How can lacrosse players improve their 8-meter shooting technique. What strategies can goalies employ to defend against 8-meter shots. Why is the 8-meter shot a crucial element in women’s lacrosse.
Understanding the 8-Meter Shot in Women’s Lacrosse
The 8-meter shot is a unique and pivotal element in women’s lacrosse. This free position shot is awarded when a foul occurs within the 8-meter arc, providing the offensive player with a prime scoring opportunity. Understanding the intricacies of this play is crucial for both attackers and defenders.
To execute an 8-meter shot:
- The fouled player takes position at the closest hash mark on the arc
- Defenders inside the arc move to the arc, maintaining at least 4 yards distance from the shooter
- Upon the whistle, the shooter can attempt a direct shot or create a play
This high-stakes situation often determines the outcome of close games, making it a focal point for both offensive and defensive strategies.
Kayla Treanor’s Expert 8-Meter Shooting Tips
Kayla Treanor, a renowned figure in women’s lacrosse, offers invaluable insights for perfecting 8-meter shots. Her expertise can significantly elevate a player’s shooting accuracy and consistency.
Treanor’s Key Shooting Techniques:
- Maintain proper stance and balance
- Focus on stick positioning and grip
- Develop a consistent pre-shot routine
- Practice various release points and shot types
- Incorporate deception and fakes to outsmart goalies
Implementing these techniques can transform an average shooter into a formidable threat on the 8-meter arc.
Goalie Strategies for Defending 8-Meter Shots
Goalies face a unique challenge when defending 8-meter shots. Team USA goalie Liz Hogan provides expert advice on how to approach these high-pressure situations.
Reading the Situation
Before the whistle blows, goalies should assess:
- The shooter’s position on the hash marks
- Defender and offensive player locations
- The identity of the ball carrier
This information helps goalies anticipate the play and adjust their positioning accordingly.
Positioning and Arc Play
Is aggressive positioning always the best strategy for goalies during 8-meter shots? The answer depends on the situation. When the shooter is centrally located with nearby defenders, a higher arc can be effective. However, if the shooter has space to maneuver, a more conservative approach may be necessary to avoid being caught out of position.
The Importance of Pre-Save Routines for Goalies
Just as basketball players benefit from consistent free-throw routines, lacrosse goalies can improve their performance with pre-save rituals. These routines help goalies focus and prepare mentally for the impending shot.
Effective pre-save routines may include:
- Deep breathing exercises
- Checking goal positioning
- Physical movements like squats or jumps
- Positive self-talk or affirmations
By developing and consistently practicing a pre-save routine, goalies can enhance their mental preparation and increase their save percentage on 8-meter shots.
Communication and Leadership: The Goalie’s Role
During 8-meter situations, the goalie’s role extends beyond simply making saves. As the defensive leader, the goalie must effectively communicate with and direct their teammates.
Key Communication Points:
- Assigning defensive coverage
- Coordinating responses to potential passes
- Planning for shot rebounds or errant attempts
Clear and decisive communication ensures that the entire defensive unit operates cohesively, maximizing the chances of a successful stop.
Training Techniques to Improve 8-Meter Performance
To excel in 8-meter situations, both shooters and goalies must incorporate specific training techniques into their practice routines.
For Shooters:
- Practice various shooting angles and velocities
- Simulate game-like pressure situations
- Work on quick decision-making skills
- Develop multiple shot types (high-to-high, bounce shots, etc.)
For Goalies:
- Practice 8-meter saves when fatigued to simulate game conditions
- Work on quick lateral movements and proper positioning
- Develop the ability to read shooters’ body language
- Improve hand-eye coordination through targeted drills
Incorporating these training techniques can significantly enhance performance in 8-meter situations for both offensive and defensive players.
Psychological Aspects of 8-Meter Shots
The mental game plays a crucial role in 8-meter situations. Both shooters and goalies must manage pressure and maintain focus to perform at their best.
Mental Preparation for Shooters:
- Visualization techniques
- Confidence-building exercises
- Stress management strategies
Psychological Resilience for Goalies:
- Techniques for staying present and focused
- Methods to overcome fear of failure
- Strategies for maintaining composure under pressure
Developing mental toughness and resilience can be the key differentiator in high-stakes 8-meter situations.
Adapting 8-Meter Strategies for Different Skill Levels
While the fundamentals of 8-meter play remain consistent, strategies may need to be adapted based on the skill level of the players involved.
Youth Level:
- Focus on proper technique and form
- Emphasize the importance of following through on shots
- Teach basic defensive positioning for goalies
High School Level:
- Introduce more advanced shot types and fakes
- Develop situational awareness for both shooters and goalies
- Incorporate more complex defensive schemes
College and Professional Level:
- Refine split-second decision-making skills
- Master advanced deception techniques
- Develop highly personalized pre-shot and pre-save routines
By tailoring strategies to the appropriate skill level, coaches can ensure steady progression and development in 8-meter performance.
The 8-meter shot remains a critical component of women’s lacrosse, often serving as a game-changing moment. By understanding and implementing these strategies, players can significantly improve their performance in these high-pressure situations. Whether you’re a shooter aiming to increase your scoring percentage or a goalie looking to make more saves, dedicated practice and mental preparation are key to mastering the art of the 8-meter play.
As the sport of women’s lacrosse continues to evolve, so too will the strategies surrounding 8-meter shots. Players and coaches alike must stay informed about new techniques and adapt their approaches accordingly. By combining fundamental skills with innovative tactics, teams can gain a competitive edge in these crucial moments of the game.
Remember, success in 8-meter situations is not solely about physical ability. The mental aspect, including confidence, focus, and the ability to perform under pressure, plays an equally important role. By holistically addressing both the physical and psychological elements of 8-meter play, players can truly excel in these game-defining moments.
Ultimately, mastering 8-meter shots and saves requires a commitment to continuous improvement. Regular practice, thoughtful analysis of game situations, and the willingness to adapt and evolve one’s approach are all essential components of becoming proficient in this critical aspect of women’s lacrosse.
As players progress in their lacrosse careers, they should seek out opportunities to learn from experienced coaches and players who have a deep understanding of 8-meter dynamics. Attending clinics, watching high-level games, and studying film can all contribute to a more comprehensive grasp of effective 8-meter strategies.
Coaches play a pivotal role in developing players’ 8-meter skills. They should design practice sessions that regularly incorporate 8-meter scenarios, ensuring that players are comfortable and confident in these situations come game time. This might include running drills that simulate the pressure of game situations, practicing various shooting and saving techniques, and working on team communication during 8-meter plays.
It’s also worth noting that as players become more adept at 8-meter shots and saves, they may need to continually refine and adjust their strategies. What works at one level of play may not be as effective at higher levels, where opponents are more skilled and better able to anticipate common tactics.
For shooters, this might mean developing a wider array of shot types and release points, or becoming more adept at reading and reacting to goalie positioning. For goalies, it could involve improving reaction times, developing a better understanding of shooter tendencies, or working on more advanced positioning techniques.
Teams that can consistently capitalize on 8-meter opportunities while effectively defending against them often find themselves with a significant advantage over their opponents. As such, developing a strong 8-meter game plan should be a priority for any team looking to compete at a high level.
In conclusion, the 8-meter shot is a unique and exciting aspect of women’s lacrosse that can often determine the outcome of close games. By understanding the nuances of this play, implementing effective strategies, and continuously working to improve both physical and mental skills, players can significantly enhance their performance in these crucial moments. Whether you’re a shooter looking to score more goals or a goalie aiming to make more saves, mastering the 8-meter play is an essential step towards becoming an elite lacrosse player.
Women’s Goalie Guide to 8 Meter Shots
By Coach Damon
Among the differences that female lacrosse goalies encounter is the special play called the 8-meter shot.
If a female ball carrier is fouled inside the 8 meter arc, she gets a free position shot at the closest hash on the arc. All defenders located inside the arc at the time of the foul are also positioned on the closest spot on the arc but always at least 4 yards away from the shooter.
For the Lax Goalie Rat podcast I recently spoke with Team USA goalie Liz Hogan (episode coming soon!!) who broke down her approach on how to best make saves on 8-meter shots.
What’s the strategy? What are some techniques you can do to increase your save percentage?
Read the Situation
Your first step is to read the entire situation. This will help dictate how we setup.
So what pieces of information are you looking for?
- On which hash is the shooter setup?
- Where are your defenders located?
- Where are the offensive teammates located?
- Who has the ball?
The more towards the center hash a ball carrier is located the more of a threat to shoot they are.
If the ball carrier is surrounded by defenders you know she likely cannot maneuver left or right and you can a take a little more aggressive approach with a higher arc.
On the contrary, if no defenders are close to the ball carrier during the restart the shooter can maneuver left or right before firing a shot and thus we don’t want to be as aggressive in our arc for fear of being caught out of position as the ball carrier might be able to advance all the way to the crease.
If there is only a single defender on one side, you know the ball carrier will not dodge in that direction and can be better prepared.
If you know the offense’s top scorer has the ball you can fully expect a shot. If a role player starts with the ball while an open offensive player is close to the goal you can expect a pass.
Reading the situation can dictate how you set up on the arc and how aggressive you can play.
Understanding all these elements will help you be prepared once that whistle blows.
Increasing your chance of saving the 8-meter shot.
Each free position shot is a little different in terms who has the ball, where they’re starting from, and where your defenders are located. So be sure to take it all in prior to the whistle to best know how to defend the play.
Pre-Save Routine
The 8-meter shot for a goalie is similar to a free throw for a basketball player.
Going through the same routine prior to shooting a free throw was scientifically proven to increase your chances of making the shot!
While the same study hasn’t been done in the women’s lacrosse world, I can pretty much guarantee you the results would also be true. Pre-shot (or pre-save) routines work!
Lady goalies who go through the same physical routine prior to a shot will make more saves.
Each pre-save routine is unique to the goalie. Your pre-save routine could be any combination of the following:
- Deep breaths
- Turn and face the goal
- Checking the pipes
- Squatting down and jumping up
- Hitting your facemask with your shaft
- Yelling a positive affirmation
The list goes on and on.
The pre-save routine will also help block those distracting thoughts that interfere with your performance. Things like crowd noise, fans waving their arms, worrying about giving up a goal, thoughts of past misses, the score, teammates, spectators or parents.
By focusing on your pre-save routine, you normalize the free position shot. You lessen the sense of pressure you feel and take your mind off of that fear of missing the save and giving up a goal.
In this way the pre-save routine will help you mentally as much as it does physically.
So develop your own pre-save routine and put it into action before every 8-meter shot. This will increase your chances of making the save.
Direct the Defense
As a goalie, remember you are the leader of the defense.
So you need to ensure that all defenders know their roles during the restart play.
Who is going to cover the ball? Who is going to cover an open attack player? Who is going to chase an errant shot?
All this type of communication can and should occur prior to the shot and as a goalie its imperative that you, and every single defender, are on the same page once that whistle blows.
Practice 8-Meters When Tired
Growing up I had a basketball coach that said – anyone can hit a free throw when they’re fresh. I want players who can sink the shot with 0:01 on the clock after running up and down the court for 45 minutes.
The point here is making a save is easier when you’re fresh and 100% mentally alert.
But when your body gets tired and you start to lose it a little mentally, the saves become tougher and tougher.
So be sure to practice taking a few 8-meter situations at the end of practice when your body is tired.
Or run a few sprints right before the whistle blows to start the restart the 8-meter to simulate being the end of game scenario.
If you struggle with the physical element of your game, try a lacrosse goalie workout.
This will help train your body and mind to make the save in the 4th quarter with 0:01 on the clock.
Scout Players if You Can
I find that many female lacrosse players make the same moves over and over again on 8-meter restarts.
Even just knowing whether they fire on the whistle, take 1-2 step and then fire, or prefer to dodge as close to goal as possible before shooting can aid us in being better prepared to make the save.
If you don’t have video or a scouting report on the team your playing, it’s not the end of the world. But any piece of information we can use to better increase our chances of saving an 8-meter should be used.
8-Meter Shot Saves
Check out this compilation of saves I made by female goalies off of 8-meter plays.
Based on the position of ballcarrier and the defenders try to guess what the attacker is going to do prior to the whistle.
P.S. You can find more videos like this on the Lax Goalie Rat YouTube channel.
Videos on 8 Meter Shooting
To better make saves on 8-meter shots it helps to understand what the offense is trying to do.
Here are a couple videos with tips for the offense, that all goalies should watch too.
Conclusion
The free position shot is a common play in ladies lacrosse that happens anytime a ball carrier is fouled within the 8-meter arc.
Since a female lacrosse goalie is likely to face several of them per game it helps to have a strategy to increase your saves on 8-meter shots.
Reading the situation, going through a pre-save routine, and understanding what the shooter is likely to do once the whistle blows are all vital elements to consistently saving 8-meter shots.
As a leader of the D, you’ll also want to ensure everyone knows their role on the restart.
Good luck saving those 8-meter shots!
Until next time! Coach Damon
Any other points you think I missed when it comes to saving 8-meter shots? Would love to hear about it. Leave me a comment down below. What’s your approach?
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Scotty Royster
Imagine if 8 meter shots were part of the mens game🤔🤔 How well do you think you’d do with 8meters 👀#lax #laxgirls #lacrosse #laxboys
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8 Meter Time and Rooms @NULax
4 big goals in their win yesterday… multiple release points and placement! #FirstClassLacrosse #Lacrosse #lacrossegirls #ncaalacrosse #howto
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no look 8 meters.
scores ranged from 0 to 1000000. we are #athletes people. #pennclublax #rollquakes #fyp #lacrossetok #laxgods #laxislife
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never trained lacrosse, I was not interested in it
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The famous hockey player Alexei Kovalev spoke about why he did not try to score a lacrosse goal during his career in the NHL. The author of the first such goal in the history of the league was the forward “Carolina” Andrey Svechnikov in October 2019. – Why didn’t you play lacrosse in the 90s? – Then foppish goals were not welcomed. I remember that they looked askance at you even for a throw from under your foot. And now it is believed that if you score an unusual goal, then you are no longer a hockey player, but a god. I have never trained lacrosse, it was not interesting to me. There are certain feints – so, I remember, everyone liked how I threw nines, holding the stick with one hand. These things can be used in the game if you jump out from the side and lay the hull. You have a stick in just one hand. Once – and scored. And the goalkeeper does not expect this. I remember I did a feint, which was also performed by Pasha Datsyuk. You stand outside the goal, throw it, and so that the puck lands on the back of the goalkeeper, and he enters the net with it. Or you just throw it on a nickel, and there it ricochets into the goal. – If you had hit foppish lacrosse in 1994, what would Rangers head coach Mike Keenan have done to you? – If I had scored, I would not have done anything. And if he had failed the feint, he would have started shouting: “What kind of frills? Why did you ruin the moment?” Then even hockey players were afraid to do this, because it would be considered a game with a high stick. After all, you can give a pass or get out yourself. In my time, no one showed off, and they played simply. |
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I tried that a couple of times, but it didn’t work. Lacrosse is beautiful, unusual, masterful. But for me, this is not a “wow” movement. Now, if you are like Connor McDavid, and you score, starting from the “mustache” to the goal, circling three players – this is “wow”. Well, what is lacrosse? You put the puck on the stick and throw it from behind the goal. If the goalkeeper missed a moment, then you scored. Well done. But I’m a different style player and I like different tricks.
The puck must be on the ice. And if you can beat two people in three meters, then that’s cool, – said the Olympic champion and Stanley Cup winner, – said Kovalev.Source Match TV
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LACROSSE
ap
Dmitry Khamin
President of the 6×6 Lacrosse Federation
Player of the Russian national team at the World Cup 2014, 2018 and
European Championship 2016
Certified trainer (US Lacrosse,
World Lacrosse)
Tsukanov Evgeniy
Head of the Moscow Region
department
Player of the Russian national team at the World Cup 2018 and
European Championship 2016
Alexander Zarubin
Head of the Moscow branch
Player of the Russian national team at the 2014 World Cup and
Assistant head coach at the 2016 European Championship,
World Cup 2018
Referee of the international category
HISTORY
BRIEF DESCRIPTION 9003 0 Lacrosse is a contact
sport game between two
teams using
small rubber ball and
special stick.
The goal of the game
is to throw the ball into the opponent’s goal
with a club.
TIME AND PLACE OF START
The game was invented by the American Indians, who used it
to train warriors and peacefully resolve conflicts
between tribes. According to archaeological research
, the prototype of lacrosse was known in
territory of modern Canada already at the beginning of the 15th century.
Teams at that time often consisted of several hundred
people, and the length of the field for the game ranged from
several hundred meters to several kilometers.
European settlers got acquainted with this game at
XVII century, and by the beginning of the XIX century, it began to win
popularity among the French population of Canada.
The first official lacrosse match took place in Canada in
1867.
Lacrosse was twice included in the program of the
Summer Olympic Games – in 1904 and 1908, and also
was a demonstration sport at the 1928,
1932 and 1948 Olympics.
