Jump Shots, Sidearm Shots and Underhand Shots

[GoDukeLax77]

I'm somewhat of a beginner to lacrosse and while most of my skills seem to be coming along, these remain three of my biggest problems. The jump shot, sidearm shot, and underhand shot. I know these shots tend to be some of the less accurate shots but I'd like to be able to rip these with ease and use them to my advantage.

First is the jump shot. I've seen it done a million times by college guys and pros but I don't quite understand what they're doing. I always see them kick out their stick-side foot as they use their entire body to rip a fast overhand shot while running across the goal. If anyone can please explain the mechanics of this shot in detail it would be a huge help.

Second is the sidearm and underhand shots. I always see college players take these shots with a little time and room from the outside to get a shot that usually has quite a bit of velocity on it. Every time I try either of them I usually rip the shot wide or high. How exactly should I go about perfecting my sidearm and underhand shots?

Thanks for any advice you guys might have for me.

[sabreace]

I wouldn't use the jump shot, I find overhand to be much better on the run.

Keep practicing to get nice sidearm and underhanded shots.

[LaxGw]

practice practice

[thedamnedfan]

The reason that your shot is either going wide or high on the sidearm or underarm is because when you are releasing, or stick is coming across a new plane, changing its possible trajectory. When you shoot overhand you are dealing with verticle up and down, when you move to side arm or underarm, the path your stick is taking is now from either right to left or, lower right to upper left, changing how the ball comes out normally, its something you would need to get adjusted to and adjust your stick to as well.

[Dub C lacrosse]

When you're running down the right side with the ball, and your right handed, you jump with your left foot in the air and shoot. Or if you want to keep running, you step with your RIGHT foot and shoot. Same goes with the opposite side. Play around on a wall to get used to the sidearm and underhand. Remember your elbows and wrists.

[titans 43]

just takes alot of practice to be good at those do you think college players could just do that their first year?>

[CtLaxin]

I would say never shoot sidearm on the run, its 1. inaccurate 2. leaves your stick out to get checked. Shoot overhand on the run. For sidearm its a good set place shot but when shooting make sure to the the stick from the goalie when shooting sidearm

[Auburn10]

the purpose of the jump shot is to turn your hips faster. You don't really wanna "jump" more like I guess "hop" and then carry your momentum through... Side arm and underhand just practice, keep shooting ball after ball, bucket after bucket, and try to change planes as much as possible.

[Tedster33]

DONT SIDEARM OR UNDERHAND UNLESS YOU CAN HIT IT DAY AND NIGHT...if your going to try these shots in a game first you must practice practice practice..because trust me i had to break the low-high habit...when you miss sidearm or underhand your coaches are 10x more pissed than an overhand miss

[GoDukeLax77]

just takes alot of practice to be good at those do you think college players could just do that their first year?

I realize that these things take time to perfect, but I'd like to know the general mechanics, and the :thumbsup: DO's and :thumbsdow DONT's of these shots before I put in all this time and effort only to form bad habits.

[ccslax6]

http://tv.insidelacrosse.com/index.cfm?video=345
for the jump shot

[WezAlmighty]

There isn't really an easy way of instructing you on what to do through text really.
Inside lacrosse has some pretty good shooting videos on their player which are definitely worth watching.

marecheck on the sidearm shot http://tv.insidelacrosse.com/index.cfm?video=268

Kyle Dixon on the jump shot http://tv.insidelacrosse.com/index.cfm?video=345

And then its basically out to the fence and shoot long and hard until you can get the accuracy down.

[GoDukeLax77]

There isn't really an easy way of instructing you on what to do through text really.
Inside lacrosse has some pretty good shooting videos on their player which are definitely worth watching.

marecheck on the sidearm shot http://tv.insidelacrosse.com/index.cfm?video=268

Kyle Dixon on the jump shot http://tv.insidelacrosse.com/index.cfm?video=345

And then its basically out to the fence and shoot long and hard until you can get the accuracy down.


Thanks, dude. These videos were pretty helpful.

[Lax4life593]

For the sidearm shot, try to practice doing it standing still first. Just put your hands like you would for a normal overhand shot, but hold the low instead of high. Wind up like a mid-3/4 shot, and shoot from the side, releasing a little early because you said you shot too high. For Underhand, you might have too much whip, so try releasing it around a second earlier so you'll shoot lower

[KUjayhawks42]

Get a bucket of balls and dont stop shooting until you cant pick up your stick. Then do it with your off hand