New to Lacrosse

[zim]

I've been playing for about 3 weeks now and i've been practicing with my team for 2. i'm 16. Out of all the new kids i seem to be developing the most and i can catch every ball thrown my way and complete every pass [most of the time with my offhand]. I only have one little problem, confidence and intimidation.

When i scoop up a ground ball and i'm running down the field and see a big dpole right in front of me i tend to overthink things a bit and usually just try to pass it off. Now i know with my skills at the moment i could be able to dodge about half of the times but i don't know. What can i do to help me gain confidence?

Also, i noticed the varsity guys seems to cradle with their hands in shooting position almost always. Should i get in the habit of doing this when i'm wall balling it? And switching hands...i seem to always have to spin my stick when i do it. Bad habit?

Sorry for all the questions =/

[skip0l]

questions and trial + error are the best ways to learn, so your questions help a lot of people on here, including myself. i think playing small 1 on 1 to 3 on 3 pickups with your buddies will help your intimidation factor a lot. i dont see the point in cradleing when in the shooting position, but i've always seen everyone do it so i do it too now.

[marflax33]

And switching hands...i seem to always have to spin my stick when i do it. Bad habit? =/

I do that to, and i dont really know. I think it helps keeps the ball in the pocket when you switch hands...

[zim]

"i dont see the point in cradleing when in the shooting position, but i've always seen everyone do it so i do it too now."

Maybe they do it so when they throw some fakes their hands are in the same position, thus making the fake seem more authentic. ::shrugs::

[marflax33]

"i dont see the point in cradleing when in the shooting position, but i've always seen everyone do it so i do it too now."

Maybe they do it so when they throw some fakes their hands are in the same position, thus making the fake seem more authentic. ::shrugs::

they do it so they dont have to move there hands down to throw, they usually do it when bringing the ball up the feild, and having your hands in position gives you a second advantage to get a clear pass or shot on the defender.

[bouncer]

when you pull the stick back for a pass or shot why do some people rock their left hand, so it's kind of like cradeling?

[robi]

when you pull the stick back for a pass or shot why do some people rock their left hand, so it's kind of like cradeling?

You mean winding up for a shot? When I wind up on a time and room shot, I cradle the stick behind my head and than shoot.

[_SLY_]

for me and the way my stick is strung, cradling right before a shot with my hands back throws the ball into my shooting strings, therefore making the shot a quick release

[GriffsDad]

I've been playing for about 3 weeks now and i've been practicing with my team for 2. i'm 16. Out of all the new kids i seem to be developing the most and i can catch every ball thrown my way and complete every pass [most of the time with my offhand]. I only have one little problem, confidence and intimidation.

When i scoop up a ground ball and i'm running down the field and see a big dpole right in front of me i tend to overthink things a bit and usually just try to pass it off. Now i know with my skills at the moment i could be able to dodge about half of the times but i don't know. What can i do to help me gain confidence?

Also, i noticed the varsity guys seems to cradle with their hands in shooting position almost always. Should i get in the habit of doing this when i'm wall balling it? And switching hands...i seem to always have to spin my stick when i do it. Bad habit?

Sorry for all the questions =/
Middie I take it?

Always drill both hands. Against the wall, throw right, catch left, then, throw left, catch right.

The only way to build confidence is to try new things over and over. First, when you are coming up on a defenseman, ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I have help to my left or right?
2. Is this guy quick or so slow I could run around him in a second?
3. Do we have a fast break or do they have everybody back?

These are aspects of field sense or game awareness. You gain this knowledge by playing or watching games on tape. But, remember, if you are one on one with a defender and he has no backup, try running around him to your strong shooting side, if he runs with you, pull out and look for an open player, if he swings his stick and then you are home free- fire a shot!!

If you are aware of where your teammates are and where the oppositions players are, you will make much better decisions and gain more confidence.