Mov’em-up, Ride’em Out
After a series of physical tests, paperwork, and a quick Buffalo hello last Saturday, the Bandits made their way to Oakville, Ontario, where they will spend the month of November preparing for the upcoming National Lacrosse League season.
For eleven players, this will be their first Bandits training camp. For Steve Priolo, the Bandits’ captain, will be his 15th; Dhane Smith, his 12th; and Nick Weiss, his 10th.
What do you do?
Veterans who’ve been with several clubs, like Kyle Buchanan and Paul Dawson, have seen 12 and 18 camps, respectively, so they know the Bandits sessions will be competitive, but they take their own approach.
“My approach for the first couple of practices has changed a bit over the years. I no longer play in the summer, so a lot of it for me is just getting back into game shape, into the rhythm and flow with my teammates,” said Buchanan, who recorded his ninth 45-plus point season in his 11 NLL campaigns.
“No matter how hard you train or what you do, it is hard to simulate getting out there, bumping bodies and competing.”
For Paul Dawson, you would think he has a different tack than his first camp in 2007.
“No, not really. I still have the same butterflies and anxiousness going into training camp as always. But also excited to get back after it and try to earn a spot,” said the 6’5” burly defenseman, who blocked 25 shots last season (with the Mammoth & Bandits).
“It’s always good to be back with the boys, meet new faces, and catch up with old ones.”
Justin Martin is the Bandits’ most methodical player on the roster and has played an integral role in the club’s success in his seven seasons.
He takes the same approach to camp sessions.
“You put in the work all offseason to come into camp as prepared as possible, but there’s always a next level come the first practice,” said Martin, who has played in 127 games with the Bandits.
“The first couple of practices are about having a good compete level and pushing yourself to get up to game speed as quickly as possible. You’re also playing with some new guys for the first time, so it’s a good opportunity to get to know them and get on the same page.”
This is business, not reality TV
Preparing for his sixth Bandit season, Ian MacKay has an earnest approach. The former first-rounder is the club’s Swiss army knife; his numbers from last season prove it.
Playing in all 18 regular season and five playoff games, MacKay went 12+17=29 points, tied for seventh place, number one in loose balls with 160, 19 caused turnovers, 12 blocked shots, and stepped in for 234 faceoffs.
“The first couple of practices are spent getting back up to speed with playing lacrosse. You can train all you want, but lacrosse shape is different than just working out,” said MacKay.
“You need to get comfortable with lacrosse movements and get the game’s feel back. That and finding the compete again, getting hit, hitting guys, and getting after each other a bit before we get into the X and O’s of the game.”
Paradiddles Anyone?
What about some of the rudiments of the game to work on?
“I’m always working on speed work,” MacKay said. “As a transition guy, I’m constantly looking for different ways to try and create offense from defense, and having a quick first two-to-four steps is vital in that.
“I have also been working a lot on my offensive side of the game; each year, I see a decent amount of time on the offensive side of the ball, so I need to make sure that I’m taking advantage of those opportunities.”
Martin likes the Kiss method.
“I like to keep it pretty simple: positioning and footwork. You’re always trying to find new ways to disrupt the play, and a big part of that is being able to anticipate and react to what offenses are trying to set you up with.”
Just add Water
For Buchanan, It’s all about the mix with his teammates.
“Early on in camp, and as we get closer to game one of the regular season, I try to work on re-establishing the chemistry with my teammates that has made us successful in the past.
“Whether a two-man game-set, how we see someone on the backside, or just a certain formation, our timing needs to sync up again. We need to add to our bag of tricks.
“I try to add a small element to my game each year, so in drills or shooting, I try to focus on whatever it may be, just trying to ensure that I’m trusted when I’m up there,” Buchanan, who had 23 goals last season, said.
No Shinny Allowed
What about the scrimmages and preseason games? How do they help?
“That’s a tough one,” said Dawson. “Both, I think, are equally important. I am getting reps, working with guys to build chemistry, and playing minutes in live action.
“It’s tough, though, because of the way I play, I’m going up against guys who are my teammates. So, preseason games are more my style because I’ll be going against those other players throughout the year.
MacKay likes the scrimmages and preseason games, specifically for the younger guys to get a taste of NLL game speed – and for the vets to get some action before the start of the regular season.
But…
“It’s essential to not take a ton of stock from them because it’s not always the game one roster playing in these games, but it gives guys an opportunity to show what they can do,” said MacKay.
“Some guys perform better in game situations than practices, so I am looking forward to those preseason games.”
Young Dudes
And what about helping some of the younger defensemen who need to adjust to the speed of the NLL games?
“I just try to do what I always do: lead by example and help pass on any knowledge that I’ve acquired playing these last 18 years. I think we also help them get accustomed to the league and Bandits, what we expect as a defensive unit, and help them get up to speed as quickly as possible,” noted Dawson.
“The biggest thing is helping them understand the defense we like to play and where we try to force shots from,” Martin said.
“Every guy likes to play certain situations a little differently, whether that’s absorbing the pick, going a step earlier, etc., so just understanding how they want to play goes a long way.
“As we get into scrimmages, you try to help them become familiar with the tendencies of other teams and players around the league.”
And…Action
The Bandits will get up to speed with intra-squad scrimmages and two preseason games during November.
November 16 in St. Catherines vs. Las Vegas and November 23 vs. Georgia on the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena turf.
The St. Catherines game will be played in the Meridian Center. Tickets are available for $10 CND here.
Bandits Training Camp ’24 will be in full swing at the TRAC this weekend, Saturday and Sunday.