How to improve your lacrosse ball catching technique. What are the fundamentals of catching in lacrosse. How to execute advanced catching techniques like one-handed and behind-the-back catches. What drills can enhance your catching skills in lacrosse.
Fundamentals of Catching a Lacrosse Ball
Catching a lacrosse ball is a crucial skill that requires proper technique, body positioning, and hand-eye coordination. By mastering the fundamentals, players can significantly improve their performance on the field.
Hand Positioning
Proper hand positioning is essential for effective catching. Place your dominant hand near the top of the shaft and your non-dominant hand near the end. This grip provides better control over the stick and ball. Keep your hands away from your body to allow for necessary adjustments.
How should you position your hands when catching a lacrosse ball?
- Dominant hand near the top of the shaft
- Non-dominant hand near the end of the shaft
- Hands away from the body
- Maintain a relaxed but firm grip
Body Positioning
Correct body positioning is equally important as hand placement. Point your front shoulder towards the passer to track the ball effectively. As the ball approaches, lean into it to absorb the impact and maintain control. Keep your body relaxed yet ready to move, adjusting your position as needed.
What are the key elements of proper body positioning for catching in lacrosse?
- Front shoulder pointed towards the passer
- Lean into the ball as it approaches
- Maintain a relaxed but ready stance
- Keep eyes on the ball at all times
- Angle the stick head towards the ball
Improving Your Catching Skills
Enhancing your catching abilities requires dedicated practice and mental preparation. By incorporating specific drills and focusing on your mindset, you can significantly improve your performance.
Practice Drills
Regular practice is crucial for developing and refining your catching skills. Two effective drills to incorporate into your training routine are the “wall ball” drill and the “partner catch” drill.
How can you practice catching skills using the wall ball drill?
- Stand 5-10 feet away from a wall
- Throw the ball against the wall
- Catch the rebounding ball with your stick
- Repeat the process to improve hand-eye coordination and reaction time
The partner catch drill involves working with another player to improve accuracy and timing. Stand 10-15 feet apart and practice throwing and catching with each other.
Mental Preparation
Mental preparation plays a significant role in successful catching. Visualization techniques can help build confidence and improve focus. Before games or practice sessions, take time to mentally rehearse successful catches.
How can mental preparation improve your catching skills?
- Visualize successful catches
- Stay relaxed and calm
- Focus on the task at hand
- Practice deep breathing exercises
Advanced Catching Techniques
Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to explore advanced catching techniques. These skills can give you an edge on the field and impress both teammates and opponents.
One-Handed Catches
One-handed catches require excellent hand-eye coordination and a firm grip. To execute this technique, extend your dominant arm to the side with the stick in hand. As the ball approaches, track it carefully and reach out to catch it with your stick.
What are the key steps to performing a one-handed catch in lacrosse?
- Hold the stick in your dominant hand
- Extend your arm to the side
- Track the ball with your eyes
- Reach out to catch the ball with your stick
- Use your thumb to secure the ball against the sidewall
- Bring the ball towards your body
Behind-the-Back Catches
Behind-the-back catches are another impressive technique that can surprise opponents. This move requires good hand-eye coordination and the ability to cradle the ball behind your back comfortably.
How do you execute a behind-the-back catch in lacrosse?
- Turn your body so your back faces the passer
- Reach behind your back with your stick
- Catch the ball with the sidewall of your stick
- Use your wrist to cradle the ball
- Bring the ball around to the front of your body
Common Catching Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced players can make mistakes when catching a lacrosse ball. By identifying and addressing these common errors, you can improve your catching technique and overall performance.
Taking Your Eyes Off the Ball
One of the most frequent mistakes is losing sight of the ball during the catch. This can lead to missed catches or fumbles. Always keep your eyes on the ball from the moment it leaves the passer’s stick until it’s securely in your possession.
Rigid Arms and Hands
Keeping your arms and hands too stiff can make it difficult to absorb the impact of the ball and maintain control. Practice keeping your arms and hands relaxed yet ready to react quickly.
How can you maintain the right balance between relaxation and readiness when catching?
- Keep your arms slightly bent
- Maintain a loose grip on the stick
- Be prepared to “give” slightly as the ball makes contact
- Practice quick wrist movements for better control
Adapting Your Catching Technique to Different Game Situations
Lacrosse is a dynamic sport, and players must be able to adapt their catching techniques to various game situations. By developing versatility in your catching skills, you can become a more valuable asset to your team.
Catching on the Run
During fast-paced play, you’ll often need to catch the ball while moving. This requires a combination of good footwork, timing, and hand-eye coordination.
What are some tips for catching a lacrosse ball while running?
- Maintain a steady pace as you approach the ball
- Keep your eyes focused on the ball
- Adjust your stick position as needed
- Use your non-catching hand to maintain balance
- Be prepared to cradle the ball immediately after catching
Catching in Traffic
When surrounded by opponents, catching becomes more challenging. You’ll need to protect your stick and body while still making the catch.
How can you improve your chances of catching in crowded situations?
- Keep your stick close to your body
- Use your body to shield the ball from defenders
- Be prepared to make quick moves after catching
- Practice peripheral awareness to avoid collisions
Developing Consistency in Your Catching Technique
Consistency is key to becoming a reliable catcher in lacrosse. By developing good habits and maintaining focus, you can improve your catching success rate significantly.
Repetition and Muscle Memory
The more you practice catching, the more natural and instinctive it becomes. Regular repetition helps build muscle memory, allowing you to react quickly and accurately during games.
How can you use repetition to improve your catching consistency?
- Set aside dedicated practice time for catching drills
- Vary the types of catches you practice
- Gradually increase the difficulty of your drills
- Focus on maintaining proper form with each repetition
Mental Focus and Concentration
Maintaining mental focus is crucial for consistent catching. Distractions can lead to missed catches or errors, so it’s important to develop strong concentration skills.
What techniques can help improve mental focus for catching in lacrosse?
- Practice mindfulness exercises
- Use positive self-talk during games and practice
- Develop pre-catch routines to center your focus
- Learn to block out external distractions
- Set specific goals for each practice session
Integrating Catching Skills with Other Lacrosse Techniques
Catching is just one part of the overall lacrosse skill set. To become a well-rounded player, it’s important to integrate your catching abilities with other essential techniques.
Transitioning from Catch to Cradle
After making a catch, you’ll need to smoothly transition into cradling the ball. This helps maintain possession and sets you up for your next move, whether it’s a pass or a shot.
How can you improve the transition from catching to cradling?
- Practice quick wrist movements after catching
- Focus on maintaining a fluid motion
- Keep the ball secure in the pocket of your stick
- Be prepared to dodge or evade defenders immediately after catching
Catching and Shooting in One Motion
Advanced players can catch and shoot in one fluid motion, minimizing the time defenders have to react. This skill requires excellent hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes.
What are the key elements of catching and shooting in one motion?
- Position your body towards the goal as you catch
- Use the momentum of the catch to begin your shooting motion
- Keep your eyes on the target throughout the movement
- Practice quick release techniques
- Develop a smooth, continuous motion from catch to shot
By mastering these advanced techniques and integrating them with your catching skills, you can become a more versatile and effective lacrosse player. Remember that consistent practice and a willingness to learn and adapt are essential for continuous improvement in your catching abilities.
How to Catch a Lacrosse Ball (Hack Your Skills)
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Catching a ball is an essential skill in lacrosse, like cradling or passing. It may seem simple but it requires proper technique, body positioning, and hand-eye coordination. This article will give you some tips and techniques on how to catch a lacrosse ball like a pro.
Here we go.
Table of Contents
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Fundamentals of Catching a Lacrosse Ball
Hand Positioning
Proper hand positioning is crucial when catching a lacrosse ball. Your dominant hand should be placed near the top of the shaft, while your non-dominant hand should be placed near the end of the shaft. This grip will allow you to have better control over the stick and the ball.
When catching the ball, you want to ensure your hands are away from your body. This will give you more room to move and adjust your stick as needed. Keep your hands relaxed but firm, and be ready to adjust your grip as necessary to catch the ball.
Body Positioning
Body positioning is just as important as hand positioning when learning how to catch a lacrosse ball. To properly receive a pass, keeping your front shoulder pointed toward the person passing you the ball is important. This will allow you to track the ball better and be in a better position to catch it.
As the ball travels toward you, move your feet so you lean into it. This will help you absorb the impact of the ball and give you more control over it. Keep your body relaxed but ready to move, and be prepared to adjust your position as necessary to catch the ball.
Remember to keep your eyes on the ball at all times, and angle the head of your stick toward the ball. Aim to have the ball hit the top center of your pocket where the netting is wider. This will give you the best chance of catching the ball and maintaining control of it.
Improving Your Catching Skills
Practice Drills
Practicing catching drills is crucial to improving your catching skills in lacrosse.
One of my favorite drills is the “wall ball” drill. This drill involves standing about 5-10 feet away from a wall and throwing the ball against it, catching it with your stick, and then repeating the process. This drill helps improve hand-eye coordination and reaction time, which are essential for catching a lacrosse ball during a game.
(You may also watch this video to learn more about how to catch a lacrosse ball on a wall)
Another great drill is the “partner catch” drill. This drill involves finding a partner and standing about 10-15 feet away from each other. One person throws the ball to the other, and they catch it with their stick. This drill helps improve accuracy and timing, which are also essential for catching a lacrosse ball.
Mental Preparation
Catching a lacrosse ball also requires mental preparation. One way to mentally prepare is to visualize yourself catching the ball successfully, which is a key component of learning how to catch a lacrosse ball.
This can be done before a game or during practice. Visualizing yourself catching the ball can help build confidence and improve your focus.
Another way to mentally prepare is to stay relaxed and calm. Tensing up or getting anxious can make it harder to catch the ball. Take a deep breath and focus on the task at hand. Remember that catching a lacrosse ball is a skill that takes practice and patience.
Advanced Techniques
If you’ve mastered the basics of catching a lacrosse ball, it’s time to move on to more advanced techniques. These techniques require more skill and practice but can be game-changers on the field.
One-Handed Catches
A one-handed catch is a flashy move that impresses your teammates and opponents. You’ll need excellent hand-eye coordination and a firm grip on your stick to perform a one-handed catch.
When attempting a one-handed catch, keep your stick in your dominant hand and extend your arm out to the side. As the ball approaches, track it with your eyes and reach out to grab it with your stick.
Use your thumb to secure the ball against the sidewall of your stick and bring it in towards your body.
Practice one-handed catches by throwing the ball against a wall and catching it with one hand. Start with your dominant hand and then switch to your non-dominant hand once you feel comfortable.
Behind-the-Back Catches
Behind-the-back catches are another impressive move that can catch your opponents off guard. To perform a behind-the-back catch, you’ll need good hand-eye coordination and comfortably cradle the ball behind your back. Learning how to catch a lacrosse ball using this technique can take time and practice, but it can pay off in a big way on the field.
Start by turning your body so that your back is facing the passer. As the ball approaches, reach behind your back with your stick and catch the ball with the sidewall. Use your wrist to cradle the ball and bring it back around to the front of your body.
Practice behind-the-back catches by throwing the ball against a wall and catching it behind your back.
Start with slow, controlled movements and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable.
Troubleshooting Common Mistakes
Misjudging the Ball’s Trajectory
One common mistake when catching a lacrosse ball is misjudging the ball’s trajectory. This can happen when you don’t keep your eye on the ball or when you don’t position your body correctly to receive the pass.
To avoid this mistake, make sure to keep your eye on the ball from the moment it leaves the passer’s stick. Also, position your body correctly by turning your head and front shoulder to the direction of the person passing the ball and move your feet so you lean into it.
If you still get into trouble misjudging the ball’s trajectory, try adjusting your stance and footwork. Practice catching with a partner and have them vary the speed and direction of the passes to improve your reaction time and ability to judge the ball’s trajectory.
Dropping the Ball
Dropping the ball is another common mistake when learning how to catch a lacrosse ball, but it can be avoided with the right technique.
This can happen when you don’t have a firm grip on the stick, don’t use your non-dominant hand to secure the ball, or don’t have soft hands to absorb the ball’s impact.
To avoid dropping the ball, make sure to have a firm grip on the stick with your dominant hand near the top of the shaft and your non-dominant hand near the end of the shaft. Use your non-dominant hand to secure the ball and absorb the impact with soft hands.
If you still have this mistake, try adjusting your grip and hand positioning. Practice catching with a partner and have them vary the speed and direction of the passes to improve your hand-eye coordination and ability to secure the ball.
Lacrosse Catching Tips
Here are some tips that can help:
- Proper body positioning is key. You want to have your front shoulder directed at the person passing the ball. This allows you to see the ball better and react quickly to catch it.
- Keep your hands and arms away from your body. This gives you more space to catch the ball and reduces the chance of it bouncing off your stick.
- Angle the head of your stick toward the ball. This helps you catch the ball in the sweet spot of your pocket.
- Watch the ball into your stick. Keep your eyes on the ball until it is securely in your stick.
- Practice catching with both hands. Being able to catch with your non-dominant hand can make you a more versatile player.
Remember, catching a lacrosse ball takes practice and patience. Keep working on your skills, and you will see improvement over time.
In conclusion, learning how to catch a lacrosse ball may seem daunting at first, but with the right technique, practice, and patience, anyone can master this essential skill. Remember to keep your eyes on the ball, position your body correctly, and use your hands and arms to secure the catch. With time and effort, you’ll be able to catch lacrosse balls with ease, leading to greater success on the field and a deeper appreciation for the sport. So go out there, grab your stick, and start catching!
Want more skills? Click below:
Lacrosse Cradling | Lacrosse Passing
Lacrosse Stationary Passing
Using a lacrosse stick properly to deliver and receive passes can be easy to learn, but difficult to master.
Like juggling, the basic moves that allow players to catch a ball in mid-flight can be taught in just a few sessions. But the unconscious thought that goes into the motion can take months or years to develop properly, and there are several ways to move an athlete from the beginning stages to an advanced level of play. As athletes gain confidence, control, and coordination, they also gain the ability to send passes with greater speed and accuracy. And as throwing skills improve, catching skills also increase. Players eventually reach a stage in which they can lock onto the trajectory of the ball, tune out distractions on the field, and catch a pass delivered at lightning speed.
By far, the best way to improve passing confidence and accuracy is simple: Practice and repetition. Players who spend at least a few minutes every day throwing and catching passes delivered by a friend or partner will see rapid improvements in their catching rates and passing accuracy. Coaches should encourage players to pass and catch on their own and at the beginning and end of each practice session.
The more hours of practice an athlete can find during the season, the faster their skills will increase.
But as players partner or team up, they can divide their passing sessions into two basic categories: dynamic and stationary passing drills. Dynamic passing exercises can happen while players are in active motion across the field, which can include sprinting, moving around the goal area, or working against the pressure of a defender. Stationary passing exercises can take place with a small group standing in a circle or a row of partners positioned on either side of a line across the field.
Lacrosse Stationary Passing Drill
The exercise demonstrated in this video is a classic, simple routine called the lacrosse stationary passing drill. This drill requires almost no preparation and no equipment beyond a standard set of lacrosse gear for each participant.
Players can execute this drill before beginning an intense training session, or they can work this simple exercise into the end of session as part of a warm up or cool down process.
To complete the drill, players can divide into two groups and the two groups can line up facing each other across a line down the center of the field. Each participant will stand facing a partner about five to ten yards away. Players can work with the same partner throughout the entire drill, or teams can shift partners by having the players on one side of the line move to the left or right occasionally throughout the session.
Each partner pair will be handed a ball and will begin sending the ball back and forth across the line using a simple, low speed overhand passing motion. As they pass the ball back and forth across the line, players can observe and offer each other pointers on technique. To shift the nature and purpose of the drill, advanced players can partner with beginners, or beginner and advanced players can pair with each other in order to create an appropriate level of challenge and/or experienced guidance.
Coaches can move down the line to make sure players are paying close attention to skill, technique and teamwork.
Lacrosse Stationary Passing Drill: Correct Passing Technique
At all times during the stationary passing drill, players should be conscious of their stick handling skills. The stick should be held in a light but controlled grip, and the weight of the stick should be in the upper part of the hand, near the pads of the palm instead of close to the wrist. The arms should be held slightly away from the body with relaxed shoulder and a light, agile bend in the elbows.
The stick should be held in a way that allows quick movement and direction changes and a high level of responsiveness. Athletes should be careful not to clutch the stick tightly or become tense in the arms, shoulders and wrists.
The delivery of the pass should happen at a relaxed pace at first, until players feel the rhythm of the drill. Passes can be high or low and they can be sent to the left or right.
The speed of the pass can pick up as the drill moves forward. If a pass is missed or a ball is dropped, players should move quickly to retrieve it and should use the opportunity to practice their loose ball recovery skills.
As players work on catching and receiving passes, they should focus on maintaining soft hands and a relaxed stick position that allows them to cradle the ball and return the pass with a high level of rhythm and control.
Players can exchange passes for just a few minutes before and after other exercises, or they can engage in a steady exchange for ten to fifteen minutes at a time. This drill can be incorporated into any daily practice session and should be a regular part of a seasonal training program.
Lacrosse Stationary Passing Drill: Following Up with Dynamic Passing Drills
After this basic drill, players and teams can move on to a few drills that engage slightly more complex passing and receiving actions, like the rhythm passing drill, the zig-zag drill, and any of a series of offensive and defensive passing drills available for both beginners and advanced players./cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63318302/e1R5A3155.0.jpg)
For a long list of video demonstrations of passing and receiving drills, players and coaches can visit the lacrosse training section of KbandsTraining.com. The site offers detailed video tutorials for a wide range of sports narrated by trainers and experts. Explore the available resources for baseball, basketball, track and field, football, soccer and several others. In the meantime, visit the site or reach out to the Kbands Trainers directly for questions and purchasing information regarding the Kbands resistance bands, the KB Powerbands, and other training aids like speed and agility cones and agility ladders.
Shesterkin about lacrosse goals: “This is disrespect for the goalkeeper. I would send off for trying to score like that” – Hockey
Igor Shesterkin considers lacrosse goals to be disrespectful to the goalkeeper.
“Sidney Crosby tried to score like that once. He did lacrosse with an uncomfortable hand. In general, I saw the beginning of this movement, but I don’t know if I would have managed to catch if the puck had [not] come off the hook or not.
But in general my opinion is that I would change the rules and send off for attempting lacrosse. This is disrespectful to the goalkeeper and his business,” said Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin.
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