Soft Lacrosse Shooting and Goalie Rotation
A soft lacrosse shooting circuit where students shoot from different spots at a small goal defended by a classmate who rotates every few shots. It builds the overhand shot, picking a side to shoot, and goalie reactions.
How to play
- Set up 4 small goals, each with a 3-yard semicircle of cones (the crease) and three shooting cones at 6 yards: left, center, and right.
- Form 4 groups of 6: a goalie with a stick, a feeder next to the goal, and four shooters in line.
- Standing shots (5 min): each shooter shoots from a cone, first at the center and then at the low corners; the feeder returns the balls.
- Catch and shoot (6 min): the feeder passes to the shooter, who catches, cradles for one second, and shoots; switch cones every turn.
- Every 5 shots the goalie rotates: they join the shooting line, the feeder goes in goal, and a shooter becomes the feeder.
- Contest (7 min): each group counts goals in 3 minutes; every goalie save subtracts a goal, so everyone stays engaged.
Rules
- No one enters the crease.
- Shoot only when the goalie calls "Ready!" and is set.
- Shoot underhand or overhand, never at the goalie's head.
- Safety: use soft balls and shoot from at least 6 yards; waiting students stay behind the line.
Variations
Easier
Shoot from 4 yards at an empty goal with targets in the corners.
Standard
Shoot from three spots at 6 yards with a rotating goalie.
Harder
The shooter must cradle around a cone defender before shooting.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student shoots from a wheelchair at 4 yards and may also play goalie in a narrower goal.
- Shy students or those afraid of the ball: start as the feeder until they feel ready to play goalie.
- Lower fitness: use a shorter shooting line so rests are brief but each turn is less demanding.
Learning goals
- Perform the overhand shot with the stick.
- Choose a side to shoot based on the goalie's position.
- Take on different roles while keeping everyone safe.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soft lacrosse sticks: 25
- soft balls: 16
- small goals: 4
- cones: 24
Teacher tip
Make sure no one fires full power at the goalie's face; aim for the low corners. Set goals with their backs to a wall to save time collecting balls.
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