Cradling
Put your dominant hand right under the throat of the head of the stick. This will be the hand you are using to control the stick. Place your bottom hand loosely at the very bottom of the stick over the butt end. Remember you will be controlling the stick entirely with your top hand, the bottom hand is only for stability.
Roll top wrist to full extension while using your bottom hand loosely to stabilize the stick, using the thumb and fingers to make a loose "C" shape. When cradling, you should feel the weight of the ball in the stick.
Cradle back and forth about a foot in front of your face. Keep your stick at a 45 to 60 degree angle to the ground and directly in front of your face.
Practice picking up ground balls. To do this throw a few balls on the ground, get your elbows locked and scoop the ball up. Be sure to bend your knees and get your stick as parallel to the ground as you can in order to ensure the retrieval of the ball. Don't stop when the ball is in your stick, but go through it and drop your bottom hand down in order to keep the ball in your stick.
Remember that cradling will make the difference between a good lacrosse player and an average lacrosse player!
Catching
After you throw the ball, it hits your target, and starts coming back to you, Move you top hand upto Right below the head(Of the stick). Move both hands in an attempt to catch the ball with the Crosse. (Don't catch the ball with one hand on the stick, For it will make you drop the crosse). Do this until you feel really comfortable with catching the ball.
Guys- Wear your gloves! You have to wear gloves in games and the best way to break them in and get used to them is to use them. If you don't you will feel uncomfortable and awkward in games.
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