Catching a lacrosse ball is one of the most important skills in the game of lacrosse. In order to catch a lacrosse ball, you need to combine proper body positioning, technique, and hand eye coordination. You will need to have your body facing the direction the ball is coming, your stick out in front of you with soft hands, and your eye on the ball. 

Body positioning to catch a lacrosse ball:

• When catching a lacrosse ball you want to do your best to turn your hips and shoulders so that you are facing the direction the ball is coming. This will allow you the best chance to receive the past smoothly and efficiently. 
• You need to position your arms to be out away from your body. Position your stick at an angle with the head of the stick closer to the ball then the butt of your stick. 
• As the ball comes to your stick, you want to have the ball hit the upper middle section of your pocket, so that it rolls into the deeper pocket on your stick. 
• As the ball hits your stick, you need to have “soft hands” and move the head of the stick backwards as the ball so you can cushion the ball as softly as possible. Imagine you are catching an egg and you don’t want it to break. 
• This will allow you the best change to catch the ball cleanly as it comes in. 
• Once the ball is in your stick you can begin cradling to secure the ball in your possession.

10 Tips for Catching A Lacrosse Ball

1. Keep your eye on the ball.
2. Have your body (hips and shoulders) facing the direction the ball is coming.
3. Keep your hands and arms away from your body.
4. Angle the head of your stick towards the ball.
5. Aim to have the ball hit the top center of your pocket where the netting is wider.
6. Cushion the ball as it comes into the pocket as if it was an egg you do not want to break. 
7. Once the ball arrives, cradle the ball to secure control of the ball. 
8. Watch the ball until it is all the way into your stick. 
9. Make sure your pocket is deep enough and broken in. 
10. Make sure your head is not too pinched and wide enough to catch it.