Coaches Instruction - Ground Balls

Purpose:

Teaching a skill that will be a large part of the game, especially at the youth level. 

Most of the plays at the youth level involve picking up balls, so this must be stressed early

• Let the girls know that this will make them a better player than most if they are good at this because if you can pick up the ball better than everyone else, you will have the ball more often which will make you a better cradler, passer and player.

Teaching Ground Balls

1. Get along side the ball by putting your right foot (right handed players) slightly ahead of the ball

2. Position your head above the ball

3. Bend knees to get very low (NOT BENDING AT THE WAIST!!)

4. With the stick almost parallel to the ground push forward through the ball with the bottom hand (knuckles scraping)