NLL Insider

Like the giant Grizzlies of western British Columbia, the bears of the lacrosse family partake in an annual hibernation ritual of their own. Back into their dens they lumber, ready to relax, to re-energize, to heal nagging battle wounds, to look back at the past year, evaluate their efforts and begin grooming the young members of the family for the upcoming season

The next two months are like a god send for the boys of the National Larosse League. For most of them, lacrosse is not a 5 month season from January to May. Though they may not get to recoup as much as they would like in between, it’s more like a 10 month season from mid November through early September. Of course that includes NLL training camp in mid November, followed by the NLL season that runs to early May, which nicely slides right into the Canadian summer season and the MLL circuit in the US; culminating with the Mann Cup winding up in the second week of September.

Tired yet?

It’s no picnic, that’s for sure. Mind you, that time frame takes into consideration that you were one of the first guys at training camp, played a full NLL season winning a Champions Cup title and endured a tireless summer season grinding it out in the MSL en-route to a Mann Cup title like Phil Sanderson. Or substitute an MLL title for the Champions cup and then still winning the Mann Cup like Brodie Merril and Colin Doyle.

So from the crowning of a Canadian Champ until the commencement of training camps, sticks get put down for a bit, kids get picked up and families become one again. Injuries get time to heal as the boys finally give their bodies get some relaxation and time off from the constant pounding from their ‘little brother of war’. This is the beginning of the re-energizing process. I always looked forward to that first Tuesday night after the season ended when I would normally be at practise and I’d find myself sitting at home enjoying the free time. Or the Saturday morning when I could sleep in with no thoughts about game day shoot around.

As enjoyable and peaceful as this time is, training camp is on the horizon. When October comes calling so does the gym! Boot camps, personal trainers, yoga classes and a fierce dedication to the ultimate goal are all part of the process to get the body ready for battle again

Finally at the end of their all too brief hibernation, the bears re-emerge from their dens stronger and healthier. As they stand on the edge of what’s ahead of them they have one goal in mind; to become the biggest badest bear in the woods. It’s driving them and they are willing to do whatever it takes to get there. And behind them, a few cubs in tow staking their claim as the future of the Forest.

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