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Step 1
Keep your balance without using your hands. Eliminating weight from your hands will not only allow you to move more quickly, but it will also train your body to set up, hands-free, automatically.
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Step 2
Record how you place your hands on your stick with proper lacrosse technique; repeat this movement every time you set up. The opposing player will not be able to judge your ability if all he or she sees is textbook set-up.
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Step 3
Set yourself up as close to the ball as you can.
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Step 4
Read your opponent. Look for a change in the pressure he or she is applying to the stick; the left position will be the key reading point for you.
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Step 5
Watch for the player's left wrist off the ground; this will tell you that the opposing player is looking to jump the ball or punch it past you.
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Step 6
See whether or not your opponent has his or her left wrist on the ground. This is indicative of a clamp.
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Step 7
Counteract your opponent's clamp by using the jump technique and counteract the jump by using the punch. Win face-offs by countering everything properly.
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Step 8
Clamp by shooting your left hand forward, making the head of your stick come down on the ball. Bring the ball behind you to pick it up or toss it to a wingman.
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Step 9
Jump the ball by trapping it with the back of your stick, rather than the front, as in a clamp.
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Step 10
Punch by putting pressure on your right hand. When the whistle sounds, literally punch at the ball with your right hand. The ball will travel forward and be ready to be scooped up.
