---
title: "How To Play Lacrosse: The Basics"
description: New to lacrosse? Wondering how to play (or teach) lacrosse? Here are a few basics we think you need to consider!
---

[First Class Lacrosse Blog](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog)

# [How To Play Lacrosse: The Basics](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/how-to-play-lacrosse)

 Written by [Deemer Class](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/author/deemer-class-bornbaltimore-md-deemer-has-playedthe-highest-levels-of-the-game-professionally-division-1-and-the-most-elite-high-school-conferencethe-country-deemer-is-widely-r) | Sep 14, 2023, 4:00:00 PM

New to lacrosse as a player, or a parent, and wondering where to start? Take note of these key basics that you can pick up as a player, a parent of a new player, or a newer coach to the game!

## How to Play Lacrosse: the basics

 

### Cradling

 

### How to Change Hands

### Stick in the Fingertips

This is a simple tip that will help players feel their stick better. When shooting, cradling, or passing, you want to hold the stick more in your finger tips. The opposite would be a "hammer" like grip, where the stick is rooted firmly in your palms. Having a tight grip gives us less fluidity and playmaking ability. It's always a good tip to soften up the grip!

### Shooting (the Clock)

This is a great analogy that really enlightened how I think about shooting. This refers to our "stick path" on our shot. My mentor, and first (and only) shooting coach, Torre Kasemeyer, taught me this when I graduated high school. Most people say, "shoot overhand" but players can have trouble feeling the difference between a 3/4 release and overhand. Additionally, many coaches put players in a box, and say "always shoot low" or "never drop your hands." If you understand the "clock", players will learn to self adjust and visualize the stick path more!

### Moving through the Ball

Whether catching a pass in a clear, cutting to the goal, or attacking a ground ball, we want to work on the skill of moving through the ball. Moving through the ball is exactly as it sounds. We do not want to scoop a ground ball and stand up and look around, but rather, we want to accelerate through the ball. Same with catching a pass in the middle of the field or cutting to the goal. Work on catching and scooping the ball with your feet moving. If you can accelerate through a ground ball you can add a ton of value to your team!

 

#### - Coach Class

 

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