Mansfield Girls Lacrosse 2009

Skills & Tips

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Rule 1: Practice at home! No one can perfect their skills at practice!

General Tips:

  • Whenever possible, grip the stick lightly with the finger tips rather than tightly with the fists.
  • Practice all skills with both hands. Using a mirror can help transfer skills from the strong hand to the off hand.
  • Remember, no one can perfect their skills at practice. So:
    • Play wall ball
    • Juggle
    Be creative! Any use of your stick and ball will improve your control.

Skills Tips-Cradle

  • Hold stick in both hands resting at side. Bottom hand (at end of shaft) has knuckles facing up. Top hand has palm facing up.
  • Open bottom hand slightly so shaft can movely freely inside the hand
  • Pull up with top hand, bending elbow on the way. Bottom hand remains stationary.
  • Curl wrist of top hand at top of motion to create an arc.
  • Keep stick close to helmet to avoid getting stick checked

Skills Tips - Throwing

  • Throw on the side that is away from the defender
  • Fingertip control - not fists
  • Thumbs point up toward head of stick, rather than wrapping around stick
  • Top hand is elbow's length from the butt
  • Hold elbows high
  • Start with stick butt pointing at target
  • Throw overhand
  • Push with top hand and pull with bottom hand
  • Step to target with opposite foot
  • Snap wrists
  • Follow through to target, bottom fist to top elbow

    Skills Tips - Catching

    • Catch on the side that is away from the defender (keep your body between the defender and your stick)
    • Fingertip control - not fists
    • Thumbs point up toward head of stick, rather than wrapping around stick
    • Choke up - top hand is way up at stick head
    • Stick head at ear height and ear width
    • Prepare with hands extended toward passer
    • Adjust body position (bend knees, sidestep, etc.) to allow catch to be made with stick head at ear position
    • Gently bring hands back as ball settles into the stick head, eliminating any bounce effect (do this rather than snapping the stick head to contain the bounce)
    • Finish with stick head next to ear.

    Skills Tips - Scooping

  • Scoop on the side that is away from the defender (keep your body between the defender and the ball)
  • Firm grip for this one
  • Top hand high up at stick head
  • Straight back arm
  • Bent knees
  • Front foot next to ball
  • Straight through the ball
  • Kiss the stick (bring the head up to your face
  • Finish with stick head next to ear, on side away from defense.

     Skills Tips - Protecting

    • Stick vertical
    • Stick head near ear
    • Top hand high on shaft
    • Stick tight to body
    • Free arm out away from body
    • Head up
    • Knees bent, butt low