8 Lacrosse Shooting Drills to Improve Accuracy and Power

Shooting is one of the most exciting skills in lacrosse — and one of the most coachable. Whether your players are learning their first overhand shot or fine-tuning placement on the run, these eight drills build shooting confidence at every level.

Foundation Drills

1. Standing Shooting (Mechanics Focus)

Player stands 10-12 yards from the cage with the ball. Focus purely on mechanics: hands away from body, step with the opposite foot, snap the wrists, follow through toward the target. No movement, no pressure — just reps to groove the motion.

2. Quick Stick Shooting

Player catches a pass and shoots immediately — no cradle. Builds reaction time and teaches players to shoot in rhythm rather than winding up. The best shooters in lacrosse have fast releases, and this drill builds that instinct.

Movement Drills

3. Alley Shooting

Player runs down the alley (wing area), receives a pass from behind the cage, and shoots on the run. Emphasize planting the outside foot, squaring the shoulders, and picking a corner. Run from both sides.

4. Sweep and Shoot

Player starts behind the goal, sweeps across the crease, and shoots. Practices shooting from tight angles and while changing direction. For advanced players, add a feeder who varies the timing.

5. Dodge and Shoot

Player starts at the top, dodges a cone (or passive defender), then shoots. Combines dodging footwork with shooting mechanics. Start with split dodges, then add face dodges and roll dodges.

Advanced Drills

6. Time and Room

Player catches a skip pass with space and time. Focuses on picking corners, using fakes, and reading the goalie. Call out specific targets: "Far pipe low!" This drill teaches shot selection, not just shot mechanics.

7. Pressure Shooting

Full-speed shooting with an active defender closing out. The defender starts 5 yards away and closes when the pass is thrown. Forces players to shoot quickly and accurately under pressure.

8. 2v1 Shooting

Two attackers vs. one defender. The ball carrier must read the defender — if they slide, pass; if they don't, shoot. Teaches shot-pass decision-making, which is the real skill behind effective scoring.

Coaching Points for All Shooting Drills

• •Hands away from the body — create torque
• •Step with the opposite foot (right-handed shooters step with the left)
• •Follow through toward the target, not across the body
• •Pick a corner before you shoot — don't just throw it at the goalie
• •Shoot with confidence — hesitation kills accuracy
• •Practice both sides — even if one is weaker