bmasters13
04-30-2007, 06:30 PM
Hi, I'm on a team with a coach who's absolutely worthless when it comes to teaching anything. I've had to improve my stick skills at home after practice, which has actually worked. However, i can't think of anything i can do to actually increase my defensive skill by myself (since i live absolutely nowhere near anyone who plays lacrosse). Any suggestions or am i just stuck at my ability level right now till summer camps start?
3rdPersonPlural
04-30-2007, 07:39 PM
First, this thread belongs in the training and tactics section.
Nevertheless....
My ideal defenseman can run sideways as fast as most kids run forward, and is as quick as a housefly that's been lurking in the No-Doze jar. To get there you need to run hills and stadiums facing all 4 points of the compass, and run DOWN as well as up.
Run with your stick and a ball. And gloves (never even play catch if you can help it without your gloves on.). When you think you're all there, strap on some ankle weights and try it all again. Fill your shaft with sand and try it again.
A supremely well controlled stick allows you to poke and slap with more vigor than a less controlled pole can get away with. You should be able to tape a piece of chalk to the end of your scoop and write your name on a blackboard with your arm at full extension, holding your butt end. Both hands. If you don't have a blackboard at home, use a Sharpie on your livingroom wall. Tell your Mom I said it was OK.
Get one of those grip strengtheners (a smushy ball or a springy thing) and fiddle with it all day every day.
Ground balls are the lifeblood of defenders. Go out to your backyard and practice accelerating THROUGH the ball with a power cradle. Take a morning jog with your weighted stick and a ball and keep flicking that ball out there until you've picked up 100 in a row like that and your arms hurt like crazy.
Then play some wall ball.