Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Constructive Criticism Is a Gift

 

 

True Cleveland Lacrosse – Weekly Skills Plans Week 8

Constructive Criticism Is a Gift

“You can’t improve unless you accept constructive criticism. You have to recognize what you don’t do well, identify the weakness, and then work to improve it. It’s not being picked on — it’s being focused on fixing it.”


Players

Constructive criticism is part of every serious athlete’s journey. If a coach corrects you, it’s because they see potential — not because they’re singling you out. Great players don’t avoid feedback. They seek it.


What This Really Means

Accepting criticism doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re learning.

 

When a weakness is identified:

·         It gives you clarity

·         It gives you direction

·         It gives you a plan

Ignoring feedback keeps you stuck.
Using it moves you forward.


Why This Matters

At higher levels of lacrosse, talent alone is not enough.

The athletes who separate themselves are the ones who:

·         Listen without getting defensive

·         Take ownership of their development

·         Turn feedback into action

 

Coaches correct what can be fixed. Silence is far worse.


Putting It Into Practice

The next time you receive feedback:

·         Listen first — don’t react

·         Ask yourself, “How can this make me better?”

·         Work on the correction intentionally and consistently

·         Show progress through effort, not excuses

Growth begins with honesty.

 

The Bottom Line

Constructive criticism is not an attack. It’s a roadmap.

If you want to improve, you must be willing to hear the truth — and then put in the work to change it.

 

Let’s get to work.

Coach Calleri

 

Week 15 Player Development Plans (Emailed Directly To Our Players)


🥍 Shooting Drills – 3x per week 

Set aside time three times a week for structured shooting sessions. Focus on technique, accuracy, and speed. Don’t just count reps—make each one intentional. Over time, your shot will feel automatic under pressure.

🛡 Defense: Footwork – 3x per week

Footwork builds agility and positioning. Do the drills three times per week, and you’ll be more confident in one-on-one situations and stronger in your team defense role.

🛡 Goalie:  & Footwork – 3x per week

Footwork builds agility and positioning. Do the drills three times per week, and you’ll be more confident in the cage.

💪 100, 200, or 300 Pushups a Day

Strength isn’t built overnight, but consistent work pays off. Choose your level (100, 200, or 300) and spread your pushups throughout the day—before school, after practice, before bed. Pushups build not just upper body strength, but also endurance and mental toughness 

 

 

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

If you feel like crap today—it doesn’t mean you’re failing.

 

True Cleveland Lacrosse – Weekly Skills Plans Week 7

THE 1/3 RULE OF GROWTH

“If you feel like crap today—it doesn’t mean you’re failing.”


Players

Alexi Pappas’ Olympic coach shared a simple truth that every athlete, student, and dreamer needs to understand—especially when the work gets hard. When you’re chasing something meaningful, how you feel day to day will fluctuate. That’s normal.


What This Really Means

When you’re truly pushing yourself, you should expect to feel:

·         Great about 1/3 of the time

·         Just okay about 1/3 of the time

·         Crappy about 1/3 of the time

 

That’s not failure.


That’s the cost of growth.


Why This Matters

·         If you feel amazing every day, you’re probably not stretching yourself.

·         If you feel terrible every day, you may be heading toward burnout.

·         But if you’re riding the wave—good days, average days, tough days—you’re right where you’re supposed to be.

Progress isn’t linear.

Growth is uncomfortable by design.


Putting It Into Practice

The next time you have a rough day:

·         Don’t panic

·         Don’t quit

·         Don’t assume you’re on the wrong path

Instead, remind yourself:

This is part of the ratio. Hard days are not stop signs. They’re checkpoints.

 

The Bottom Line

A tough day doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It means you’re in the game.

Stay the course. Trust the process. Keep going.

 

Let’s get to work.

Coach Calleri 

Week 14 Player Development Plans (Emailed Directly To Our Players)


🥍 Shooting Drills – 3x per week 

Set aside time three times a week for structured shooting sessions. Focus on technique, accuracy, and speed. Don’t just count reps—make each one intentional. Over time, your shot will feel automatic under pressure.

🛡 Defense: Footwork – 3x per week

Footwork builds agility and positioning. Do the drills three times per week, and you’ll be more confident in one-on-one situations and stronger in your team defense role.

🛡 Goalie:  & Footwork – 3x per week

Footwork builds agility and positioning. Do the drills three times per week, and you’ll be more confident in the cage.

💪 100, 200, or 300 Pushups a Day

Strength isn’t built overnight, but consistent work pays off. Choose your level (100, 200, or 300) and spread your pushups throughout the day—before school, after practice, before bed. Pushups build not just upper body strength, but also endurance and mental toughness 

 

Constructive Criticism Is a Gift

    True Cleveland Lacrosse – Weekly Skills Plans Week 8 Constructive Criticism Is a Gift “You can’t improve unless you accept c...