Book Lessons with Coach Jayden

Hi! I’m Jayden, but most athletes know me as Coach Jay! I’m a Maryland native and NCAA Division III lacrosse player at Willamette University in Oregon. I’m entering my senior season as a defender and have been fortunate to earn recognition as a two-time Northwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time First Team All-Conference selection, and a First Team All-West Region honoree.

Beyond playing, I love coaching! I currently coach at KidStrong, worked with Oregon Pride Lacrosse, and have coached Maryland Lacrosse League summer groups. Helping young athletes grow—both on and off the field—is one of my greatest passions. Whether you’re brand new to lacrosse or dreaming of playing in college, I’m excited to help you reach your goals.

Every athlete has different strengths, weaknesses, and goals, so I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. I tailor every session to meet each athlete where they are and help them reach the next level.

As a collegiate defender, I specialize in defensive footwork, positioning, body control, checking, communication, and defensive IQ. However, I also have extensive knowledge of offensive concepts, attacking IQ, transition play, stick skills, passing, catching, shooting fundamentals, agility, conditioning, and overall game strategy. Understanding the game from every position allows me to help athletes make smarter decisions and become more complete players.

My goal isn’t just to improve your skills—it’s to help you become a more confident, smarter athlete who understands the game and plays with confidence.

Every session is personalized based on your goals and experience level. We’ll begin by discussing what you’d like to work on before moving into a dynamic warm-up and skill development. Sessions include plenty of game-like drills, individualized feedback, and opportunities to ask questions throughout.

I believe athletes learn best when they’re challenged in a positive environment, so I focus on creating sessions that are both fun and demanding. My goal is for every athlete to leave feeling more confident, more knowledgeable, and excited to continue improving.

NCAA Division III defender at Willamette University x 2

• Two-time Northwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year

• Two-time First Team All-Northwest Conference

• First Team All-West Region

• School record holder in caused turnovers

• National leader in caused turnovers (2025)

• Current coach at KidStrong

• Coached for Oregon Pride Lacrosse Club Team

• Former coach for Maryland Lacrosse League summer groups

• CPR certified with First Aid and AED training

My best coach was Laura Milleker, a former Division I player at the University of Denver. She coached me at Bay Area Lacrosse Club and also worked with me in private lessons. Coach Laura always found the perfect balance between encouraging me and pushing me beyond what I thought I was capable of. She held me to a high standard while making me believe I could meet it.

She helped me improve every aspect of my game—from stick skills, agility, and conditioning to defensive IQ and confidence. Through her coaching, I earned a spot on the Under Armour team, where we went on to win the national championship.

The biggest lesson she taught me was that confidence and hard work go hand in hand. She believed in me before I fully believed in myself, and that’s the type of coach I strive to be. I want every athlete I work with to feel supported, challenged, and confident enough to take risks, grow from mistakes, and discover what they’re truly capable of.

As a coach, my goal is to make every athlete feel seen, supported, and challenged. I know firsthand that improvement isn’t just about physical ability—it’s also about confidence. I want athletes to feel comfortable making mistakes because that’s how growth happens. At the same time, I’ll push them beyond what they think they’re capable of so they continue improving. As a left-handed defender, I can also help athletes learn to defend and compete against both right- and left-handed players while improving decision-making and defensive awareness.

Communication is important to me, and I want parents to feel confident that their athlete is receiving quality instruction in a positive, safe environment. My hope is that every athlete leaves each session not only with stronger skills, but also with greater confidence, motivation, and a love for the game.