Four Ways to Practice Lacrosse On Your Own In The City

In the City, you are often on your own to keep up your lacrosse skills. In my hometown, I not only had my own backyard to set up a lacrosse bounce-back or a goal in, but I had an outdoor recreation center dedicated to lacrosse that anyone in the community could use. When I moved to New York City, none of these resources were available. Over time, I learned how to improvise.  Below are my tips on how to keep practicing lax in the City:

1. Handball Courts are your best friend
For those unfamiliar with American Handball, the game is played in a rectangular court with a 40 x 20 ft wall at the end.  A handball court’s massive concrete walls are regularly used for games by handball players, as well as for bounce back practice by racquetball and tennis players. For a lacrosse player, they are perfect for wall ball practice. Concrete underpasses can work as well. The City is full of concrete--Find a wall; hit on it!

2. Always keep chalk /masking tape and a measuring tape on hand

When lacrosse goals are not available, make one!  A lacrosse goal's dimensions are 6 ft high by 6 ft wide. At any handball court, you can mark out the outline of a lacrosse goal on the concrete wall using your measuring tape and chalk/masking tape. Put "X's" in the four corners of the goal to serve as targets for shooting. Then, shoot away (and carefully dodge or catch the ball as it flies back)! You can do the same thing on any available chain link fence. Mark the goal’s outline in tape for practice and remove the tape when you leave. The chain link backstops at baseball fields or the high fences at tennis courts work wonderfully.

3. Light poles or trees lining your street make great pretend defenders

Practice offensive dodges on the poles, signposts, trees, or fire hydrants that fill your streets. Yes, neighbors may look at you crazy as you run down the street, roll-dodging the signpost at the corner of the road. Just think of it as your opportunity not only to get in some good practice but to inform said “hater” about the awesome sport you are practicing for! You can also visit your local park and practice dodges on the trees there.

4. You can practice cradling anytime, anywhere

Are you a student and need a study break? Practice cradling. Are you about to sit down and catch the latest Knicks game? Bring your lax stick and cradle while watching the game. About to go on a run around the block? Bring your lacrosse stick and cradle on the go.  If you invest in purchasing a few soft lacrosse balls, you can practice cradling with a ball and not be afraid of hurting anything or anyone around you in the small space of your apartment or your street.