Set Up
The focus of this drill is the last three steps of the shooting sequence, which are critical for learning how to shoot efficiently while moving toward the goal. Place a cone roughly 8 yards from the cage. Players start square to the goal in an athletic stance with knees bent, shoulders level, and the stick flat across the waist.
On the whistle, the player initiates the shot by popping the hands away from the body to get the stick loaded early. At the same time, they drive aggressively off the inside foot to begin their approach. The goal is to transition smoothly from a balanced setup into a downhill shooting motion. Players should be loaded to shoot before their feet stop, allowing them to release the ball by the third step.
Emphasize finishing downhill toward the cage, not drifting sideways. This teaches players how to shoot with forward momentum, which increases both velocity and accuracy.
Principles and Coaching Points
- Start Square to the cage
- First move we want to drive our hands away and up to get loaded, while planting off the inside foot.
- Drive back downhill to cage and shoot by the time we get our third step
- Focus on overhand shots
Progressions
- Start in off hand, and first move is a split
- Start with one hand on stick already loaded to make it a little easier
- Do on all areas around the goal for various shots
This drill is especially effective because it breaks down how to shoot on the run into repeatable movements that translate directly to game situations. By emphasizing footwork, hand placement, and timing, players develop a reliable shooting technique they can use at full speed.
