Lacrosse Stick Handling Drills

Improve the fundamentals of your game with these lacrosse stick handling drills. Known as "cradling," lacrosse players generally rotate their stick from side to side using their wrists to maintain possession of the ball. While this may be easy to perform standing, it can be difficult to cradle when in a game running at full speed. These lacrosse stick handling skills will make sure that when you've got the ball in your stick, it stays there.

1. Against the Wall. Stand straight with your back facing a wall. Cradle the ball, making sure each side of your net touches the wall. This lacrosse stick handling drill will improve your cradling while ensuring you are using proper technique (keeping your lacrosse stick vertical).
2. Relays. Set up a series of five to ten cones and divide the lacrosse players into two teams. The first person on each team weaves in and out of the cones, cradling the ball the entire time. When the person weaves through all of the cones and makes his way back to the starting line, he passes the ball off to the next person. While players will want to run as fast as they can during this stick handling drill, they will also have to cradle carefully so that they do not lose possession of the ball.
3. One Handed Cradling. As the name suggests, for this lacrosse stick handling drill, you will want to practice cradling with only one hand. Start out with your dominant hand and eventually incorporate your off hand as well. Not only does this drill improve your stick handling, it will improve your arm strength and coordination as well.
4. Passing and Shooting. As your lacrosse stick handling skills progress, you'll want to make sure you pass and shoot without losing possession of the ball. Set up a drill where you or your players cradle the ball for ten to fifteen feet, then either pass to a teammate or take a shot on goal.