Every athlete is looking for that edge to up their game. Luckily for lacrosse players, we have seven. Here are some tips to help you reach your full potential in 2022.

1. Practice

No great athlete wakes up and is great–you must put the time and effort into perfecting your skill. Try and get out on the field at least 5 times a week. Your practice sessions don't need to be very long, but the more you are comfortable on the field, the better you will perform come game time. 

Related: Life after College Athletics with Former UNC Lacrosse Athlete Ryan O'Connell

2. Incorporate Strength and Conditioning

Lacrosse is the fastest sport on two feet–train like it. Having stick skills are great, but it can be hard to use them if you cannot keep up with the pace of the game. Make sure you are running sprints as well as long distance to increase your stamina for games. Workout to gain more muscle in those legs so you can run faster. Lift so you can have arm strength to shoot as hard as you can and be strong when a defender hits you. Strengthen your glutes to stay low in defensive positioning.

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3. Master the Basic Skills

It is always cool to learn new tricks that look cool, but that is not important to developing as a lacrosse player. Know how to pass, catch, shoot, dodge, defend, get a ground ball, etc. Perfecting these basic skills will ensure you will be a star on the field. Everyone loves a behind-the-back-goal, but a score is a score. It doesn't matter how pretty it was on the scoreboard when they all count the same. 

4. Always Have a Stick in Your Hands

Simply being comfortable with the stick will be a helpful tool for any lacrosse player. So whether you're sitting in the house, watching TV, or going for a walk just have your stick in your hand. It allows you as a player to “become one” with your stick and really get used to the feel of having it. It should almost be as if it is an extension of your body when you are playing lacrosse. 

Related: Stay Safe and Hydrated: 2 Practice Essentials for Lacrosse Players

5. Learn From Others

You can learn a lot by watching. Go to pro games, college games, and even other high school games. Track athletes that play your same position during the game and see how they perform. Learn moves and form from them. It can open your eyes to a new way of playing by watching other people play. You can also take notes and then attempt to do the same moves in practice. It may take some time to get used to doing someone else's tricks, but it can be very beneficial. To grow, you must have many tricks up your sleeve if the opponents shut down what you are used to. 

6. Train Both Hands

Everyone has a dominant hand when it comes to playing lacrosse. To really be successful at the next level, you must be just as strong in your non-dominant hand as you are in your leading hand. To play equally with right and left makes you almost unstoppable on the field. If you can pass, catch, shoot with both, no defender will stop you. When you are at practice, try and get as many reps in righty and you do lefty. You can even try only using your non-dominant hand for an entire practice to strengthen your confidence. 

7. Have fun

Lacrosse can be a very stressful sport, especially during those high school years of trying to get recruited and grow as a player. Remember to have fun when you are practicing and playing in games. If it no longer is fun, you should really think about whether or not you want to continue to play at the next level. The intensity and pressure become far greater at the collegiate level which can be very hard for those that are not willing to push through for the fun of the sport. You need to love the sport, enjoy your teammates, respect your coach, and have confidence in yourself to succeed.  

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* Originally published on January 5, 2023, by 2aDays Staff