Kyle and Owen interview Kevin Orcutt, head coach of Marshfield Boys Lacrosse. The discussion starts with an update on current sports events and transitions into a detailed conversation with Coach Orcutt about his journey from being an 'Army brat' in Germany to becoming an influential lacrosse coach. Highlights include his various coaching roles, how he self-educated in lacrosse, and the inspirational figures he met, like Stu Curran. The dialogue also touches on the challenges of elitism in youth lacrosse, the importance of multi-sport athletes, and Marshfield's successful run to the state finals. Finally, Orcutt discusses his expectations for the upcoming season and the critical role of nurturing underdog players in the sport.

Topics

00:53 College Lacrosse Highlights

01:21 Interview with Coach Kevin Orcutt

03:32 Learning and Coaching Philosophy

06:24 Challenges and Success Stories

20:04 Club Lacrosse and Player Development

32:34 Celebrating Student Successes

33:21 The Challenges of Coaching High School vs. College

33:44 Navigating the Overload of Coaching Voices

34:47 Balancing Club and High School Coaching

36:18 The Club Team Landscape in New Hampshire

37:49 The Problem with Elitism in Lacrosse

38:56 The Importance of the Right College Fit

40:47 The Value of Multi-Sport Athletes

42:57 The Joy of Coaching and Player Development

44:36 The Role of Elite Players in Youth Development

47:23 The Impact of Good Coaching

58:50 Preparing for the Upcoming Season

01:03:37 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Kyle and Owen converse with Mark Puzzangara, the head coach of Scituate High School's lacrosse team. The discussion covers various coaching philosophies, the importance of fostering young talent, and building a resilient team culture. The episode also delves into Scituate's significant run to the state finals, marked by emotional challenges, the impact of losing two assistant coaches, and the community's support. Puzzangara shares insights into maintaining team morale and staying competitive, providing listeners with both strategic advice and a heartfelt narrative about perseverance in sports.

Topics

02:20 Coaching Journey and Background

03:40 Youth Programs and Player Development

08:09 Defensive Strategies and Philosophy

12:31 Challenges and Adaptations in Lacrosse

19:56 Depth and Team Dynamics

22:42 Unique Home Field Advantages

23:44 Coaching at a Small School

24:20 Challenges of Multi-Sport Athletes

25:55 Division Realignment and Competitive Play

27:03 Post-COVID Turnaround

27:52 Impact of Freshman Talent

32:16 Innovative Drills and Training

39:30 Emotional Journey to the State Finals

47:02 Conclusion and Farewell

The guest is Acton-Boxboro Coach Pat Ammendolia on his journey and philosophies since taking over the program, including the importance of fostering a fun, hard-working culture. Coach Ammendolia shares insights on implementing zone defense, developing young talent through the 'buddy program,' and navigating the challenges of the high school lacrosse landscape, such as players reclassing and transferring to prep schools. The episode closes with a talk on the significance of the Players Cup and its impact on high school lacrosse in Massachusetts.

Topics

01:53 Building a Winning Culture at AB

03:43 Challenges and Strategies in Coaching

08:53 Youth Programs and Community Engagement

12:01 Playoff Formats and Opinions

17:07 Zone Defense: A Deep Dive

21:46 The Wesleyan Zone Defense

22:37 Coaching Challenges and Strategies

23:36 Zone Defense in Action

26:52 Balancing Offense and Defense

29:09 Reflecting on Playing Career

31:58 Team Rules and Philosophy

34:34 Challenges of Player Retention

37:38 Debating Reclassing in Lacrosse

42:59 The Impact of Roster Limits

44:06 The Importance of April Break Tournaments

45:44 Conclusion and Farewell