Advanced Skills

If a player is fundamentally strong at all the basics, then it is time to move on to some more advanced skills and tips to become a more well-rounded lacrosse player for high levels of competition. However, it is revealing to note that if a player were to just become great at all the basic level fundamentals, then he would enjoy a great deal of success in lacrosse. You do not have to do anything fancy to be a great lacrosse player. If you are a good athlete who can run up and down the field, throw, catch, scoop and shoot, then you are going to be a very valuable asset to your team.

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List of articles in category Advanced Skills
Title Hits
Goalie Saves Hits: 1977
Attack - Two Man Games Hits: 1950
Position Specific Drills Hits: 2512
Goalie Stance Hits: 1741
Goalie Positioning Hits: 2382
Goalie Communication Hits: 1652
Midfield Hits: 1665
Attack - Dodging Hits: 4210
On-Ball Defense Hits: 1968
Off-Ball Defense Hits: 2632

Some great tips to get you going:

Pick a Corner

Place all shots, usually for a far corner, and shoot hard. When within five yards of the goal, the shot should be for a top corner.

Possessing the Ball

When in possession of ball, make the defense man play your stick - watch his stick - the position of it will determine the direction of your feed and the type of dodge you might try.

Make Good Passes

Take pains to make every pass a good pass.

Never Stand Still

When you have the ball, never stand still - keep moving all the time - if necessary run backwards and forwards - but keep moving. When you are ready to make a pass, take one step back quickly and move. If you are standing still, you're wrong.

Fake Passes

When you have the ball, be constantly faking passes - keep your defense man's stick moving. Go ahead, throw that sky-whammy.

Circle Away From Pressure

Always move to meet every pass, and circle away from your defenseman.

Don’t Rush at Him

Don't rush at a man when riding - particularly behind the goal. Force him to pass - force him in the direction where there is help. Talk all the time and run hard. The success of an attack depends on their riding ability and their desire to have the ball.

Be an Outlet

If an attack man is being ridden hard and can't dodge or get away - the nearest man on each side goes to help him.

Move to Meet the Pass

Always move to meet every pass, and circle away from your defenseman.

After the Clear

After the ball has been cleared, if you have a wide open opportunity to dodge, do it. If you are sure a man is open, pass to him, otherwise settle the ball down and let your attack get set up. Remember, after a clear the midfielders will need time to catch their breath. Middies rest on offense, not defense, Control The Ball!

Make Passes Hard

Make feed passes hard.

Zigs and Zags

Zig your cuts, fake left - go right, fake right - go left. Don't always run at the same speed, change of pace is a very effective method of getting open.

Make Him Play You

Make your defenseman play you and you alone every second you are in the game. Keep moving all the time so that he must center his attention on you an not be in position to help out his fellow defensemen.

Away From the Defense

In moving the ball around the circle, make all passes sharp, short, and to the outside, away from the defense man.

Time Your Cuts

Time your cuts, don't cut if the man with the ball is not watching or not in position to pass.

After the Pass

If you receive a pass after cutting and haven't got a good shot, hold onto the ball.

Back Each Other Up

Always be in position to back up shots and feeds. When a cut is made, or a shot is taken, the whole attack must play a part, moving to be in a position to backup a pass or a shot. Control the ball!

Feed Passes

All feed passes must be thrown crsiply and accurately. If it's a bad pass, do your best and make a great catch to help your buddy out.

Hard Work

Hard work is great, but hard and efficient work is even better.

Keep Proper Spacing

Never stand so close together that one defense can cover two offense.