Shooting the ball in lacrosse is unlike the scoring methods used in any other sport popular in the United States. Rather than contacting the ball directly, in lacrosse the ball is possessed in a basket attached to the end of the lacrosse stick. Effective shooting requires the player to know the ideal release point when shooting with proper form. So many factors go into a shot, including location, the defense and your own mechanics and strength, that shooting is often difficult for beginners. There are several things you can do to improve your shot.
Step 1
Strengthen your core muscles. When you shoot the ball, your torso and core muscles serve as the point of origin for much of the power behind a shot, according to pro lacrosse player Ray Megill. Weak shot attempts are rarely the product of a lack of strength and muscle in the arms. Rather, it means you need to strengthen your abdominals, back and other muscles in the torso. Body mass exercises such as sit-ups and pushups can help you achieve this, as can regular weightlifting. Use yoga or Pilates to help strengthen your core.
Step 2
Take practice shots from long distances to improve your accuracy. As with throwing a football or shooting a basketball, accuracy is a primarily mental skill that will take time to develop. Practice shots will also help you develop muscle memory that will help you improve your aim when shooting in an actual game.
Step 3
Fake your movement direction to a goalie, using your upper body and head. Better shooting can also result from using your body to fake out the goalie and create open space. Lacrosse goalies must have quick reaction times and are vulnerable to a good fake. The key is to fake to the direction opposite of where you would like to shoot.
Step 4
Watch the goalie's feet to identify open spaces. For example, if a goalie's foot steps away from the right post, you can eyeball the distance to determine what kind of space has been created for a shot. Most likely the goalie has done this to square up with the ball handler, but if you can extend your stick you might find a shooting lane not just to the side of the goalie, but also over the top. Practice this against a goalie and/or watch video of goalie positioning to get a better sense of what to look for.
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