American Indoor Lacrosse Association

American Indoor Lacrosse Association's Coaching Certification Program is delivered by the American Indoor Lacrosse Academy and is designed to prepare interested volunteers new to coaching, field lacrosse coaches and ice hockey coaches with little or no indoor lacrosse coaching experience, and provide the opportunity to become inspiring indoor coaches.  The AILA Coaching Program leads coaches through nine learning units that provide a solid foundation with which to begin their indoor lacrosse coaching careers.

The Coaching Program provides information to teach technical lacrosse skills, mental skills, personal fitness and nutrition.  We provide our coaches with knowledge of equipment and safety as well as teaching principles, philosophies and tactics designed to make indoor lacrosse a safe and enjoyable experience for players, coaches, referees and parents.

Coaches will be introduced to our Player-Centered Approach.   A player-centered approach (PCA) to coaching and teaching sport--in contrast to a coach-centered approach (CCA)—emphasizes  the need to give players autonomy to make their own choices both within the game and outside of the game (i.e., during practices and competitive events).  Strategic, tactical, physical, social, and emotional skills all affect game performance, and athletes are able to develop these better when they are given autonomy (freedom and opportunities to make choices) to develop game-play solutions that enhance their performance (Kidman, 2001, 2005).

The indoor game is fast paced, highly skilled with continuous motion and transition.  In order to play this type of lacrosse we create and emphasize “read and react” situations within the pace of the game.  To “read and react” players must be confident in their skills and decisions.  Our unique skill set training, the Player-Centered Approach, the natural confines of glass and boards, 30-second shot clocks, and our National Lacrosse League-based rules, create the exciting American Indoor Lacrosse game.

The AILA Coach will be a teacher, a mentor and a leader for the players, lacrosse supporters and the community.  The AILA Coaching Program prepares coaches to adapt their skills to higher levels of play and competition.  The Coach will be the AILA’s front line in making indoor lacrosse an exciting, and fulfilling life experience for everyone involved.

The American Indoor Lacrosse Association and the American Indoor Academy are committed to the growth and development of indoor lacrosse coaches. Level I training is available this summer and  Level II and Level II Coaching Development Programs will be available next season.