Twenty with Tierney – Q&A with Denver's Coach

We try to find that fine line between our players knowing the other team, yet not being so concerned with them that we forget what we do. Lacrosse is a pretty unpredictable game, so most of your preparation should be spent on perfecting what you do in your system and with the talent of your players.

19. What is the most important thing you took from your years of coaching at Princeton? How do you apply it coaching at Denver?
I think, most of all, I learned at Princeton to set very high goals and believe that you and your players can reach them. After a 2-13 season in 1988, we told our team we could win national championships there, and it happened six times. We are setting those same goals here at Denver. As mentioned previously, it is difficult to reach the top, but if you don't try and you don't believe you can do it, why bother?

20. What advice would you give to a young coach just beginning his coaching career?
There is a young high school assistant coach in Houston, Texas named Connor Cook. He has come out to Princeton and Denver to visit with me for a weekend of practices each of the last five years. He has visited with Mike Messere, Dave Pietramala, and other coaches as well. This is one of the most passionate young coaches I have ever had the honor to get to know. He asks great questions and takes in anything he can learn.

If a young coach wants to be good in lacrosse, he should not be afraid to ask. Any college coach worth his weight will be happy to spend time with those who want to become better. Work at camps, coach club teams, and study game film. These will all help a coach develop his own plan of action as he teaches his team. Also, remember that there is no ‘right way' to be successful in lacrosse. Coach to your talent and be flexible. I've been around a long time, and I know I learn something every day from my assistants, players, and other coaches.

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Mike Baldassare is the son of LaxPower's Director of HS Boys' Lacrosse, George ‘Baldo' Baldassare, and has, not surprisingly, been playing lacrosse since a very young age. He currently resides in Denver, Colorado with his wife, where he coaches at a local high school. If you would like to contact him or have ideas or questions, he can be reached at mike@laxpower.com.

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2011-03-15