse - Playing through read and react more than scripted plays

1:06, Love for some influential coaches, Bob Prater of Cockeysville Rec & Mike Thomas of Calvert Hall

Rapid Fire NXT Homework

For players: Be a great teammate, do that by always putting the team before yourself

For parents: Don’t talk about the game after the game

For coaches: Get to know your players and appreciate their individual personalities

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