1. HOW DO I IMPROVE MY GAME, HAVE FUN AND BECOME A GREAT PLAYER?

2. DURING THE OFF-SEASON HIT THE WALL ATTEND CAMPS PLAY WITH FRIENDS
PLAY IN SUMMER, FALL & WINTER LEAGUES

3. HIT THE WALL
You will get more out of this than any other thing you will do
Practice on the wall with a purpose and focus
Fire up the i-pod and crank tunes

4. ALWAYS PICK A SPOT/TARGET ON THE WALL
WALL BALL
ALWAYS PICK A SPOT/TARGET ON THE WALL
OVERHAND THROW CATCH RT – THROW LFT
10 YARDS 8 YARDS
50 EACH HAND 25 TOTAL
Note: step forward Note: stick protection
ONE HAND THROW CATCH LFT – THROW RT
7 YARDS 8 YARDS
25 EACH HAND 25 TOTAL
QUICKSTICK CATCH – ROLL – CHANGE CHALLENGE YOURSELF
3 YARDS 8 YARDS HOW MANY CAN I GET IN
50 EACH HAND 30 TOTAL A ROW??
Note: from the ear Note: simulate a roll dodge

5. HELPFUL HINTS ON TECHNIQUE
Throwing:
Hand position—top hand halfway up the stick, bottom hand on butt end
Cradle the stick back using shoulders and hands, NOT JUST THE HANDS
Turn so that shoulders are parallel to the target line and perpendicular to target
Raise your hands, front elbow and butt end of stick up to chest height (NOT HIGHER) butt end pointed at target
Begin throwing motion by stepping toward your target with opposite foot and moving the bottom hand forward
Head of the stick starts up, NOT toward the target
Push-pull, that is the top hand pushes up, the bottom hand pulls down
Gently snap the wrists at the release point (through the push with top hand)
Follow through so the head of your stick is pointed at your target
Catching
Hand position—beginners should have top hand on throat, advanced players can slide it down. Bottom hand always on butt end.
Give a target with the top hand ahead of the bottom hand and the head of the stick out in front of your face
Keep your hands, arms, and shoulders relaxed
Look the ball in to your stick and “give” with the top hand and arm when the ball hits the pocket
Have top hand in front of bottom hand so they have room to “give” back into the box and be ready to throw.
Videos:
Core Skillz: Throwing
(note—this may be a women’s lacrosse video, but it is a fantastic explanation of how to throw in lacrosse)
“How to Throw and Catch”

6. INDIVIDUAL GROUNDBALLS
Key Points:
Top hand on or toward throat, bottom hand on butt end
Get low without losing your balance (bottom hand getting low is the key). Don’t get so low that you can’t run FAST through the ball
Back arm straight but relaxed
Front foot pointed “north” to the side of the ball
Maintain speed through the ball, don’t break your stride
Drive the head of the stick through the ball as you scoop it up, aiming slightly behind the ball
Bring the stick to your face and then to the box area (“3rd ear” position)
Run away from pressure while looking up to pass
Little kids think about “see it, smell it, hear it”
If working with other kids – “Man! Ball! Release!”
Drills for GBs:
3 cones scoop and stop (cones 5 yds apart). Work on technique!!
Individual gb, then flip behind you and repeat (start with 30 second intervals)
Videos:
Paul Rabil “Ain’t Nothin’ Gonna Break my Stride”
“How To Play Lacrosse: Scooping a Ground ball”
“Picking up Ground balls with Coach Kevin Finneran”

7. ATTEND CAMPS There are a number of good choices in our local area
(7/8-7/11)
Offered to age 8 and up
(7/16-7/18 & 7/30-8/01)
Offered to 3rd grade thru middle school
(7/8-7/12 & 7/15-7/19)
Offered to age 5 and up
Note: we realize these are expensive and are only providing for informational purposes. Each family needs to make their own decision.

8. PLAY WITH FRIENDS Just use your sticks when you are not in season
Challenge each other with tricks, off hand throws and catches…make it fun.
Shoot on goals
Goals are available throughout the summer and deep in to the fall at Fair Haven Fields, Meadowridge and the High School

9. OFF-SEASON LEAGUES & CAMPS/CLINICS
We believe it is best to play other sports which will help you in lacrosse but if you have time…
Keep in contact with your team and coaches to let them know you want to play
Most of these start at the 3rd and 4th grade level but here are a few for younger ages
(Summer,Fall,Winter)
(Summer, Fall, Winter)
(Fall, Winter)
(Fall, Winter)

10. PARENT’S - COMMUNICATE
If there are places for improvement, if you have ideas, helpful contacts in the game, please share those with the program
Volunteer, get involved, we can use help in many ways…coaches, website, fund raising and plenty more.
We will help with discounted equipment offers throughout the year.
Learn how to throw and catch so you can participate with your child
CONTINUE TO CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR!

11. Additional points of Contact
Dale Oehler, President, RFH Youth Lacrosse ©
Bill Garavente ©
Gordon Sweely ©
Matt Milkowski ©

12. RFH YOUTH LACROSSE