8/18/2008 Beau: Dear Joe Walters, I know that the side arm shot is more common in lacrosse today but I have heard over and over that the three-quarters shot is more accurate, Which is actually more effective? Thought I'd ask the best! JW: Thank you for the kind words! Side Arm is more common because mechanically it is the easiest shot on our body. The overhand and 3/4 arm shots are much more accurate because of the range of motion. When you are in a direct line with your target the ball has a much higher percentage of hitting that spot. Check out the Academy section, if you would like the Academy in your area contact me. __________________

4/23/2008 dan: What arm pads do you recommend for middies? JW: I would go with an arm pad, which are not as big and bulky as arm guard. Check out the G22 Arm Pad, or the K18 Arm Pad, both very lightweight and great for middies. __________________

4/7/2008 Mike: Does the G22 lacrosse head only work with the crankshaft line? JW: Yes, the G22 Head is compatible with the Crankshaft. It is the lightest head on the market, and the crankshaft technology really gives you a great feel for the ball and also a quick release. Try it! __________________

4/7/2008 alex: i need a new head for my stick what is a good head for shooting JW: I am assuming you already have a shaft, in this case, go with the Proton Power from STX. It is very lightweight, which makes it easier to shoot the ball fast and has a narrow channel, which will help with accuracy. __________________

3/31/2008 Pat : Dear Mr Walters why did you wear nike dunks against Princeton your senior year. Also I wanted to know are their really recruiting camps for freshmen in high school JW: I wore a pair of Nike SB (skateboarding) Dunks against Princeton in the NCAA Quarterfinals (as well as against Bucknell earlier in the season). Nike SB's have a zoom air insole, which is very comfortable. I am a huge sneaker collector and I bought those shoes specifically to wear at Maryland when we played on turf. As for your recruiting question, as a freshman you can definitely go to recruiting camps, it is better to start exposing yourself to coaches early. Check out the Standout Lacrosse Camp, which I host or if that is too far search out another recruiting camp. __________________

3/30/2008 patrick: Is there any way i could get some Run N' Gun shorts or shirts where should i go to get them.(besides the camp sry i cant go this year) JW: We are currently out of stock on our RG gear. We are getting a new order in soon and getting it printed up. We will have a store on our website in the future, but in the meantime you will need to come to camp. __________________

3/24/2008 dan: what advise do you have to a freshman that wants to play college ball. JW: I had the same goal when I was a freshman. To reach that goal you will need to make sacrifices and practice on your own time, above and beyond what everyone else is doing. Play as much lacrosse possible and watch a ton of lacrosse, this will really help. Start going to recruiting camps if you are ready for that next level. The biggest advice I can give though is you will need to work your butt off; playing in college takes proving to a college coach you are what he is looking for. Good luck! __________________

3/23/2008 matt: I just bought the G22 head with the crankshaft. It seems that I need to follow through more than with my evolution pro. Does this make sence? JW: You should have the same follow through with every stick you use. Try not to change your technique/mechanics because of a stick. The G22/crankshaft will give you a better feel for the ball and a quicker release, just make sure you keep the same mechanics. __________________

3/17/2008 Rudy Schinderle: Do you have any tips on staying fit throughout the season? JW: I suggest playing basketball. I know throughout my career playing basketball really helped my conditioning, and more importantly incorporates many of the ideas and strategy of lacrosse. __________________

3/15/2008 dan: what arm guards did you use in college and or in the world games? JW: I switched it up a bunch with arm guards. Check out the new G-22 Arm Guards from STX, they are very comfortable and the lightest on the market, and "bone dry." If you are a middie I would go with an Arm Pad, and if you are an attackman go with an Arm Guard. __________________

3/11/2008 Pat: Dear Mr Walters do you know any drills that will make me faster JW: Don't confuse being fast with being quick. In my opinion being quick is much more important in lacrosse and any sport for that matter. It is pretty rare you will be in a straight away sprint with anyone in lacrosse. To improve your quickness I would look into a quick foot ladder, which I used growing up and currently use; it definitely works! __________________

3/11/2008 Joe: dear Mr walters do you know any drills that will make me stronger JW: Don't worry about being a strong player. Lacrosse is a finesse sport; you should really concentrate on your stick work first. As you grow and mature, you will become stronger naturally. __________________

3/8/2008 Pat: Dear Mr Walters I was just wondering were i could get an extra pad like the one you wear above your arm pad JW: To be honest I am not positive where to purchase them, I got mine in my Rattlers bag when I arrived for training camp. I would try a local sporting goods store in the hockey section and ask around. __________________

3/8/2008 pat: Dear Mr Walters I was just wondering if you have any tips for breaking in my stick faster. I just got a brand new crankshaft with a X3 JW: Great to hear you went the STX route, good decision! Always have a ball in your stick and a steady diet of 100 left and 100 right on the wall will break that pocket in within no time. __________________

2/25/2008 Alex: Do you like attack or middie better? JW: I am not sure I like either position more than the other. I have spent most of my playing career on attack so I have been most familiar with working from behind and to the side of the net. These last two years I have switched to midfield in the MLL, which took me a year to get used to dodging from the front of the goal. This past summer I felt comfortable in the new position and now favor playing midfield. However, like anyone, I hate coming off of the field, so I miss playing attack and being on the receiving end of fast breaks, etc, but when playing midfield it is nice having the opportunity to dodge against short-stick middies, instead of getting my arms chopped off by meat head defensemen. __________________

2/22/2008 pat: dear Mr Walters, I was Just wondering if you wear a extra pad on top of your arm guard JW: I do wear an extra pad. In the MLL it is legal to cross-check, and my right arm takes a beating up top. That bone has a permanent bump on it, so wearing this extra pad covering that part of my arm (above the arm pad and below the shoulder) makes a huge difference. __________________

2/22/2008 pat: what head and shaft do you use in the mll JW: Because we are only allowed to use Brine and Warrior equipment I am forced to use one of their sticks. Last year I used an Evo Pro on a Warrior Diamond shaft. I have not decided which stick to use this upcoming summer, but I need to string one up soon! __________________

1/27/2008 Ganan Kekc: I was just wandering if you had any good footwork tecniques for attackmen (besides jump rope) that could help develpo foot speed thanks JW: I would invest in a quick foot ladder. Come to the Run N' Gun Lacrosse Camp this summer and you will go through several drills to help your foot speed. __________________

1/24/2008 Dan: Just curious how did the tape stay so perfectly with the all wrap on your stick? Didn't the sides ever come off and thanks for helping me with some shot techniques. JW: Fresh tape job every game... __________________

1/22/2008 Dan: How do you make your shot faster? What are some drills? JW: There is no secret I can really tell you to have a fast shot. Showing the goalie your back number will make you get the maximum torque in your shot by twisting your torso. This is identical to a pitcher in baseball, a tennis player serving, and a quarterback throwing a football; you never want to have your shoulders facing the target when preparing to shoot. Make sure your hands are away from your body and your top hand is half way down on the shaft. The above points will help your technique, the next step is you practicing for hours and hours, which will train your muscles and help develop a faster shot. Check out the Academy page on the website; if you are looking to improve your shooting this is just what you need. __________________

1/22/2008 Brandon : I was thinking about getting either the proton power or plus. I like them both. Which should I get? (I play attack and sometimes middie). Thanks JW: I would definitely go with the Proton Power for an offensive player. I used the Proton Power my senior year at Maryland and in the World Games last summer and can tell you it is a great head. __________________

1/21/2008 dan : What is your favorite stick (s)? JW: I am a member of G22 from STX and have been using the G22 head for the past few months. I am a sucker for a light stick and the G22 stick is like a feather in your hands. It is the lightest stick on the market. Go to your local lacrosse retail store to check it out, you won't be disappointed! __________________

11/1/2007 David : I am a high school freshman and want to know what type of weight lifting you did for lacrosse when you were in high school JW: Strength training is important for any sport, not only to improve performance but also to prevent injuries. One thing about the area of strength and conditioning is that there are so many different exercises and types of routines that it's easy for things to become complicated, especially in high school where many athletes play more than one sport and end up spinning their wheels trying to satisfy the demands each coach has for his particular sport. I used a core of 5 exercises - the squat, bench press, push press, power clean, and dead lift. These are multi-joint exercises that are applicable to almost any sport. I lifted 3 days a week. On Monday the squat, power clean, and push press; Wednesday the bench press, push press, and dead lift; and Friday the squat, power clean, and bench press. On Tuesday and Thursday i supplemented the routine with upper body plyometrics, using a medicine ball. An excellent source to learn about plyometrics is, Donald Chu's book, Jumping Into Plyometrics. In addition, good old abdominal crunches and push ups to start each day. Again, there are countless exercises that can be added to a routine - just be careful that you don't end up spending more time in the weight room than you do developing your lacrosse skills. __________________

10/3/2007 Josh: What where some drills (especially shooting drills), that you did in High School/College to get in shape for the upcoming season? JW: Prior to each season i spend time working my stick skills on the wall. I think this is by far the best way to tune up your stick work, mainly because you do not need anyone else but yourself and a wall. As far as shooting drills, what i like to do is put a group of balls in various spots on the field, working on scooping and QUICKLY getting shots off each time. I think it is important to pretend each shot is a shot in a game. It does no good just shooting half speed and not aiming. Shoot each shot as quick and as fast as you can and always aim for a spot. Shooting is all repetition; if you want to be a good shooter you have the power to do so, practice practice practice! __________________

7/7/2007 chris: What inspired you to play lacrosse? JW: When i was in 3rd grade i wrestled. Towards the end of the wrestling season one of friends asked if i was going to play Lacrosse. I had never thought about it and my dad encouraged me to try it. The following week i went to my first ever practice, and although i was TERRIBLE which frustrated me, i absolutely fell in love with the sport. It is the most exciting sport and what is great about lacrosse is that ANYONE can be a great player. Unlike football or basketball, size is not an issue. Following that first practice i did everything possible to learn the game. My dad bought instructional tapes, i practiced non stop (never being discouraged when i messed up), i played as much lacrosse as possible, and perhaps most importantly, i watched a ton of lacrosse. Living close to Syracuse University made it possible to see the best players in action, which truly helps learning the game and becoming a great player. Going to Syracuse games inspired me to work hard, as i dreamed of one day playing at that level. __________________