HOW TO RUN A TRYOUT
RYAN BOYLE
TRILOGY LACROSSE
Ryan Boyle Bio
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Industry
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International
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Trilogy Lacrosse Co-Founder and CEO
ESPN NCAA Lacrosse Analyst
3x Member of Team USA: 2002, 2006, 2010
Professional
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MLL All-time Leader in Points and Assists
4x MLL Championship
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MLL / NLL All-Star
MLL / NLL Rookie of the Year
NLL Champions Cup Finalist – 2009
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Philadelphia Barrage 2004, 2006 & 2007, Boston Cannons 2011
Collegiate
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4x All-American at Princeton University
NCAA Championship
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Princeton University 2001
2X Ivy League Player of the Year
2nd All-time in Points and Assists at Princeton University
Purpose
• Establish Goals
– Fair
– Competitive
– Efficient
• Build Culture
– Pre-event Preparation
– Event Execution
– Post-event Strategies
Establish Goals
• Fair
– “Perception is Reality”
– Policy = Protection
• Competitive
– Intrasquad: Player-to-Player
– Team Outlook: Current position vs desired outcome
• Efficient
– Event Organization
– Timetable for process completion
Fairness
• Transparency around Process
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Number of Teams
Roster Size
Positional Breakdown
Evaluation Criteria & Metrics
Staff Credentials
Program-specific Policies
• Cuts
• Role of seniority
• Talent
Competitiveness
• Intrasquad
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Player-to-Player
Establish Interaction Guidelines
Within Team: Upper vs Under, Offense vs Defense
Within Program: Team-to-Team
• Team Outlook
– Current position
• Vs League / Peers
– Desired outcome
• Goals for season
• Reasonable and attainable
Efficiency
• Have a Plan
– Event Organization
• Schedule
– Minute-to-minute breakdown
• Numbered Reversibles
– Assigned to each player
• Staff assignments
– Evaluators: Clip boards w/ Evaluation Sheets
– Drills: Schedules, Whistles, Balls, Conest
– Timetable
• Length of Tryouts
• Notification Process
Build Culture
• Pre-event Preparations
– Manage Expectations
– Players, Parents, and Staff
• Event Execution
– 1st Interaction
• Post-event Strategies
– Communication: When and How
– Roster  Gameplay Transition
Pre-event Preparations: Player / Parent
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Manage Expectations
Logistics
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Evaluation
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Skills
Athleticism
Effort
Rosters
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Days / Dates
Location
Time
Conflict Resolution Plan
Total Number
Positional Breakdown
Ranges
Notification
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Roster Finalization
Communication Plan
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Email
Phone
Website
Pre-event Preparations: Staff
• Director / Head Coach
– Opportunity for empowerment
• Evaluators vs Drills
– Separate or Bleed responsibilities
• Staff Meeting
– Evaluators: Rosters
• Returners, Personal Relationships, Politics, Conflicts, Projections
(Bubble)
– Drills: Schedule
• Focus on teaching and personal engagement
• First chance to establish fundamentals and strategies
Pre-event Preparations: Roster
Framework
• Positional
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Attack
Midfield
Defense
Goalies
Face-offs
Specialty
• Depth
– Limits / Flexibility
Event Execution: Schedule
• Breakdown
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Individual
Positional
Group
Transition
Team: Half and Full Field
Specialty Situations
• Numbered Reversibles
– Strategically assigned for specific drills / teams
Event Execution: Evaluations
• Categories
– Field
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Stickwork
On-ball Offense / Defense
Off-ball Offense / Defense
Lacrosse IQ
Athleticism/Upside
Overall Play
– Goalie
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Stickwork
Ball-stopping
Communication
Lacrosse IQ
Athleticism/Upside
Overall Play
Event Execution: Evaluations
• Metrics
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Grades
Numerical
+/Rankings
• Overall
• Positional
• Qualitative
– Positive & Negative Comments
• Quantitative and Qualitative Feedback
– Why didn’t I make the team?
Post-event Strategies: Communication
• Program Culture
– Email vs Phone vs Website
• Consistency is Key
– Timing
– Platform
• Identify Problematic Situations
– Approach and come prepared
• Evaluations, Policy
• Best Practices
– Email: Behave as though it will get forwarded
• Because it probably will
– Phone: Best for sensitive topics
• Follow-up with Email for confirmation around points
– Website: Private URL and limited time window
Post-event Strategies:
Roster Construction
• Chip Kelly – Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach
– “I've always believed play calling is based on your
personnel”
• Ideal vs Reality
– Identify Strengths
• Individual
• Positional
• Team
• Roster Framework Adjustments
– Size / Depth chart
– Positional Breakdown
Post-event Strategies:
Roster  Gameplay
• Macro Strategies: Philosophy
– Style of play
• Micro Strategies: Gameplans
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Half-field Offense
Half-field Defense
Man-up / Man-down
Rides & Clears
Transition
Face-off and Wingplay
Goalies
Q&A
• Any questions?
Follow-up
• Contact Information
– Web: www.trilogylacrosse.com
– Phone: 212-796-7987
– Email: rboyle@trilogylacrosse.com
COMING UP NEXT
4:15pm - 5:15pm
203AB, Brian Silcott & Bryan Wallace, LB3
Individual Defense
Live Field, Dan Sharbaugh, Gettysburg College
Team Offense: From The Classroom To The
Field(TJ Buchanan)
204C, Tom Rotanz, U.S. U19 Men's Team
Man-Down Defense
Demo Field, Greg Gurenlian, FaceOff Academy
Faceoff (Chris Mattes & Jerry Ragonese)
Basic Training, Lisa Christiansen, US Lacrosse
PE Workshop Demonstration (Justin Moe,
Kathy Ayers)