Jacob, Thomas and I are excited to announce that we’ve partnered up to put together a two day March break camp for players u11-u17 in preparation for the upcoming summer box season and tryouts! Once again featuring certified coaches and current NLL players, camp will include two ninety minute sessions teaching the advanced skills of box lacrosse with an emphasis on tryout preparation and fun competition. Full details are below.  

The first 45 minutes of each session will be spent teaching the below concepts through different drills. The remaining 45 minutes will be a variety of game situation drills and competitions so players have a chance to apply new skills and concepts with coaching feedback. A lot of the drills and concepts being taught come from the brightest minds in the lacrosse world, like my current coach Glenn Clark, who just coached Team Canada to a gold medal at the world box championships. We’re all excited to continue passing along some of the knowledge we’ve gained to the ever growing talent in the Ottawa area. 

With tryouts approaching I’ll also speak about some of the tips that have helped me through many training camps and tryouts over the years. There are lots of small, intangible aspects of the game I believe can help players at every age get to the highest level. 

Offensive concepts being taught: 

• Outside shooting: shot deception, different shooting styles and release points, placement and accuracy
• Inside finishing: deceptive finishing, variety of finishing moves, finishing inside under pressure and through traffic
• Offensive concepts: 2 man and 3 man game, off-ball and on-ball picking, cutting and timing
• Attacking 1 on 1: different 1v1 moves, attacking from high, mid-boards and low, reading your defender

Defensive concepts being taught: 

• Shot disruption
• Box outs
• Transition passing and shooting
• Defending the 2 and 3 man game
• Defending 1 on 1
• Opening up and defending off ball picks
• Defensive system concepts (down pressure, wall, box and one)

Thomas is fresh off his first NLL start and has some great new stuff to work on with the goalies! 

Goalie concepts being taught:

• Rebound control
• Angles
• Reaction time
• Swing shots
• Inside vs outside positioning
• Passing

Where: Ben Franklin Superdome, 191 Knoxdale rd, Nepean ON

When: March 11th & 12th 

Times:

• u11-u13: 3:00-4:30pm
• u15-u17 4:30-6:00pm

Cost: $100

How to register: please email samfirthlacrosse@gmail.com with player’s name and age group they will play in summer 2025. I will let you know if we still have space and provide payment information. 

We will be capping numbers to keep repetitions high and it will be a first come first served basis. 

*We should have space for a few second year u9 players to register, as long as player and parent are ok with running with the u11 group. 

We’ll have some NLL swag and gear to giveaway to hard workers once again.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out. 

We’re excited to get to work elevating players’ games!

Thanks 

Sam 

Samfirthlacrosse@gmail.com

613-858-4547

About Sam: 

I grew up in Ottawa and played my whole minor and most of my junior lacrosse career in Nepean. I am currently an assistant coach on the Nepean Jr B team coaching the offence. I have also coached multiple age groups and levels in the minor association and run lacrosse development camps while I was living and playing in Albany and Las Vegas. I recently played in the NLL finals for the Albany Firewolves and have won an NLL championship with the Colorado Mammoth, a Minto Cup with the Orangeville Northmen, and a Founders Cup as a coach with the Knights. I graduated from Bishop’s University in 2022 with a degree in Sports Studies and Athletic Development. 

About Jacob: 

My name is Jacob Gasperetti and I play in the NLL for the Ottawa Blackbears, formerly known as the New York Riptide.  I grew up playing lacrosse in Nepean and had the privilege to play my junior lacrosse career for the Nepean Knights Junior B team where I was named team captain. I am currently an assistant coach on the Nepean Knights Jr B team where I coach the defence/transition. I am also an assistant coach on the Carleton Ravens Men’s Lacrosse team and last summer coached the Nepean Knights U7 team. I also graduated from Bishop’s University with a degree in Sport studies and Athletic Development and I am currently studying in teachers college.

About Thomas: 

I grew up in Ottawa and played my whole minor career in Nepean. I have won a Founders Cup with Nepean and a Minto Cup with Burlington the year after. I am in my second NLL season playing for the Saskatchewan Rush while still having a year of junior eligibility. I have won goalie of the year awards at both the Jr B and Jr A level. I’m in my third year at Carleton University studying commerce.