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

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

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

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

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 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4Dzkwg430s (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” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLH__Qw5NxA&feature=related

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” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzoe_z8uMRo “How To Play Lacrosse: Scooping a Ground ball” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj5grjunuCc “Picking up Ground balls with Coach Kevin Finneran” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xoe38621n8

ATTEND CAMPS There are a number of good choices in our local area www.united-lacrosse.com (7/8-7/11) Offered to age 8 and up www.gomuhawks.com (7/16-7/18 & 7/30-8/01) Offered to 3rd grade thru middle school www.midnjlax.com (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.

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

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 www.united-lacrosse.com (Summer,Fall,Winter) www.midnjlax.com (Summer, Fall, Winter) www.360lacrosse.net (Fall, Winter) www.trilax.com (Fall, Winter)

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! www.rfhyouthlacrosse.org

Additional points of Contact Dale Oehler, President, RFH Youth Lacrosse © 732-693-5093 daleoehler@mac.com Bill Garavente © 732-580-6958 wgaravente@yahoo.com Gordon Sweely © 908-230-9536 gsweely@verizon.net Matt Milkowski © 732-546-8229 mmilk@mindspring.com

RFH YOUTH LACROSSE