A Ground Ball in lacrosse is anytime the ball is on the ground in the field of play, where no one has possession of the ball. This can happen over 50 times per game, and being able to scoop them up quickly and win possession of the ball for your team is one of the most important parts of lacrosse. “Ground Balls Win Games” is a very common saying in lacrosse as it allows you to control possession and will give you team the best chance to win. 

How to Scoop a Lacrosse Ball off the Ground:

The keep to consistently scooping up a ground ball comes down to positioning, technique, and confidence. The most important aspect of scooping a lacrosse ball is “scooping through”. When you scoop a ground ball it is important to keep the momentum of your stick moving through the ball as well as your body moving through the ball. All of your momentum should be moving in one direction through the ball quickly and confidently, so that even if you don’t scoop it up, you still push the ball in the direction you are running, giving you the best chance to scoop it up a again. 

Stick Positioning when scooping a lacrosse ball:

• With the stick in your hands, you want to have your dominant hand (top hand) all the way up and the top of the shaft so that your hand is touching the head of the stick. This will give you the best control over the ball as you scoop it. Your back hand can either be in the middle of your shaft, or on the butt end.
• Next, as you scoop the ground ball, you want to have your stick low and parallel to the ground. This will help you scoop smoothly through the ball and not have you stick get caught on the ground like you are using a shovel to scoop dirt. You want your stick to glide smoothly through the ball and right on top of the grass. 

Body positioning when scooping a lacrosse ball:

• When scooping a ground ball, you want your whole body to be low, in a crouching position. Typically you will be running through the ground ball, so it is important to get your body low to the ground as you approach it. The lower your body, the more likely you are to scoop the ball successfully. 
• With your stick properly in your hand, and low and parallel to the ground, and your body in a low crouching position, the next step is the position of your feet. Your front foot, or dominant foot (right foot if you are right handed) should end up right next to the ball just before you scoop it. The ball should be in line with the middle of your front foot, and your foot should be just a few inches to the side of the ball on the ground. Finally, you want your head and helmet to be directly over the ball. 
• Once you are in this position, you can proceed with scooping through the ball. 

• After you scoop the ball, it is very important to bring the stick up close to your body and head and begin cradling so that you can control the ball. It is also important to continue running to space after you scoop the ball so that other defenders can not check the ball away. 

12 Tips for Scooping a Lacrosse Ball  

• Run through the ball fast! 
• Do NOT “Rake” the ball. Raking the ball backwards before scooping the ball is a very bad habit. Scoop through the ball!
• Get your body very low to the ground as you scoop. 
• Keep your stick low and parallel to the ground. 
• Keep your eye on the ball. 
• Forget about other players and checks from opponents, run confidently through the ball. 
• After you scoop the ball, bring it close to your body and head and begin cradling. 
• Run to space after you scoop the ball, do not stop moving until you are able to survey the field around you. 
• After you have found space, pass the ball. The other team may be out of position and this is a good change to advance the ball. 
• With lots of people around the ball, try to use your stick, foot, or body to push the ball to an open area so that you can get it. 
• Dominant foot right next to the ball. 
• Helmet over the ball. 

Advanced Ground Ball Techniques

• “Goose” A lacrosse ball
  • “Goosing” a lacrosse ball is when you hit the ball with your stick like you would a hockey puck. You can hit the ball to more space to get it away from defenders or keep it from going out of bounds. This is a great way to get a ground ball with lots of defenders in the area

• Indian pick up or Indian sweep
  • This refers to the advanced way of scooping a ground ball when you scoop it with the side of your stick’s head as you roll the whole stick over the top of the ball. Picture a rock getting stuck in a tire as the tire rolls over it. This is an advanced technique that is mostly for show, but does have unique times in the game when it is the most effective way to scoop the ground ball.