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With the regular season winding down, I wanted a bit of reflection on the year and where players might wanna end up in the future.

I’ve always been kinda intrigued on where players in lacrosse, and really any other sport, would wanna play other than the current situation they’re in. And in the same breath, what coach would they wanna play for if they had the choice, cuz as we know, players don’t (or very rarely depending on who you are, ie Vince Carter) get to pick their coach?

Eight or nine years ago, I think the answer to those questions would almost surely have been the Toronto Rock and the late (and beyond great) Les Bartley, but as you’ll see after the jump, the times they are a changin’.

Also, read a great article in Men’s Health a while back (same one I think Jenner mentioned earlier this year), that profiled former Duke Head Coach and current Bryant coach Mike Pressler. They listed Pressler’s seven rules of great leadership, that kinda sparked a couple of my Q’s this week. And for those that didn’t pick up March’s MH, here’s a quick rundown of Mike’s seven rules for leadership that I thought were pretty eye opening in today’s changing sports environment…

1. Build a Strong Foundation
2. Define Winning
3. Create an Environment of Trust
4. Tell the Truth
5. Be Accountable
6. Talk Less, Do More
7. Live with Honor

Number six really stuck with me, where Mike also went onto say, “Long-winded pregame speeches are worthless today. Emotion doesn’t last; good work habits do.” Personally, think that really holds a lot of water in today’s pro game, lacrosse or otherwise, and kinda runs along the same lines as some stuff Tom Ryan went over earlier this year, which also inspired this week’s poll a bit.

Anyways guys, the results pretty much speak for themselves, so not gonna get too in-depth on the answers this week. As always, make sure to checkout the guy’s thoughts after the results, some good stuff as always.

1. Based on a franchise’s rep, what current NLL team other than your own, would you want to play for? Tossed Boston in there as a wildcard.
A.	Buffalo Bandits	5%
B.	Calgary Roughnecks	4%
C.	Chicago Shamrox	0%
D.	Colorado Mammoth	60%
E.	Edmonton Rush	8%
F.	Minnesota Swarm	2%
G.	New York Titans	4%
H.	Philadelphia Wings	5%
I.	Portland Lumberjax	0%
J.	Rochester Knighthawks	0%
K.	San Jose Stealth	3%
L.	Toronto Rock	7%
M.	Boston Blazers	2%
2. What current NLL coach, other than your own, would you jump at the opportunity to play for?
A.	Darris Kilgour	13%
B.	Troy Cordingley	13%
C.	Jamie Batley	1%
D.	Bob McMahon	10%
E.	Bob Hamley	10%
F.	Dewey Jacobs	4%
G.	Adam Mueller	11%
H.	Dave Huntley	9%
I.	Derek Keenan	5%
J.	Ed Comeau	17%
K.	Walt Christianson	6%
L.	Glenn Clark	1%
3. Are you content with the decisions made by your Head Coach and his staff (including the GM) this year?
A.	Yes	68%
B.	No	32%
4. Did you have an honest and open relationship with your current NLL Head Coach this year?
A.	Yes	85%
B.	No	15%
5. Do you always give 100% in practice or do you find you’re just going through the motions a lot of the time?
A.	I always go balls out.	69%
B.	I’m physically there, but mentally sometimes…	31%
6. At this level of lacrosse (NLL), do you feel a coach still serves as a motivator or is he there to manage the team and work on the X’s and O’s?
A.	Tuned him out long ago. Just worked on the strategy bro.	44%
B.	Still need a coach riding my ass to fire me up.	56%

Player’s Comments:

1. Based on a franchise’s rep, what current NLL team other than your own, would you want to play for? Tossed Boston in there as a wildcard.

“San Jose. Best living setup and best weather.” 

Note: if you haven’t done so already, make sure to get your hands on IL ish Vol 12 Ish 4, which has a photo and written diary with Stealth rook Sean Morris as he gives you a peek into life playin’ ball in Cali

“18k for fans vs. 1300 fans!!! I can hear ‘em chanting my name… shhhhh listen.” on playin’ for Colorado

“How could you not want to play in front of a sellout every night?” on Colorado

“It would have been Toronto but their GM has done a good job messing that franchise up lately.”

“I’d say Toronto since it’d be a beautiful commute, but what a mess they’ve turned into. Think I’d just settle for Buffalo and spend a bit more time on the road.”

“For me its a toss up between Colorado and Philly. main reason; THE FANS and the ATMOSPHERE.”

“I heard they pay well.” Colorado

“Pat Coyle is one lucky SOB. Played for the Rock when they still treated their players first class. Now he’s in Colorado getting the same treatment.”

2. What current NLL coach, other than your own, would you jump at the opportunity to play for?

“I have always heard that Ed is a great prep coach.” on Rochester Head Honcho, Ed Comeau

“He coaches like he played. Balls out and in your face.” on Darris Kilgour

“Just a great guy, with a lot of passion.” on Troy Cordingley

“Almost puked when I saw all the hate on the forum for Bobby Mac. You guys have no idea how good he is and how prepared he has his teams. NO IDEA!” on Bob McMahon

“Has to learn to keep it in check, and I’m just talking on the bench, forget the off floor stuff. Even saw one of his players roll his eyes after Clark chewed the team out during a game.” on Glenn Clark

Note: Not much chatter for questions three or four, so just gonna skip ‘em for the last two Q’s below.

5. Do you always give 100% in practice or do you find you’re just going through the motions a lot of the time?

“Some days are tougher than others, but i always try to go balls out, if not I’d get left behind. Go stealth!”

“Practices are usually just prep for games, so I am always there and ready for practice, but I don’t think “balls out” is accurate. I’m there to get better for the game we are about to play.”

“Practicing at 11pm after a long day of travel takes a lot of you. It’s tough to get your mind into it. especially when its the same sh** every time.”

6. At this level of lacrosse (NLL), do you feel a coach still serves as a motivator or is he there to manage the team and work on the X’s and O’s?

“I think this depends on the team. There are different needs for a younger team than an older team for instance.”

“There are so many specific situations in the box game. Coach needs to be there to diagram specific plays, but for the most part… just play.”

“Both.”

“Not enough practice time for the X’s and O’s, they should just make sure everyone is fired up to play.”

“Coaches are there to coach, but there is a way to get your point across without tearing a strip of paint off my helmet.”

The foremost boxla writer, Tutka is a former NLL scout and a longtime Inside Lacrosse contributor. Email him at paul.tutka@nllinsider.com.

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