WALL BALL
What is "wall ball" and how can it make me a better lacrosse player?
There are many games and practice skills which can be utilized during a wall ball session.
Wall ball is the act of throwing a ball up against a brick or cinderblock wall and catching it on the return, either in the air or on the bounce.
Sounds simple enough, right?
NO OTHER PRACTICE TOOL CAN BEAT WALL BALL FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF STICK SKILLS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANY LACROSSE PLAYER!!!
If your child is just learning the sport, please make sure they spend time in front of the brick wall!
No other set of drills will improve your game faster or more efficiently than playing "wall ball".
All you need is your stick, a ball and a brick wall (with no windows in sight!). For the younger players, the "soccer walls" found at most local schools will do, although they may be too short for older players. Find a wall and improve your game!
Quick Stick:
Stand about 10-15’ from the wall and throw and catch without cradling. The idea is to get the ball out of your stick quickly once you catch it. Use both hands!
One Bounce Returns:
Stand about 20-30’ from the wall, throw and catch it after one bounce. Move in and out as you vary the speed.
On The Run!:
Find a long section of wall and run parallel to the wall while throwing and catching. This teaches you to throw on the run and catch on the run. Also, most of the bounces off the wall will not be perfect “passes”, just like the real game. So practice catching at all the weird angles this drill can produce!
Shoot At a Spot:
Tape up a goal on the wall or simply pick an off-color brick. Practice aiming for that spot. Do this drill standing still AND on the run – run to either side as well as straight at the wall. Always try to catch or scoop the ball on the rebound!
One Hand:
Similar to the Quick Stick drill mentioned above, but only use one hand on the stick.
Cross Handed:
Practice catching and throwing “cross handed”, with your dominant hand crossed over your body.
Catch one hand, throw with other:
At any distance and either on the fly or on the bounce, throw the ball and immediately change stick hands for the catch.
Other:
The Wall is a great place to practice all the “tricks” you can think of – behind the back, reverse behind the back, underhand, fakes – try it all!
Developing, improving and maintaining stick skills should be an objective of every lacrosse player. Those players at the top of the game have consistently stated that wall ball drills and exercises are one of the activities that keep them in top form.
Here are several routines (suggestions for setting up your own drills and spreadsheets for charting):
Routines:
http://files.LeagueAthletics.com/Images/Club/15892/US Lax Wall Ball.pdf
http://files.LeagueAthletics.com/Images/Club/15892/lacrosse-wall-ball-workout.pdf
http://files.LeagueAthletics.com/Images/Club/15892/Wall Ball Drills 2013.docx
Spreadsheet:
http://files.LeagueAthletics.com/Images/Club/15892/Wall Ball Tracker 2013.xlsx
Here is a good wall ball video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty6r441_V0k
