Welcome to another year at Patrick Henry High School and another year of Patriots Lacrosse! 2008 was a very successful season for Patriots Lacrosse, we were able to post a 14-4 record and accomplish 90% of our team goals including a trip to the playoffs!

Looking forward to 2009 we are all ready for the Patriots to take the next step towards a CIF Championship! We are currently looking into bringing on board an Assistant Coach with more offensive knowledge which will no doubt lead to better game planning on the offensive side of the ball. It will also mean more individual attention on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Also, we are looking into a tougher non-league schedule, to help get us ready to face La Jolla, Cathedral and of course Coronado, three teams I know that we would all like to beat in this coming season. Finally, we will be introducing a tougher practice plan that will include a 2 mile timed run on the first day of practice. There is room for improvement in every area of last year’s team and we will be looking for that starting on day one!

As all players, both new and returning, in preparing for this upcoming season, please focus on the following areas. First and foremost any time you can play in games whether it is Lax Dawgs, Rebels, Shooterz etc. do so! This is the best way to improve your skills. Second, do stickwork in your free time whether that means playing catch with a friend, throwing a ball against a wall or shooting on an empty net. Anything you can do with your stick in your hand will help towards improvement.

Lastly, be in the best shape that you can come the first day of practice. Those of you that played for me last year know that I don’t like wasting time running so the more you do on your own the less we will have to do in practice! Good Luck in all of your offseason activities and please let me know if there is anything I can do to help!

Coach Mark