by
posted 11/29/2012 How to Be a Great Player
(Every player is told this, only the great players follow through!)
STICK WORK
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Pick up your stick 4-5 times a week. Seems like a lot but the great players don’t put down their stick. Spend at least 15 minutes on the wall 3 times a week. Have a catch with a friend the other day.
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Catching & Throwing- When you are having a catch or throwing against the wall, throw the ball hard and to different spots. Being forced to catch a ball moving fast will help you develop quicker hands and better hand-eye coordination. When you are forced to catch the ball in different spots instead of by your head, you will again develop quicker hands and be able to handle bad passes in a game.
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In addition to playing Wall Ball, use only 1 hand and arm. Take this step further and practice shooting with only 1 hand into the net. This will strengthen your wrists when it comes to passing and shooting. This is advanced!
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Shooting- Learn to have a quick release on your shot. The quicker you can get your shot off the less likely it will be that the goalie is ready. Don’t let them get set for your shot. Have someone feed you, try to be set when the ball in coming. If it is a bad pass, adjust your body to get the ball on your stick side. Catch the ball by your earhole or just past so you can cradle quickly and shoot.
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Quick Stick- Learn how to quick-stick the ball. This is when you catch the ball and quickly pass or shoot it without cradling. Similar to a one-timer in hockey. Do this against the wall or with a friend. You will be a better finisher inside if you can quick-stick and you can move the ball quicker in tight situations.
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Stick Tricks- This is the fun stuff! Learn how to do stick trick and practice them. Stick tricks help you develop hand-eye coordination and soft hands.
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Put more hours in outside of games than you do in games. You do not get more skilled by playing games, games are a way to show how hard you have worked in practice and on your own.
INCREASE YOUR LACROSSE IQ
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Watch Lacrosse- Watch college lacrosse at much as possible. Don’t just watch the ball, see what is happening off-ball. How do guys play the crease, how do they get into passing lanes, how do they slide, when do the cut? Learn different moves and shots and then practice them.
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Learn to be an off-ball player. Again, you can watch the off-ball play of college players and learn by what they do. You must learn to be threat without the ball….cut, pick and occupy your man.
Every day that goes by without a stick in your hands, you allowed someone else to get better!
