Lacrosse is a fast-paced sport that uses a stick called a crosse and requires mastery of three basic skills. "U.S. Lacrosse" describes the sport of lacrosse as one that combines elements of basketball, soccer and hockey. Originally, lacrosse had connections to Native American religion and helped prepare for war. In 1636, the sport began its evolution into the game that according to "U.S. Lacrosse" is the fastest growing team sport in the U.S. with approximately 300,000 youth players, 228,000 high school players and more than 557 NCAA college teams as of 2009.
Throw
Throwing, also called the lacrosse pass, is an important skill best learned by doing, according to "Simply Lacrosse." To master the pass, you must learn to control the stick equally well using both your right and left hand. Leverage, which you get by holding the stick correctly, and velocity, which you gain by passing correctly are key skills to develop. A good way to develop throwing skills is to play a game called "wall ball, in which you practice throwing the ball against a cement wall. "Simply Lacrosse" recommends practicing throwing skills 20 to 30 minutes a day, at least three times a week.
To hold the stick correctly, place your throwing hand in the middle of the shaft and your other hand at the top, or fulcrum, of the shaft. Take a step forward with the foot opposite your throwing hand. To throw, use your throwing hand to wind back so the stick is about level with your ear, then snap your wrist forward and slide your throwing hand down the shaft of the stick in the angle and direction you are throwing. A good pass is sharp, quick and has enough velocity to prevent a defender from intercepting the ball.
Catch
Catching involves two actions that include the catch and the cradle, both of which require concentration and focus to complete successfully. According to "Weymouth Youth Lacrosse," a youth lacrosse league located in Weymouth, MA, good catching involves three key principals.
Hold the stick in front of you, rather than off to one side. Position yourself to give the person passing the ball a clear shot and third, when the ball comes to you, do not swipe or punch at it, but flex your elbows so you can cradle the ball into the net.
Cradling is how you keep the ball in the net once you catch it. To accomplish this, after flexing your elbows to catch the ball, curl your wrist and focus on creating an arc or half circle. According to "Weymouth Youth Lacrosse," the arc you create is the force that keeps the ball in the net.
Scoop
Scooping picks the ball up from the ground, usually as you and several other players are fighting to gain possession. As "Simply Lacrosse" notes, the first step in scooping involves bending your knees and placing the head of your stick on the ground and handle almost parallel with the ground. Then, tip the ball with a quick scoop and quickly angle upward to cradle the ball into the deep part of your stick's net. A good scoop, according to "Simply Lacrosse," occurs in one fluid motion, which requires practice to develop.
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