Coaches Resources
Lacrosse The Stick and “Me”
The Basics: If we cant pass and catch we arent playing lacrosse
Lacrosse basics. For those just starting out in the sport this stage of development is simply creating a love of the game in fun ways that lead early discovery around developing a players relationship with the stick. These basic skills must be fundamental at every age but particularly at early ages and even for long time players that grow through a period of puberty and must re-learn how to move their bodies as well as the crosse as an extension. Every drill and practice plans should incorporate these aspects at all levels.
The important part is guided discovery allowing the players to create their own unique flow to the game while focusing on fundamental habits, such as never raking the ball, and early 2 handed play with the crosse. These fundamental skills are easily found in various resources and coaches should focus on error detection and challenging players.
Ground Balls – Scooping
Anytime a player drops the ball or misses a pass, the ball will end up rolling on the ground. The team that gains control of the most ground balls will have a definite scoring advantage.
Points of Emphasis:
- Watch the ball into the stick
- Keep your feet moving (Run to Daylight)
- After gaining possession look to immediately pass
Cradling Techniques
Cradling is the most important of the basic skills. The purpose of a cradle is to keep the ball in the stick while the ball carrier is moving quickly up the field, or maneuvering through the defence.
Pro Tips: Its all about Dexterity and Pinch the thumb and index finger of the top hand onto the stick. Encourage players to develop stickwork tricks to help with successful cradle
Catching and Throwing
The overhand throw is the most elemental throw in lacrosse. It is very similar to throwing a football or baseball. Catching is primarily a hand-eye coordination skill, that compliments a throw. Initially teach this skill with players stationary, it is very important to quickly advance players to catching the ball on the move with both their right and left hands.
Pro Tips: This must be learned active, not passive. teach players to always move or step toward a pass or catch and never simply wait for the ball.
Shooting
Shooting is a controlled throw toward the goal cage in an attempt to score. The technique used to throw a ball and to shoot a ball is very similar. However, the intended results are vastly different.
Pro Tips: Encourage player to lead with their “Head and Eyes”, “Hands”, “Hips” then follow thru. Look for space. See the net not the goal keeper.
Good shooters do two things, the second of which is the shot: Fake to move the goal-keeper. Shoot to the space created by the fake.
Dodging
The primary purpose of a dodge is to get past a defender and to free the hands. This will create the time and space needed to move the ball to a teammate, shoot, or get open by effectively eliminating a defender.
Pro Tips: Every dodge is a change of speed or a change of direction. Square up to the defender collar bone to collar bone prior to initiating and attack the lead foot to force a drop step.
Practice Planning
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Athlete Development
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Defensive Footwork
The basic movements for approaches, breakdowns, slides, and recovery from the center of the defence.
Pro Tips: Always sticks up on and off ball.
V-Holds
The hold is an essential lacrosse skill that all defensemen should know how to execute. It involves three important components that all begin with the goalie communicating to you to drive your attacker away from the goal.
Pro Tips: The critical component is holding your stick at a 45-degree angle while keeping constant pressure on the attacker and using your elbow to generate leverage rather then the stick.
Understand Substitutions
Substitutions on the fly are allowed at U12 (5/6) through High School.
Understanding FaceOffs
Note for 2022 Standing Neutral grip is the only stance allowed at all age levels.
Wall Ball
It only takes 2 weeks to master, reinforcing stick work with both hands
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