8 Shooting Tips to Cash in on an 8-Meter Opportunity

By Lane Errington | @Lane_Errington

This post is adapted from the US Lacrosse Coaching Education Program Level 1 Women’s instructional clinic workbook. Register now for one of 23 upcoming Level 1 women's clinics in 20 states between today and April 4.

A free-position shot in women’s lacrosse is similar to a foul shot in basketball, awarded to an offensive player when a defender commits a major foul (e.g., three seconds, shooting space) inside the 8-meter arc.

The offensive player is placed 8 meters from the goal on one of the seven hash marks that are evenly placed around the 8-meter arc: the one that is closest to where the foul occurred. Any players inside the arc must clear out of the arc at the closest point and be at least four meters from the fouled player.

The player who committed the foul is positioned on the 12-meter fan directly behind the player with the ball. On the official’s whistle to restart play, the offensive player tries to score while the defensive players try to gain good defensive position to prevent or block the shot.

So now that we’ve set the stage for your would-be goal scorer, here are some tips to increase your chances of capitalizing on this opportunity.

• Release the shot sooner rather than later.

• Only shoot high if you have faked the goalie in the opposite direction.

• Faking high and shooting low works.

• Shooting at the goalie’s feet does not work.

• Looking at where you are shooting does not work. Keep you head and eyes up.

• Always check around the 8-meter to see if there is an open teammate to pass the ball to who may have a better shot.

• Assess whether defenders have taken your shot away and if it would be best to back out and maintain possession rather than force the shot.

• Always cut off one defender as you “take it in.” Look to move the goalie before shooting.