Mike Leveille on Youth Lacrosse: Let’s Get Physical

Mike Leveille

MLL standout uses fakes, dodges, strength to play winning lacrosse

By Craig Haley
PlaySportsTV Managing Editor

The edge that Major League Lacrosse standout Mike Leveille carries into action wasn’t first learned playing lacrosse.

He gained it in at hockey rinks.

Leveille has learned to put his 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame to good use. The attack player has taken the physicality of ice hockey and incorporated it into his style of lacrosse. While playing under control, Leveille often gains that extra step on a defenseman to score a goal or set up a teammate, including his older brother Kevin, another attackman for the Machine.

Leveille believes a physical style can benefit youth lacrosse players.

“I think it’s really important that lacrosse players play a physical game,” said Leveille, whose lacrosse tips, indeed, carry weight. As a senior at Syracuse University in 2008, he won the Tewaaraton Trophy that is given to the nation’s most outstanding collegiate lacrosse player.

“I grew up playing hockey, so I’ve kind of transferred over the physical aspects of hockey into my lacrosse game. I think it’s about going out and not having any fear. You’re going to take your hits here and there, but you have to take the hits to make the play. Being as I’m an attackman when I’m dodging I like to try to lean in on my defender and see what he gives. I feel like sometimes you can stick a shoulder into him when you’re dodging and it kind of throws him off a little better.”

The lefty, who is adept at creating his own shot but often looks to feed teammate – he had a team-high 18 assists to go along with 18 goals as an MLL rookie in 2008 – recommends that youth lacrosse players incorporate fakes and dodges into a subtle style of deception. He isn’t a flashy player, but fundamentally sound, having learned lacrosse stick skills with his brother in the backyard of their family home while they grew up in Albany, N.Y. Mike lists Kevin as his favorite player because of his intensity.

“He takes a beating every game, but he gets the job done,” Mike says.

Mike Leveille has five inches and 20 pounds on big brother, so he’s built more for a physical style of play. He can use his body to win groundballs as well as fend off checks and defensemen trying to lean in on him.

“One of the bigger dodges would be an inside roll or a question mark,” Leveille says. “Before I kind of roll out, I like to stick my shoulder in a little bit and maybe knock them out their line and quickly turn to the outside and make my move. I find it helps give me that extra second of time to be able to make my play.

“The fakes I make I try to use my head and shoulders and kind of look plays off and maybe sneak the defense a little bit. Usually when I’m in tight on the goalie, I’ll give a quick shoulder and a stick fake and try to put it away quickly.”

Youth players must know lacrosse rules to make certain their moves and use of their sticks, including checks, are legal. It’s important for a coach to help youngsters define their style when they begin to increase the physical aspects of lacrosse.

The skills aren’t something lacrosse players will learn overnight. But they can get started with strong mindsets.

“It’s more when you start scrimmaging and playing (to) not be afraid to stick your nose in there,” Leveille says. “You can do some groundball drills, it all starts with that. You can be a warrior in battle and win groundball drills in practice. It’s going to carry over to groundballs in games. And just even being able to play in tight spaces when the defender is all over you, and still be able to stay in control and maintain possession, you’ll be able to make a play.”