Your 8-meter (free position) shot should be “money in the bank” every time you get the foul and step on the line.
That’s the way I want you to think about this.
Every time you get the opportunity for an 8-meter shot, you’re going to nail it!
Here’s how.
Use these 3 essential concepts to knock down your 8-meter shot every time.
There’s a lot to perfecting the 8-meter, so this is just a few things to consider.
I promise you that if you do these consistently, you’ll significantly improve your scoring percentage.
1. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SET UP.
Perfect Your Setup and Approach
- Focus on Foot Positioning: Line up your front foot pointing directly toward your target (the goal). This ensures your body is aligned for getting off the line explosively when the whistle blows. The front foot placement is extremely important which leads me to the next point.
- The Shin Angle. Have a “positive shin angle.” A positive shin angle means your lower leg (your tibia) is angled (leaning) forward OR your front knee is positioned forward relative to your foot. (*ex. If your lower leg is completely vertical, there is no shin angle. But if your lower leg is angled forward, you have a positive shin angle which greatly contributes to your explosiveness.)
- Accelerate: Burst out of your set-up as you step into your shot. This creates momentum and maximizes shot velocity. Not to mention your burst will help you beat your defender. Don’t forget stick protection here.
- Eyes Up: As you approach, scan the goalie’s position. Look for gaps—goalies often leave openings on their off-stick side or high corners. You can also be deceptive in looking at one area but knowing you’re going somewhere else. Sell with your eyes.
2. PLACEMENT IS CRITICAL.
Master Shot Placement
- Shoot for Corners: High-to-low shots and placement to the corners (e.g., off-stick hip or bottom corners) are harder for goalies to track and save. Far side away is usually very favorable for shot placement. The goalie is a rightie, then shoot low left. And please avoid predictable straight-line shots directly to the goalie (*one of the single most common shot placement errors that can easily be avoided).
- Deception Wins: Add a fake or look-off to freeze the goalie. For example, fake high and shoot low to throw off their timing. It works almost every time, if done correctly.
- Change Your Angle: Use your stick’s release point to adjust the angle of your shot. Sidearm, high-to-low, or low-to-high releases can make it harder for the goalie to react. Don’t be predictable. Have different ways to attack and deceive the goalie.
3. THE MENTAL GAME.
Stay Mentally Locked In
- Confidence Is Key: Visualize the ball hitting the back of the net before you step up. I’m telling you right now, most athletes DO NOT use visualization enough. The thing is, visualization works. A confident mindset also keeps the “nerves” from sabotaging your execution of the shot.
- Stick to Your Plan: Decide the shot placement before the whistle and commit to it. Overthinking leads to hesitation, which makes for weaker shots. Decide and execute, it’s that simple.
- Embrace Pressure: Pressure is a part of the 8-meter shot, so you have to prepare for that. How? Practice 8-meter shots under pressure in your training. Simulating game-like conditions prepares you to perform when it matters most.
Bonus Tip: Practice (More) with Purpose
One last thing as we were talking about practicing under pressure.
It’s my belief that most lacrosse players probably do not practice the 8-meter shot enough. Why? Lots of reasons, I’m sure.
But if you incorporate more specific 8-meter drills into your training, like shooting against live goalies or working on fakes and shot placement, your skill and confidence will literally skyrocket.
The more comfortable you are in the practice environment, the more automatic your shots will feel in games. And you don’t have to spend much time on 8-meter shots, just practice them consistently.
Follow these three concepts, and you’ll become a reliable scoring threat from the 8-meter arc.
- GET YOUR SET-UP
- MASTER YOUR SHOT PLACEMENT
- OWN YOUR MENTAL GAME
Once again, there is a lot more to succeeding with the technical and tactical aspects of 8-meter shots.
Like most things though, keep it simple and you’ll do great.
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