defense stick skills

[ConanLax]

Alright so I'm a Sophomore, just started freshman year, so this will be my second season of lacrosse. I'm hoping to make Varsity this year, as i played JV last year, and I was wondering how vital is it for me to have a left hand with a long stick? I play crease defender, but I'm also quick enough to play LSM. I'm assuming crease wont need as much left as LSM? Also when i try to work my left, which is terrible, should I start with a short stick first, then work to left with a long pole?

What are some tips or routines I can use to gain lefty skills with a long pole

[Lax4Midi]

i dont play defense, im a midi.. But yeah i think it would help to be able to use your left hand, in case u ever needed to get a through off and you couldnt throw right ( someone right in ur faace on right side). Plus it just increases your skills as a player

[isk8apopwar]

my buddy plays long pole, just make sure you work on your left hand, it's not absolutely vital, but if you look at any videos of college defensive players, they all have left and right hand really well. Just hit the wall, and don't get discouraged by missing a catch, you'll get better.

[VTLaxFan]

one of d-poles had metaphorically no left arm last year, but he was very talented at getting back to his right by rolling, he also cradled hard and high, which makes it much harder for the other team to strip the ball. He wasn't even the fastest d-pole, but he was one of, if not the best clearing youth pole in the state. He was even better than this beast of a kid from VA.

[zack Attack 12]

i would say work with the left hand with the pole...you will be able to accomplish a shorty pretty easily after working with just a long pole...it will make you learn faster and correct to your position...besides it is also important to use your left when playing defense on a guy especially in certain positions...

[dalaxmandef3]

I play crease and LSM and when I'm playing I have something in my mind that says... RUN and so I do and I always end up on the left sideline with the pole in one hand so I work on my left hand almost twice as much as my right and my right arm is still stronger. So my advice to you is always work your offhand.

[Lax4life528]

Just hit the wall every day and throw 80 lefty. At first it will take a while because u are always chasing the ball, but soon it will get better and better and u'll be able to throw both ways. Some people have problems with the wall because they cannot throw even close. If thats the case I would practice shooting against a net. It really gets the form down.

[MaKiMaKi13]

work your left without it , it pretty much makes you one dimensional and once your attackman figures that out he will exploit it

it works both ways if your attackman has no left then you can force him to it everytime

hit the wall carry your stick with you at all times, practice over the shoulders etc.

[ConanLax]

alright sounds good. Thanks everyone.

[AusD]

if you want to build really quick checks..i mean like hard strong forceful mothers
go down to the local hardware shop, find yourself an axe that ways alot more than your stick..
stand outside and swing that thing like your stick
do 10-20 left and right hand throwing actions
10-20 left and right hand big swinging checks
10-20 slap checks only using wrists
after this go and pick up your pole and feel the difference baby!

[spike191]

For stick skills: its a must you have to be able to scoop GB's lefty, catch and throw, and dodge/run with ball, sufficently

For Defense: You don't need to go left at all when playing defense on a player.

[-HSKR-]

To start off improving you may want to just throw a tennis ball or something left handed without a stick, just to get used the motion and mechanics of throwing anything with your off hand. Then go to your stick and perfect everything. That's what I've done I and noticed it helped me.

[Enjoi LAX]

It's not crucial but it is always good to beable to go to your left. When our defenseman has the ball on a clear and gets pressured most just roll to their strong side and pass right. Learn to cradle leftly that will help alot and is easier to learn and master. But when your passing with a friend why not practice your lefty then. Stick to righty in practice and in games until you are 110% confident in your left. Us middies hate to have to haul butt back into our own end because our defense drops the ball.

[BurnSomeRope]

Being able to use both hands is an excellent defender skill. I'm nearly fluent with both hands (primarily lefty) and it really helps being able to cover both sides of the person your defending.

[cheesehead]

does it help at all if you play lax (and golf and hockey) righty but write and do everything else lefty?

[D1Dpole]

When you get on varsity and other teams watch film of you, if they see that you ONLY have a right, they can work your weakness which could lead to turn overs and such. Its better to be a well rounded pole than just a righty power cradler. Hit the wall 50 lefts and 50 rights every day and your left should be alot more comfortable in a week or two.