At the highest levels of lacrosse, talent is everywhere. What separates teams and players is consistency. Not just in effort or preparation, but in the small, repeatable details that show up every day in training and on game day. Few people understand that better than Jack DiBenedetto, who lives the game from both sides of the whistle.
DiBenedetto is an assistant coach for the University of Denver Men's Lacrosse and a professional player with the Philadelphia Waterdogs. That dual perspective gives him a unique lens when evaluating tools meant to improve performance. If something does not work for him as a player, it does not earn a place with his athletes.
Tested by the Coach, Proven by the Player
DiBenedetto was first introduced to Blumaka through longtime teammate Jack Hannah, who had used the insoles for years. Rather than immediately passing them along to his staff or team, DiBenedetto did what he expects of any serious competitor: he tested them himself.
The first thing he noticed was consistency. Every cut felt the same. Each plant delivered reliable traction without slippage inside the cleat. That internal stability stood out immediately, especially during high-speed directional changes where even minor movement can throw off balance or timing.
Real-World Evaluation, Not Theory
As a coach, DiBenedetto evaluates products in the same environments his athletes face. He wore the insoles through full training sessions and even tested them in new cleats, where fit issues usually become obvious. The response was immediate. Explosiveness out of cuts improved, and the ability to transition quickly applied to both offensive and defensive movements.
That was the turning point. The insoles were not just comfortable or supportive. They created a measurable on-field advantage.
Team-Wide Impact
Once introduced to the program, adoption followed naturally. Roughly 75 percent of the Denver roster wore Blumaka insoles last season. Feedback was consistent across positions and roles. Players reported feeling more stable, more explosive, and more confident in their footing. Slippage inside the shoe was largely eliminated.
At the college level, where practices and games stack up quickly, those benefits matter. Stability reduces unnecessary falls. Consistent traction reduces risk. Over the course of a long season, those small gains help keep athletes strong and available when it matters most.
Built for Safety and Longevity
From a coaching standpoint, injury prevention is always front of mind. DiBenedetto points out that nothing is worse than watching a player slip and hoping they get up. Anything that reduces unnecessary movement inside the shoe plays a role in keeping athletes on the field.
The goal is not to change how players move. It is to support how they already move, more safely and more efficiently.
A Tool for the Next Level
Looking back, DiBenedetto wishes he had access to something like this earlier in his career. Many players struggle with foot pain, heel bruising, or arch issues that quietly affect performance. Removing that distraction allows athletes to focus on development rather than discomfort.
For young players aspiring to reach the next level, his advice is simple: be a pro before you are a pro. Consistency in preparation, recovery, and attention to detail is what separates athletes over time. Blumaka fits naturally into that mindset.
At this level, every inch matters. Consistency is the edge.
