Podcast: Elliott Bender on box lacrosse’s evolution in the U.S.

Boys lacrosse guru Elliott Bender is the guest on the "Chasing The Goal" podcast this week.

On this episode of the “Chasing The Goal” podcast, hosts Kyle Devitte and Owen Hart are joined by box lacrosse guru Elliott Bender.

Bender is a coach who wears many hats, an experienced lacrosse leader with a successful track record at various levels. He was offensive coordinator for the University of Alabama-Huntsville women, a Division 2 team that won a conference championship during his tenure.

On the international stage, he has been a USBOXLA national team coach for more than a decade, contributing to the development of a myriad of collegiate players. As a former Senior A player with the Jacksonville Bullies and Oakville Rock, he brings valuable insights to his coaching.

Bender is known for his dedication and effectiveness in mentoring athletes, and has launched an online clinic and coaching series through his Instagram page titled “The Box Lacrosse Guy.”

Watch the full podcast below on YouTube. It’s also available on all major podcast platforms. If you enjoy it, please leave a rating and a review. Watch more episodes on the Chasing the Goal podcast channel.

Here are some excerpts from the pod.

Owen Hart: I barely even played field lacrosse growing up. I didn’t play a lick of box lacrosse. When I watch it now, it’s like watching a different sport. Can you describe the differences between the two sports?

Elliott Bender: That’s a great question because I’m actually building a “Box 101” course right now and laying out how a box offense works. How you run in a box offense is complicated to describe. Also, you’re not wrong for feeling that way. I think what makes it so hard is the mentality that you are absolutely looking for the best shot you can get. And it really doesn’t matter how that shot happens.

But if you can get a good shot from a good shooter with your hands free, 10 seconds into the possession, then you live and die by that. So it makes it really hard to process because you have to throw in decision-making in a tighter space while trying to execute on these concepts, and you’re getting hit off-ball.

So it makes it really tough to build the layers, which is why I think box is an extremely good way to start playing lacrosse, because it gives you that. I always think of box as a reduced version of field, meaning you don’t have as much time to react, so you have to be more efficient with your movements, your defensive angles, the route you take to the net and your stickwork.

Kyle Devitte: I love asking people this because I like stealing drills. What is your best drill for getting better at box lacrosse, whether that’s understanding it or stickwork, or anything that you want to pick?

Elliott Bender: I wish I had some video to explain it. I think the best way to grow your box knowledge and comprehension is to focus on the transition and the subbing, and how that all plays out. 

It starts as a three-on-two off the bench. Then it turns into a two-on-one. Back the offense, and then back the other way on the opposite side. Everybody has to sub off, and then you send new guys on. When you get more advanced, you can have two teams going. You can have goalies throwing the ball; if you’re not familiar with box, goalies have to be very good at throwing the ball.

So when you combine coming off the bench, pushing a three-on-two, reacting back off of that break, and transition into a two-on-one, you’re constantly subbing off. That’s the ultimate drill for me as far as like box lacrosse and learning the pacing of the game. 

@TheKyleDevitte
kyle.devitte@laxjournal.com

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