How to Shoot Faster

Technique:
It is a pretty fair statement to say that everyone likes to shoot. Even goalies like to step in and let one rip. The most important part of shooting fast is being accurate. If we can shoot 100 mph but cannot hit the goal, our speed does not matter. To become a faster shooter, we must simultaneously become a more accurate shooter. We will focus on speed, but don’t forfeit technique!

Release Point - Sports Science on ESPN showed that the further the release point is from the center axis of rotation, the more rotational velocity you can generate. Therefore, we want to get our hands up and away from our body to maximize the distance from our belly botton to our release point.

As we are stepping into your shot, get your core rotated. So many players just shoot with their arms and don’t use the rotation in their shoulders and core to build power.
Follow Through

A very common mistake we see is players stopping their follow through too early. If you stop your follow through after your release, you are actually slowing down before the ball releases. Make sure you are snapping your wrists and bringing your back leg around to get all your body and wrists behind your shot. Ryan Brown, a senior at Johns Hopkins, is a great shooter to watch. He does a great job of maximizing his follow through with his body and arms.

No Ball Shooting
Focusing on technique without worrying of the result of the ball is a great way to build speed-enhancing habits. Start slow and build speed. If you’re able to evaluate your technique in a mirror or on video, visual feedback is very important.

Wrist Rollers
Explosiveness in our wrists and forearms is very important to building speed and deception. Using a store bought or homemade wrist roller to build forearm strength is a great way to build that strength and explosiveness.

Medicine Ball Twists
Rotational core strength is a crucial part of building shot speed. Sitting medicine ball twists are one of the many exercises to build that strength in our abs, obliques and lower back.

Xcelerate Lacrosse Camps
For more great tips like this come join Coach Lalley this summer at the Xcelerate Nike Boys Lacrosse Camp at Baldwin Wallace Univeristy, in Ohio.