Cradling the Ball
What
is Cradling
When to Cradle
Position of
the Stick when Cradling
The Small Cradle
The Medium Cradle
The Large Cradle
Cradling when taking a
Check
Cradling is a side-to-side, up-and-down, or back-and-forth rocking motion of the stick. The purpose of cradling is to maintain possession of the ball while the player runs or makes body contact. Cradling also tells a player, by feel or by weight, if the ball is in the pocket and where the ball is located within the pocket, without having to look at it.
Coach first time players through the following progressions to learn how to grip the stick and cradle the ball. Form an "O" with the index finger and the thumb on the hand at the bottom of the stick. Place the butt of the stick into the "O" such that it is free to rotate. Cup the other hand slightly and support the shaft with the cupped hand. Using the cupped hand roll the stick back and forth. Now add arm motion with the cupped hand to create a small cradling or rocking motion with the stick in front of the body. Now close the grip of both hands on the stick, maintaining a loose grip with fingertip control. Emphasize a loose grip so the player gets a good feel of the stick. The player should not grab the lacrosse stick like a hockey stick or an axe. Holding the stick with the fingers helps to keep the wrists flexible for rotating the stick when cradling and faking. [Top]
A player cradles the ball whenever he or she has possession of the ball,
- When taking a check
- When running down the floor with the ball,
- When protecting the stick after obtaining a loose ball,
- When getting the ball to the tip of the stick for a pass or a shot,
- When checking to see if the ball is in the pocket,
- When unsure where the ball is located within the pocket. [Top]
Position of the Stick when Cradling
The stick may be held in four positions where cradling is necessary.
- Holding the stick high behind the back at a 45 degree angle to the floor just fore passing or shooting,
- Holding the stick high and horizontal (pointing back) in the "ready" position just before passing or shooting,
- Holding the stick at waist level and horizontally while running up the floor. Most players have a natural tendency to run, carrying the ball at waist level, but it is better practice to run with the stick held up in the passing position.
- Holding the stick vertically or close to vertical along side the body when taking a check. [Top]
This small side-to-side or up-and-down rocking motion of the stick is used when a player wants to know where the ball is in the pocket or when moving the ball to the tip of the pocket for a shot or pass. This continuous rocking action is accomplished by the top hand wrist and is used when the stick is held in the "ready" position, horizontal to the floor. The top hand wrist rotates side-to-side causing the stick to rock side-to-side, or up-and-down. The swinging motion helps a player feel the weight of the ball in the pocket and to move the ball to the tip of the pocket. The hand placements are the same for passing and shooting. The butt of the stick turns in with the bottom hand grip. [Top]
This is an up-and-down motion of the stick and is used when running down the floor with the ball in heavy traffic to let the player know by feel that the ball is in the pocket. The swinging motion also creates a centrifugal force to help keep the ball in the pocket . The cradle is created by the top hand wrist: while holding the shaft mainly with the fingers, straighten the fingers and let the the stick roll downwards to the finger tips, then curl the fingers and the wrist upwards bringing the stick up also. This cradle is motion is created by the top hand wrist motion and the forearm moving simultaneously upwards and downwards. The hand placements are wider than passing and shooting, with the top hand holding the shaft near the throat of the stick and the bottom hand gripping the butt. The stick turns in with the bottom hand grip. [Top]
This back-and-forth rocking action of the stick is used to maintain ball control when taking a check. The stick is held vertically to the floor. The continuous back-and-forth swinging motion of the stick is created by the wrist, the forearm, and the upper arm of the top hand moving forward and backwards. It is important that the top hand grips the stick at the throat. This motion of the wrist and forearm, creates a force that tend to keep the ball in the pocket. The bottom hand grip is loose, allowing the stick to easily rotate. On contact from a check, make sure the top hand wrist is rotating forward. This puts the face of the pocket in the direction of the impact, with the result that the netting of the pocket blocks the ball from falling out. [Top]
Turn the body sideways to shield and protect the stick. At the same time directing the impact to the upper arm padding rather than the back. Watch the checker over the shoulder rather than watching the ball in the stick. Maintain a wide stance to maintain balance and stability. [Top]