1. Medicine Man Lacrosse Clothing

Medicine Man Lacrosse t-shirt and shorts-15% of their sales are donated to Native American communities.

2.  Lacrosse Goal

Lacrosse goals are a great investment and don’t cost too much. Stick in right in the backyard, throw a net behind it and have a blast.

Want to build a lacrosse backstop?
http://www.thelacrosseguy-ide.com/lacrosse-backstop-how-to-build-backsto/

3. Lacrosse Rebounder

Incredible way to work on lacrosse passing mechanics. If  the lacrosse player in your mind really loves the game, invest in their game and purchase a strong practice mechanism.

Don’t understand the lacrosse rebounder?
http://www.thelacrosseguy-ide.com/lacrosse-wall-review-why-the-lax-wall-is-a-seriouss-laxers-best-friend/

4. Bulk Lacrosse Balls

If you want your gift to make the your lacrosse player drool from the mouth, buy them a bulk box of lacrosse balls. No need to waste time chasing after single shots..

5. Lacrosse Bag

Stylish lacrosse bag that helps them hold on their equipment. When not used for lacrosse they can use as a backpack for school.

Great lacrosse gift ideas that will surely make the lacrosse player in mind extremely happy.

Medicine Man Lacrosse

Medicine Man Lacrosse, a new lacrosse apparel brand is set to launch June 2oth, 2012. A new fixture in the lacrosse clothing market, Medicine Man Lacrosse aims to transition high quality apparel as a means to expand and elevate the game. Organizing their vision around Loving the Game, Living the Life and Sharing the Experience, this brand aims to allow the everyday lacrosse players to express their passion for the game in a crowded diverse and multi-active world. A new spin on “threads with meaning”, Medicine Man Lacrosse is donating 15% of every sale to Native American and under privileged communities to start lacrosse programs of their own.

You can find their product line @ www.medicinemanlacrosse.com

by Medicine Man Lacrosse

We found another great video that may help teach beginning lacrosse players how to string a lacrosse stick. Posted by Medicine Man Lacrosse, this video illustrates one technique with great pictures and decent descriptions . Its always good knowledge to be able to successfully string your lacrosse stick to your particular playing style. Not to mention it is also fun and saves $$.

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Summer is here and Lacrosse Camps have already begun. If you are new to the summer lacrosse camp scene you may be wondering what you should bring. You should check your summer lacrosse camp website to see what the camp offers and advises you to bring. Here I will post a list of items that one should bring to camp

 

Overnight Lacrosse Camp-1 week

Lacrosse Equipment

•    Lacrosse Stick
•    Gloves, Shoulder, Arm & Rib Pads
•    Athletic Cup
•    Helmet
•    Goggles (girls)
•    Mouthguard
•    Cleats/Turf Shoes
Most camps provide campers with a reversible pinny

Clothes

•    4-5 Shorts
•    6-8 Pairs of socks
•    5-6 shirts
•    5-6 pairs of underwear
•    UnderArmour
•    Sleeping Attire
•    Compression Shorts-Are a Life safer preventing chaffing

Toiletries

•    Shower Towel
•    Tooth Brush
•    Tooth Paste
•    Body Wash
•    Shampoo
•    Deodorant
•    Comb

Swimming

•    Bathing Suit
•    Swimming Towel
•    Googles
•    Ear/Nose Plugs
•    Sun Block
•    Sandals

Night Gear-check with the camp for what they offer

•    Alarm Clock
•    Bed Linen
•    Bed Sheet/Blanket
•    Pillow
•    Nightwear attire
•    Fan

Extras

•    Combination Lock
•    Spending Money
•    Cell Phone/Calling Card
•    Phone Charger
•    Sun Block
•    Running Shoes/Sandals
•    Necessary Health Forms
•    Snacks
•    Water Bottles

Day Camp-1 week

Here campers usually spend 9am-3pm at the camp and go home each day.

Lacrosse Equipment

•    Lacrosse Stick
•    Gloves, Shoulder, Arm & Rib Pads
•    Athletic Cup
•    Helmet
•    Goggles (girls)
•    Mouthguard
•    Cleats/Turf Shoes
Most camps provide campers with a reversible pinny

Clothes
•    UnderArmour
•    Compression Shorts-Are a Life safer preventing chaffing

•   Extra Shirt

Swimming
•    Bathing Suit
•    Swimming Towel
•    Googles
•    Ear/Nose Plugs
•    Sun Block
•    Sandals

Extras
•    Combination Lock
•    Spending Money
•    Sun Block
•    Running Shoes/Sandals
•    Necessary Health Forms
•    Snacks
•    Lunch
•    Water Bottles

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The Lacrosse Cradle refers to the motion of the shoulder, bicep, forearm and wrist moving the lacrosse head in such a way that the centrifugal force maintains the ball position in the stick. It is a very important aspect of lacrosse because it controls the lacrosse stick and allows the player maneuverability without losing control over the ball

Two Handed Lacrosse Cradle

The two handed lacrosse cradle is a basic cradle that all beginner lacrosse players can use to initiate their dodge. It’s a great lesson in cradling mechanics that beginners can begin to learn right away.

Hand Position

The bottom hand grips the butt end of the stick with a motorcycle like grip. The thumb should be wrapped around the shaft touching the fingers. The bottom hand helps control the stick, however, it does not impede the rotation of the shaft. Test this by gripping the bottom of the shaft and spinning the stick with the top hand. The bottom hand grip should allow the spinning motion of the stick.

For the top hand grip, the shaft should be resting along the palm of the hand just below the area where the fingers join the hand. The grip should be just below the throat of the stick. The top hand controls the movement of cradle.

Motion of Lacrosse Cradling

The biggest misunderstanding of lacrosse cradling is that is consists of quick jerky movements. Many times, beginning players start by bouncing their arms and wrists up and down without ever playing attention to the movement of the ball. The cradle is an art form that utilizes the wrists, forearms and biceps to keep the ball in the pocket.

To begin, visualize working out and doing a bicep curl. Notice the contraction of muscle in the bicep and the movement of the wrist at the top of the completed rep. This movement is very similar to how the top hand arm moves when cradling.

The top hand arm should be bent 90 degrees at the elbow with the forearm perpendicular to the ground. The bicep muscle should bring the head of the stick closer to the chest as if it were a dumbbell. At the top of the movement, the wrist should bend slightly towards the chest to help keep control of the ball.

A good lacrosse cradle controls the ball in such a way that it never actual hits the rails of the lacrosse head. The cradle suspends the ball in the sweet spot of the pocket.

One Handed Lacrosse Cradle

The one handed lacrosse cradle is a little more advanced than a two handed lacrosse cradle but there is so much to gain for a player to begin practicing this type of cradle right away. This cradle allows a player to protect his stick and move much faster. Players incorporate this type of lacrosse cradle into their natural running motion and are able to use their other arm to protect their stick allowing them to move much faster without losing possession.

Hand Position

The top hand grips the stick just below the throat. The shaft should be resting along the palm of the hand just below the area where the fingers join the hand. The fingers wrap around the shaft and the thumb should wrap around the fingers.

Motion of Lacrosse Cradling

The one handed lacrosse cradle is mainly derived from the movement of the shoulder. The wrist complements the movement of the shoulder; the wrist is not the main power generator. Many times, beginning players jerk their wrists side to side with little synchronization to how their shoulder and body are moving thus causing the ball to fall out.

To help, lock the elbow at 90 degrees so the forearm is perpendicular to the ground. Contract the bicep muscle and the forearm muscles. The best way to describe the cradling motion would be to imagine doing chest flys. The arm that is cradling the ball will contract the pectoral if done correctly.

Keep practicing. This is skill that can be practiced virtually anywhere. Cradling is difficult for new players, but just realize that by practicing now, you are better a player tomorrow.

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The 4 points outlined here describe the proper lacrosse catching mechanics aimed at helping beginning lacrosse players learn to catch properly. Without learning the basic lacrosse catching fundamentals, it becomes difficult in excel in any other part of the game. Working on the improvement of the non-dominant lacrosse catching hand is critical for those who aspire to excel in the game of Lacrosse.

1. Hand Position and Stick Grip

To consistently catch a pass successfully, a player must have the proper stick grip and hand position. The bottom hand should be placed near the end cap. The top hand should be placed near the throat of the stick. The reasons for this grip are because it allows full mobility to catch errant passes. It is to be expected that players will be receiving less than perfect passes that which need to be caught. Having hands placed in these positions will allow a player to adjust to passes inside and outside the box.
The bottom hand stick grip should firm with fingers and thumb wrapped around the shaft. The wrist should be loose and allow the flexibility to bend freely.
As for the top hand grip, the shaft of the stick should be resting along the palm of the hand just below the first set of knuckles. The fingers should be gripped loosely around the shaft and the thumb should be extended upwards along the stick for support.
Remember, keep the wrists loose and flexible.

2. Giving a Good Target

When catching a lacrosse pass, the head of the stick should be in the box position. The box is the imaginary square over the shoulder and next to the head. This is the optimal position for the head of the stick to be in. It helps give the passer a clear visual target to throw to and it also allows the receiver of the pass to catch the ball in a protected area. From this position, the receiver of the pass can more easily move into a shooting, passing or stick protecting position.
In addition, be sure to have the front face of the stick facing the target. The more surface area the ball has to enter the pocket will mean a better chance of catching the pass
Remember, give a good target.

3. Keep Your Eye on The Ball

The importance of keeping your eye on the ball cannot be overstated. It’s one of the main reasons why lacrosse players drop passes. They simply do not watch the ball as it enters the stick. Instead, they react as if they caught the ball and mentally move on to another point in the space without having control of the ball in their stick. The solution is to watch the ball as it completely absorbs into your stick before mentally moving on and focusing on the next skill.
It is recommended for beginning lacrosse players to have their whole stick in their line of sight in help facilitate looking the ball into the stick. With elbows slightly bent and arms in front of the body, players will have an easier time locating the head in relation to the receiving pass.
Remember, keep your eye on the ball.

4. Soft Touch, Letting the Ball Come to the Stick

This point is by far the toughest skill to acquire for beginning lacrosse players. It takes time and practice for one to develop this concept well. The main idea is that the player catching the pass must provide a cushion of motion whereby the head of the stick yields in the direction of the moving ball. This means that wrists should bend slightly as the ball enters the pocket. This will reduce the force of the ball hitting the mesh and help retain control.
Think of it like an egg toss. When catching an egg, one never wants to have their hands flat out. This will act like a hard surface and crack the egg. On the other hand, if a player gently moved their cupped hands with the egg, it will greatly reduces the impact force and the chances of the egg breaking since both objects are moving together.
This same concept applies to lacrosse catching. By having soft hands, you will control the ball better and catch more passes. Another way to help with this concept is to bring the head back into the box area after it is caught. This will accomplish two things. It will get your stick in the ready position to either pass, shoot or stick protect and it will help understand the idea of giving with the ball.
One more method to help with the concept of soft touch is to catch with the dominant hand in the middle of the shaft. If the dominant hand is loosely gripped around the shaft, the natural movement of the wrist should bend slightly back as one catches the ball. This should help a player become familiar with catching the term “giving back.”

Remember to have soft hands, don’t break the egg.

Points to Remember:

1. Hand Position and Grip
Keep wrists and hands flexible and not stiff
2. Give a good target
Have front of stick facing the target with the head of the stick in the box area.
3. Look the ball into the stick
Make sure the ball is securely in the pocket before moving to the next skill.
4. Have Soft Hands
Don’t attack or stab at the ball. Let the ball come to the stick.

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The 4 points outlined here describe the proper lacrosse passing mechanics aimed at helping beginning lacrosse players learn to pass properly. Without learning the basic lacrosse passing fundamentals, it becomes difficult in excel in any other part of the game. Working on the improvement of the non-dominant throwing hand is critical for those who aspire to excel in the game of Lacrosse.

1. Holding the Stick

The bottom hand should be placed near the end cap of the stick. The grip should be firm, but not too tight as to affect fluid movement of the wrist. The wrist should be free to bend. The bottom hand controls the angle of trajectory. You can imagine that the bottom hand is the fulcrum of a catapult. The angle at which the bottom hand stops is the angle at which the stick will release the ball.

The top hand should be placed around the middle of stick, between 10-12 inches away from bottom hand. The top hand grip should be loose to allow fluid movement of the stick. The bottom hand controls the direction and movement of the stick, not the top hand. The stick should be resting along the palm of the top hand, with the fingers loosely around the stick and the thumb pointed up for support.

2. Lacrosse Arm Position

The top hand gripping the stick should be about 5-6 inches away from the ear. Like a quarterback cocking his arm back to pass, the top hand of a lacrosse stick should right next to the ear to allow the option for a lacrosse pass, shot or a quick face dodge.

The bottom hand gripping the stick should be parallel with the forearm of the top hand. The bottom hand and the end cap help to aim a lacrosse pass. When the bottom hand grip is parallel to the forearm top grip, it helps facilitate the follow through motion of consistent lacrosse passing mechanics.

Arms should be extended away from the body bent at the elbow at around 90 degrees.

3. Lacrosse Passing the Ball

Lacrosse passing is the combination of equal force of the bottom hand pulling the stick, and the top hand pushing the stick to release the ball. It is the same concept  as the catapult we mentioned before. The bottom hand controls the angle of release and the top hand is the main force driving the lacrosse pass.

When lacrosse passing, the wrists snap to provide quick movement of the ball. As the stick is in the ready throwing position, the top hand is bending back and quickly snapping forward as the driving momentum releases the ball.

It is much easier said than done, but try this out yourself.

Practice lacrosse passing with the bottom hand only. You will notice the difficulties in gaining enough power to release the ball properly but will understand the purpose and movement of the bottom hand.

Now practice throwing with the top hand. You will notice that more leverage and power is gained, but it puts more strain on the wrist. The top hand wrist lacks the movement needed for accuracy and the delivery of crisp passes. The addition of the bottom helps control the force and accuracy of the passes.

Now combine the two movements to create the lacrosse pass.

4. Body Positioning and Weight Transfer

Once the mechanics of the pull-push throw are understood, body positioning will maximize power and accuracy of every lacrosse pass.

When lacrosse passing stand with your feet shoulder width apart, your front hip facing the target and your weight placed on the back foot.

As you pass, shift your weight from the back foot to the front foot. Simultaneously, rotate your hips, torso, and shoulders toward the target. Once your pass is completed, the head of your stick, chest, shoulders and hips should be pointed towards the target.

The shifting of your weight from front to back, together with the rotation of the hips, torso and shoulders will add power into your pass.

The same concept of throwing a baseball applies to throwing a lacrosse ball. The concept of weight transfer applies to all sports. It’s important to practice enough so that the motion of throwing is committed to memory and the player can focus on other skill improving mechanisms.

Get out to the lacrosse wall and go hit 10,000 reps.

Practice, Practice, Practice!

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