LACROSSE CRADLING FUNDAMENTALS
LOOK MOM! I CAN TWIRL MY STICK!
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BASIC CRADLING INSTRUCTION
Another important fundamental skill for beginners to learn is how to cradle. Cradling is an important part of the game because it allows the player to control the ball in his pocket as he runs through checks. Having a good cradle also allows the player to get the ball centered in his pocket (the “sweet” spot) before he throws the ball. The first thing that beginners should learn about cradling is that the top hand does most of the work. As the player holds his stick, he wants to gently rock the stick back and forth with his top hand. His bottom hand is on the end of his stick and tight to the body with his fingers very loose, providing extra guidance for the stick. The easiest cradle for a beginner to learn is the underhand cradle, in which his stick is parallel with the ground. The next cradle that a beginner should work at is the overhand or upright cradle, where the head of the stick is up by the player’s head. The player should learn to overhand cradle both with one-hand and with two-hands. A mistake that many beginners make is that they have to have a huge, exaggerated cradling motion. It is important for them to learn that having a “power cradle” is not necessary to control the ball. Many times, young players with big cradles are the ones to lose the ball the most or the ones who struggle at passing and shooting. They actually cradle the ball out of their sticks. Beginning players should learn that a compact, controlled motion provides the best stick protection and is the most effective way to control the ball. As they get more comfortable with their sticks, they can learn to have more pronounced styles with their ball handling.
After you learn how to cradle well utilizing these fundamentals, then you can move on to some of our more advanced skills and drills on this site and by checking out our VIDEO section.
KEYS
1 | Keep a loose grip
2 | Cradle with your fingers
3 | Cradle smoothly
4 | Keep the ball in the sweet spot of your pocket
