Lacrosse Tip
Presented by Joe Rautenstrauch, Camp Director
Getting To Know Joe Rautenstrauch Xcelerate Lacrosse Camp Director
Joe Rautenstrauch has a wealth of experience having been a collegiate player at Division I Canisius College, and he enters his fifth season as the head coach of the John Carroll men's lacrosse program.
Coach Rautenstrauch will be directing our Boys Lacrosse Day Camp at John Carroll University this summer, June 14-17.
How many years have you been coaching lacrosse?
5 years of college lacrosse. 3 DI, 3 D3
What is your favorite camp drill/activity?
Mini Lax!
What do you find most rewarding about being a coach?
Finally seeing it click with a player. Teaching them a skill, seeing them work at it, & seeing it all come together.
What is one of your favorite memories of being a coach?
Winning our conference (OAC) this past year. It was my first year as a head coach, I didn’t have fall ball with the guys, so it was pretty special to go undefeated in conference & make the NCAA tournament with only putting our schemes in starting in January.
What is your most memorable experience playing the sport?
Winning the MAAC championship in 2012 & playing Loyola in the NCAA Championship. After all the work we put in from September that year, it was the best feeling I’ve had as a player.
What is your favorite sport outside of lacrosse and how do you think knowledge/skills in that sport translate to lacrosse?
I’m a big golfer. Skill-wise, not a lot translates for me. I swing way too fast due to the lacrosse shot. Mindset wise though, golf makes you very patient & look forward, so the next shot / next play correlates pretty well.
What do you believe are the most important characteristics of improvement?
Effort & attitude.
What do you think is the most under-appreciated skill/ability in the sport of lacrosse?
“LAX IQ”. Lots of young players focus on how hard they shoot & if they can toe drag and throw behind the back passes like the pros. Not enough players understand the “why” of the sport. A lot of that comes from watching the game.
What is your go-to Nike apparel/equipment?
Sneakers and hats. Never had any Nike equipment unfortunately, hopefully, that doesn’t make me seem too old.