Former Outlaw, Anthony Kelly talks Suiting up in Bayhawks Blue, Breakin Blades and Business Days.

How did you first get introduced to Lacrosse?

I actually got a late start growing up in Cleveland, Ohio. I didn’t start playing until I was in high school. I have an older brother that played so I was fortunate enough to at least get a stick in my hands in the 8th grade, but my first true introduction to the game wasn’t until high school.

How many heads do you typically go through during a season? Also, what's the most you have broken in a single game?

Too many! I put a lot of abuse on the sticks I use. The last few years I feel like I’ve been going through almost a head every game. This past season I broke 4 heads in 1 game. The guys on my team always make fun of me because I roll out the field with about 6 sticks for every game. I just like to be prepared for anything so I’m scrambling if something happens and I can stay focused on my job.

Best piece of advice you've ever received?

Always believe in yourself no matter what others think. And that life is all about opportunities and what you choose to do with those opportunities. When those opportunities come your way in life and sports, you better make the best of them!

Current stick setup? (Head, mesh, shaft, Tape placement)

I’m kind of in a limbo period for the first time in my life. I am just about out of the OG Blades that I’ve been stock piling over the years. They are just so old now that they seem to snap quickly. The new ones break on the first live face off I take with them. So I have been using the STX Duel with String King mesh and sidewalls. I have always been a huge fan of the STX Katanas too so you will generally see me rocking one of those. I use a lot of tape around the top of the stick where I put my top hand and I generally will do a full wrap half way up the shaft to the point where I put my left hand while facing off.

Tell us about Resolute Lacrosse…….

Former MLL All Star stud defenseman, Greg Bice, and myself formed Resolute in 2009. We have been fortunate to take the sport we love and be able to do something awesome with it. And it’s been a really fun journey to do it with my best friend. Resolute means: admirably purposeful, determined and unwavering. It’s more than just a name for us and the kids that play for us.

We are now one of the biggest club programs in the country. We are also part owners of The Resolute Athletic Complex - a 74,000 square foot indoor facility with 3 turf fields that are fully boarded. Inside there we have a lacrosse store, new weight room, lacrosse offices and Orthopedic One has a physical therapy and training facility inside as well. This enables us to offer year round training for our athletes, but we also run one of the largest true box lacrosse programs in the country and we are part of the USBOXLA. We do full box all the way down to 3rd graders! Two weeks ago we ran the Midwest Classic and had 40 teams compete represented from 9 different states. It is awesome to see the impact that box has had on our athletes. Check us out: www.resolutelacrosse.com

How did you feel about being traded to the Chesapeake Bayhawks after playing with the Denver Outlaws, for so long?

I have to say I was disappointed the way things ended in Denver. I was hoping to end my career there and I wanted nothing more than to retire an Outlaw. But I’m a big believer that things work out for a reason and I am looking forward to a new start in Chesapeake. They have been nothing but a class organization from the time that I have been traded and I look forward to strapping up dressed in Bayhawk Blue!

Most important thing to work on to be great at the Faceoff X?

Reps! Practice is everything. Especially for young players that are developing. There are so many little things that you need to develop along the way and practice is the only way to get there. One of my favorite quotes is from Bruce Lee. “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick, 10,000 times.” Perfect quote for those FO guys!

What's does your weekly workout regimen consist of?

I enjoy working out. I do a lot of circuit training these days. I’m not a young buck anymore so I don’t hammer the big heavy weights like I used to love doing. These days I focus on my movement and explosiveness with a lot of body weight stuff. I also get a lot of my cardio playing hockey. I was a very serious hockey player growing up, so I try to hit the ice at least 3 times a week when I’m able to. You won’t find a better workout on the planet!

Could you explain your stance and why you feel it benefits you?

I like to FO on one knee like most of the guys these days. It’s just kind of converted from standing to everyone taking a knee. This allows you to take all the weight off your hands and be much faster while facing off.

What's one thing people would be surprised to know about Anthony Kelly?

Maybe not a huge surprise, but I enjoy hunting. This is always the best time when I get to spend some time with my brother and my father at our cabin that we built ourselves. My dad is an unbelievably handy and smart man. We have a pretty sweet cabin on the eastern border of Ohio where we go.

Finish the sentence. If Anthony Kelly wasn't a Lacrosse player he would be....

Crushing golf balls in long drive competitions! This is what I plan to do when I retire from lacrosse as well.