Johns Hopkins 2022

[Typical Lax Dad]

Another ‘23 recruit: Ambidextrous Midfielder Zach Claiborne

https://www.connectlax.com/profile/ZacharyC10

https://youtu.be/Exbmq8Qwu5c

Excellent pick up.

[nyjay]

Another ‘23 recruit: Ambidextrous Midfielder Zach Claiborne

https://www.connectlax.com/profile/ZacharyC10

https://youtu.be/Exbmq8Qwu5c

Sheridan is really building something at Western Reserve. Could eventually overtake Culver as the program of the midwest. A school in Hudson, Ohio with 400 students has no business sending so many players to top D1 programs.

Yeah, Sheridan is a really good coach. It looks like Claiborne is originally from Chicago and reclassed from '22 to '23.

A lot of these prep schools are actually pretty small (Salisbury is 300ish kids, though all boys). WRA is well-regarded academically, with a former D1 coach running the program, which makes it a pretty easy sell to the players they recruit and their parents (who often don't pay much in the way of tuition - "financial aid" at prep schools is pretty flexible, to say the least). Being in the Midwest, they don't have to compete with other similar schools like the Northeast prep schools do. So, while I agree with both overtaking Culver and with Sheridan building up a good program, I'm really not as surprised by the number of commits they are producing.

[51percentcorn]

As far as Claiborne - the highlight snippets show 2 things - both you can't coach and both have nothing to do with the typical uselessness of highlight films
He's big enough
He's fast enough

[stupefied]

I’m sure sports psychologists can play a meaningful role with some teams, but I’m to pump the brakes a little on the issue. For a couple of years, I was the head coach of a high team team with a psychologist as a volunteer assistant and an actively involved parent who was a consultant for Baltimore County Public Schools and who was the go to therapist for adolescent males in the area. The head coach was a school counselor who got his graduate training at UVA and Hopkins. Notwithstanding the wealth of mental health expertise, we were ok but far from great. Could have used a couple more big, fast kids with good stick skills and a better head coach.

Ill assume that most sports psychologists support and help since many pros use but extent of benefit up to talent employed as in all fields.
Does help to have a coach who understands this generation but assembling a team of strong character certainly helps. Looking beyond simple talent , recruitment should include a true assessment of the mental makeup of a prospect. Understand changing circumstances can alter present makeups but certain traits are red flags, best practice would be to seek info on that front from respected club/hs coaches who honestly share insight . More than a fair share of pampered and arrogant kids in lax whose confidence tends to wane under discipline and adversity .

The mapped out pregame routine for goalies as well described makes all the sense. Best mental trait of a goalie is ability to move on from a loose goal or bad stretch. Times when a good goalie is simply not seeing the ball, like to hear thoughts on whether he should be pulled or not by coach because saw many being left in.

Last thought was JHU followers here should consolidate and consider using the services of a psychologist specialized in manic depression to prep them before Hop season begins.

[MDlaxfan76]

I’m sure sports psychologists can play a meaningful role with some teams, but I’m to pump the brakes a little on the issue. For a couple of years, I was the head coach of a high team team with a psychologist as a volunteer assistant and an actively involved parent who was a consultant for Baltimore County Public Schools and who was the go to therapist for adolescent males in the area. The head coach was a school counselor who got his graduate training at UVA and Hopkins. Notwithstanding the wealth of mental health expertise, we were ok but far from great. Could have used a couple more big, fast kids with good stick skills and a better head coach.

Ill assume that most sports psychologists support and help since many pros use but extent of benefit up to talent employed as in all fields.
Does help to have a coach who understands this generation but assembling a team of strong character certainly helps. Looking beyond simple talent , recruitment should include a true assessment of the mental makeup of a prospect. Understand changing circumstances can alter present makeups but certain traits are red flags, best practice would be to seek info on that front from respected club/hs coaches who honestly share insight . More than a fair share of pampered and arrogant kids in lax whose confidence tends to wane under discipline and adversity .

The mapped out pregame routine for goalies as well described makes all the sense. Best mental trait of a goalie is ability to move on from a loose goal or bad stretch. Times when a good goalie is simply not seeing the ball, like to hear thoughts on whether he should be pulled or not by coach because saw many being left in.

Last thought was JHU followers here should consolidate and consider using the services of a psychologist specialized in manic depression to prep them before Hop season begins.

On the pulling of a tender, I believe in having a #1... AND a #2 who is ready to go.

The #1 should not lose his #1 role simply because of a bad day seeing the ball, that change should only happen if there's an extended stretch of such and it's clear to the coach (and the team) that the #2 is the guy to go to as #1 going forward.

But I don't think leaving a guy in a game when he's struggling badly is good. It's not good for the team and it can actually be detrimental to the player when it's really, really bad. Saw this some years ago when a famed HC left his tender in a game where he gave up 16 straight goals without a save...tender never seemed to be the same again; had some other issues perhaps that contributed, but it was ugly to watch as a former tender.

Sometimes a mid game switch is exactly the juice needed for a team...and a different look can rattle shooters from the other team, momentum can turn. Saw this in a game my son's college team lost when the Ivy opponent switched at half, taller, different hand tender made a couple of saves and my son's team seemed to tighten sphincters. Changed the mo. Really shouldn't have lost that game.

Indeed, my son earned the job much the same way, he was playing behind the senior, all-conf, captain. He'd had a strong winter, felt really good, but the captain was first rate and deserved to be the #1 based on career, so got the start for the opening game (as he should have). I'd thought there had been some games the prior year when coach should have subbed in my son, to give the team a chance, but hadn't happened. Snowing, the starter was having a miserable time, team was 4 goals down when the coach put my son late in 3rd Q (no warm-up!). Immediately made a save, his team scored, then again, and the whole team lifted, scoring the go ahead with under 30. 6-1 run. But then the opponent got the ball, got it to their AA attack man who dodged to front of goal in the snow, and my son made a sprawling save, clamp, game won. 80% day. Next game the #1 started, lost game to Duke, below 50%. Third game, #1 again having a rough start, team behind at half, my son took over in second half, 65% and they won going away. Given the #1...had an excellent, all-conf season, took his second concussion against Princeton ending his season. Last game of the year, the captain played what I think was his best career game, defeating Yale. Terrific way to end an excellent career. Both guys supported each other 100% throughout. Roomed together on trips, etc.

I think that's what you want out of a goalie corps.
BTW, the #3 was one of the most active cheerleaders on the team, terrific contributor.
They had a very good goalie specialist coaching them, Adam Ghittleman, who set a great tone, but I also give a lot of credit to the basic character of the kids. Competitive as all get out, they put team first.

[primitiveskills]

Another ‘23 recruit: Ambidextrous Midfielder Zach Claiborne

https://www.connectlax.com/profile/ZacharyC10

https://youtu.be/Exbmq8Qwu5c

A 6'1" 200lb '23? Could be a beast by the time he shows up at Homewood.

[Typical Lax Dad]

Another ‘23 recruit: Ambidextrous Midfielder Zach Claiborne

https://www.connectlax.com/profile/ZacharyC10

https://youtu.be/Exbmq8Qwu5c

A 6'1" 200lb '23? Could be a beast by the time he shows up at Homewood.

Yes. He could play some attack.

[MDlaxfan76]

Another ‘23 recruit: Ambidextrous Midfielder Zach Claiborne

https://www.connectlax.com/profile/ZacharyC10

https://youtu.be/Exbmq8Qwu5c

A 6'1" 200lb '23? Could be a beast by the time he shows up at Homewood.

Yes. He could play some attack.

Looks like a middie, though.
Guys with some size who can run, play D, and break midfielders down are awful valuable IMO.

[HopFan16]

Another ‘23 recruit: Ambidextrous Midfielder Zach Claiborne

https://www.connectlax.com/profile/ZacharyC10

https://youtu.be/Exbmq8Qwu5c

A 6'1" 200lb '23? Could be a beast by the time he shows up at Homewood.

Yes. He could play some attack.

Interesting you say that because this IL write-up pegs him as an SSDM. Maybe he will be, but that automatic classification for this type of player is getting old. He clearly has offensive ability https://www.insidelacrosse.com/recruiti ... e=analysis

[primitiveskills]

Another ‘23 recruit: Ambidextrous Midfielder Zach Claiborne

https://www.connectlax.com/profile/ZacharyC10

https://youtu.be/Exbmq8Qwu5c

A 6'1" 200lb '23? Could be a beast by the time he shows up at Homewood.

Yes. He could play some attack.

Interesting you say that because this IL write-up pegs him as an SSDM. Maybe he will be, but that automatic classification for this type of player is getting old. He clearly has offensive ability https://www.insidelacrosse.com/recruiti ... e=analysis

Agree that the SSDM tag for a big, fast player has become lazy, but the evaluation (if accurate) gives a hint of could stand in the way of being a guy who could see the field in a 6x6 situation on offense. Rated very highly on everything but stick skills. Very difficult to assess that on highlights. If you can't routinely catch 99% of the passes thrown your way, or accurately deliver 99% of your routine passes, it is very difficult to find time in a 6x6 set up in D1. The good news is that he already has the stuff (athleticism, being a threat with both hands) that is harder to develop. The routine stuff is just a necessary grind.

[ohmilax34]

Another ‘23 recruit: Ambidextrous Midfielder Zach Claiborne

https://www.connectlax.com/profile/ZacharyC10

https://youtu.be/Exbmq8Qwu5c

A 6'1" 200lb '23? Could be a beast by the time he shows up at Homewood.

Yes. He could play some attack.

Interesting you say that because this IL write-up pegs him as an SSDM. Maybe he will be, but that automatic classification for this type of player is getting old. He clearly has offensive ability https://www.insidelacrosse.com/recruiti ... e=analysis

IL's evaluation seems pretty open to an offensive or defensive role in college, but you are right that he has offensive ability. I even looked at some old film, and while his hands aren't as smooth looking as some other players at that age, he makes a lot of different good offensive plays and looks very composed around the goal and makes the right pass when slid to.

I wonder if the idea of a high end D1 offensive midfielder is changing even more. Certainly one dimensional alley dodgers aren't in vogue right now and haven't been for a little while, but I wonder if we're even going past that and thinking that a player needs to have experience at attack or a box background to even be a good offensive midfielder. A lot of JHU's middies are converted attackmen or Canadian.

[MDlaxfan76]

Another ‘23 recruit: Ambidextrous Midfielder Zach Claiborne

https://www.connectlax.com/profile/ZacharyC10

https://youtu.be/Exbmq8Qwu5c

A 6'1" 200lb '23? Could be a beast by the time he shows up at Homewood.

Yes. He could play some attack.

Interesting you say that because this IL write-up pegs him as an SSDM. Maybe he will be, but that automatic classification for this type of player is getting old. He clearly has offensive ability https://www.insidelacrosse.com/recruiti ... e=analysis

Agree that the SSDM tag for a big, fast player has become lazy, but the evaluation (if accurate) gives a hint of could stand in the way of being a guy who could see the field in a 6x6 situation on offense. Rated very highly on everything but stick skills. Very difficult to assess that on highlights. If you can't routinely catch 99% of the passes thrown your way, or accurately deliver 99% of your routine passes, it is very difficult to find time in a 6x6 set up in D1. The good news is that he already has the stuff (athleticism, being a threat with both hands) that is harder to develop. The routine stuff is just a necessary grind.

hmmm, he's a '23 who is obviously an 'athlete'...we see him go both hands, shooting and passing...we don't see him catching many tough passes, but generally that's not gonna make film much.

I couldn't tell what the level of competition he was up against in the film, but he looked like he could have his way with most of his competition, a little shake and bake, not just a simple bull run, alley dodge etc.

If stick work is the feedback from evaluations at this point, then the right sort of kid is going to focus hard on that. And such is definitely something one can improve, if there's a serious focus on it. And he has a lot of time before he steps on campus.

Interesting potential!

As to SSDM, sure...maybe...but I didn't actually like what I saw defensively at this point as the defensive aspects focused on a couple of takeaways, not footwork, positioning, approach etc. Would need to see more.

[primitiveskills]

Another ‘23 recruit: Ambidextrous Midfielder Zach Claiborne

https://www.connectlax.com/profile/ZacharyC10

https://youtu.be/Exbmq8Qwu5c

A 6'1" 200lb '23? Could be a beast by the time he shows up at Homewood.

Yes. He could play some attack.

Interesting you say that because this IL write-up pegs him as an SSDM. Maybe he will be, but that automatic classification for this type of player is getting old. He clearly has offensive ability https://www.insidelacrosse.com/recruiti ... e=analysis

Agree that the SSDM tag for a big, fast player has become lazy, but the evaluation (if accurate) gives a hint of could stand in the way of being a guy who could see the field in a 6x6 situation on offense. Rated very highly on everything but stick skills. Very difficult to assess that on highlights. If you can't routinely catch 99% of the passes thrown your way, or accurately deliver 99% of your routine passes, it is very difficult to find time in a 6x6 set up in D1. The good news is that he already has the stuff (athleticism, being a threat with both hands) that is harder to develop. The routine stuff is just a necessary grind.

hmmm, he's a '23 who is obviously an 'athlete'...we see him go both hands, shooting and passing...we don't see him catching many tough passes, but generally that's not gonna make film much.

I couldn't tell what the level of competition he was up against in the film, but he looked like he could have his way with most of his competition, a little shake and bake, not just a simple bull run, alley dodge etc.

If stick work is the feedback from evaluations at this point, then the right sort of kid is going to focus hard on that. And such is definitely something one can improve, if there's a serious focus on it. And he has a lot of time before he steps on campus.

Interesting potential!

As to SSDM, sure...maybe...but I didn't actually like what I saw defensively at this point as the defensive aspects focused on a couple of takeaways, not footwork, positioning, approach etc. Would need to see more.

Agree with all the above. Just thinking about why they pegged him as a SSDM. Everything else seems to be there. Or, could just be a lazy evaluation.

[Typical Lax Dad]

Another ‘23 recruit: Ambidextrous Midfielder Zach Claiborne

https://www.connectlax.com/profile/ZacharyC10

https://youtu.be/Exbmq8Qwu5c

A 6'1" 200lb '23? Could be a beast by the time he shows up at Homewood.

Yes. He could play some attack.

Interesting you say that because this IL write-up pegs him as an SSDM. Maybe he will be, but that automatic classification for this type of player is getting old. He clearly has offensive ability https://www.insidelacrosse.com/recruiti ... e=analysis

What does IL know? Guy is more suited to play attack than SSDM.

[Typical Lax Dad]

Another ‘23 recruit: Ambidextrous Midfielder Zach Claiborne

https://www.connectlax.com/profile/ZacharyC10

https://youtu.be/Exbmq8Qwu5c

A 6'1" 200lb '23? Could be a beast by the time he shows up at Homewood.

Yes. He could play some attack.

Looks like a middie, though.
Guys with some size who can run, play D, and break midfielders down are awful valuable IMO.

Yes. But he possesses a skill set that reminds me of some attackmen that I have seen recently. Seems to be a natural middie but he has two more high school seasons before college. But anything it takes to get on the field and help the team win should be the objective.

[nyjay]

Another ‘23 recruit: Ambidextrous Midfielder Zach Claiborne

https://www.connectlax.com/profile/ZacharyC10

https://youtu.be/Exbmq8Qwu5c

A 6'1" 200lb '23? Could be a beast by the time he shows up at Homewood.

Yes. He could play some attack.

Looks like a middie, though.
Guys with some size who can run, play D, and break midfielders down are awful valuable IMO.

Yes. But he possesses a skill set that reminds me of some attackmen that I have seen recently. Seems to be a natural middie but he has two more high school seasons before college. But anything it takes to get on the field and help the team win should be the objective.

I think we can all agree that it sure looks like this kid hasn't peaked as a lacrosse player yet (as opposed to some of the misses from the ER era). This is totally consistent with PM's seeming preference to recruit guys he can develop into D1 players rather than simply the guys who are the best players in HS. We'll have to see if it works.

[HopFan16]

Just want to be clear this kid isn't some off-the-radar nobody. Not that there is anything wrong with that because sometimes those kids turn into your best players but it's not like he's some project that only our coaches can develop. He played at a ton of the top events this summer and had other Big Ten offers. I was mainly just pointing out how the pundits often reflexively label players like Claiborne as college SSDMs. Sometimes they're right, sometimes they're not. Based on what I've seen and heard about this kid in particular I think he is more likely to contribute offensively than be a pure defensive midfielder at the D1 level, but I guess we won't know for several years.

[Typical Lax Dad]

Another ‘23 recruit: Ambidextrous Midfielder Zach Claiborne

https://www.connectlax.com/profile/ZacharyC10

https://youtu.be/Exbmq8Qwu5c

A 6'1" 200lb '23? Could be a beast by the time he shows up at Homewood.

Yes. He could play some attack.

Looks like a middie, though.
Guys with some size who can run, play D, and break midfielders down are awful valuable IMO.

Yes. But he possesses a skill set that reminds me of some attackmen that I have seen recently. Seems to be a natural middie but he has two more high school seasons before college. But anything it takes to get on the field and help the team win should be the objective.

I think we can all agree that it sure looks like this kid hasn't peaked as a lacrosse player yet (as opposed to some of the misses from the ER era). This is totally consistent with PM's seeming preference to recruit guys he can develop into D1 players rather than simply the guys who are the best players in HS. We'll have to see if it works.

Actually, it used to be best players in the 9th grade. Time will tell on this class.

[Typical Lax Dad]

Just want to be clear this kid isn't some off-the-radar nobody. Not that there is anything wrong with that because sometimes those kids turn into your best players but it's not like he's some project that only our coaches can develop. He played at a ton of the top events this summer and had other Big Ten offers. I was mainly just pointing out how the pundits often reflexively label players like Claiborne as college SSDMs. Sometimes they're right, sometimes they're not. Based on what I've seen and heard about this kid in particular I think he is more likely to contribute offensively than be a pure defensive midfielder at the D1 level, but I guess we won't know for several years.

Agreed.

[DocBarrister]

Another ‘23 recruit: Ambidextrous Midfielder Zach Claiborne

https://www.connectlax.com/profile/ZacharyC10

https://youtu.be/Exbmq8Qwu5c

Excellent pick up.

That’s great!

DocBarrister