Trapping or receiving the ball is the most important of all the basic

skills. It is essential that you get in the correct position. As the first

two pictures show, the stick must be vertical with the top of the stick

slightly in front of the bottom. Knees should be bent and your head

over the point where you will receive the ball. This will give you a

strong base from which you can pull the ball to one side or the other,

make a pass to a team mate or start dribbling the ball.

These four pictures demonstrate the correct way to hit (or drive) the ball. Notice hands are

together, touching, close to the top of the stick. This positioning will give you leverage and will help

you when hitting in general field play or making a pass to a team mate. Notice the knees are slightly

bent and the position of the ball between the feet. Once again, as with the trapping position, the

player's head is over the ball. Notice the starting position and follow through of the hit. The stick

doesnt need to startand finish high. Timing is of paramount importance.

Notice in this picture, the player has her hands positioned so

that there is about 6-8" of the handle of her stick visible above

her hands. This hand positioning is used when you want to get

off a quick hit. You would use this hand positioning when there

are opponents close to you and/or you are inside the attacking

circle and you are shooting on goal.