Summer lacrosse season is no joke. Between club tournaments, recruiting events, and all the training in between, your body and mind have been in overdrive for months. Not to mention that you had just come out of a high school season before that started up.

Team dynamics can be tricky. Whether you're coaching, playing, or even just watching from the sidelines, you've probably noticed how cliques tend to form within groups. It’s natural for people to gravitate toward those they click with, but when it comes to team sports, social divisions can mess with the vibe—and ultimately, the team's success if it goes too far. So, how do you navigate those cliques and maintain unity when you’ve got some social barriers in play? Let’s dive in.

Written by Amy Patton who has 30+ years of coaching experience, multiple DI & DIII National Championships, and NESCAC & Ivy League trophies. 

"When you step on the field, who are you? Are you the same person you are off it? You shouldn’t be!!

"Every Path is Hard—Which One Leads to Greatness?" Which path will you choose?

Hey there, fellow sports enthusiasts and champions of life! It's your friendly ex-D1 athlete turned D1 coach, now diving into the world of therapy and mental health coaching. Hi, I’m Cindi, founder of Sports, Food, and Mental Health.

Too often, I see high school and college players mindlessly checking off their stickwork drills or packets for the day, simply going through the motion against a wall. Uninspired, dispassionate, and honestly not getting ANY better!

Attention student-athletes! Here's a trend you must avoid: not having a layered list of colleges or universities you are considering!

You’re headed into a big tournament weekend and it’s time to get those coaches emails out, but before you hit send, do your homework. The schools you reach out to should be the universities that you’ve looked into carefully.