Ground ball possession in lacrosse is crucial and the better you do with your ground ball game, the better your team does.
Winning or losing ground balls can be the difference in winning or losing the game.
That’s a fact.
Let’s face it, gaining ground balls is a fundamental skill in lacrosse and securing those elusive ground balls for your team can be the “difference maker.”
Be honest, how’s your ground ball game?
Are you winning most of them?
Or are they costing you turnovers?
Embrace the basics.
I can’t tell you how many games we’ve done a post-game analysis and determined “we simply did not do well – as a team – with ground ball recovery.”
The thing is, winning ground balls is an easy fix when you know the common errors.
Again, understand that possessing ground balls can win games, but if you’re constantly missing them, it’s likely due to one or a combination of these key mistakes.
Let’s dig in so you can dominate your ground ball game in lacrosse.
- You’re Standing Too Tall
❌ The Problem: You’re not getting low enough, making it harder to scoop cleanly and easier for opponents to knock you off balance. A simple rule for proper technique is get “2 butts down.” This means the butt end of your stick and your hips must get down – you can’t do this if you’re standing tall.
✅ The Fix: Bend at the knees, drop your hips, and keep your stick parallel to the ground. Think “2 butts down.”
- Your Footwork Is Isn’t Optimal & You’re Not In Good Position
❌ The Problem: You’re reaching with your stick instead of moving your feet, which slows you down and puts you in a bad position. If you’re in a bad position, the chances are you’re not winning the ground ball.
✅ The Fix: Keep your body behind but closer to the ball by sprinting through it. Take quick, explosive steps and drive toward the ball instead of stretching or reaching for it. Keep the stick close to your body as you work to secure the ball. Once you have the ball, bring the stick up and protect it.
- You’re Hesitating – Instead of Hustling
❌ The Problem: You wait for the ball to settle or hesitate because you’re afraid of contact.
✅ The Fix: Be first to the ball with an aggressive mindset. Commit to going 100% and anticipate where the ball will land instead of reacting late. Hustle and fight for the ball. If the ball is in a scrum, flick it or kick it out to an open area – then be the first to get to the ball.
- You’re Scooping One-Handed (When You Shouldn’t Be)
❌ The Problem: This is a big problem and often a result of laziness. You’re trying to pick up the ball one-handed when you should be using two hands on the stick, leading to missed scoops and easy turnovers.
✅ The Fix: Keep both hands on your stick for better control unless you’re in a desperate situation where a quick one-handed scoop is absolutely necessary. I’ve seen players use one-hand out of laziness in an open area and then miss the ball leading to a turnover. This is totally unavoidable. Build the habit of two-hands on the stick for all ground balls. This simple fix will do wonders in winning the ground ball game.
- You’re Stopping Your Feet After the Scoop
❌ The Problem: You win the ball but slow down or stop moving your feet, making it easier for defenders to check it away.
✅ The Fix: Run through the ball at full speed and immediately transition to your next move—whether that’s a pass, dodge, or a clear. Move your feet, move the ball. Play fast and uptempo, always.
- You’re Not Using Your Body to Protect the Ball
❌ The Problem: You’re exposing the ball by not shielding it from defenders.
✅ The Fix: Box out your opponent. Get your body between the ball and your opponent. After scooping, cradle close to your body and use your off-hand to shield checks.
- You’re Not Mentally Prepared for Ground Ball Battles
❌ The Problem: You don’t expect contact or you don’t want contact, and it throws you off your game when someone challenges you.
✅ The Fix: You have to develop a “gritty mindset.” Ground balls are sometimes a fight for the ball. Expect to take some physical contact, stay strong through contact, and fight for the possession. If you remember just one thing from this, remember that grit truly wins ground balls.
Drills to Improve Your Ground Ball Game
✅ Rapid Fire Scoops – Have a partner roll balls out quickly while you scoop and sprint through.
✅ 1v1 Ground Ball Battles – Basic 1v1’s are clutch to work on ground balls. Never ignore the most basic drills and skills. Start shoulder-to-shoulder and fight for the ball under pressure.
✅ Box-Out Ground Ball Drill – Work on using your body to seal off defenders before scooping. Emphasize using your body to box out your opponent. Boxing out works and you have to practice it.
✅ Through-the-Ball Sprints – Place cones past the ball to encourage running through it. Have a coach or partner roll the ball out and sprint through using proper technique to collect the ball.
Mastering ground balls is about grittiness, hustle, proper technique, and mindset.
Recognize which mistakes you may be making and work to fix those highly correctable issues, and you’ll start dominating more possessions.
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