US Lax Mag All Americans

[Typical Lax Dad]

They way Cornell used Adler in the title game was something I can't recall ever seeing before. Adler literally shifted all over the field to take on whoever got hot for Maryland. Started on Wisnauskas, moved to Khan, took on Malever, bumped up to the midfield to guard DeMaio, shifted over to Long...and on and on. It didn't happen by happenstance or on switches. It was clearly intentional. He might have been the best player on the entire field during the title game.

As for Zappitello and Makar, it doesn't make any sense to even call them 1A or 1B or whatever. They're both top cover guys who have really good athleticism. Makar is definitely more aggressive on- and off-ball, and Zappitello's footwork is elite. Shutting out Shellenberger speaks for itself. Because they're both so good, it allows Tillman and Bernhardt to mix and match assignments to throw opponents off.

But no one is going to put 2 defensemen from the same team on the first-team AA list, so ties goes to the elder!

Adler also defends in a way I've never seen a defender play before. Most defenders mark their man and try to prevent them from shooting, making a pass, or beating the defender. They also slide to help out teammates. In other words, they react to the attack. In contrast, Adler actively attacks the attackers. If you're an attackman, for example, you have to defend from Adler causing a turnover.

I think it's fair to say most player on offense aren't used to this style of defense.

It was a long time ago, but that was my philosophy as a LSM. I dictated the action. I tutored a kid that went on to start 4 years of college ball and I couldn’t emphasize that aspect of playing defense enough.

[Farfromgeneva]

They way Cornell used Adler in the title game was something I can't recall ever seeing before. Adler literally shifted all over the field to take on whoever got hot for Maryland. Started on Wisnauskas, moved to Khan, took on Malever, bumped up to the midfield to guard DeMaio, shifted over to Long...and on and on. It didn't happen by happenstance or on switches. It was clearly intentional. He might have been the best player on the entire field during the title game.

As for Zappitello and Makar, it doesn't make any sense to even call them 1A or 1B or whatever. They're both top cover guys who have really good athleticism. Makar is definitely more aggressive on- and off-ball, and Zappitello's footwork is elite. Shutting out Shellenberger speaks for itself. Because they're both so good, it allows Tillman and Bernhardt to mix and match assignments to throw opponents off.

But no one is going to put 2 defensemen from the same team on the first-team AA list, so ties goes to the elder!

Adler also defends in a way I've never seen a defender play before. Most defenders mark their man and try to prevent them from shooting, making a pass, or beating the defender. They also slide to help out teammates. In other words, they react to the attack. In contrast, Adler actively attacks the attackers. If you're an attackman, for example, you have to defend from Adler causing a turnover.

I think it's fair to say most player on offense aren't used to this style of defense.

It was a long time ago, but that was my philosophy as a LSM. I dictated the action. I tutored a kid that went on to start 4 years of college ball and I couldn’t emphasize that aspect of playing defense enough.

Just make sure to stay low and sit down while attacking the ball.

[Typical Lax Dad]

They way Cornell used Adler in the title game was something I can't recall ever seeing before. Adler literally shifted all over the field to take on whoever got hot for Maryland. Started on Wisnauskas, moved to Khan, took on Malever, bumped up to the midfield to guard DeMaio, shifted over to Long...and on and on. It didn't happen by happenstance or on switches. It was clearly intentional. He might have been the best player on the entire field during the title game.

As for Zappitello and Makar, it doesn't make any sense to even call them 1A or 1B or whatever. They're both top cover guys who have really good athleticism. Makar is definitely more aggressive on- and off-ball, and Zappitello's footwork is elite. Shutting out Shellenberger speaks for itself. Because they're both so good, it allows Tillman and Bernhardt to mix and match assignments to throw opponents off.

But no one is going to put 2 defensemen from the same team on the first-team AA list, so ties goes to the elder!

Adler also defends in a way I've never seen a defender play before. Most defenders mark their man and try to prevent them from shooting, making a pass, or beating the defender. They also slide to help out teammates. In other words, they react to the attack. In contrast, Adler actively attacks the attackers. If you're an attackman, for example, you have to defend from Adler causing a turnover.

I think it's fair to say most player on offense aren't used to this style of defense.

It was a long time ago, but that was my philosophy as a LSM. I dictated the action. I tutored a kid that went on to start 4 years of college ball and I couldn’t emphasize that aspect of playing defense enough.

Just make sure to stay low and sit down while attacking the ball.

You have to outthink the offensive player. Mental focus separates most players.

[OCanada]

+1

[Farfromgeneva]

They way Cornell used Adler in the title game was something I can't recall ever seeing before. Adler literally shifted all over the field to take on whoever got hot for Maryland. Started on Wisnauskas, moved to Khan, took on Malever, bumped up to the midfield to guard DeMaio, shifted over to Long...and on and on. It didn't happen by happenstance or on switches. It was clearly intentional. He might have been the best player on the entire field during the title game.

As for Zappitello and Makar, it doesn't make any sense to even call them 1A or 1B or whatever. They're both top cover guys who have really good athleticism. Makar is definitely more aggressive on- and off-ball, and Zappitello's footwork is elite. Shutting out Shellenberger speaks for itself. Because they're both so good, it allows Tillman and Bernhardt to mix and match assignments to throw opponents off.

But no one is going to put 2 defensemen from the same team on the first-team AA list, so ties goes to the elder!

Adler also defends in a way I've never seen a defender play before. Most defenders mark their man and try to prevent them from shooting, making a pass, or beating the defender. They also slide to help out teammates. In other words, they react to the attack. In contrast, Adler actively attacks the attackers. If you're an attackman, for example, you have to defend from Adler causing a turnover.

I think it's fair to say most player on offense aren't used to this style of defense.

It was a long time ago, but that was my philosophy as a LSM. I dictated the action. I tutored a kid that went on to start 4 years of college ball and I couldn’t emphasize that aspect of playing defense enough.

Just make sure to stay low and sit down while attacking the ball.

You have to outthink the offensive player. Mental focus separates most players.

Yeah really thinking and moving simultaneously sounds obvious to non athletes but it’s not a common blend.

[NNELax]

I believe they call those guys takeaway defensemen? I know Cornell likes their guys but come on....

[Farfromgeneva]

I believe they call those guys takeaway defensemen? I know Cornell likes their guys but come on....

You think Cornell fans are the problem? There’s a few other threads around here…

[NNELax]

I believe they call those guys takeaway defensemen? I know Cornell likes their guys but come on....

You think Cornell fans are the problem? There’s a few other threads around here…

O I agree about that....Hopkins thread is a cesspool of negativity...I just find it hilarious that people are saying they've never seen a defender like Adler before

[Farfromgeneva]

I believe they call those guys takeaway defensemen? I know Cornell likes their guys but come on....

You think Cornell fans are the problem? There’s a few other threads around here…

O I agree about that....Hopkins thread is a cesspool of negativity...I just find it hilarious that people are saying they've never seen a defender like Adler before

Well of course that’s silly. The standard bearer for me remains Brodie Merrill but I can’t speak to these guys in the 70s and 80s.

[NNELax]

I believe they call those guys takeaway defensemen? I know Cornell likes their guys but come on....

You think Cornell fans are the problem? There’s a few other threads around here…

O I agree about that....Hopkins thread is a cesspool of negativity...I just find it hilarious that people are saying they've never seen a defender like Adler before

Well of course that’s silly. The standard bearer for me remains Brodie Merrill but I can’t speak to these guys in the 70s and 80s.

He and Kyle Sweeney were fun to watch together...

[Typical Lax Dad]

I believe they call those guys takeaway defensemen? I know Cornell likes their guys but come on....

You think Cornell fans are the problem? There’s a few other threads around here…

O I agree about that....Hopkins thread is a cesspool of negativity...I just find it hilarious that people are saying they've never seen a defender like Adler before

Well of course that’s silly. The standard bearer for me remains Brodie Merrill but I can’t speak to these guys in the 70s and 80s.

Brian Karalunas

[Matnum PI]

Link?

https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/ ... -americans

[Ezra White]

I believe they call those guys takeaway defensemen? I know Cornell likes their guys but come on....

You think Cornell fans are the problem? There’s a few other threads around here…

O I agree about that....Hopkins thread is a cesspool of negativity...I just find it hilarious that people are saying they've never seen a defender like Adler before

Why hilarious?

I never claimed he is the only one who ever played that way. Do you think I should be familiar with not only every defender playing today, but also everyone in lacrosse history who played that style? Not only this, but I should also remember some guy I played against or watched in a game 50 years ago?

These days I'm lucky to remember how to spell "lacrosse."

[Laxfanatic2022]

I believe they call those guys takeaway defensemen? I know Cornell likes their guys but come on....

You think Cornell fans are the problem? There’s a few other threads around here…

O I agree about that....Hopkins thread is a cesspool of negativity...I just find it hilarious that people are saying they've never seen a defender like Adler before

It’s not hilarious and it’s truly accurate. I’ve watched all the guys you’ve mentioned play. There is nobody who was his size doing what he’s doing. Yes, style of play is similar to those who players you all mentioned. However, in over 30 years of covering the game I’ve never seen someone execute the way he plays that is his size, it’s remarkable. On a podcast I listened to last year someone said there is no comparison to anyone for his game because he is a complete outlier and I have to agree. I’m not even a fan of Cornell so it’s not a bias stance

[10stone5]

I believe they call those guys takeaway defensemen? I know Cornell likes their guys but come on....

You think Cornell fans are the problem? There’s a few other threads around here…

O I agree about that....Hopkins thread is a cesspool of negativity...I just find it hilarious that people are saying they've never seen a defender like Adler before

Well of course that’s silly. The standard bearer for me remains Brodie Merrill but I can’t speak to these guys in the 70s and 80s.

Brian Karalunas

Petro was pretty good

[Typical Lax Dad]

I believe they call those guys takeaway defensemen? I know Cornell likes their guys but come on....

You think Cornell fans are the problem? There’s a few other threads around here…

O I agree about that....Hopkins thread is a cesspool of negativity...I just find it hilarious that people are saying they've never seen a defender like Adler before

Well of course that’s silly. The standard bearer for me remains Brodie Merrill but I can’t speak to these guys in the 70s and 80s.

Brian Karalunas

Petro was pretty good

Yep

[molo]

And Petro was so good at what he did that he understood that most dmen would not be able to replicate his style and thus coached his men to play more conservatively.

[Farfromgeneva]

I believe they call those guys takeaway defensemen? I know Cornell likes their guys but come on....

You think Cornell fans are the problem? There’s a few other threads around here…

O I agree about that....Hopkins thread is a cesspool of negativity...I just find it hilarious that people are saying they've never seen a defender like Adler before

Why hilarious?

I never claimed he is the only one who ever played that way. Do you think I should be familiar with not only every defender playing today, but also everyone in lacrosse history who played that style? Not only this, but I should also remember some guy I played against or watched in a game 50 years ago?

These days I'm lucky to remember how to spell "lacrosse."

just use "lax", bro.

[Farfromgeneva]

I believe they call those guys takeaway defensemen? I know Cornell likes their guys but come on....

You think Cornell fans are the problem? There’s a few other threads around here…

O I agree about that....Hopkins thread is a cesspool of negativity...I just find it hilarious that people are saying they've never seen a defender like Adler before

Well of course that’s silly. The standard bearer for me remains Brodie Merrill but I can’t speak to these guys in the 70s and 80s.

Brian Karalunas

Great player i'll stick w Merrill though.

[10stone5]

Durkin,
he was pretty good also,
fancy footwork.