Mark Millon’s Lacrosse Tips #2
Tip #3
The best thing you can do to increase your shooting percentage is to play games! The following are a few extra ways to increase your shooting accuracy in close and around the crease:
– Keep your hands 12 inches apart, and near the butt end of the stick. This gives extra control. Always try to shoot high to low and off the goalies hip.
– Accuracy is always more crucial than speed in close.
– Use as much wrist action as possible in close.
– Don’t fake with your stick; fake with your shoulders!
Tip #4
Your stick and pocket are key elements in lacrosse. And believe it or not, stick knowledge can significantly improve your game!Which type of pocket best suits your playing style?
Mesh vs. traditional?
– How deep of a pocket?
– Where do I want the ball to be when I’m carrying the ball?
– Do I want a quick release?
– How many throw strings do I need?
– If you don’t know those answers, mess around with your own lacrosse stick or ask a friend that plays with a different pocket if you can try theirs.
– Always have a backup stick that plays the same as your main stick!
-Treat your stick with care! Do what you have to on the field, but don’t throw your stick in random places afterwards. One tip is to stuff something that’s easily moldable in the pocket after playing in the rain and mud. This will help it keep its shape when it dries.
– Take care of it! After you are through with a game or practice don’t toss your stick in the garage or closet. If you play in the rain and mud, stuff some newspaper in the pocket so that when it dries it will keep its shape.
– Stay clear on what makes a stick illegal.
Tip #5
Have some fun and play games to shoot more accurately! Games are a great way to put yourself to the test. This will add some tension, but will definitely make your practice sessions way more fun. One example that my brother and I always used was to tie some aluminum cans to something as a target and take ten shots each from various distances and angles. Whenever there was a goalie we would have best of twenty competitions: five bouncers, five on the run, five high and hard, and five mixed. Another game we would play was horse. Loser carries the goal home. These are just some that I’ve used, but you can come up with your own; get inventive. It will make you a better shooter.