Girls showed off their lacrosse stick tricks last Friday during the last day of camp while they sported their colorful tie-dye T-shirts.
Girls heading into fifth to eighth grade learned and built their skills through the Girls Lacrosse Camp last week.
‘I learned a lot really fast,? Grace Nolan smiled between drill exercises. ‘I have only played in the yard with my brothers. I learned so much.?
It was her brothers who made her want to try the camp. Both have played lacrosse for two years.
‘I thought it would be fun,? she shared. ‘I know it is different than boys but it is still really cool. I learned how to scoop the ball and get it to the goal. I didn’t know how to do that before the camp.?
Daneen Kincaid, head coach for the Clarkston Girls Varsity Lacrosse team, added a lot of the campers joined because they have siblings who play the game.
‘This gave them an opportunity to be like their big brother or sister,? she said.
The girls learned the basic fundamentals such as passing, catching, scooping and shooting through drills and games during the four day camp.
‘We have been teaching them how to cradle, get the ball moving down the field and just being able to put their sticks up for defense,? added Natalie Bowman, 2013 Clarkston High School graduate and varsity lacrosse player.
‘It has been really fun working with these girls,? she added with a smile. ‘I love coaching and working with people who don’t have a whole lot of experience with lacrosse.?
She was one of many varsity players to come out during the week and help the younger players develop their skills. They also showed them some of their tricks and techniques of the game.
‘It feels really good,? Bowman said. ‘You’re not only teaching them something new but you get to play with little kids. It feels good as a varsity player to know there are kids who look up to you and want to be like you when they are older.?
Kincaid added it was great to have so many varsity players help during the week.
‘These girls are good role models,? she added. ‘It is good for the older girls and the younger girls. They are also helping the program grow.?
Through the week Kincaid and the coaches watched the skills build and improve from the first day.
‘These kids pick up things so fast,? Kincaid smiled. ‘It is really fun to see.?
Nolan added she will continue to practice and use the skills she learned against her brothers.
Girls Lacrosse Camp was offered through Clarkston Community Education. For more information on this and other programs, please visit www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/cec or call 248-623-4326.