Lacrosse Cross Passing
In the game of lacrosse, passing, shooting, and defensive work all begin with the same basic set of skills, and since the use of a lacrosse stick to throw and catch doesn’t always come naturally to beginning players, there are plenty of drills here on KbandsTraining.com that can help develop control and coordination during this process.
To effectively send and receive the ball, lacrosse players need to start with accurate stick handling and cradling technique. At all times, the stick should be held lightly in the higher part of the palm, not the lower part near the wrist. The pads of the fingers and the ball of the hand should be engaged in the grip, and the hold should be light, agile and flexible. Most of the time, catching and receiving motions gain accuracy and force when the hands are held at a wider distance on the stick. The aspects of an effective grip will be discussed in greater detail below.
Accurate technique during cradling and throwing maneuvers will only bring players halfway to success—the rest of the distance will need to be covered by practice. Hours of focused practice, both on and off the field, will help younger players gain a natural feel for the process. The same commitment to practice will help more advanced players improve their skills and gain the competitive edge they need to connect with teammates, execute passing and scoring strategies, and control the field.
With both practice and technique development in mind, players and coaches can observe the video below and work this drill—the lacrosse cross passing drill—into a regular seasonal training program. This drill requires only standard equipment and will engage the entire team in a coordinated series of throws and catches that will elevate all aspects of passing skill.
The Lacrosse Cross Passing Drill: Setting Up and Executing the Drill
As mentioned above, this drill will require very little equipment—Just a line down the center of the field and a standard set of set of lacrosse gear for each player. Half of the team will begin the drill at one end of the line on the right side, and the other half will begin on the left at the opposite end of the line.
As the drill begins, one player at a time from each side will begin a low intensity run down the left or right of the line. As the players approach each other, the ball will be passed from the player on the left to the player on the right. The player on the right will then encounter the next runner on the left side and will pass the ball to that team mate. The receiver of the ball will keep running until he encounters the next player on the right, and so on.
The ball will stay in the center of the field, passed back and forth across the line. The players will run past the passing zone one by one, catching the ball and then passing it to the next player in the line up.
This drill looks simple, but it may take a few rounds to develop the rhythm and team work that are necessary to keep the line in motion. As team skills advance and passes become more accurate, the runners on each side of the line can pick up speed.
The Lacrosse Cross Passing Drill: Proper Technique During the Drill
As each player runs down the line toward the passing and receiving zone, the stick should be held up and at the ready, and as discussed earlier, hand position on the stick should be correct. The hands should be about 12 to 13 inches apart, and the grip should be light, agile, and high in the palm instead of low and tight. This will improve control of the side to side motion of the net and also the leverage motion of the stick. Control and follow through are both important during this drill and during any related game situation, and correct hand position can support both of these elements.
As players complete this drill, the dominant hand will feel more natural at the head of the stick, and that’s fine. Gaining control over throws and passes with the dominant hand is important, since this will be the orientation most players use during a game. But a drill like this one can help players – and teams overall—eliminate weaknesses on the field. So to gain the maximum benefits of the session, coaches should encourage players to shift hands, using both the right and left side of the body and both the dominant and secondary hand equally.
The Lacrosse Cross Passing Drill: Final Notes
Working this drill into the beginning or end of a regular training session a few times a week can generate a dramatic improvement in ball handling skill, including passing and catching. But this exercise can also have a powerful, positive impact on teamwork and rhythm. This will show on the field as teammates begin to read each other’s telegraphed intentions during fast paced scoring combinations and defensive and offensive maneuvers on the field.
Once the basics of passing and catching are under control, players and coaches can move on to the next level and start working more complex shooting and scoring drills into regular training sessions. To reach the next stage, players can visit KbandsTraining.com and explore the lacrosse training section of the site. This section offers a growing library of video demonstrations and drills like this one, targeting both advanced and beginning lacrosse players in all age categories.
The site also offers video drills and technique tutorials for a wide range of other sports, including basketball, baseball, cheer, soccer, and track and field. To improve your game and get the most out of every minute of your time on the practice field, explore the site and feel free to reach out to the Kbands trainers directly with your questions.