List of Lacrosse Skills
Lacrosse is a sport that mixes a lot of other traditional sports all into one. It has gained popularity quickly over the past decade. In order to be good at lacrosse, you might want to play a couple of other sports so that you can learn all of the skills and easily use them on the lacrosse field.
Lacrosse Skills List
Below are the most important skills for being a good lacrosse player:
Running
It is extremely important for lacrosse players to be good runners, as they must move quickly to score or prevent a goal. The best lacrosse players have enough endurance to run for an extended period of time while also being able to generate quick bursts of speed to get away from opposing players.
Cradling
This is the most basic skill that beginners learn in the game of lacrosse. Cradling will help you throughout the game, as it helps you keep possession of the ball. There are two types of cradles: the full cradle and the half cradle. The full cradle is performed at the face level, while the half cradle is utilized near the midsection. The half cradle is used for more athletic maneuvers, such as dodging and sprinting down the field.
Ground Balls
Securing ground balls is very important to the game as it can help your team get possession of the ball. Scooping ground balls is mostly necessary when the ball hits the ground, and someone needs to regain possession. Scooping is also used in faceoffs when one player from each team kneels at midfield and fights for the ball.
Throwing
Using your stick to throw the ball is often used in passing situations. It is important to practice your accuracy and power when performing throws so that you can throw either long or short to your teammates. Passing is essential to the game of lacrosse because it can create scoring chances and move the ball quickly.
Catching
Catching is also important in the passing game, as you want to be able to keep possession when a teammate passes you the ball. Guide the ball into your stick by calculating the correct angle, and then you can begin to cradle and look for the next pass or shot. Catching is also the main responsibility of the goalie in lacrosse, so someone with good hand-eye coordination would be a good candidate to play goalie.
Shooting
This skill is different from throwing because shots are aimed at a goal, while passing is aimed at a teammate. Also, power is often increased on shots, making the form much different than a pass. Types of shots include the normal wind-up, one-timer, behind-the-back, and bouncing shot.
Checking
A check is a defensive tactic that occurs when two members of either team collide. Checking is good to use when your team needs to get possession of the ball. The goal of the defender is to create the check and dislodge the ball from the opponent, allowing the defender or his teammates to scoop and cradle the ball. Types of checks in lacrosse include the poke check, lift check, wrap check, and body check.
Dodging
Dodging is as simple as avoiding defenders who are trying to steal the ball. It is a skill used a lot by offensive players in order to create opportunities to shoot. Types of dodges include the face dodge, roll dodge, split dodge, bull dodge, and swim dodge.
FAQ
What are the most important skills in lacrosse?
The most important skills in lacrosse are catching, throwing, and shooting. All three of these skills can be practiced in situational team drills or individually. Since catching, throwing, and shooting are the three ways that goal-scoring chances are created, they are extremely important to practice.
What are the most important attributes of a good lacrosse player?
The most important attributes of a good lacrosse player are strength, speed, and hand-eye coordination. Lacrosse is a very physical sport, so physical strength is important for any player on the field. Speed is also key in getting past opponent players fast enough to score. Finally, hand-eye coordination is necessary for handling lacrosse sticks and the ball at the same time.