General Information
Eclipse 2033 / 2034 Intro Summer Program
Today we are announcing our 2033 / 2034 Intro Development Program Information for this Summer 2024.
2033 & 2034 CLINIC REGISTRATION
This year’s 2033 / 2034 program will have a Max Number of 120 total players per week (see more information below).
Our primary goal of the 2033 / 2034 intro program is to get current 2nd & 3rd graders to love the sport and develop as many players as possible.
Secondly, during the Summer, our Eclipse Coaching Staff is one of the best groups of coaches in the country who all truly enjoy coaching lacrosse (see link to current coaches for this summer here):
https://eclipselacrosseclub.com/
Most important - We believe the best way for families to learn about our program is to be in it. Over the last four years, the feedback we have received about our intro development program from players and parents has been incredible.
Over the last five Summers (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022. 2023), our intro program enables rising 3rd and 4th graders to attend Training Clinics and House League Games. This is similar to the very successful combined 3rd / 4th grade House leagues in New Canaan, Darien, and Westport.
Specific details about the 2033 / 2034 Summer program (Summer 2024)
Our max amount of rising 3rd / 4th graders (current 2nd and 3rd graders) this summer will be 120 players per week (2 weeks of programming is being offered). We decided on 120 players because our plan is to create 8 house teams this summer to compete in 7 v 7 house game events (15 players per team). In addition, we do our best to “over-staff” our clinics and house league games events to provide a greater Coach to player Ratio.
Guest Coaches
In addition to our Eclipse Coaches, each year we also hire guest coaches who come in for a day or two and move around from practice-to-practice spending time with the group. In past years our guest coaches included Professional Lacrosse Players, College Coaches, High School Coaches, and College All-Americans. In addition, we have had over 100 Eclipse Alums come back and help assist our teams. Last summer (2023), we had multiple local college coaches work with our 2nd & 3rd grade group. We will continue to bring in the best players and coaches in the world to work with our boys as guest coaches.
Outline of Summer Development Format
- 4 Days per week (8 Total)
- 3 Clinics per week (6 Total) – These clinics will be run by Eclipse Directors, Eclipse Coaches, Guest Coaches, and a number of current/former college players we hire every summer (many are Eclipse Alumni)
- 2 House League Game Events – These games will be 7 v 7 (90 minutes of games)
- All clinics / game events will be 1.5 hours long
- Exact Dates are at the bottom of this email
- We will be having contests every day for prizes
- Every player will receive one Eclipse Pinnie, Eclipse T-Shirt, and an Orange Ball for autographs
Lead Director
Chip Buzzeo, Eclipse Director and Head Boys Lacrosse Coach at New Canaan High School will be the main Eclipse Director working with the 2033 and 2034 group this Summer. Other Eclipse Directors and Coaches will assist Coach Buzzeo this summer.
Summer Tuition
Dates & Times for 2033 / 34 Program Clinics & House League
Monday, June 17th – 4:30 - 6:00pm – Water Tower 2 – New Canaan High School
Tuesday, June 18th – 4:30 - 6:00pm – Water Tower 1 – New Canaan High School
Wednesday, June 19th – 4:30 - 6:00pm – Water Tower 1 – New Canaan High School
Thursday, June 20th – 4:30 - 6:00pm – Water Tower 1 – New Canaan High School (Game Night)
Week #2
Monday, July 8th – 3:00 – 4:30pm – Water Tower 1 – New Canaan High School
Tuesday, July 9th – 3:00 – 4:30pm - Water Tower 1 – New Canaan High School
Wednesday, July 10th – 3:00 – 4:30pm – Water Tower 1 – New Canaan High School
Thursday, July 11th – 3:00 – 4:30pm – Water Tower 1 – New Canaan High School (Game Night)
If you decide to sign up for BOTH weeks, we will be offering a $25 discount per week
2033 & 2034 CLINIC REGISTRATION
If you have any questions, please contact the following Directors:
Chip Buzzeo
Curriculm & Culture
Our emphasis at this age is making sure the basics are taught correctly. For example, instead of just focusing on running drills to improve “throwing and catching”, we asked all our Coaches to instruct and correct the finest details such as proper hand placement on the stick, importance of arm angles, and precise footwork. Similar to a golf swing or baseball swing, a lacrosse player should try their best to perfect the proper mechanics of throwing, catching, and shooting in order to improve the end result. In addition, this is the perfect age to review and teach 1v1 dodging techniques. In our experience, we have found players at this age level learn quicker by explaining “why” it is important to step in a certain direction and ways to protect their stick better when dodging an opponent. A perfect example is the “split dodge”: For kids in grades K and 1st, most players can understand the concept that a split dodge is moving the stick from your right hand to your left or your left hand to your right. However, when players reach the 2nd and 3rd grades, we have found they can grasp the understanding of making their opposing defenseman turn their hips one way by stepping aggressively toward the hand on their stick near their stick head (if they are holding their stick “lefty”, they step with their left foot). Once that action is completed, they then rotate their left shoulder across, protecting their stick and complete the transfer of hands as they get by their defender. Players at this age not only can comprehend these finer techniques, moreover, it increases this excitement to learn more after being more successful during their execution. This is evident during our small area game formats that maximize player participation and most importantly make the experience really fun.
Most importantly, at this age we have seen players begin to grasp one of our core values of our Eclipse Culture - “A Disciplined Approach to Everything”! At Eclipse Lacrosse Club, we believe to be the best player on the field, we must approach everything in our daily life with the same passion. At the beginning and end of every clinic, practice, and game, our Coaches will always deliver a message that is meant to develop leadership, teamwork, and enthusiasm to improve on their own. We believe it is important at all age levels, however, for our youngest players it is essential to their future success as an Athlete.