Skills Needed to Play College Lacrosse

Use of Both Hands

• Mastering the use of both hands makes the player harder to defend. Learning to catch, throw and shoot ambidextrously makes it easier for a player to get to the ball and move it more effectively. It is especially helpful when shooting at the goal because it will be harder to determine where the ball is coming from.

Movement

• The less time a player spends holding the ball, the more effective he will be. Moving the ball quickly means the more time players spend transitioning from end to end, resulting in scoring more goals. It is also important for a player to keep moving when he does not have the ball because this enables him to get in better position when the opponent is not watching.

Defense

• Defensive players need to develop strong stick-handling skills because the larger stick used by defenders is less maneuverable, especially when caught in a pack of players. Goalies need to have the best stick-handling skills because they are the last line of defense. Playing defense on the tips of the toes makes the player more mobile, making him quicker to attack and counter an opponent's moves.

Shooting

• Shooting the ball quickly is the most effective way to score. This makes it more difficult for the goalie to achieve proper position because he is less aware of when the ball is approaching. Looking at a spot beyond the goalie is also recommended because it can deceive the goalie by making him think the ball is coming to a different spot than is actually intended.

Stick Placement

• Proper stick placement permits the player to increase effectiveness both offensively and defensively. Ideally, the stick should be held parallel to the ground instead of perpendicular, because this increases reaction time to the ball. Frequent practice will make the stick feel as if it is an extension of a player's hand, which will improve catching and shooting.