Basic Cradle
Stick Skills
Legend
- player
- ball
- side-to-side cradle motion
How it works
Learn the basic cradling motion to keep the ball in the stick while standing still.
What you need
- lacrosse stick
- lacrosse ball
Your focus
Cradling is the most fundamental stick skill in lacrosse. Every other skill depends on the ability to keep the ball securely in the pocket while moving. Developing it first in isolation creates the base for all future stick work.
Player stands with feet shoulder-width apart, stick held with both hands.
Player rotates the stick in a pendulum motion side to side, keeping the pocket up.
Cradle for 30 seconds, rest, repeat.
Complete 5 rounds. Measure progress by how many seconds without the ball falling out.
Goal
You've got it when the ball stays in the pocket during the cradle motion without you squeezing the handle tight, the motion is keeping it in, not your grip.
Helpful cues
- Top hand is your guide, bottom hand is your anchor
- Rotate at the wrist, don't swing the whole arm
- Keep the pocket up, gravity is your friend when the pocket is up
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Use a foam ball that stays in the pocket easily.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Cradle while walking forward 10 yards.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.