1. Hand Position
When scooping a lacrosse ground ball, the bottom hand should be placed around the butt end. The top hand should be placed just below the throat of the stick. These two hand positions will ensure good control and protection of the stick as a player attempts to pick up a lacrosse ground ball.
2. Foot Position
When scooping a lacrosse ground ball the foot coinciding with the top hand grip should be placed between 4-8 inches next to the lacrosse ball. This is the ideal position because it uses the body as a shield for the ball, helps a player accurately scoop and allows a player to continue their running stride without slowing them down.
3. Arm Position
When scooping a lacrosse ground ball, arms should be extended perpendicular to the ground. Arms should be locked at the elbow. For beginning lacrosse players this accomplishes three points. It prevents defenders from successfully lifting the back hand, it makes players get low to the ground and it keeps the stick parallel to the ground.
4. Body Position
When scooping a lacrosse ground ball, knees should be bent, back should be straight and the helmet of the player should be over the ball.
The Motion of the Lacrosse Ground Ball Scoop
As a player enters the movement of the lacrosse ground ball scoop, feet shoulder width apart. Knees should be bent and hips should be low to the ground. Eyes should be looking over the ball. The top hand should aim the scoop of the head about 2 inches behind the ball. The bottom hand should be below the knees. The stick should at the angle be between 25 and 30 degrees to the ground. Scoop aggressively through the ball and immediately bring head of the stick to face. A player wants to be able to read the logo of the lacrosse ball. Ensure control over the ball.
Finally explode to open space in the field. The common mistake players make is that they don’t drop their back hand. Instead they come at the ball similarly to the pole vault. What may help is thinking about the illustration of eating soup. One must keep their spoon parallel to the broth. Keeping the stick low, almost parallel to the ground will help at successfully picking up the ground ball. Keep the head up and run to an open part of the field. This instructional article was provided with permission from The Lacrosse Guy-ide
