Waukee Valley HS Interview #1

The first interview from a member of the Waukee/Valley High School Club comes all the way from Waukee. Cameron came to Iowa from Elmherst, IL. The 16-year-old middie wear number 17 and has been playing lax since middle school. He first got interested in lax by watching on TV (just like me!).
Although not a fan of Major League Lacrosse or the National Lacrosse League, Cam (as his friends call him) does follow college lax. His favorite teams are Johns Hopkins (yay!), Duke, and Virginia. The reason? The best players in the world represent those schools. Notably absent from his list was Syracuse, where his favorite player, Mikey Powell, spent his college years. Cam is such a big Powell fan that he prefers to use Brine equipment.
When not playing lacrosse, Cam suits up for the Des Moines Oakleafs. Just like on the lax field, he wears number 17 for the blue and green. Like any good lax middie, he lines up at center on the ice. Occasionally he slides to the wing as well. The Oakleafs website lists him at 5'11" but having played with him today, I do not think he is an inch taller than me...
His advice is as solid as any other athlete: Don't give up if it just doesn’t come to you at first, just keep at it and it will come. Lacrosse is such a great workout and fun sport to play because its fast and physical and it’s a way to meet new friends. If a new kid from out of state has the guts to go out and play lax, you should too.

Tips From Casey Powell

You may have seen his shooting tips, but now Casey will show you how to train with goals and rebound walls.

(From You Tube)

Event at the Soccer House?

I was talking with Tyler, the other organizer of the Des Moines Lacrosse League, about trying to do something at the Soccer House. We realize that the weather this time of year sucks and that most people do not want to go outside and toss the lax ball. The two of us will still hit it tomorrow in the 41 degree weather and you are all invited to pull on a sweatshirt and come out.

For everybody else, and to get lax started on a sure foot in Des Moines, we are thinking that an indoor event/practice/toss around/scrimmage would be a good way to go. Since I live on the south side, the Soccer House is always the first place that comes to mind. It is big enough, reasonably set up for lax, and underused. Whether or not the Soccer House would allow us in is another story; I plan to get in contact with them over the next couple of days to see if it is a possibility. At this point I have no idea what the cost would be and there is a possibility that participants may need to contribute (hey, I'm broke).

You will notice that the top poll reflects this idea. The first option lets me know that the cost is not an issue nor is what type of lax we play. The second is the same, but with no payments required by the participants. The last two are fairly obvious.

I have already discussed Box Lacrosse. Another suggestion Tyler made was a 5 on 5 game w/ modified field rules. Helmets, gloves, and probably pads would be required for these games. Perhaps we will play "Ultimate Lacrosse," which is similar to Ultimate Frisbee, only with a lax ball and sticks. We may also do a Toss Around (informal and pretty much what is says). These games should not require pads.

Get to voting and let me know what you think with your comments or email. If you have any suggestions and information for an alternative location, let me know!

Demons Logo Contest in Full Swing!

We have now received one entry in the contest to create a logo for the Des Moines Demons. It's not too late to get your own design in! Check out the Demons website for more information!

Update on Saturday Morning's Event!

This is the official update to the previous post.
12:00 PM this Saturday (1/31) at Valley High School's (main campus) West Parking Lot (formerly at Drake, but circumstances have changed that). The lot is on the west side of the buidling; should it be occupied, we will move to the church across the street or down to the DM rugby fields. The high for Saturday is 41, so a sweatshirt should keep you warm. The parking lot allows us to avoid snow and cars. Hope to see you there!
Contact me with questions.

Tips From Casey Powell

How can you play lacrosse without passing? It is only one of the most vital skills in this, or any other, team sport.

(From You Tube)

Tips From Casey Powell

Dodging is essential to being an effective attackman or midfielder. Let Casey show you how it's done.

(From You Tube)

Tips From Casey Powell

Want to learn how to win lacrosse face offs? Why not learn from the master?

(From You Tube)