Strength, grit and pure athleticism, the ever-evolving face-off position is not reserved for the weak at heart. Gone are the days when coaches selected a player at random; the face-off position has become increasingly popular and highly-specialized, so much so that college coaches are taking it into serious consideration when recruiting an athlete. As the
initial play in every game, quarter, and after each goal scored, a quality face-off player determines the flow of the game and increases a team’s scoring potential. Truth is, not every athlete can truly play this position and not every coach can effectively teach it.
“There are four essential components to becoming an elite face-off player,” said Matt Schomburg, CEO of the FOGOLAX Face-off Academy. “The player in this position is required to have speed, balance, technique and power in order to be successful.”
To put lacrosse players to the test, FLG Lacrosse has teamed up with the FOGOLAX Face-off Academy, a leading instructional facility in teaching and cultivating top-notch face-off players, to bring you the FLG Face-off Combine. This competition will challenge players in grades 6th through 11th from all over America to find our nation’s top players in the face-off position. The four regional tournaments will take place in the hotbed areas, Massachusetts, Long Island, Philadelphia and Maryland, for lacrosse; however, players from all areas are encouraged to partake in the competition. Matt Schomburg, founder and CEO of the FOGOLAX Face-off Academy and former member of the Australian National Team, will be a key resource in the competition. He and his team of face-off experts will teach, train and test participants prior to competition.
“We are excited to be teaming up with Matt Schomburg and the FOGOLAX Face-off Academy for the FLG Face-off Combine,” said Mike Winkoff, CEO of FLG Lacrosse. “His level of expertise in facing-off will provide young athletes with the opportunity to learn from and compete in front of one of the best coaches of the face-off position.”
The tournament, set to begin in October of 2014, will feature a regional and national component. Sixty-four players from each age bracket will compete in the regional phase of the competition; after competing in a series of best of seven match-ups, players will be ranked. The top 16 in each age bracket will advance to the national tournament, which will take place during the FLG in 3D Summer Shootout on July 19, 2015. Players who advance to the national tournament will be given the opportunity to show their skills in front of approximately 100 college coaches.
The FLG – FOGOLAX competition is on a first-come-first serve basis. The first 64 athletes in each age-group per region will be admitted into the competition. To register or for more information please visit the FLG Lacrosse website or contact Mike Winkoff at 516-750-6500.
