Use Corner Pockets to Practice Shooting Accuracy
One great way to improve shooting accuracy in lacrosse is to utilize corner pockets. These are specially designed nets that attach to the goal corners and create smaller targets to aim for. Focusing your shooting practice on hitting these pockets will force you to develop better precision and aim. Start close to the goal and work your way back as your skills improve. Keep your eyes on the pockets as you wind up and release. Pay attention to your follow through and be sure to snap your wrists. Hitting the tight corners of these pockets repeatedly will translate to better accuracy during game situations. As your muscle memory improves, you’ll be sniping top and bottom corners like the pros in no time.
Add Targets Inside the Goal to Aim For
Another great training tool to improve lacrosse shooting accuracy is adding physical targets inside the goal. Target sticks like the popular “Hector the Rejector” can be positioned in different spots as aiming points. You can also use items like cones, buckets, or pool noodles. Place them strategically in corners, high and low. Then practice your shooting at these specific targets, forcing yourself to thread the needle. Work on hitting targets with quick stick shots, catching and shooting in one fluid motion. Improve your hand-eye coordination by bouncing balls off a lacrosse stick target from close range. Vary the distance and angles of your shots. Shooting at moving targets also improves reaction time and tests precision. No matter what targeting tools you use, be sure to master proper shooting fundamentals first before introducing these advanced accuracy drills.
Try Smaller Portable Lacrosse Goals
Using a smaller, portable lacrosse goal is another excellent way to improve shooting accuracy. Full-sized goals with a big opening allow more margin for error. Downsizing to a more compact, portable goal, like a 3×3 or 4×4 foot frame, forces you to be more precise. The tighter space tests your aim, accuracy, and consistency. Set up these smaller goals at varying distances and work on sniping the corners. Move around to shoot from different angles. Challenge yourself by skipping shots past a blocking lacrosse stick. Keep track of your shooting percentage at each distance and angle. Using small lacrosse goals in practice gets you accustomed to threading needles, making full-sized goals seem big and easy. Investing in a portable goal to train with at home in the yard or driveway pays huge dividends for honing shooting skill.
Work on Hitting Top and Bottom Corners
Focus your lacrosse shooting practice on hitting the top and bottom corners of the goal. Mastering these high and low targets requires precision shooting technique. Work on keeping your elbow up and getting full extension on high shots aimed at the top corners. Follow through completely and snap your wrists on the release. For low bottom corner shots, concentrate on keeping your hands out in front and getting under the ball. Crouch down on your windup to get leverage and elevation. Pay close attention to your shooting mechanics to isolate any flaws hindering your accuracy. Use cones or floor markers to provide visual targets for the corners. Hitting specific goal areas like corners builds muscle memory and consistency. Vary the angle and distance of your shots during practice. With enough quality reps hitting corners, you’ll develop deadly shooting accuracy.
Practice Quick Stick Shooting at Targets
Quick stick shooting is an essential lacrosse skill for offense, and adding targets improves accuracy. Work on catching passes from teammates and immediately redirecting the ball to goal in one fluid motion. Position target sticks, cones, or pool noodles in the corners and other spots within the goal. Focus on hitting these targets with your quick stick shots on the catch. Start close to the goal and work backward as you improve. Quick stick shooting tests hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and accuracy all at once. Keep your eyes on the targets as passes come in. Emphasize proper form and technique even at high speeds. Changing the angle of passes forces you to adjust your shooting on the fly. Mastering quick stick accuracy on targets from anywhere translates directly to dodging and shooting in game situations.
Improve Hand-Eye Coordination with Ball Targets
Developing lacrosse hand-eye coordination and reaction time will make you a better shooter. Use ball targets like bouncing balls off lacrosse stick heads and rebounding balls to improve accuracy reflexes. Have a partner toss oversized balls against a wall and work on cleanly catching the ricochet in your stick head. Rapidly pass balls back and forth using stick targets to redirect them. As your skills improve, speed up the pace and move farther apart. Master controlling and securing balls cleanly before winding up to shoot. Fast reaction time and coordination translates directly into shooting accuracy by keeping your form precise even under pressure. Sharpening fundamental stick skills with targets lays the foundation for consistently hitting shots on goal.
Vary Shooting Angles and Distances
To become a truly complete lacrosse shooter, you need to master accuracy from all angles and distances. Set up goals and targets at different spots on the field and challenge yourself to hit them consistently. Start up close, then move back farther once you’ve mastered it. Shoot from straight on, from the wings, from X, from behind the goal, and skip shots in from the side. Move around during shooting drills to mimic game situations. This builds full field awareness and versatility. Having the ability to thread shots from tight angles and under pressure is a tremendous offensive asset. Whether it’s sidearm cranks from behind the cage or long-range bombs, strive to broaden your shooting range. Becoming a multi-dimensional scoring threat keeps defenses guessing.
Focus on Hitting Specific Goal Sections
Beyond just aiming for corners, break down the goal into different scoring zones to target during shooting practice. Pinpoint small sections like just above the goalie’s shoulder or the bottom side netting. Place cones or floor markers to represent these precise areas and drill shots aimed there. Master hitting the checkout corners along the pipes. Improve quick inside roll shots targeting the top corners close to the goalie. Work on skipping shots just past the goalie’s reach right in front of the crease. Shooting for exact goal spots rather than just the cage builds precision. Keep track of your shooting percentage from each zone. Don’t move back farther until you’ve mastered accuracy from closer in. Eventually you’ll be able to pick corners and spots at will.
Train Against a Lacrosse Goalie or Blocker
Practicing shooting accuracy against an actual goalie or lacrosse blocker is ideal training. A live opponent in net forces you to place your shots with precision. Work on faking out the goalie and targeting open corners as they react. Perfect skipping shots just past a goalie’s outstretched stick. Shoot over and around blocking obstacles. Reps against resistance build key scoring instincts and split-second decision making. Whether it’s picking corners on the fly against a goalie or threading shots through a maze of blocking sticks and targets, overcoming live obstacles is great preparation. Facing defensive pressure in practice makes real game situations feel easier. Train your eyes to instantly identify open shooting lanes the moment they appear.
Use Video Replay to Analyze Shooting Form
Utilizing video analysis is an excellent way to improve lacrosse shooting technique and accuracy. Record your training sessions from different angles and study the footage after. Watch your shooting motion in slow motion, pausing to check details like hand position, elbow alignment, and follow-through. Are you keeping your elbow up and getting full extension? Is the ball sitting in your stick pocket properly? How is your wrist snap and release? Footwork and weight transfer are also visible. Having an expert coach break down footage can provide an outside perspective. Compare video of when you make vs. miss shots to spot inconsistencies. Developing repeatable, efficient mechanics through video analysis translates to better on-field shooting success.
Practice Skipping Shots Past a Blocker
Being able to skip hard, accurate shots just past a defender’s stick is an extremely valuable lacrosse shooting skill. Work on this by practicing with a teammate acting as a blocker. Have them hold their stick vertically in the goal to obstruct shots. Focus on keeping your stick and hands outside their frame as you wind up. Flick your wrists and follow through hard, visualizing the ball sailing past their stick. Start close, then work back as you improve. Change up the blocker’s positioning and clearing technique to handle adjustments. Master skipping top and sidearm shots along the ground. Rep after rep will build the ability to thread needles through tight traffic into the goal. This translates directly to firing shots past defense on the field.
Compete in Shooting Contests with Teammates
Turn shooting practice into a fun competition by challenging teammates to games and contests. See who can hit the most targets in a row or get the highest shooting percentage from different spots on the field. Have rapid fire contests where you race to make a certain number of goals first. Test tricky behind-the-back and no-look shooting. Play “HORSE” style games where you mimic made shots. Keeping score during shooting drills adds accountability, pressure, and motivates you to focus and bear down. Competing forces you to block out distractions and simply make the shot. As your skills improve, handicap yourself to keep games close and competitive. Training with teammates builds camaraderie while making you a more accurate high-volume scorer.
Try Trick Shots Like Behind-the-Back at Targets
Once you’ve mastered fundamental shooting technique, test your skills by practicing trick shots at targets. Work on behind-the-back shots, bouncing balls off walls, or crazy overhand tosses. Place cones or pool noodles in the goal and see if you can swish them creatively. Doing lacrosse ball handling drills like wrapping shots around your back and through your legs will improve overall stick skills. While flashy trick shots may seem unneccesary, they actually build tremendous hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and touch. Having these advanced skills in your arsenal allows you to shoot accurately off balance or in awkward situations. Dominating targets with trick shots also keeps practice fun and challenging as you improve.
Master Shooting Fundamentals Before Adding Targets
As tempting as it is to start firing away at targets, make sure to master proper shooting form and fundamentals first. Stance, footwork, weight transfer, grip, winding up, release, and follow through are all key. Ingraining the proper mechanics through repetition sets the foundation for accuracy. Work on catching cleanly, getting into shooting position quickly, and releasing with control. Nail down your technique from close up before moving back. Once your fundamentals are solid, then start working on hitting targets for added challenge. Trying advanced drills too early can develop bad habits that are hard to break. Build an efficient shooting motion first so it holds up under pressure situations with accuracy and consistency.