INTERVIEW: Johnny Christmas

Player, coach, entrepreneur and champion. Johnny Christmas is a name synonymous with lacrosse and, as one of the lax pros scheduled to host one of the ALLPro tours this summer, players in the UK are soon to learn exactly why his reputation and resume are so impressive.

Three-time All-American at high school, two-time All-American and leading scorer at UVA, professional MLL (Boston Cannons) and NLL (Philadelphia Wings) player, coach and Maverik Lacrosse representative, John has more lacrosse experience under his belt than many of us can even dream of!

His record is impressive and inspiring and, as the founder and coach of 141 Lacrosse (a conditioning and coaching forum in the US) and LEAPS Lacrosse (an educational lacrosse programme for underprivileged young players), he’s doing all he can to ensure that future players have the opportunity to experience some of the same incredible successes as he has.

“I started 141 after I graduated from UVA because I didnt want a “real” job,” he explains.

“I was aware that I had the best lacrosse training in the world from UVA but I wasn’t sure how good I was as a coach until I started training everyday which forced me to pay attention to details and to become more and more innovative.

“It’s also interesting being involved with the sport at this moment in time in history… The opportunities are endless and if you can pinpoint other explosions from other sports it can give you an advantage or even just a good mold that you can work on.”

Having played lacrosse since the age of nine, Johnny can relate to players of all ages and experiences and he’s excited to bring all of this knowledge to the UK.

“I started lacrosse in 3rd grade and quite honestly I became obsessed with it right away,” he says. “There’s no other way to express yourself so fully like you can on the field.  I think I have a healthy obsession, which not everyone has

“I’ve always wanted to go to London, mostly because I wanted to be the person who has an accent! I don’t really have much planned though – other than the lacrosse – I’ll just go with the flow I guess.”

Johnny will be in the UK with the ALLPro Tour from August 23 – 28. Book your spot on one of his clinics now at www.archlevellacrosse.com