We had a chance to exclusively sit down with Jordan Fried, the owner of JWF Lacrosse. Fried recently started his private lacrosse coaching business in Westchester County. His goal is to make private lacrosse coaching more accessible to Westchester LAX players who want to take their game to the next level.
Stacy: Why did you start this business?
Jordan Fried: No one helped me with the recruiting process growing up. I came up through the high school athletic system myself and encountered a lack of guidance along the way. As a result, I wanted to create a coaching business that would simplify the process and help more student athletes understand the recruiting system so they could get placed at their dream schools and do what they love to do- play lacrosse!
Stacy: What is different about working with you compared to other Westchester County Lacrosse Coaches?
Jordan Fried: My knowledge of the game. As a result of playing internationally, I gained invaluable experience that taught me camaraderie and leadership skills. Lacrosse isn’t just about having the right skills on the field; it is also about knowing how to be a smarter player on the field. I teach my students a combination of the “soft skills” and the on the field skills they need to ensure success.
Stacy: How does coaching with you work?
Jordan Fried: Whatever is easiest for you! I can coach you wherever is convenient for you- at a local field in Chappaqua or a local middle school of your choice.
Stacy: When did you become interested in lacrosse?
Jordan Fried: During my childhood, I was diagnosed with leukemia and was treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering from 3-5. One day after receiving chemotherapy and walking to the car with my pole, I saw hundreds of people running in Orange jerseys in The New York City Marathon. I thought, “I’m going to do this one day.” Looking out the window and seeing those runners gave me hope that I too could run one day. My greatest vision was to beat cancer and to run just like them. Today, I am living a life beyond my wildest dreams. I beat cancer; I run annually in The New York City Marathon for Fred’s team (and wear an Orange jersey!) and live out my dream of playing and teaching lacrosse. The gift of running, freedom and hope was given to me when I almost lost my life, and I try to pay that gift forward with every student I teach. To me, lacrosse is not just about a love of the game. It is about the freedom to run, the freedom to win, the freedom to fight for what you believe in despite all odds being against you. If I can do it, anyone can do it.
Stacy: How can players start preparing for lacrosse this fall?
Jordan Fried: Lacrosse season officially kicks off in the beginning of March. However, if you want to play at the next level, you have to be playing lacrosse all year. Fall is the perfect time to prepare for the upcoming lacrosse season.
Here are my top 5 ways to start getting in shape for lacrosse this fall:
- Get on the field- Take advantage of the nice weather before it goes away. This is the ideal time to practice before it is below freezing temperatures.
- Start getting in shape– If you aren’t doing hockey or basketball, you will want to work on your skills and get in the weight room. I also recommend running, doing speed ladder work and different cone drills.
- Stick Skills– Get on the wall and work on your stick skills. Being able to catch and throw left and right and being able to shoot left and right on the run is important.
- Position specific– If you play defense, now is a great time to work on your foot work. If you are a middie, work on longer sprints. If you play attack, work on change of direction and dodging.
- Lacrosse IQ- Start brushing up on your lacrosse IQ- if you play offense, understand the X’s and O’s of how an offense works. If you play defense, understand different slide packages and how defense works.
Stacy: How can someone get in touch with you if they want to hire you?
Jordan Fried: If you want to get ready for the upcoming season, you can sign up for our ultimate warrior package, which includes strength conditioning, improvement of stock skills and the top 4 things to know for college recruiting. You can email me at [email protected] or call me at 914-539-1279.
ABOUT JORDAN FRIED, CEO OF JWF LACROSSE
Jordan Fried is the Founder of JWF Lacrosse, a personal training lacrosse coaching company for Westchester County athletes looking to take their game to the next level. Having grown up in Westchester County and played at D1 level, Jordan knows the game better than anyone. He is passionate about coaching student athletes to succeed in all aspects of life. He currently coaches JV at Horace Greeley in Chappaqua, NY. Fried played Division 1 Lacrosse at Hofstra and played internationally. He received a Masters from Hofstra University and majored in exercise science and is certified in strength conditioning. For more information, please email [email protected] or call 914-539-1279. Follow JWF Lacrosse on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JWFLacrosse
