The following Fan Zone interview appers in the November 2006 Issue of Inside Lacrosse. To see more interviews and in-depth analysis of lacrosse, subscribe today.

Photo: Dave Abel

When it comes to dominating at the face-off X, it doesn't get much better than Geoff Snider. Recently named the Most Valuable Player at the 2006 World Lacrosse Championships, where he was a driving force behind Canada's gold medal performance, the University of Denver product currently serves as a midfielder for the MLL's Denver Outlaws. He is also expected to be one of the top selections in the upcoming NLL entry draft. As one of the brightest young stars in the game today, here is your chance to ask Geoff your questions about lacrosse. His answers will appear in a future issue of Inside Lacrosse. 


Paul from Minnesota wants to know: What is the key to winning face-offs and how often do you use the players on the wing?

Personally, I find that the key to winning face-offs is practice, staying level-headed, and getting into a rhythm.  I try not to use the wings because it turns the draw into a 50/50 ground ball sometimes.  With wing players like Brodie Merrill and Josh Sims that isn’t the case, but I think that you will find that most wing players prefer you to gain control and use them as outlets.

Anthony from Mitchell wants to know: What stick do you use?

A Warrior Prodigy

Chris Ortiz from Virginia wants to know: I was a first year player this year and made the varsity squad largely due to my work ethic and my athletic form, as I entered the lax season after wrestling a full varsity schedule. I took a little face-off this year and loved it. I was wondering what kind of training you do in order to dominate face-offs, much like you did in the World Games for the Canucks.

I really didn’t do anything specific, just took face-offs on my own, visualizing situations, and anticipating the whistle.  I ended up taking 195 draws in a week and a half period.  At the end of it, my timing was on and I got dialed in. Taking that many draws in a competitive environment is perfect preparation.  I would suggest competing with a teammate at practice constantly.

Phil Lancer from Radnor, PA wants to know: I was wondering if you were disappointed that you didn't get to go against Paul Cantabene in the Championship Final? You both have a very physical style of facing off and dominating the draw. Do you also think that the US coaches did you an incredible favor by not playing him? It was ultimately this decision which allowed you to take over against Team USA and win the Championship and MVP of the Games!

I’m incredibly competitive and would have looked at facing Paul as a challenge.  He is the best there is and it would have been great to compete against him.  I can’t say if it would have made a difference or not because there are so many factors that play into facing-off, and any given day someone can dominate. 

I don’t think the US coaches did me a favor. They are very experienced and well-respected in the Lacrosse world. They put together a team of incredible lacrosse players, and athletes.  I took 195 draws in a week and a half, I got dialed in, and my timing and movement was on.  Anytime you are taking 100% of the face-offs, you get in a rhythm and you are hard to beat.  At any time it can be anyone’s day.  But when it comes down to it, I didn’t win us the championship; I just did my job, along with the rest of the guys on that team.  Our squad was incredibly close, and we all knew our roles going into the finals. 

Dave Elwood from England Coach wants to know: Geoff, after teaching my guys a lesson, I sent them over to speak to you about training techniques etc. You mentioned you did a lot of boxing type exercises as opposed to weight work. Which particular exercises do you do to help your hand speed & power? Similarly, how have you altered your stance to enable you to watch the ref prior to the whistle?

I watched Bernard Hopkins work on his jabs with a rubber-training band wrapped around his back with each end in both hands.  He would jab, and shadow box with the resistance of the band.  I like this because I feel like it speeds up my initial movement off the whistle. 

Taylor Brooks from Oakville, Ontario wants to know: What's the secret behind that stick of yours? I know it's mainly talent that gets you those balls, but I'd like to know your preference in a head and why it works for you.

I learned to face-off from Andy Towers and he was using the Prodigy.  I used it initially because Andy said it was best, but the things about it that make it work is the small degree of offset, and the flat back edges of the sidewalls.  These two factors help you get close to the ball when you line up, and make for a stick that is great to plunge with. 

Greg Holliday from Parker, CO wants to know: My son is 13 years old and is small but quick. At this age most of the boys facing off are bigger guys who trap the ball and then use their size to push him off the ball. Any suggestions for him to combat the bigger kids and utilize his speed?

When I face-face off against someone who is bigger than I am, I try to get in and out as quick as possible.  What I mean by that is, get down the line and over top of the ball really quickly, and get out of there ASAP.  You want your son to cater to his strengths, and getting into a wrestling match with someone who is going to overpower him won’t work. 

Dave Haggerty from Chicago wants to know: If you get beat on a clamp, what do you think the easiest way to recover is?

That all depends on if the guy you are facing-off against pushes the ball forward or pulls the ball back.  I approach the line on a 45 degree angle, and get into my stance on that same angle.  This allows me to either take an offensive or defensive approach to the draw.  If I lose and the ball goes back I can put myself into a position to chase it down and scrap for it.  If the ball gets pushed forward on a break I can also open up and get into the hole.

Carter from Raleigh, NC wants to know: What is your favorite face-off move and why? Do you think it is important to master one face-off move or are you a "jack of all trades"?

I prefer to plunge, and yes I think that it is important to “master” one move.  The great face-off players in the game today all do what they do best.  Usually it is one particular move that they have tweaked and perfected in their own way.  Everyone does things slightly different, and it is because they have spent the time making adjustments to their own style and to the competition.  Of course you're not going to win every time, and in that sense, it is important to have a back up plan, or another move or two that you can pull out to switch things up and play head games with your opponent.

Matt O'Donnell from Worcester, Mass wants to know: I play LSM, and take face-offs for my team. I usually go for the clamp, and win about 70% of the time, but can’t ever seem to get a fast break when I take the face. I’ve seen how to push, and stuff like that, but can’t ever seem to get the ball over the other guy’s stick. I was wondering if you clamp and then push, or just try to push faster than the other guy clamps, jumps or pushes.

If you are winning cleanly, I would try not to fully clamp the ball in your stick and trap it on the ground.  Try coming over top of the ball just enough to prevent your opponents stick from clamping, pull your butt end off the ground with your left hand, and keep pressure on your right.  This will pinch the ball between your sidewalls and you won’t have any trouble pulling the ball in any direction, or overtop of your opponents stick.

Mike Vaccaro from Plano, Texas wants to know: What do you think the most effective face-off move is against a guy that is bigger than you, and the same quickness?

Personally, I like to plunge.  But I think that everyone develops their own methods that work.  You should keep at it, and when you take it to somebody, watch the video, take some mental notes on what you did, and make sure that you practice those things that are making you successful.  I find that developing a routine keeps your body reacting in the same fashion.  And when you are in a game, make sure to adjust to your opponent, because with the repetition you will find a way to win.

Matthew Courtney from Philadelphia PA wants to know: What do you do against someone who is beating you with a clamp?

Personally, I will try to adjust my timing or focus on the little things that I know I do well to try and gain an advantage.  If all else fails, you have to be sneakier than your opponent.

Travis from Mechanicsville, MD wants to know: What secret tips or techniques would you give to players trying to become a dominate face-off man and what special training gives the best result when it come to the face-off X?

I think the most important thing is to become a well-rounded player.  Most specialists face-off and that’s it.  I would suggest taking the time to hone your other talents as well.  Being a liability on the field in other areas can cost your team.  Work on your stick, ground balls, and athleticism.  If you can win a face-off, pick up a ground ball, score, and play defense you will help take over games.  Other than that, on a purely specialists sense, take some draws on your own every day, practice a routine, and constantly develop your own movement.  Focus on what you do well and run with it.    

Adam Magness wants to know: How did you practice your face-off moves when you were younger? What techniques did you work on to dominate the X?

I didn’t.  I actually started facing off when I got to Denver.  I wanted to be on the field and I thought that facing off would help get me there as a freshman.  The only guy on the team who faced off was Scott Davidson.  He and I battled constantly in practice, and it got pretty heated at times.  Ultimately, that intense competition helped me improve.

Dan Gallucci from Virginia wants to know: I want to know how you seem to clamp the ball and pick it up so fast and so easily at the face off x. It almost looks like you pick up the ball on the back side of the mesh. How do you clamp the ball and bring it up so easily?

When I have the ball clamped I put pressure on my right hand and pull up with my left.  That squeezes the sidewalls around the ball, and you can dictate which way you want to pull the ball out.

Justin from California wants to know: My hands aren't the fastest, but I'm decently strong. Are there any moves that you can recommend?

Use your body as much as you can.  When the whistle blows, put your shoulder and head low and into your opponents body.  By moving your body into the neutral zone, you will take control of your opponent’s movements and gain a positional advantage.  Make sure you talk to your wings because they will need to know where you want to pull the ball once you have established control.

Money Maker from USA wants to know: Can you list some teammates that you have played with in college and pro that you look up to on and off the field, and why you look up to them as people and players.

Taylor and Devan Wray are two of my best friends who are incredible athletes and lacrosse players.  I look up to those guys because they are honest and stick by you no matter what. They aren’t afraid to let you know when you go wrong, and they are in your corner 100% of the time.  We all played in Burnaby together along with Andrew Guindon (Arizona Sting), Kevin Fines (San Jose Stealth), and Milan Gajic.  We are all really tight, and because of what we went through in Jr. I look up to these guys as the most loyal friends.

Pat Coyle is by far one of the best leaders I have ever had the pleasure of playing with.  I first met and played with Pat in Coquitlam, and he is the fiercest competitor that I know.  He is a natural leader and earns respect from his coaches and teammates.  I learned a lot from Pat.
Curt Malawsky is another guy who is a total warrior.  I would go to war with Curt any day.  He became one of my good friends in Coquitlam and his accomplishments as a teammate and individual speak for themselves in the lacrosse world.

Last but not least is my little brother Bobby.  He is by far the most laid back natural athlete.  Depending on who you talk to (pretty much everyone), I am a little high strung/high maintenance.  Bobby is the complete opposite, and he has become the most composed, ruthless defender playing for the Burnaby Lakers.  Bobby has broken out of the “Snider” mold and has become such a sick lacrosse player minus the scraps, and trash talk.  He is tough, talented, and a natural leader.  If I had to aspire to be more like someone in the lacrosse world, it would be him.