How to Win Ground Balls in Lacrosse
To win ground balls in lacrosse, get low with your knees bent, put both hands on the stick, scoop through the ball with your head, and run hard to space before you look to pass. The team that wins the most ground balls almost always controls possession, and possession is what wins games.
Ground balls are not a talent. They are a habit built through technique, body position, and effort. This guide breaks down the exact scooping mechanics, the situational reads, and the practice drills that turn a loose ball into your ball.
Why do ground balls decide lacrosse games?
Lacrosse is a game of possessions. Every loose ball is a 50/50 chance to start a fast break or to stop the other team from scoring. A team that wins ten more ground balls than its opponent simply gets the ball in its sticks more often, takes more shots, and gives up fewer. That is why coaches at every level track ground balls as closely as goals.
The good news for youth and high school coaches is that ground balls reward the willing. Speed and stick skills take years to build, but attacking a loose ball with the right body position can be taught in a single practice. A team that commits to ground balls can compete with more talented opponents almost immediately.
What is the correct way to scoop a ground ball?
The scoop is the foundation of every ground ball. Rushed players stab at the ball, miss it, and give up possession. A player who follows a clean sequence picks it up cleanly almost every time. Teach the technique as four simple steps and repeat the cues until they are automatic.
How do you win a contested ground ball?
Most ground balls in a real game are contested, with an opponent arriving at the same moment. Winning these comes down to two ideas: protect the ball with your body, and decide early whether to scoop or to box out.
If you arrive first, scoop with your body between the ball and the defender, then turn away from pressure. If you arrive second, do not reach in and lose your balance. Instead play the classic man and ball idea: one player boxes out the opponent with the body while a teammate scoops the loose ball clean. This turns a 50/50 into a near certain win.
Which drills build ground ball habits fastest?
Ground ball skill is built through high rep, game speed practice. Aim for 20 to 30 quality scoops per player per session. These three drills cover the full progression from clean technique to contested chaos.
Players form a line. The coach rolls a ball out, the player sprints, scoops through it, cradles up, and passes back. Pure technique with no defender. Best for beginners and warm ups.
Two teams race to scoop a ball, run it around a cone, and hand off to the next player. Adds speed, fatigue, and a competitive edge while keeping the technique honest.
Two players start back to back near a loose ball. On the whistle they must box out and scoop. This is the contested rep that wins real games.
Custom Lacrosse Clipboard (2 Sided)
Diagram your ground ball drills and box out spacing on a full field on one side and a zoomed scoop progression on the other. Built to survive a wet, muddy sideline.
What are the most common ground ball mistakes?
Most lost ground balls trace back to a handful of fixable errors. Watch for these in practice and correct them on the spot before they become habits.
The stick stays too high and the player rakes at the ball. Fix it by demanding bent knees and a low bottom hand on every scoop.
Reaching with one hand feels faster but loses control and invites a check. Keep both hands on through the entire scoop.
Dragging the stick backward over the ball is illegal in most situations and rarely works. Scoop through it instead.
Players relax once the ball is in and get stripped. The rep is not done until they accelerate to open space and protect the stick.
Lacrosse Ground Ball FAQ
There is no fixed number, but teams that win the ground ball battle by ten or more usually control possession and the scoreboard. Coaches treat ground ball margin as a top team stat.
Use "butt down, back flat, scoop through it, and run." It captures low body position, the scooping motion, and the sprint to space in one short phrase.
Always two hands. One hand feels quicker but costs you control and ball protection. Two hands win contested ground balls far more often.
It is a two player approach to a loose ball. One player boxes out the opponent with the body while a teammate scoops the ball clean, turning a 50/50 into a near sure win.
Roll a ball against a wall or down a slope, sprint to it, scoop through with both hands, and accelerate away. Even 20 reps a day builds a lasting habit.
Yes. Ground balls reward effort and body position more than stick skill, so beginners can win them right away and gain confidence fast.
Diagram Every Ground Ball Drill on Your Own Board
Your players win ground balls when they can see exactly where to be. A custom two sided lacrosse board lets you draw the scoop, the box out, and the fast break right on the sideline, rain or shine. Design yours and run a sharper practice this week.
