Why 2 Practices a Week Isn’t Enough: The Math Behind Summer Lacrosse Success
It is officially summer club season. This is the time of year when families are flooded with invitations to join "Elite," "Select," or "Premier" programs. These clubs often come with big promises, flashy social media pages, and: of course: really cool uniforms.
But as we dive into the peak of the recruiting and development window, it is time to have an honest conversation about what actually makes a player better. At Myrtle Beach Lightning Lacrosse Club, we believe in transparency. We want our players to succeed at the next level, whether that is making the varsity roster or getting recruited by college programs.
To get there, you need more than a fancy jersey. You need reps. And the hard truth is that the standard "two practices a week" model simply doesn't add up if your goal is real skill progression.
The Math of Development: Why 180 Minutes Isn't Enough
Let’s look at the numbers. Most summer clubs run two practices a week, usually lasting about 90 minutes each. That is 3 hours: or 180 minutes: of field time per week.
On the surface, 180 minutes sounds okay. But let’s break down what actually happens in those 180 minutes:
Warm-ups and stretching: 20 minutes
Water breaks and coaching transitions: 15 minutes
Game-specific strategy (clears, rides, man-up/man-down): 60 minutes
Full-field scrimmaging: 45 minutes
Actual individual skill work (shooting, footwork, stick handling): 40 minutes
In a standard two-day-a-week model, a player might only get 40 minutes of actual high-repetition skill development per week. Over a six-week summer season, that is only 4 hours of focused technical growth.
Compare that to a high-rep, development-focused model:
If a player trains three days a week for two hours or participates in intensive skill academies, their "touch count" (the number of times they handle the ball) triples or quadruples.
Why Training Matters: To build muscle memory, a player needs thousands of repetitions. If you are only practicing twice a week, you aren't building new skills; you are barely maintaining the ones you already have.
Touches are the Currency of Success
In the lacrosse world, "touches" are everything. Every time a player catches, throws, scoops, or shoots, their brain and muscles create a stronger connection.
The Limited Model: In a practice focused on "team play" and "tournament prep," a mid-level player might touch the ball 30-50 times in a session.
The Development Model: In a high-rep practice: focused on small-sided games (3v3, 4v4) and station work: that same player can easily touch the ball 200 to 300 times.
The Math is Simple:
Club A (2x/week): 100 touches per week.
Myrtle Beach Lightning Approach: over 600 touches per week.
By the end of the summer, the player in the development-focused model has a massive lead in stick skills, confidence, and "game feel." This is why we prioritize skill acquisition over just "running plays."
If you are interested in maximizing your reps, Register now for our upcoming sessions.
The "Flashy Uniform" Trap
We get it. The new sublimated jerseys, custom gloves, and branded bags look great on Instagram. It’s easy to feel like you’re part of an elite squad when you look the part.
However, college coaches aren't looking at your jersey. They are looking at your:
Off-hand proficiency
Footwork on the dodge
Communication on defense
Lacrosse IQ
A flashy team name doesn’t help you win a ground ball in traffic. A cool logo won't help you hit the top corner under pressure. Many "big name" clubs spend more money on marketing and gear than they do on quality coaching and field time.
At Myrtle Beach Lightning Lacrosse Club, our focus is on the athlete inside the jersey. We want our players to be the ones coaches notice because of their play, not their gear. For more on this, check out our post on how to get noticed by college coaches.
Consistency and the "Skill Decay" Factor
Lacrosse is a game of "feel." If you go three or four days between practices, "skill decay" starts to set in. You spend the first half of your next practice just trying to get your "hands back."
When you increase the frequency of training:
Retention increases: You don't forget what you learned on Tuesday by the time Thursday rolls around.
Conditioning improves: Summer lacrosse is a game of endurance. More time on the field builds the "lacrosse shape" needed for tournament play.
Confidence grows: There is no substitute for the confidence that comes from knowing you’ve put in the work.
We encourage our players to be on the field as much as possible. Whether it is our scheduled practices, wall ball at home, or attending extra showcases, consistency is the key to breaking through plateaus.
What to Look for in a Summer Program
If you are evaluating which club or training program to join this summer, ask these specific questions:
What is the player-to-coach ratio? (You want small groups for more feedback).
How much time is spent on "team sets" vs. individual skill work? (In the summer, skill work should be the priority).
Are there opportunities for extra reps beyond the standard schedule?
Who is actually doing the coaching? (Are they experienced instructors or just college kids filling in?)
You can see our list of experienced coaches on our Instructors page.
Recruiting Reality: Coaches See the Work
If your goal is to play in college, you need to understand the recruiting timeline. College coaches attend summer tournaments to see players who have a high "floor" and an even higher "ceiling."
A player who only practices twice a week often looks "rusty" during Saturday morning tournament games. A player who has been training 4-5 days a week looks sharp, fast, and ready.
Make no mistake: The work you do in the dark (the practices, the wall ball, the extra sessions) is what comes to light during the recruiting window. If you're struggling with the stress of the process, read our guide on keeping your player mentally strong.
The Myrtle Beach Lightning Difference
We aren't here to just collect tournament fees. We are here to build better lacrosse players in the Grand Strand area. Our model focuses on:
High-Intensity Reps: We keep lines short and energy high.
Affordability: We focus on coaching value, not marking up expensive gear.
Recruiting Support: We help you build a recruiting profile that actually gets results.
Any amount of effort you put in is appreciated, but consistent, high-volume training is what changes your game.
Join Us This Summer
Don't let this summer be just another season of "getting a new jersey." Make it the season where your game actually evolves. Whether you are a beginner or looking to play at the collegiate level, we have a path for you.
Check our Schedule and find the right session for your player.
Ready to get started?
Register now for summer training.
Contact us today with any questions about our development model.
View our Pricing for transparent information on our programs.
Summer is short. The math doesn't lie. Choose the reps, choose the development, and choose to get better.
See you on the field!
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