Lacrosse Rebound-Net Skills: Pass, Catch, and Shoot
Materials Needed
- 1 lacrosse stick for the learner and 1 extra stick for a partner, parent, or coach
- Several soft lacrosse balls, tennis balls, or beginner lacrosse balls
- 1 rebound net
- Cones, cups, or other safe markers
- Water bottle
- Safety gear: helmet with face mask, gloves, shoulder pads, elbow pads, and mouthguard, as appropriate for the learner’s program
- Open outdoor space with a flat surface
- Notebook or paper for a quick reflection
Lesson Snapshot
Age: 7
Time: 45–60 minutes
Skill focus: Cradling, catching, passing to a rebound net, and shooting safely
Big question: How can I use my lacrosse stick to control the ball and help my team?
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the learner will be able to:
- Show safe lacrosse habits before and during play.
- Cradle a ball while walking for at least 10 steps.
- Pass a ball to a rebound net and catch the rebound with two hands.
- Complete at least 5 accurate rebound-net passes out of 10 attempts.
- Use a ready position and explain one way to help a teammate.
Success Criteria
I am successful when I can:
- Keep my stick low and pointed away from people.
- Watch the ball all the way into my stick.
- Keep two hands on my stick when catching.
- Move my feet and bend my knees.
- Try again calmly when a ball misses.
Safety Check
- Wear the required protective equipment.
- Check that the playing area is clear of people, pets, cars, and breakable objects.
- Only swing the stick when the area is clear.
- Keep at least two large steps between players unless an adult is helping closely.
- Use soft or beginner balls if the learner is new to lacrosse.
- Stop immediately if equipment is damaged or anyone feels hurt or dizzy.
Introduction: Hook and Warm-Up
1. The Team Challenge Hook — 3 minutes
Say: “Imagine the game is tied. Your teammate passes you the ball. Can you catch it, keep control, and make a great pass?”
Ask:
- “What do good teammates do?”
- “Why is it helpful to look up before passing?”
Explain: “Today we will practice controlling the ball, using the rebound net, and making accurate passes like a team player.”
2. Move Like an Athlete — 5 minutes
Place cones in a small line or square. The learner moves around the area while carrying the stick safely.
- Walk forward and backward.
- Jog slowly around the cones.
- Do five gentle side steps each way.
- Practice the ready position: knees bent, eyes forward, hands on the stick.
- Take a drink of water.
Body: Learn and Practice
3. I Do: Demonstrate Cradling — 5 minutes
Show the learner how to cradle:
- Place the ball in the pocket of the stick.
- Hold the stick with two hands.
- Keep the stick near the side of the body.
- Make small, gentle movements with the wrists.
- Keep the head of the stick above the hands.
- Watch the ball and walk slowly.
Say: “A cradle is like giving the ball a tiny hug so it stays in the pocket.”
Quick Check
Ask the learner to show the ready position and explain where the ball should sit. Give one specific compliment, such as, “Your knees are bent and your eyes are up.”
4. We Do: Cradle and Freeze — 5 minutes
Call out commands while the learner cradles:
- “Go!” — Walk and cradle.
- “Freeze!” — Stop safely and protect the stick.
- “Eyes up!” — Look at the coach or parent.
- “Switch!” — If ready, change hands carefully and continue.
Challenge the learner to cradle for 10 steps without dropping the ball. If the ball falls, say, “Reset and try again.”
5. I Do: Rebound-Net Passing — 5 minutes
Place the rebound net securely on a flat surface. Stand several steps away and demonstrate:
- Face the net with feet about shoulder-width apart.
- Hold the stick with two hands.
- Point the stick toward the part of the net you want to hit.
- Push gently with the top hand and pull gently with the bottom hand.
- Watch the ball hit the net.
- Move the stick to the ball and catch it softly.
Say: “Pass to the net, then get ready for the ball to come back.”
6. We Do: Rebound-Net Catching — 8 minutes
Work together for 10 passes. The adult may stand nearby and give simple reminders.
- Start close to the net.
- Use gentle passes.
- Keep two hands on the stick.
- Move the stick toward the ball instead of waiting stiffly.
- Catch with soft hands by letting the stick give slightly backward.
After each attempt, the learner gives a quick self-rating:
- Green: “I caught it.”
- Yellow: “I almost caught it.”
- Blue: “I need help.”
7. You Do: Rebound-Net Target Challenge — 8 minutes
Place two cones or cups on the rebound net as pretend targets, if the net design allows this safely. The learner chooses one target.
- Choose a target.
- Make 10 passes to the net.
- Try to catch each rebound.
- Count successful catches.
- Change the target after five attempts.
Goal: Complete 5 successful catches out of 10 attempts.
Offer choices:
- Use a closer distance for more control.
- Use a farther distance for a challenge.
- Use a tennis ball or soft ball for an easier version.
- Try a beginner lacrosse ball for a more realistic challenge.
8. You Do: Pass and Move Team Game — 8 minutes
Set up three cones: a starting cone, a passing cone, and a finish cone.
- Start at the first cone with the ball in the stick.
- Cradle to the passing cone.
- Pass to the rebound net.
- Catch the rebound.
- Cradle to the finish cone.
- Celebrate with a team cheer.
Say: “A great player does not just throw the ball. A great player moves, watches, catches, and helps the team.”
Formative Assessment
Observe and record whether the learner can:
- Use safe spacing and equipment.
- Hold the stick with two hands.
- Cradle for 10 steps.
- Pass toward the net.
- Watch and catch the rebound.
- Keep trying after an error.
Give feedback using this pattern:
- Notice: “I noticed you watched the ball.”
- Coach: “Next, soften your hands when the ball arrives.”
- Try: “Now try three more passes.”
Cool-Down and Conclusion
9. Slow Cradle and Stretch — 3 minutes
- Walk slowly while cradling.
- Take three deep breaths.
- Stretch arms gently overhead and out to the sides.
- Drink water.
10. Tell What You Learned — 5 minutes
Ask the learner to complete these sentences:
- “A cradle helps me…”
- “When I catch a rebound, I should…”
- “One safe lacrosse habit is…”
- “I helped my team today by…”
Review the main points: “Today we learned that lacrosse players cradle to control the ball, pass to the rebound net, watch the ball, catch with soft hands, and play safely.”
Summative Assessment: Player Challenge
The learner completes the following mini-test:
- Cradle while walking 10 steps.
- Make 10 passes to the rebound net.
- Catch at least 5 rebounds.
- State one safety rule and one way to be a good teammate.
Simple Scoring Guide
| Skill | Getting Started | Almost There | Ready to Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | Needs frequent reminders | Follows most safety rules | Follows safety rules independently |
| Cradling | Needs help controlling the ball | Cradles for several steps | Cradles for 10 steps |
| Passing and catching | Needs close support | Completes some passes or catches | Catches 5 or more rebounds out of 10 |
| Team attitude | Needs reminders to keep trying | Tries again with encouragement | Shows focus, effort, and encouragement |
Differentiation and Adaptations
For a Learner Who Needs More Support
- Use a larger, softer ball or a tennis ball.
- Move closer to the rebound net.
- Practice catching after an adult gently rolls or tosses the ball.
- Use verbal cues: “Bend, watch, catch.”
- Practice one skill at a time before combining cradling and passing.
For a Learner Ready for More Challenge
- Move one step farther from the net.
- Alternate right- and left-hand cradling.
- Pass, catch, turn, and pass again.
- Try a moving target or a marked target zone.
- Complete the course while keeping eyes up between touches.
Optional Home Practice
Practice for 5–10 minutes on another day:
- Cradle for 20 steps.
- Complete 10 gentle rebound-net passes.
- Count successful catches.
- Write or tell one thing that improved and one thing to practice next time.