How to teach young girls to play lacrosse?

Question

I am running a camp and need to come up with games to help 3rd and 4th grade girls to learn the basics of lacrosse. Any ideas of games or ways to explain the basics (catching, throwing, craddling, shooting, defense, positions)

Answer 1

actually. my coach didn't start with cradling with newcomers because a sturdy cradle comes with being comfortable with the stick and the ball. i'd recommend starting with the basic catch and throw because that is what comes most naturally to most players.

1. i think the most basic and easy drill to teach catching and throwing is "the egg toss," in which players simply stand twenty or so feet apart and lop the ball to each other, catching it and throwing without cradling but by simply catching the ball in the head by letting the ball weigh the stick down, careful not to let the ball jump out. this is the best way i've seen to get the player comfortable with the stick and ball and the feel of the game.

2. once they're able to the catch and throw comfortably, you can usually move onto "shuttles" or "line drills," this is when the team/group forms two lines and the first person in the first line throws it to the first person in the next line. after each have caught and thrown the ball to person across from them, they join the line of the person they just threw to. this is a good way to learn running catches, and the drill can go as fast or slow as the group needs to.

3. cradling is a tougher thing to teach, as each player develops their own cradle over time. but the most standard way to teach it is by teaching the full cradle, moving the head ear to ear, always having the inside of the head facing them. of course it's best for beginners to learn the motion without the ball, easier and less dangerous. i've seen that it's best to simply put them in a line and show them the basic cradle, them mimicking your moves as you give attention to each of their cradles. they can put the ball in the head whenever they think they're comfortable with the motion.

4. my favorite cradling game is kind of a sharks and minnows variation. you can pick two girls to be the sharks and the rest minnows, and the sharks run around chasing the minnows as the minnows each try to keep the ball in their stick by cradling.

5. teach shooting after they have throwing down. the best way i've seen to teach it is by having them line up around the fan and take turns taking bounce shots. they'll just lop it in at first, but that's what shooting is pretty much going to be at that level.

6. with defense, i've noticed the best defenders know that defense isn't just about the defensive moves with the stick, but also with the body. for this, my favorite drill is having 3 defenders and one offender in a line in from of the goal, the order going goal-defender-defender-defender-offender... but the catch is that the defenders don't have sticks. use cones to make a lane in front of the goal, so each defender should have their own "zone," a square that they will be responsible for defending once the offender starts in. when the offender starts with the first defender, cradling towards the goal, it is the defender's goal to try to have them either drop the ball or by boxing them out of their lane, going "out of bounds."

7. i think positions are best taught by scrimmaging, so they can actually see how all the positions work together. obviously a brief explanation should be given of each position and their responsibilities, but no drilling or exercise  can better prepare them for a game and knowing the positions than simply a scrimmage.

hope this helps. good luck!

Answer 2

I would say definitely start with cradling while standing in place, then have them walk and then try to jog a little with the cradle. For catching and throwing just have them get a partner and see who can keep throwing without dropping the ball for the longest.  I'm not really sure about games you can use. maybe who can cradle the longest? oh and don't forget about ground balls. i was thinking one v. one ground balls but that might be a little rough for 3rd and 4th graders. If you ask around also, tons and tons of people are interested in helping out with lacrosse they just don't know where to go so look around if you need extra help.

Answer 3

definetly start with cradling...teach them to cradle acroose their full body and then cut it to a half cradle then a quarter cradle which is the normal way...and catching, put them into partners and have one throw underhand (no stick) to the other girl with the stick...shooting, just teach them how to follow through and teach them the corners of the goal...but the best way is to get in contack with uslacrosse...they help alot..:) goodluck!!!

Answer 4

contact uslacrosse.org if you live in the united states . if you live in canada your provinces lacrosse assosiation website . they both will send you a very complete start up kit , rules , practices , basic skills . if you know a lacrosse player they always are glad to help no mattwer the age or ability . this is the only sport were friendship, and skills are developed , no lacrosse player has yet been born who would not help . it may even be the 70 year old man up the street . old guys like myself even refuse payment for clnics or camps . we are to busy trying to mooch free stuff for underprivliged kids . or donate wages to minor lacrosse program to help one young person . thank you .