We are excited to announce for 2024 a new Wall Ball Challenge to encourage and reward players for practicing more consistently at home and outside of team and skills practices.  

Wall ball is probably the best way to develop great stick skills in lacrosse. Every great player in the world has spent thousands of hours playing wall ball, and every great player still does it through college and even when playing professionally.   Just a few minutes a day on the wall adds up and makes a huge difference in skills on the field!

Our NYL challenge comprises a set of 5 leveled routines, from introductory through advanced.  

Completion of each routine (either a full run through the routine without dropping the ball, or, for non-championship levels, 10 attempts, defined as a full run through the routine but with one or more drops) will earn the player bragging rights and a prize.  The routines, with completion requirements and prizes, are attached.   Coaches will demonstrate the proper form for the various skills listed in each routine.

Players may start at whatever level they wish, though only players in grades 1-4 will earn prizes for the first two introductory levels.  Players may use either short sticks or long poles, though goalies should use their field sticks.  For safety and to best replicate game conditions, it is good practice for players to wear their helmets and gloves while doing wall ball.

We are asking parents to certify completion of each level (either full routine with no drops or 10 attempts), except for the "Championship" level, which requires submission of a video.  Players completing the Championship level will be able to choose between an athletic tee or a NYL hat from our team store.

HERE is a list of the routines, requirements, and prizes at each level, a parent certification sheet, and a printable routine list.  

We appreciate your partnership in getting as many of our players as possible on the wall this season!  The team with the most players completing at least one level of the challenge for prizes at the end of the season will receive a special treat at practice!

FAQ for Those New to Lacrosse!

What is wall ball?

Wall ball is the simple practice of bouncing a ball off a wall or bounceback/ rebounder and catching it in your stick.  Think of it as practicing throwing and catching - the essential elements of the game – but solo.

See this article for some thoughts on wall ball and how it helps develop lacrosse skills!

Where can I find a wall to practice on?

The best walls for wall ball are flat concrete, concrete block, or brick, the smoother the better.  Walls without windows are essential. Some great places to find walls are schools (exterior walls of school gyms are generally mostly window-free), warehouses, parking garages, outbuildings in public parks, etc. There is a "true" lacrosse wall (designed especially for wall ball) at Sprague Field in Wellesley (stay tuned for information about Newton's plans for our own lacrosse wall!). 

Some families also invest in backyard bouncebacks (also called rebounders) for wall ball.  We sell them new in our team store, but you can also buy them on Amazon, etc., and they are frequently available used on Facebook Marketplace.  You can buy new nets/strings for used rebounders online.