Broadneck Lacrosse Coaches Prepare New Generation of Players

Two nights a week, Rick Bowen and Ed Brady run 19 boys, ages 9 to 11, through drills and scrimmages, preparing their Broadneck Bronze pee wee lacrosse team for weekly games. As a result, the players are improving their skills and knowledge of the game by practicing defensive and offensive plays and stick maneuvers.

The Broadneck Area Youth Sports (BAYS) Boys Lacrosse Program is dedicated to developing talented and knowledgeable lacrosse players who will eventually be able to perform competitively for their high school team. The Pee Wee League starts by helping the players develop the basic skills and knowledge of the rules of the game.

The offensive ability of dodging and moving with the ball seemed to be the favorite drill for these very energetic boys at last week’s practice. As they ran up and down the field, the coaches were right in the middle, calling out instruction and rotating the players’ positions. The coaches also demonstrated a particularly difficult movement when necessary.

During a game, only 10 players are on the field at a time, so the coaches have the task of making sure all the players are rotated equally. Both coaches believe everyone on this team gets to play as much as possible.

Gretchen Misner has two boys on the team. “Coach Brady and Coach Bowen are committed to giving each boy equal playing time, and they are very good at rotating the boys during the games,” she said.

Ginger Davis, mother of two players, agreed. “They always make sure everyone gets play time and that’s not true with all coaches.”

Both coaches have a long history with the sport and are enthusiastic about passing it on to the players and their own boys who are on the team.

Bowen grew up playing lacrosse in Annapolis and then went on to play college level for Towson State. He’s been coaching since 1992.

“I have a passion for the game and I want to give back to these boys what I got growing up,” said Bowen.

The parents seemed to really appreciate all the time the coaches put into the team, practices, games, setting up the field and bringing the equipment and also the dedication it takes to teach the variety of skills necessary to play lacrosse well.

Coach Brady, who has also devoted many years to playing and coaching lacrosse, said, “I really have a great time teaching the boys the basics.”

Player Conner Gray said, “I love playing lacrosse because it’s really fun.”

And while he and his teammates were having fun, his coaches were busy at work, diligently passing on their knowledge and love of the game for future generations of players and coaches.