Provide guidance for proper stickhandling, the key to a strong lax player
Coaching Guidance:
Cradling can be a very personalized style. There are basics that are required, but encourage the girls to be creative to find a technique that works well for them.
Cradling Instruction:
Holding the Stick
Soft hands while gripping the stick.
The top guide hand is placed one-third of the way dawn the stick
Top hand is the guide & does most of the work when cradling
The stick rests lightly in the palm of the top hand and is controlled by the fingertips
The bottom hand is the control hand and is placed at the bottom of the stick
Stick position.
When first learning to cradle, the stick should be held at a slight angle on the side of the body by the ear (almost parallel with the body).
the more relaxed and comfortable they are, the better.
Two hands on the stick. It’s important that players keep both hands on the stick while cradling. This allows for better control of the stick and the ability to pass or shoot quickly.
Rocking motion
The motion of the fingers and wrist of the top hand curling together should be smooth and controlled.
The top hand swings the stick from ear to nose, back and forth, using more wrist motion than elbow motion.
The bottom arm holds the stick in front of the body and controls the base of the stick
The arms are relaxed and away from the body
Emphasize a smooth rocking motion so that the ball does not bounce around in the pocket.
Ideally, the ball is cradled in the top half of the pocket by the shooting strings.
Remind your players to relax their upper bodies and not to stiffen up their arms when cradling.
A stiff, rigid cradle will lead to the ball popping out and lots of frustration! A smooth, fluid cradle will allow the ball to remain in the stick.
The full cradle, or ear-to-ear cradle, should be reserved for dodging through defenders.
The more subtle ear-to-nose cradle allows players to pass and shoot
Cradling Instruction: