Lacrosse is a high-intensity sport that can take your game to the next level if you’re looking to improve your shooting skills. These seven lacrosse shooting drills will help you focus on your accuracy, power and technique. So whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned player, give these drills a try!
What You’ll Need
- An open field
- A lacrosse cage
- A lacrosse stick
- 10 lacrosse balls
- 2 cones
Warm Up
Lacrosse shooting drills begin with, what else, shooting.
- Stand in line with the left post about five yards away from the cage
- Drop about 10 balls on the ground in front of you
- Line up your shoulders to the cage
- Scoop the ball and start shooting overhand focusing on proper technique
- Move to the opposite pipe and switch the stick to your weak hand
- Shoot 10 more times!
Lacrosse Shooting Drills That Develop Dangerous Goal Scorers
Proper mechanics is one thing all great lacrosse shooters have in common. These players are not born with perfect form, however. It’s developed through practice.
Picking the Corners
Our first drill is an extension of the warm up. Stand in the same spot that you started, but this time aim your shots toward the corners. Try aiming for the opposite corner from where you are standing. Shoot 10 shots with your strong hand, then switch sides to work on your weak hand.
Basic Sweep
The basic sweep shooting drill is perfect for midfielders. For this drill you will need two cones.
Place a cone even with the left pipe about 12 yards from the cage. The other cone should be even with the first cone, but 10 yards towards the sideline.
The drill starts when you sprint towards the outside cone. At the cone, plant your foot and perform a split dodge. Then, run across the field towards the other cone. Once you pass the cone, shoot at the cage. After 10 reps, try moving the cones to the opposite side of the field.
Alley Dodge
For the alley dodge drill, you can leave the cones in the same position. This time, stand in the middle of the field.
Start this drill by running at the cone in the center of the field. When you reach the cone, perform a split dodge. As you switch hands, cut in between the two cones and head straight towards the cage. Fire when ready!
Then, switch sides and repeat the drill.
Quick Hitch
For this drill, you will only need one cone. Place it off to one side 10 yards from the cage.
Start this shooting drill by sprinting towards the cone. At the cone, stutter step but continue running forward towards the cage with the stick remaining in the same hand. As you get closer to the cage, pick a corner or work on your bounce shot. After practicing this drill 10 times, move the cone to the opposite side of the field for another set of repetitions.
Turning the Corner
In this drill, attackmen practice how they would turn a corner on a defender.
Position a cone off to one side of the cage just outside the crease before starting. Run around the goal from behind the cage. Once you pass the cone, fire a quick shot at the cage. You can practice this drill from both sides of the cage.
Shadow Shooting
The shadow shooting drill helps to develop your technique. By practicing shooting without a ball, you can pay more attention to your footwork and throwing motion, rather than focusing on the direction of the ball.
Seated Shooting
Another creative lacrosse drill is seated shooting. This drill forces players to shoot with only their upper body.
- Sit on the ground with your legs out towards the goal
- Try to get as much velocity as possible in each shot
- Then, switch to your knees and repeat the drill
