Olympic Translation
Here we go! Everybody got that Olympic fever?? I watched the open ceremony the other night, or attempted to anyway. I thought it was very cool how the countries were caravanning through Paris on boats like some sort of flotilla parade. I tried to stay awake for the lighting of the torch but alas I succumbed to the call of my pillow and blanket. Olympic summers are always special in their own right. I really don’t pay too much attention to the winter games if I am being completely honest. Something about the summer Olympics though stokes an interest and a gleeful anticipation of what we all love at the end of the day, competition and sports. As I write this I have China and Spain Women’s Basketball on. My attention to this article is periodically stolen by this particular contest. I have no real allegiance nor am I partial to either of these particular teams, yet I have not watched this much basketball since Caitlin Clark and Iowa’s last game back in the spring. I haven’t watched and NBA game with this much attention in I can’t say how long. One; I think that is the point of this grand occasion. Something just draws you into the idea of international competition, each team putting their country’s best on the court/field/track etc to see if they are among the best in the world. It’s the same reason I watch the world cup. I never watch soccer at all, at least not on TV. Outside going to our men and women play here at UD, I hardly watch the sport. But when the world cup is on, it’s just different for some reason. It pulls you in. Something about representing your country adds a different reverence to the game, and pulls in casual fans such as myself, and I’m sure plenty more like me. And two, this is just a great game. I’m no authority on women’s sports, especially women’s basketball, but I don’t know that I’d want to face either of these teams if I was in the WNBA. If anyone else is watching this, hopefully they share my sentiment. It’s a great, big, wide world and there is a ton of skill and talent out there. This is one of the best displays I have seen. Spain has a couple players that are so skilled. And China’s size is terrifying as well as their shooting ability. This has been an offensive display that has not yielded many misses from the floor since I have turned the game on. It is 72-70 currently with about a minute left in the game. I might have to take a break to watch the end of this one, as it is shaping up to be an outstanding finish.
Why are the Olympics so enjoyable? Well in addition to the magnitude of it being every four years, and the previously mentioned pride for one’s country, there are other reasons. I think another part is the access to sports that are seldom seen. I know that I personally wouldn’t be watching equestrian and judo under normal circumstances. I like the summer Olympics because of what it represents. These games are a glimpse into the past. I like the history and pageantry behind the games. To see the a sliver of what our ancestors first started to demonstrate in the ways and art of early competition. Sports like Greco roman wrestling, and events like the decathlon are ancient compared to more modern games. It’s cool to not only see, but pay homage to the athletics that laid the foundation for the modern age of sports. That’s just one more argument for all of us Lacrosse advocates. Surely the oldest team sport in North America, and dare I say the world, should have its rightful place among some of their other fellow counterparts. By the way, just in case anyone gives a hoot, Spain ended up beating China in an absolute barn burner. A 90-89 OT thriller, Spain ended up tying the game with 3 seconds left. It was one of those games that felt like whoever had the ball last was going to win. No one could miss in the last 10 minutes of play. I believe China was the better team. They were way bigger and more athletic. Their offensive prowess was scary at times, and I don’t think any of their players shot under 50% from the field. But Spain was just scrappy. Those women didn’t not quit. They had some key players come up clutch late in the game, and they found a way to eek it out at the end. Not to go off on a tangent but I think it’s cool to see the look on the competitors faces. For a lot of them, this might be their one shot and they might not get another chance. This is the one thing that I think resonates so much. Not only are you dealing with the weight of representing an entire people but also the idea that as an athlete, 4 years can be the difference between being in your peak form, or past your prime. I know how much our guys train for an entire year to get back on the field. I cannot imagine doing that for 3 more years to prepare for something that could be over in an instant. Mentally, that would be very challenging. That magnitude; the juxtaposition between glory and total agony is what makes the Olympics what it is.
So I know we are all eagerly awaiting 2028 to see lacrosse on the world stage once again. But while we wait it is fun to imagine what sports would translate well to Lacrosse. I don’t know if it’s just me, or because I am a coach, I am constantly borrowing things from other sports. I’m sure other coaches do it as well (I would think). I have taken basketball drills that I think are applicable and implemented them into a lacrosse specific setting. Same with football/soccer/etc. If something can translate to our game, why not try to borrow some scheme from other sports? There are 3 Olympic sports that I think greatly translate to the sport of Lacrosse. For me the top 3 that I can see are Handball, Field Hockey, and Water Polo. I think there are a ton of similarities to Lacrosse in these three. If you think I missed one, mention which one in the comments. I was watching water polo today, and I couldn’t help but think about extra man offense. As I am watching a sport I know nothing about, my mind just instinctively went to a man up set. Watch the perimeter passing in water polo. They can’t move or set up that fast in the water so there is a lot of misdirection. I notice players catch the ball, pump fake, swing the ball, pass it back, and jam the “crease” or whatever the interior is called in water polo. All things you would teach your extra man offensive players. Handball, as I was once told by former Cortland Coach and legend Steve Beville, is the greatest gym class sport of all time. And he was right. I loved playing handball in HS gym class. Watching handball in the Olympics, I think, shows the greatest similarity to the sport of lacrosse. Its 6v6 on the floor. There are transition opportunities and defense most definitely has to help off ball. You need to be very skilled. I don’t see anyone drop a pass, ever. And some of the catches they make are simply unbelievable. I notice a lot of similarities particularly in the offensive skill sets. I see a lot of 2 man game, either top center or on the wings. I notice how high these guys can jump, as well. The jump shot is fundamental in this game. I was always taught as a kid that a middie that could shoot a jump shot was more versatile. If you could change your release point from 6 or 7 feet in the air to 8 or 9 feet, then it would be that much harder for the goalie to track the shot. Seems similar in handball. These guys jump so high that they can shoot down on the net whether they are aiming for the top of the net or the low corners. Field hockey is really fun to watch. Defensively, you need good footwork to keep guys in front of you, just like in lacrosse. And one long pass can create a fast break in field hockey that makes me question how we clear the ball. If there is an opportunity to throw it deeper from time to time to create an advantage, then why not? Also, I can’t believe the skill that those men and women possess. Their stick handling ability is insane. Whether passing or shooting, they are very accurate. I can’t help but think that those athletes and coaches value the same principles of spacing, moving without the ball, stick work, and passing as we do as Lacrosse coaches.
We see the sports that translate to our game, now how about the players? Well I’ve never heard of any PLL all-stars also being world class swimmers and field hockey is already a field sport requiring a stick, so we can skip water polo and field hockey. But I would love to see some guys play handball, and I think some players would be pretty good and fun to watch. Those goalies come out pretty far to cut down the angle of the shooter, I’ve noticed. Put any goalie that played for Navy in there since they are used to playing super high arcs. In all seriousness, I would love to see Liam Entenmann in there. He has the size, length, and reaction speed that I believe would translate very well. Offensively, I think Ryder Garnsey would be a perfect handball player. He is so unorthodox on the lacrosse field with his ability to contort his body and strange release points. I think he would draw so much defensive attention, and he has the wizardry to pass the ball at the last possible second, no matter how or where he is holding his stick. He has great body control around the crease and goal mouth. I think that would translate well in handball, making sure to leave his feet before touching the arc and getting a shot off before hitting the ground. I think he would be electric. I think the Kavanagh’s with their unique backyard style would be great at handball as well. They would probably find each other well on the court. When I see some of these jump shooters flying through the air, it reminds me of a young Kyle Harrison in his prime, splitting down the alley. Now, I think Brennan O’Neil would be a dominant handballer with his huge frame, freakish explosiveness, and an unfathomable amount of height, reach, and torque on his jump shots. And you need a guy inside that can catch anything. I think of a guy like Zach Greer back in the day that could catch anything, no matter how much pressure he had on him. Now and days, I think of a big body like Asher Nolting, or an off-ball wizard like Xander Dickson. Or maybe just a crafty unassuming player like Wes Berg, or Connor Fields. I think Lacrosse players are super underrated athletically. There are a number of players that have the size, skill, and speed that would make them an asset on any team, in any sport. Just need Pat Spencer to make the Dream Team just once to seal my point on that front.
The one thing I failed to mention about the Olympics that always leaves an impression on me is the sportsmanship. Not saying that there isn’t some shit talking or chippiness that happens from time to time. There is. But whenever I watch the games, I am constantly seeing opposing players picking up players that aren’t their teammates, shaking hands after competition, athletes displaying affection for their teammates, athletes thanking the fans and the officials after the contest, and just generally a lot of smiling and a lot of joy. It’s a reminder that the result is the goal but it is not the purpose. The purpose is to try your absolute best and represent your country with the utmost dignity, grace, pride, and love. That is what I enjoy seeing at these events. And I can’t wait for Lacrosse to be able to take part in it. I was able to get a small taste of international competition this spring coaching Team Chile. God willing, if there is an opportunity to be in that spot again for an Olympic team, that would be almost too much to comprehend, let alone to bear. But I am a dreamer and I always have been. That’s the soul of what the Olympic games embody. Everyone has a dream at some point of being able to play the sport they love, and to get a chance to do it for their country. And as long as that dream is alive, anything is possible. Stranger things have happened, after all.
A quick post script, if anyone has a topic they would like me to five deeper into or to write my next article about, please feel free to leave it in the comments.
KASEY BURST
The HC at the University of Dubuque, Kasey brings all things college lacrosse to your inbox.