Stealth need Rabil to score more this season

EVERETT — Washington Stealth transition player Paul Rabil is thought by many experts to be the best field lacrosse player in the world.

In the world of indoor or box lacrosse, which is what the Stealth play in the National Lacrosse League, Rabil is an all-star, but not necessarily thought of in the same regard.

He could be on his way to changing that in 2012.

With the departure of Luke Wiles, the Stealth’s third right-handed offensive option in 2011, the team is counting on Rabil to pick up some of the scoring load. Wiles was traded to Buffalo in the offseason,

Rabil is always dangerous with the ball, but finished just 41st in the league in total points in 2011, scoring 14 goals and dishing out 30 assists in 16 regular-season games. Wiles tallied 60 points (29 goals, 31 assists).

Rabil, who’s entering his fourth season in the NLL, said experience should help him be more productive on offense this season.

“(It’s) just learning to shoot the ball better and when to shoot,” he said. “Being able to pull the trigger more and have confidence in taking 10 to 12 shots a game.”

For those who aren’t familiar with lacrosse, the field and box versions are very different. The playing surface is much more compact in the NLL and Rabil concedes it’s taken time for him to adjust.

“They are two completely different games,” he said. “In field lacrosse there is much more space and I can use my athleticism way more to my advantage than indoor. (In box lacrosse) there is not as much space and probably 10 guys in a 25-square foot area. So you can create separation, but you have about a half second to get a shot off.”

Rabil makes no secret of his fondness for field lacrosse, but approaches the indoor game with the same kind of passion and enthusiasm.

“It’s just lacrosse,” Rabil said. “I’m real passionate about lacrosse and love the game and want to be the best at it. This is just a new challenge for me. It is my (fourth) year playing (indoor), so I’m expecting a lot out of myself and I want to make sure that I can fulfill those expectations.”

Stealth head coach Chris Hall said some of Rabil’s increased offensive output should come naturally.

“It will come naturally because we will play him more on the offensive end,” Hall said. “I just think in Paul’s growth in being a superb box lacrosse player, it is time for him to step up and play some more offense.”

Hall was quick not to discount anything Rabil has accomplished in his short NLL career.

“He really has been doing a tremendous job, of course, in our special teams and in our transition in getting the ball up the floor,” Hall said. “Clearly he is one of the most dangerous one-on-one players in the league. He can’t be stopped one-on-one and teams have to double team him. I just really think it is time for him to make the next step to be a super power in the league in terms of offense as well as faceoffs and one-on-one and transition and speed and all of those athletic things that he does. It’s time for him to step up and be a premium scorer.”

Does that mean Hall expects a breakout season from Rabil?

“Yes, I do,” Hall said. “I think it is his time. This is his season to break through and really become a superstar.”

Rabil said he isn’t sure if “breakout season” is the right term, but there is no question he’s looking to improve.

“I feel like I’ve been fulfilling my role as a team guy,” Rabil said. “… I think I won’t create necessarily more chances than I have in the past; I feel like that has always been there. It is just a matter of learning how to cash in on those chances on the smaller nets in less space and (with) the bigger goalies.”

Rabil said his biggest strength on the offensive end is his ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations. Of course, he has another weapon at his disposal — the devastating speed of his shot.

Rabil has the fastest lacrosse shot ever recorded at 111 mph. He displayed some of that speed in last year’s NLL Champion’s Cup when he unleashed a rocket that could best be described as going through Toronto goalkeeper Bob Watson. The shot hit Watson in his padding and sent him toppling into the goal, resulting in a score for the Stealth.

“Obviously it wasn’t that accurate of a shot,” Rabil said. “I’ve got to find that perfect balance of using the speed of my shot, while not sacrificing the accuracy. So you have to tone it back a little bit in the indoor game and I’m figuring that out now.”

But if you can shoot it through the opposing goalkeeper every once in a while, that works too.

“Yeah, I wish I could do it more often,” Rabil said with a laugh.

As Rabil’s indoor skills increase, so will his standing as the best lacrosse players in the world.

“I just try to play my best,” Rabil said. “It doesn’t come easy. I find that field lacrosse is more enjoyable because I have a bit more success doing it. But part of who I am is trying to meet challenges and ultimately become the best indoor player that I can be. So I am going to keep working until I can do that.”

Aaron Lommers covers the Washington Stealth for The Herald. Follow him on twitter @aaronlommers and contact him at alommers@heraldnet.com.