Why Stick Skills Separate Good Lacrosse Players from Great Ones

If you want to know what separates average players from elite athletes in lacrosse, the answer is simple:

Stick skills.

From youth lacrosse to high school varsity competition, stick skills are the foundation of player development. Speed, size, and athleticism matter, but they don’t matter if you can’t consistently handle the ball.

What Are Stick Skills in Lacrosse?

Stick skills in lacrosse include:

• Catching cleanly

• Throwing accurately

• Protecting the ball under pressure

• Finishing consistently

• Using both hands confidently

At higher levels of lacrosse, the basics decide everything.

The best teams are not the flashiest; they are the most consistent.

Why Stick Skills Matter in Youth Lacrosse Training

At the youth level, players can sometimes rely on athleticism.

But as athletes move into high school lacrosse, the gap closes. Everyone is fast. Everyone is competitive.

The separator becomes fundamentals.

A player who:

• Catches every pass

• Throws accurately with both hands while on the run or under pressure

• Scoops ground balls going full speed

… will earn more playing time than a more athletic player who drops passes and turns the ball over.

In youth lacrosse training, stick skills must be the priority and learning the correct way to do it is key. If not taught correctly, bad habits form, and over time, if those habits continue, they become extremely hard to correct.

Stick Skills Create Faster Offenses

The fastest lacrosse offenses are not built on sprint speed.

They are built on decision speed.

When stick work is automatic, players can process:

• Where the slide is coming from

• Who is open backside

• When to move it one more pass

• When to attack

If a player is thinking about catching the ball, they are already behind. Clean stick skills eliminate hesitation, and hesitation slows and kills offense.

The Importance of Both Hands in Lacrosse Development

One-handed players limit an offense.

Two-handed players stress a defense.

If a defender knows a player cannot dodge left, the game becomes simple. If they must respect both hands, hesitation is created, and hesitation creates advantage.

Players serious about high school lacrosse development must train both hands daily.

How to Improve Stick Skills in Lacrosse

There is no shortcut.

Players improve through consistent, intentional repetition:

• Daily wall ball (both hands)

• High-repetition small group sessions

• Catching outside the body

• Passing under pressure

• Shooting from multiple angles

• Game-speed drills

• Simply keeping a stick in your hand

Elite players are not elite because they occasionally perform skills correctly.

They are elite because they perform them correctly every time. Consistency builds confidence. Confidence builds performance.

Why Stick Skills Are the Foundation of Lacrosse Player Development

Speed fades. Size evens out. Athleticism balances over time.

Stick skills travel.

They translate from youth to high school. From JV to varsity.From varsity to college.

If a player wants to truly separate themselves, it starts with the stick.

Because good players can make plays.

Great players make every play.

Train With Purpose

At L4 Lacrosse, we emphasize high-repetition training in small group environments so players get maximum touches and real development. We want to instill good habits in a players fundmentals early so they do not have to worry about breaking a bad habit later.

More reps.More growth.

If you're serious about improving your stick skills, train with intention!!