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Cradling is the fundamental skill needed in lacrosse. Without it you can't play. It is impossible to run down the field with the ball and not lose it unless you can cradle.



  1. Cradle a Lacrosse Ball Step 1.jpg
    Put your dominant hand right under the throat of the head of the stick. This will be the hand you are using to control the stick. Place your bottom hand be controlling the stick entirely with your top hand, the bottom hand is only holding, you should feel the weight of the ball in the stick.
  2. Cradle a Lacrosse Ball Step 2.jpg
    Cradle back and forth about a foot in front of your face. Keep your stick at a 45 to 60 degree angle to the ground and directly in front of your face.
  3. Cradle a Lacrosse Ball Step 3.jpg
    Practice picking up ground balls. To do this throw a few balls on the ground, get your elbows locked and scoop the ball up. Be sure to bend your knees and get your stick as parallel to the ground as you can in order to ensure the retrieval of the ball. Don't stop when the ball is in your stick, but go through it and drop your bottom hand down in order to keep the ball in your stick.
  4. Cradle a Lacrosse Ball Step 4.jpg
    Remember that cradling will make the difference between a good lacrosse player and an average lacrosse player!

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  • If you are having trouble with the steps above, hold the stick loosely with your hands, and start a slow jog with the ball in your stick. As you run, the stick should start gently rocking back and forth. What you are trying to do is simulate this motion by using your hands to control the stick.
  • The whole point of cradling is to keep the ball in your net with centripetal force. That way, it is harder for another player to knock it out.
  • Always cover the butt end of the stick with your bottom hand so another player cannot hit it and knock the ball out of the stick.
  • Another important skill is catching. Have someone throw the ball to you or throw it against a pitch back or brick wall. when you start out, you may want to put your dominant hand closer to the head of the stick. This is fine. Next, you watch the ball go into your net (sometimes you will have to move the head around or run for the ball) and go immediately into a cradle to keep it in there. **When you catch- GIVE with the ball! Right when it is coming for your net, bring your stick back a little bit so that the ball stays in!**
  • It may feel a little awkward at first, but the more you play and practice, it'll come to you more naturally, like said above.
  • The deeper your pocket is, the easier it is to cradle; but make sure its not illegal.
  • Cradling will come naturally after a while, as you run. Don't try to force it or you will be more likely to lose the ball.
  • Make sure that whenever you run at practice that you run with your stick cradling.
  • Watch other experienced players cradle, and EXAGGERATE their movements. If you keep practicing this, you'll get the cradle down comfortably.
  • Remember, you are using centripetal force to keep the ball in the stick.
  • This sport can be extremely frustrating but just keep at it. You should try to practice 4 times a week for at least 20 minutes.


  • A girl's stick may be harder to cradle with because of the smaller pocket.
  • Girls tend to cradle differently than men because of the different sizes of the pocket. Girls tend to have more shoulder movement and tend to move their stick from one side of their head to the other side of the head.
  • In a girls stick, you should be able to just see the top of the ball when it is in the pocket. If not, that is illegal and the refs will make you tighten or loosen your strings.

Things You'll Need

  • lacrosse head (with legal pocket)
  • lacrosse shaft
  • ball

Article Info

Categories: Field Hockey and Lacrosse

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