Travel Teams I Training Events I Box Lacrosse
What is the PLG?
The Premier Lacrosse Group was founded in 2012 by Mark Greaney. What started as a one-man operation offering private lessons with a foldable lacrosse goal in the back seat of his car has since grown into a leading player development organization. Today, we offer numerous training, league, and travel programs across the Midwest. What hasn’t changed, is our commitment to helping each individual player reach their highest potential. While many clubs in today’s landscape focus on gilded hype, our focus for 13 years has been on high-level coaching, character-building, and long-term athlete growth. Our mission is to help players reach their potential—on and off the field—through a positive, competitive, and team-first environment.
Tell me more about your programs.
The PLG offers travel teams, clinics, and leagues in the summer, fall, and winter. In the spring, we encourage players to play with their school/community teammates. Travel teams are selected in July for the year ahead. In the winter, we host leagues, training clinics, and compete with our Box Travel Program.
PLG Travel Program
Where will teams practice and how often?
We train at TOCA Rossford (Toledo) and High Velocity Sports (Canton). In the fall, travel teams practice once per week (usually Sundays). In the summer, teams practice in the evenings twice per week (Toledo – W/Th; Canton – T/Th) and compete in (3) June tournaments. The fall season runs mid-September to early November.
How much does it cost? Program dues vary depending on age and team placement. Fall program typically dues range from $450-$695 and summer dues range from $845 - $1495. There is a discount to participate on an annual basis.
Where are tournaments?
The PLG competes in strong Midwest tournaments that provide great recruiting opportunities and excellent competition.
Who are the coaches?
Our coaches and our player development are what make PLG special. We hire experienced and professional coaches who are great role models and leaders for our players. Coaches include college coaches, former professionals, high school coaches, and collegiate players. To learn more about our coaches, visit https://www.premierlacrossegroup.com/coaches
What do people say about the PLG?
To see what others have to say about their experience with PLG, visit https://www.premierlacrossegroup.com/testimonials
Clinics
1) What equipment do I need?
a. For beginners clinics, no equipment is required. For all other clinics, players need: Helmet, Gloves, Shoulder Pads, Arm Pads, Stick, Protective Cup.
2) Where does training take place?
a. Toledo training will take place at Total Sports Rossford (10020 S Compass Dr, Rossford, OH 43460) and Canton programs will take place at High Velocity Sports (46245 Michigan Ave, Canton, MI 48188)
3) What is the format of training?
a. Depending on the clinic, the format may be Train & Play (Box Lacrosse) where players learn new skills/concepts for a portion of training and then scrimmage for a set amount of time. For specialty clinics (Shooting/Goalies/Faceoffs/etc.) players will learn various skills/techniques and be put through a series of drills to help develop each skill.
4) To view all upcoming clinic options, please visit www.premierlacrossegroup.com/training-events
Box Lacrosse
1) Why box lacrosse? What is it?
a. In terms of game play, box lacrosse looks similar to hockey. It is played 5v5 (+ goalie) in boarded rinks. Goalies have full pads (similar to a hockey goalies) and the goals are smaller (4x4) compared to field lacrosse (6x6). In box lacrosse, there is a shot clock which speeds up the pace of play. This, combined with a smaller playing area, (rink vs 110x60 field) makes players play faster and more accurately. Offensive players develop stronger stick skills, better movement off-ball, and are more able to handle pressure from defense. Defensive players develop better footwork, discipline, and stick skills. Given the back-and-forth flow of box lacrosse, all players play offense and defense, which helps them become more well-rounded and skilled in field lacrosse.
b. Box lacrosse is physical, and cross-checking is allowed. With that said, safety is a priority within these programs and certain activities (overly aggressive cross-checking, checking into the boards, etc.) will not be permitted. In box lacrosse, when the ball is on the ground, players MUST play the ball. There is no body checking players if they do not have the ball in their possession.
c. Do I need a box lacrosse helmet or special equipment? In short, no. Field lacrosse helmets are acceptable. Apart from the field lacrosse equipment you already have, rib and/or bicep pads are recommended and can be found online with a quick google search. These pads are not required for participation.
d. Is it appropriate for newer players? Yes. Although some experience helps, we will have a variety of talent levels in this clinic and all experiences are welcome. “I believe that box lacrosse gives young people many more opportunities to excel in our game. If I had my choice, I would have every player under the age of twelve play box lacrosse exclusively or at least a majority of the time. The number of touches of the ball and the ability to develop better stick skills in a game of box lacrosse, far surpasses what happens to young people on a 110 x 60 yard field. Learning how to pass and catch in traffic, understanding how to shoot, and developing a sense of physicality are all positive traits developed by the box game.”- Bill Tierney, US Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Denver University Head Coach, Princeton 6xNational Champion, Team USA 1998
e. Format: Each session will combine training and scrimmage time. The earlier dates in each session will skew more towards training and as groups gain experience/familiarity with the box game we will skew sessions more toward scrimmaging.
f. Who is coaching? Coaches will include PLG Director Mark Greaney, PLG Box Lacrosse Director Ron Martinello, and other PLG staff who all have experience coaching and playing box lacrosse.