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Player Profile of the Best: Dave Pietramala Dave Pietramala was and still is one of the best to ever play the game of lacrosse. (from a recent interview by Great Atlantic Lacrosse) Considered by many as the best defenseman to ever handle a long stick, Pietramala was the ultimate competitor on the field. Whether stripping an overmatched attackman or directing traffic as he moves the ball upfield on a fast break, Petro is a player who can change the flow of a game. His style of play is exciting to watch, intimidating to face, and is the perfect balance of individual skill and teamwork. The competitive nature has not diminished and Coach Pietramala now passes his experiences on to a new generation of players as defensive coordinator at his alma mater, Johns Hopkins. We had a chance to talk to Petro about playing, coaching, and lacrosse in general. Here's what he had to say.Pietramala on... HIS INTRODUCTION TO LACROSSE "My basketball coach suggested I try out for lacrosse in ninth grade. I wasn't very good at first. I spent most of my time playing crease midfielder trying to screen the goalie. I got hit by more shots than anything else." Pietramala on... THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN LACROSSE IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS "The rule changes, especially the 10 second count, require defensemen to be able to better handle the ball and attackman to be able to execute a good ride. But the biggest change is the athletes that are now playing. They have become bigger and stronger over the years and the talent pool is ever increasing. When I played most of the players came from the traditional lacrosse hotbeds such as Maryland and New York now your seeing players from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Michigan to name just a few, making big contributions on college teams across the country." Pietramala on... ADVICE FOR NEW PLAYERS "Live with your stick. We still even say this to our players at Hopkins. Live with your stick. The name of the game is catch and throw. If you can't catch and throw you can't play lacrosse. It may sound old, and you may hear it all the time, but go to the wall and throw and catch. It is true. It worked for me. You will see rapid improvement if a stick stays in your hand every day." Pietramala on... ADVICE FOR PLAYERS WANTING TO PLAY AT THE NEXT LEVEL "Watch the game, learn the game. Every player who wants to compete at any college level needs to continually work on the fundamentals of the game. Many players tend to practice what their good at and not focus on their weaknesses. I would encourage those individuals to continue to build on their good skills but focus more and work harder on their weaknesses. Continue to work hard... there is a spot for a guy who works his rear-end off on every team at every level." Pietramala on... COACHING -VS- PLAYING "It has been just as satisfying to see success as a coach as it was as a player. The two biggest games I have been involved in were as a coach and a player. In 1987 we won the national championship with three sophomores starting at defense and a freshman goalie. To this day, other than graduating from Hopkins, I never experienced a feeling like that. The second game that sticks out in my mind was as a coach in last year's quarter final game against Maryland. It was one of the most satisfying wins I have ever been a part of... the satisfaction was more for our players than for me personally. To go into the locker room at half-time with a 7-0 lead against a strong Maryland team was a great feeling. Seeing the team execute as well as we did offensively and defensively was an unbelievable feeling. I was so proud of our guys. From a competitive perspective I think I am more competitive as a coach than I was as a player." Pietramala on... HANGING UP THE GEAR I'm through. I don't even think about playing anymore. I don't miss playing at all. I get everything I want out of coaching now. I enjoy watching our guys play and do well more than I enjoy playing right now. I knew playing lacrosse was eventually going to end. I'll have the friendships and experiences that I have learned from... those will always be there. The notoriety doesn't matter. It is great to be recognized in any sport. What I have done as a player will eventually fade as new players come on to the scene. I'd rather be known as a good coach and a good guy. My on-the-field achievements don't compare with the friendships and experiences that lacrosse has given me. |
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