***2021 USILA Howdy Myers Man of the Year Award Winner ***

"With the help from Coach Caravana, we were able to lay a solid foundation in year one of a new program. With his guidance, we created a year-long plan detailing player development, leadership training and program management. We look forward to more work with Coach and Razor Lacrosse Consulting in the future."

-Head High School Coach

Program Administration

I will help you build a program that competes on the field at a high level, is academically oriented, represents the school well and churns out successful student-athletes.

 

  • Goals

  • Objectives

  • Scheduling

  • Social Media

  • Fundraising

  • Budgeting

  • Rules / Standards

  • Relationship Management

  • Correspondence

Lacrosse Strategy

A close look at making sure your schemes and game strategies are aligned with your teams talents and abilities.

 

  • Honest Assessment of your personnel

  • Strategic Development

  • Scheme Development

  • Season Practice Planning

  • Role of the Head Coach

  • Role of Assistant Coach

  • Strategy for Implementation

"Mike Caravana is one of the best coaches in the game of lacrosse. His success at every level comes from his great knowledge of the game, his understanding of people, and his ability to patiently communicate and teach what he knows. From fundamentals to tactics and strategy, Mike knows what to do and how to do it- and the passion to share what he knows."

— Kevin Corrigan, Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach at Notre Dame

Player Development

Help you to define the system and steps to make the most of your present players’ abilities, talents, and experiences.

 

  • Player Evaluations ( Mental & Physical)

  • Individual Level

  • Positional Level

  • Developing an “Action Plan” to implement for each player

  • Use of Video Teaching

  • Develop a “ Positive Outlook” for the Head Coach for every player

  • Role of the Assistant Coach  ( Positive Encouragement)

  • Role of Strength & Conditioning

  • Nutrition

  • Books and Articles

Culture and Leadership

Steps to help build a program, not just a team. Develop a comprehensive plan that begins in 9th grade and follows through till graduation.

 

  • Have the Head Coach set attainable goals for the program

  • Identify leaders in all grades and compose a “Leadership Council” consisting of 2-4 players per grade

  • Creating a collaborative environment within the Leadership Council

  • Set “nonnegotiable expectations ” for all team members to follow

  • Develop goals and objectives through collaboration with the coaching staff and Leadership Council

  • Have Leadership Council develop agreed-upon standards to help reach agreed-upon objectives and goals for the program

  • Agree upon the role of Head Coach, Assistant Coach, and Seniors

  • Develop and follow up with Leadership Training opportunities throughout the year


The Importance to Positive Communication

The ability to use all forms of communication in a positive and encouraging way on the field and off the field to help move the individual player and team to be the best they can be.

 

  • Coach to Player

  • Player to Coach

  • Coach to Parents

  • Parent to Coach

  • Coach to Administration

What People Are Saying

 

"Mike joined our high school program for 4 days over Spring Break and we got a comprehensive experience. We believe he left us w plans in all facets of our program. We've found ourselves citing his lessons often when we see things pop up in games and practice. Our athletes got to experience high-level college coaching firsthand in sessions on leadership, culture, goal-setting, and in practice drills. He helped the coaches understand our current team, the broader program, and provided us options to maximize our abilities as well to develop during the season, as well as set standards and pedagogical approaches to development. ( How do we get kids more hooked on the program? How do we improve off-season development?) He met with parents to provide a perspective on college and club lacrosse. We believe his visit poised us for a significant step this year, especially the coaching staff."

— Head High School Coach

“Michael Caravana and Razor Lacrosse Consulting were incredibly helpful to the growth of our program. We worked with him on Player Development, Lacrosse Strategy and Program Administration. In each case, Mike listened as we outlined our goals and he provided specific and insightful ways we could improve. His follow-through with phone calls and visits were exceptionally helpful and demonstrated a true passion for helping us become better. Any program could benefit from Mike's help."

—Head High School Coach

 

Playing Accolades:

  • 4-time All-American at University of Virginia

  • 5th all-time assists

  • 1 National Championship Appearance

  • Charlottesville Chapter Lacrosse Hall of Fame

  • Long Island Metropolitan Hall of Fame

 

Biography

Michael Caravana is widely regarded as one of the top coaches and teachers of the game in the nation. Mr. Caravana was the head men’s lacrosse coach at Denison University from 1990-2021 with exception of a three-year stint at Woodberry Forest School. 

Before Dension, he was assistant head lacrosse coach at the University of Virginia (l984, and 1987-1990) and at Brown University from 1985 to l987, where he was head assistant to National Hall of Fame inductee Coach Dom Starsia. In 2003, Caravana was chosen to serve as an assistant coach for the United States National Lacrosse team during which he guided the team to a silver medal in the  International Lacrosse Federation World Championship in Ontario, Canada.


Michael Caravana, a 60-year-old native of Franklin Square, New York, is a 1983 graduate of the University of Virginia, where he was a four-time All-American on attack for the University of Virginia lacrosse team. He ranks fifth all-time in assists in the Cavalier record book and in 2001 he was voted into the Virginia Lacrosse Hall of Fame. 

Coaching Accolades:

  • 2021 USILA Howdy Myers Man of the Year Award Winner

  • Assistant Coach of Team USA 2006 World Championship

  • Career Winning Percentage: .767

  • 18 NCAA Tournament Appearances

  • 11 NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal Appearances (Elite 8)

  • 3 NCAA Semifinal Appearances (Final 4)

  • 1994 USILA Division III Coach of the Year

  • 2-time IMCLA West Region Coach of the Year

  • 15 NCAC Championships

  • 6 NCAC Tournament Championships (since 2013)

  • 7-time NCAC Coach of the Year

  • One of 21 men's lacrosse coaches with over 300 career victories

  • Ohio Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame

 
 

200

All-Conference players

15

Conference Championships

Accolades

76%

Career Winning Percentage

11

Appearances in the NCAA Quarterfinals

75

All-Americans

300

Career Wins

Contact Info

michaelcaravana@gmail.com
(740)-973-8883