--- title: How Analytics Can Sharpen Your Lacrosse Program description: Learn how leveraging analytics can sharpen your lacrosse program by focusing on key metrics and asking smarter questions. image: https://www.1stclasslax.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(6).png --- [Skip to the main content.](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/how-to-use-analytics-lacrosse-reference#main-content) [![First Class Lacrosse, Deemer Class, Best In Class](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Logo/Primary%20Logo%20with%20Trademark.png?width=990&height=660&name=Primary%20Logo%20with%20Trademark.png "First Class Lacrosse, Deemer Class, Best In Class")](https://www.1stclasslax.com/) [![First Class Lacrosse, Deemer Class, Best In Class](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Logo/Primary%20Logo%20with%20Trademark.png?width=990&height=660&name=Primary%20Logo%20with%20Trademark.png "First Class Lacrosse, Deemer Class, Best In Class")](https://www.1stclasslax.com/) - [About Us](https://www.1stclasslax.com/about) - 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You might picture spreadsheets, math formulas, or people rattling off confusing percentages. But when you break it down, using analytics is really just about **asking better questions** — and finding small edges that can make a real difference for your team.  Recently, [we hosted a webinar](https://first-class-lacrosse.circle.so/checkout/coach-community) with Zack Capozzi, the founder of [Lacrosse Reference](https://lacrossereference.com/), to help coaches and players rethink how analytics can actually fit naturally into their process. Read on below and check out the full webinar in our coaches community if you want to dive in more deeply. ## How You can use analytics in a practical and tactical way ### first, Start with a simple question. One of the biggest lessons Zack shared was this: "**Don’t start by collecting data. Start by asking a smart question."** For example: - *Which offensive sets are actually producing good shots?* - *When do we tend to give up goals during possessions — early, late, unsettled?* When you focus on one question at a time, analytics becomes less overwhelming and more useful. You’re not tracking random stats hoping for an answer. You’re gathering just enough info to make a better decision. ![Screenshot 2025-04-29 at 9.36.23 AM](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-29%20at%209.36.23%20AM.png?width=455&height=344&name=Screenshot%202025-04-29%20at%209.36.23%20AM.png)  I have certainly been guilty of trying to aggregate tons of data and then try to use it, but quickly found this cumbersome and unsustainable. Before you do the work, ensure the data will answer an important question or hypothesis you have.  ### Rate Stats Matter more than Counting Stats Another big point: **Friends don’t let friends use "goals per game."** It sounds funny, but it’s true. Total goals, total ground balls, total saves can all mislead you without context. What you want are *rate stats*: - **Goals per possession** instead of goals per game - **Turnovers per possession** instead of total turnovers - **Shot percentage on shots on goal**, not just total shots Rate stats tell you **how often** something good (or bad) happens, not just **how much**. When you start thinking this way, your coaching adjustments become sharper and your practices can focus on the right things. The slide below from Zack's webinar lists a few of the ones he priortizes. ![Screenshot 2025-04-29 at 9.34.35 AM](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-29%20at%209.34.35%20AM.png?width=459&height=351&name=Screenshot%202025-04-29%20at%209.34.35%20AM.png)   ### Possession Efficiency moves the needle If you remember nothing else, remember this: > **Per possession efficiency,** how often you score per possession, is the single strongest stat tied to winning in lacrosse. (based on men's D1 analysis) It’s not total shots, not total goals, not even faceoffs (though those matter too). Teams that score more efficiently per possession almost always win (90%+ per men's D1 data). So if you're just starting to track anything, start here. It'll tell you more about your team than almost anything else you could measure.   ### You can start simple One of the best parts about Zack’s talk was how he emphasized **you don’t need a fancy setup**. If you have: - A clipboard - A simple tracking sheet - Maybe an injured player or parent willing to help track sets or shots You can start gathering better insights immediately. The goal isn’t to be perfect. The goal is to start small, focus on what matters, and stack little improvements over time. ### Get Premium content for players, parents or coaches If you found these ideas helpful, I’d encourage you to check out the full session inside [our Coaches Community](https://first-class-lacrosse.circle.so/checkout/coach-community). Zack dives even deeper into: - How to evaluate individual players using simple efficiency ratings - Why defensive stats are tricky (and how to think about defensive efficiency differently) - How top college programs are quietly using analytics to build an edge **[Join Today 👉](https://www.1stclasslax.com/players-and-parents-membership-community)** - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) #### [Developing Elite Lacrosse Defenders: Tips & Drills from Jesse Bernhardt](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/jesse-bernhardt-lacrosse-defense-drills) [![Picture of Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Dunn%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Dunn%20Headshot.png) Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/author/matt-dunn-matt-dunn-graduated-from-the-university-of-maryland2016-and-is-currently-a-professional-lacrosse-playerboth-the-premier-lacrosse-league-pll-for-the-whipsnakes-lc-and) : Mar 20, 2025, 3:03:06 PM Learn key on-ball defensive techniques and drills from Maryland DC Jesse Bernhardt. This webinar recap covers footwork, contact strategies, stick... [Defense](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/defense) [Coaching](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/coaching) [Men's Lacrosse](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/mens-lacrosse) [Read More](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/jesse-bernhardt-lacrosse-defense-drills) #### [Deep Dive: 3 Ways to Defend Passing Lanes](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/defending-passing-lanes) [![Picture of Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Dunn%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Dunn%20Headshot.png) Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/author/matt-dunn-matt-dunn-graduated-from-the-university-of-maryland2016-and-is-currently-a-professional-lacrosse-playerboth-the-premier-lacrosse-league-pll-for-the-whipsnakes-lc-and) : Jan 23, 2025, 10:51:35 AM Discover essential lacrosse strategies to defend passing lanes, cover multiple off-ball players, and disrupt offenses with expert drills and tips. [Defense](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/defense) [Coaching](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/coaching) [Men's Lacrosse](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/mens-lacrosse) [Read More](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/defending-passing-lanes) #### [A Defender's Guide to Defense](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/matt-dunn-guide-to-defense) [![Picture of Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Dunn%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Dunn%20Headshot.png) Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/author/matt-dunn-matt-dunn-graduated-from-the-university-of-maryland2016-and-is-currently-a-professional-lacrosse-playerboth-the-premier-lacrosse-league-pll-for-the-whipsnakes-lc-and) : Apr 24, 2025, 6:29:56 PM Defensive lacrosse tips to elevate your game, shared by Matt Dunn. Key focus areas include footwork, contact control, eye discipline, anticipation,... 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