Get your hands on a stick. If you know friends who play the game, they'll probably talk about how expensive their stick was. If you're just learning how to play, go to your local sporting goods store, and you can find a basic stick for around $30. If you know someone that has an old stick they wouldn't mind letting you borrow, even better. There are three main components of a stick. The Head- this is the piece at the top of the stick that the ball is controlled with. The Mesh- this is the netting that is inside the head. Finally, the shaft- traditionally it was made out of wood; today, they are made of strong metal alloys and have varying weights and strength. If your dominant hand is your right hand put your left hand on the bottom and right hand on top. Switch for left hand. 

Cradling is the equivalent of dribbling in basketball, a necessary skill that is important to the game. Cradling is a way to get past a defense man without him knocking the ball out of your stick. Use centripetal force to keep the ball in your stick by a curling motion with your wrist. This is best done in front of a mirror while starting. Place the ball in your pocket (the area where the ball sits in your mesh) and hold your dominant hand a few inches below the head. Begin with the head facing the mirror so you can see the ball. Now bring the head across your face while curling the wrist. Keep practicing until you get the hang of it. If you still don't get the hand of it check out one of the many instructional videos available on this site.  

Passing is one of the most critical skills you can have in the game of Lacrosse. It is used to move the ball up field, catch your opponent out of position while hitting a teammate for an assist, or just getting yourself out of pressure. Keep the head next to your ear and flick your wrist of your top hand while pulling your bottom hand towards you. The best thing you can do to help improve your skills is get to a brick wall and play "wall ball." This is where you stand a few feet from the wall and repeatedly throw the ball against it.  

Catching is all about hand eye coordination. Catch the ball in your mesh and make sure you don't cradle as it enters your stick. This is called cradle catching and is done by beginners. Instead of cradling, simply loosen your grip on your top hand and as the ball enters the stick give and ease the ball into the stick. Again, wall ball will really help. 

Know that games are won and lost on ground balls. While approaching the ball step to it placing your front foot next to the ball. Sink your hips and level the head of your stick parallel to the ground. The butt of your stick should get down low as well; this is known as "two butts down" position. Your knuckles should almost scrape the ground. Scoop through and bring the head of your stick up to your face.  

Pass, catch, cradle and shoot with BOTH hands. Nothing frees your player more than being able to depend on both hands! Learning to use both hands requires patience because it will not happen overnight. A good way to learn your off-hand skills, is to look at what your dominate hand is doing. Mirror the way you are passing. Go through the same motions. Spend time using nothing but your non-dominant hand. During line drills, 6v6, fast break, anything! Only use your off-hand. This will be very frustrating but keep at it. Using your off-hand in games will seriously improve your play.