Performance Academy Boys Afterschool Offensive & Defensive Training - A little bit more than dodging cones, shooting on goal & footwork drills

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 10/17/24 – From Press Release

For the past two years Performance Academy has offered after school boys offensive and defensive training from September- February and

have noticed a big change in players’ overall skill development, confidence and knowledge of the game.

Run by Chris Collins and Todd MacFarlane, who have been together since their coaching days with the Redwoods LC in the Premier Lacrosse League. Collins and MacFarlane are starting to see a massive change in players who have been attending their training sessions and are receiving feedback from families.

“Training with Performance Academy over the past few years has put our son’s stick skills, field awareness, and overall lacrosse IQ to another level. For a smaller attackman this has been vital in his growth as a player and confidence when he hits the field”- Curt McCray

“I’m the father of two high school boy lacrosse players. Both play for a nationally ranked boys high school lacrosse team. The boys have worked with the Performance Academy , Todd, and Chris, for the last two years, and the impact that the Performance Academy has had on their lacrosse games, physical development, mental development, and lacrosse IQ was significant. The staff at Performance Academy is like having an older brother for my boys. Both of the boys are now committed to play D1 lacrosse when they graduate from high school.

“More specifically, I would highlight the three areas where I think the Performance Academy has helped my boys the most: 1) training; 2) The world of Lacrosse is small; 3) you are who you hang around with.

1) Training – The training sessions are the best that my boys have experienced over the years. Expectations are high. There’s always a game plan for the training session and the boys receive feedback during the session that’s meaningful. They don’t just learn the ‘how’ they learn the ‘why’. The boys are also training with some of the best high school lacrosse players in the area, so they’re getting better in every session. Iron sharpens iron.2) The world of lacrosse and the ecosystem of lacrosse is small. There is not 6° of separation. There are only one or two degrees of separation. Everyone knows everyone. All of the college coaches want to know – is the kid a good kid, are they coachable, do they have upside, and will they be good in the locker room. The folks who run the Performance Academy are well-connected across the ecosystem And their opinions matter in that ecosystem. We’ve just completed the recruiting process for my younger son – there are so many background checks performed by coaches – they want to really know ‘is this a good kid’ ?

3) ‘you are who you hang around with’ and ‘you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with’. Time spent at the Performance Academy is well spent. Most of the kids training There are high-performing hard-working athletes who want to play at the Next Level. The coaching staff is also hard-working, disciplined and committed. What we found is this is a great environment for our kids and when they’re at the Performance Academy , they are definitely hanging out with the right people who have the right impact on them.” – Darryl Kuriger

Performance Academy Philosophies

Create a positive training experience where players and families receive feedback.
Provide high level of coaching and strategies but always focusing on the fundamentals
Keeping a 15-1 Player/Coach Ratio at all times
Mimic actual on field situations that happen in a game

“It’s all in the coaching and the feedback. You’re either coaching players up or letting them get away with poor technique or habits. For example, it’s not just the skill work, it’s the speed of each exercise and the details. Each exercise, drill, concept, etc. creates new pathways to success. It’s our job as coaches or trainers to focus on all players, said Collins”

One of Performance Academy’s main goals is to be 100% program, team, and club neutral. They understand that programs, teams, clubs may not have the time or coaching resources to focus on every player, they embrace the chance to help support all.

The first two fall training session they have had players from the following schools, Avon Grove, Black Rock, Boyertown, Cardinal Foley, Colonial, Downingtown West, Episcopal Academy, ET Richardson, Haddonfield Memorial, Harriton, Haverford School, Ithan Elementary, LaSalle College HS, Malvern Prep, Marsh Creek, Methacton, Radnor, Shipley School, Spring-Ford, St. Katharine of Sienna, Sts. Peter and Paul, Unionville, Upper Merion Middle School, Welsh Valley, Welsh Valley Middle School and Wilson.

In addition, the following programs have been represented, Black Bear, Black Widow, Dawgs, Delco, Dukes, Freedom, Fusion, HHH, Lower Merion, MESA, NXT, Radnor, Team Ten, and Upper Merion.

“We just love coming to training everyday. Anytime you have kids who constantly want to get better, then listen and apply teachings it just makes the training environment fun, said MacFarlane”.

To learn more about Performance Academy please visit their website or follow them on Instagram @performanceacademypa

REGISTER HERE

To take advantage of the after school training program take a look below

Each training session, participants run through a series of advanced, high tempo, skills and drills that will lead to competitive play in a controlled environment and are always at a 15-1 Player/Coach Ratio.

Training Focus

Attack & Midfield– shooting, dodging, footwork, vision, playing with and without the ball, understanding spacing, being efficient with the ball, and much more.

LSM & Defense– Footwork, approaches, angles, defending picks, communication, on ball and off ball play, stick work, shooting, stick protection, defending picks, and much more.

Training Staff

Chris Collins, current Redwoods LC Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Coach (PLL), former Drexel University and University of Delaware Assistant Coach, Eight Year Major League Lacrosse Professional (MLL), Thirteen Year National Lacrosse League Professional (NLL), and US Men’s Indoor National Team Member.

Todd MacFarlane, Scottish National Men’s Field & Sixes Team Assistant Coach, US Lacrosse National Team Development Program, former Redwoods LC Assistant Coach in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), University of Pennsylvania and National Lacrosse League Professional (NLL).

This Elite Staff has worked with All-Conference, All- American, All-Pro and All-World players for more than 26 years and knows how to improve your skill set and make you a more dynamic player.

Training Session Grad Year Breakdown