How To Receive & Lift

Welcome to our latest video. Today, we’re going to focus on a crucial skill: receiving the ball into the air. We’ll discuss two variations—one for the forehand and one for the backhand. These techniques are particularly useful when you have a defender pressuring you from behind. Let’s get started!

So, why would you choose to receive the ball in this way? Well, instead of trapping the ball and trying to maintain control, we want to quickly move towards the goal and create scoring opportunities. When the ball is in the air, you want to turn your upper body and position your shoulders in the direction you intend to move. This slight adjustment in body position will help you execute the reception effectively.

For the forehand reception, you need to change the angle of your stick. Instead of keeping it upright to trap the ball, open the face slightly. Bring your left hand closer to your underarm, allowing the ball to hit the stick and bounce over the defender’s stick into open space. Remember, you’re not forcefully slicing the ball, but rather letting the ball’s momentum do the work. The ball should naturally bounce off your stick and into the desired space, enabling you to continue your run towards the goal.

Now, let’s move on to the backhand reception, which is a bit more challenging. Here, you need to cross your hands and follow the ball with your backhand. Open the face of your stick slightly, just as you did with the forehand reception. Since the backhand side tends to generate more lift and speed, it’s important to maintain control. Focus on lifting the ball and making contact with the desired area of your stick. By doing so, you can allow the ball to jump over the defender’s stick and continue your forward movement.

One last piece of advice: Timing is crucial when receiving the ball. Ensure you turn your shoulders at the last moment. When preparing to receive a pass, keep your shoulders frontal. Then, just before the ball arrives, turn your shoulders in the desired direction and lift the ball. This quick adjustment can help deceive the defender and create more space for your run.

Practice these techniques diligently to improve your receiving skills. By mastering the forehand and backhand receptions into the air, you’ll be better equipped to navigate tight situations and move towards the goal with speed and control.