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.:Lacrosse Quick Tips - Article 2:.

Tip # 1: Preseason Preperation

• Stick work - You should have your stick in your hands at least 3-4 times a week during the off season. Spend about a half hour playing wall ball or catch with a friend. Dedicate 15 minutes to each hand! Also, if you have access to a goal spend a fair amount of time doing some shooting.
  
• Speed and Endurance training- You should ask your coach or fitness trainer at school for a combination speed and endurance workout. You should also do this 3-4 times a week. You should spend time running long distance (approx. 3 miles is good) and different length sprints (100, 60, and 40 yards are good).
  
• Watch lacrosse- Get your hands on a an NCAA game or a World Championship game tape and watch as much as you can. Don't just watch to be entertained, watch to learn. Focus on a certain player, watch his moves and than see if you can emulate those moves in your practice sessions .
  
• Playing other sports during the offseason will also make you a better lacrosse player.

Tip # 2: Shooting In Close

• For extra control, keep your hands 12 inches apart, but slide them up about 10 inches from your butt end. Shoot high to low and off the goalies hip.
  
• Accuracy of shot is more important than speed in close.
  
• Use more wrist action in close.
• Make fakes with your shoulders rather than your stick!

Tip # 3: The Stick and Pocket

• Figure out what a type of pocket will best suit your style of play.
  • Mesh vs. traditional?
  • How deep of a pocket?
  • Where do I want the ball to sit while carrying the ball?
  • Do I want a quick release?
  • How many throw strings do I need?
  
  
  You can get answers to those questions by experimenting with your own stick or asking your teammates that may play with different pockets to try theirs.
  
  
• Have a backup stick that plays exactly like the one you are currently playing with.
  
  
• Take care of it! After you are through with a game or practice don't toss your stick in the garage or closet. If you play in the rain and mud, stuff some newspaper in the pocket so that when it dries it will keep its shape.
  
  
• Know what makes a stick illegal.

Tip # 4: Shooting Accuracy

• Play games to shoot more accurately. A great way to challenge yourself, put the pressure on and add some fun to your practice sessions is to play some games while your out shooting. A couple you can use: tie some aluminum cans to the corners and take a ten shots each from all kinds of distances and angles. If you have a goalie have a best of twenty competitions. Five bouncers, five on the run, five high and hard, and five mix. Those are just a few ideas, be creative, it will make you a better shooter.

Tip # 6: Tips for Defense

• Good body position is essential for one on one play and team defense.
• When playing one on one, break down in an athletic stance keeping your hips between your man and the goal. Shuffle your feet when moving. Do not cross your feet!
• Know your opponents strengths and take them away. Force the weak hand.
• When you slide, do it under control. Slide body on body.
• Communication is the key to good defense. Who has the ball, who has the slide, etc.
• Take pride in the little things. Get after the ground balls! Start the offense!
• Attitude, you will not get beat!

Tip # 6: Ground Balls

• Use the proper technique. Keep your body low to the ground and in between the ball and your opponent, keep your hand nearest the butt end of your stick down, explode through the ball, and immediately cradle and tuck your stick. Look to pass right away or run away from pressure.
• Go for loose balls passionately and with attitude. The player who wants a ball more gets it. Ground balls win games and will keep you on the field if you're good at it.

Tip # 7: Stick Protection

• Cradle the stick vertically keeping your elbow locked in on your stick carrying arm while cradling mostly with your wrist. Try to keep the head of your stick near your ear or just below. Your elbow should stay within 4 inches of your ribs. Don't swing your arm!
• Your free arm should be kept in a comfortable protective position.
• Try not to run on the same line or plane. Run in and out.
• Keep your head up!!!!!!
• Your goal should be to keep your body between the defender and your stick.

Tip # 8: Riding

Riding Tips:

• Be in shape
• Know how to break down and play "defense"
• Use the sideline to your advantage (force the clearing player in that direction)
• Don't go for the clearing players stick head (check his hands)
• Be relentless!!!

If you focus on these tips you will probably increase your playing time and you'll be surprised how many easy goals your team will score.

Tip # 9: Shooting from Outside

• Take alot of bounce shots. They go in more frequently.
• Try to be deceptive. Try to hide your stick behind your body until the last second.
• Finally and most difficult shoot with the proper technique. Hands and elbows high and away from your body, hands 12 inches apart close to the bottom of your handle, turn your shoulders and hips and uncork like a golfer.

Tip # 10: Off Ball Play

To get these scoring opportunities however, you must know how to move without the ball.

• After throwing a pass, immediatly cut to the goal for a return pass (give and go). Most defenseman relax after you give up the ball...make em pay.
• If the defenseman covering you goes to double or help a teamate, follow behind him and get in a passing lane.
• Always cut to the ball as hard and fast as you do when you dodge. You'll be surprised how open you get just by cutting 100%.
• Watch top level lacrosse and see how the mids and attackmen cut. Also watch and play basketball.

Have any questions or comments regarding this article? Want so submit some tips? Email the author.