The training program du jour seems to be bringing military style training to the lax field. We’ve seen several teams invite these programs on campus to build toughness, condition their athletes, and create a bond between players as they suffer in unity under the weight of a telephone pole. It makes actual lacrosse seem like a walk in the park and that is probably exactly the point, to push the athletes to extremes that they are unlikely to face in the course of a game. To build that confidence and toughness that will give them that slight edge when the chips are down. To let them know that their teammates have their back.

Michigan is the latest team on our radar to try this approach and they’ve shared some highlights on YouTube for us to enjoy from the comfort of our couches. For the Wolverines, this program makes a lot of sense. They will need a lot of mental toughness to go from dominating the MCLA to scraping and clawing for not just wins, but respect at the NCAA Division I level. Coach Paul has demonstrated on the recruiting trail that the respect will come, but the cavalry doesn’t arrive this year. The club players will have to circle the wagons and make the most out of what they have in place right now.

Can you beat Johns Hopkins in the first season? Yeah you can! You can…when you find little ways to become more mentally tough, every single day. Man it’s cold outside, I got it! Take your hands out of your pockets.

Does this sound plausible? Not when you read it here, but listen for yourself and see if you don’t feel a little inspired. This is a man’s man talking.

I’ve made a resolution to match every 10 of 412′s posts with one of my own in 2012. It’s a tall order, so when I go out to get something to eat at noon, my hands will not be in my pockets. I may even tell them not to Biggie Size it. It’s the little things that make you mentally tough, you heard the man!