Stick Skill training
Lacrosse is the sport in which it is most important for players to be ambidextrous. Being able to cradle, pass and shoot effectively with both hands is crucial. With that said, players should make their best effort to practice with their offhand. There is no better way to improve your stick skills than a good wall ball routine. Players should play wall ball every chance they have, at least a few times a week, anytime you have 15 minutes to spare, here are two excellent routines to follow to improve your stick skills. During the cold winter months, or if you don't have a wall in your area, you can also invest in a bounce-back (pictured at left) which can be used in a basement as a replacement for a wall. (Note: It also helps to perform simple everyday tasks like brushing your teeth with your offhand. The more you use your offhand the more natural it will become.)
Wall Ball Routine 1:
Start about 3-4 feet from the wall. This routine will help your quickness with your stick. Be loose and relaxed and remember to keep the stick in your fingertips.
1. Right hand to right hand. Try to catch right into your passing position.
2. Left hand to left hand.
3. Right hand to weak side catch. Be sure to flip your stick over in order to make the catch. Catch in front of you. Give with the head of your stick and push the bottom hand out. Challenge yourself by seeing how fast you can switch back to your pass position.
4. Repeat number 3, but keep your stick on the weak side and make a weak side pass. Be sure to get to the point where you are throwing the ball hard.
5. Repeat numbers 3 & 4 with your opposite hand.
6. With your dominant hand, work on throwing the ball between your shoulders, almost at your head. Get your stick to the catch and try not to duck from the ball. This will help when a bad pass comes your way.
7. Do right and left handed quick sticks.
8. Right quick stick to a weak side quick stick, back to the right and so on.
Be sure that you are throwing the ball hard against the wall. If you are catching every one, you are not challenging yourself enough. Have your bottom hand out in front of you, not behind or close to your stomach. Vary the routine by changing the order and by standing closer or farther from the wall.
Wall Ball Routine 2:
Start about 8 meters from the wall. This will help the strength of your passing and shooting. Be sure to rotate your shoulders and follow through so that your bottom hand goes back behind your hip. Start with your bottom hand out and be sure to be pulling with it. The ball should bounce once before it gets to you.
1. Right hand to right hand.
2. Left hand to left hand.
3. Right to right, switch on catch, left to left, and so on.
If you do these routines on a regular basis your basic stick skills will improve tremendously and you will be able to perform more advanced skills better as well. Some of the best lacrosse players are made on the wall!
Wall Ball Routine 1:
Start about 3-4 feet from the wall. This routine will help your quickness with your stick. Be loose and relaxed and remember to keep the stick in your fingertips.
1. Right hand to right hand. Try to catch right into your passing position.
2. Left hand to left hand.
3. Right hand to weak side catch. Be sure to flip your stick over in order to make the catch. Catch in front of you. Give with the head of your stick and push the bottom hand out. Challenge yourself by seeing how fast you can switch back to your pass position.
4. Repeat number 3, but keep your stick on the weak side and make a weak side pass. Be sure to get to the point where you are throwing the ball hard.
5. Repeat numbers 3 & 4 with your opposite hand.
6. With your dominant hand, work on throwing the ball between your shoulders, almost at your head. Get your stick to the catch and try not to duck from the ball. This will help when a bad pass comes your way.
7. Do right and left handed quick sticks.
8. Right quick stick to a weak side quick stick, back to the right and so on.
Be sure that you are throwing the ball hard against the wall. If you are catching every one, you are not challenging yourself enough. Have your bottom hand out in front of you, not behind or close to your stomach. Vary the routine by changing the order and by standing closer or farther from the wall.
Wall Ball Routine 2:
Start about 8 meters from the wall. This will help the strength of your passing and shooting. Be sure to rotate your shoulders and follow through so that your bottom hand goes back behind your hip. Start with your bottom hand out and be sure to be pulling with it. The ball should bounce once before it gets to you.
1. Right hand to right hand.
2. Left hand to left hand.
3. Right to right, switch on catch, left to left, and so on.
If you do these routines on a regular basis your basic stick skills will improve tremendously and you will be able to perform more advanced skills better as well. Some of the best lacrosse players are made on the wall!