Catching & Cradling

Catching in lacrosse is unlike any other sport — you’re catching with a mesh pocket on the end of a stick. It requires soft hands, proper stick position, and the ability to immediately cradle (protect) the ball.

How to Catch

Present a target. Hold the stick with the head up and facing the thrower — give them something to aim at.
Soft hands. As the ball arrives, let the stick give slightly (like catching an egg) — don’t stab at it.
Catch with the top hand. The top hand (closer to the head) controls the stick. The bottom hand is the guide.
Bring it in. Once caught, immediately bring the stick toward your body and begin cradling.

How to Cradle

Cradling keeps the ball in the pocket while you move. Without it, the ball falls out on every step.

Hold the stick with both hands — top hand near the head, bottom hand at the butt
Curl your wrists inward (toward your body) and back outward in a smooth rocking motion
The stick head should swing in a small arc — like curling a dumbbell
Keep the stick close to your body — don’t wave it out to the sides
Practice while walking, jogging, then running

10-Minute Catching & Cradling Drill

With a Partner

Stand 10 yards apart, throw and catch for 3 minutes (right hand)
Switch to left hand for 3 minutes (this is the hard part — both hands matter in lacrosse)
Catch on the move — jog laterally while catching for 2 minutes
Catch and immediately cradle through defenders (cones) for 2 minutes

Solo (Against a Wall)

Throw right, catch right — 20 reps
Throw left, catch left — 20 reps (don’t skip this)
Throw right, catch left (switch hands after catching) — 10 reps
Add cradling between each catch — cradle 3 times before throwing back

Keys to Good Catching

Show the target — a visible stick head tells the passer where to throw
Give with the ball — rigid hands = dropped balls
Cradle immediately — the ball is never secure until you’re cradling
Both hands matter — lacrosse players who can only use one hand are easy to defend

The stick should feel like an extension of your arm. That only happens with daily handling. Encourage your kid to cradle while watching TV, walking around the house, or just standing in the yard. The more time the stick is in their hands, the better.