Underhand shot good or bad?

[IHHS Lax]

Ever since i tried an underhand shot i've been in love with it. I seem to have more power with it and i'm accurate most of the time, except on the run. It feels so much more natural since i used to play hockey, since i was like 5. But my coach gets pissed everytime i or someone else uses it. What do u guys think about the shot? Good or bad?

[lax1127]

well at times its good like wen your in certain situations

[mustang_lax]

you should only shoot underhand when you fake high and go low. No matter what you think, your coach is always right

[Hackstall]

I also tend to take underhand shots without thinking about it and my friends and teammates don't like it either. I didn't learn to play lacrosse until I was in my 20's so maybe it is because of hockey. I have since learned that the overhand shot gives you a lot more options. When you shoot underhand, your always shooting across your body and it limits the spots you can hit. The only time I would recommend the underhand shot is when you are shooting around someone or through legs in traffic.

[HavLax]

It seems like it has more power, but I've been told speed guns show this is not true. I think that is probably because you are shooting across your body, as Hackstall said, and this limits the full range of motion. As someone who coaches youth lacrosse I think most coaches don't like side arm or under arm shots because they are more difficult to shoot accurately. That being said if you practice a lot you can probably shoot it accurately. Again I think the power is deceptive.

[WHEELAX2]

I would suggest that the underhand shot is a relatively advanced shot. I know guys (nll/mll/D1)
who can absolutely shoot the lights out with an underhand shot. If you're good enough you can be very effective with this shot since goalkeepers may perceive you to be shooting low. I'll agree that it is rather difficult to do, and it should be used based on situation and skill level.
one of those.. "Kids, don't try this at home" shots

you can look pretty silly if you can't hit the broad side of a barn with this shot, or you can look like a superstar when you pull off a wicked elevator shot.

[Thrillhouse]

It's the same as an overhand shot, sidearm shot, or behind the back shot...
If you score, good.
If you don't, bad.

I personally like to see a good worm-burner every once in awhile.

[WHEELAX2]

It's the same as an overhand shot, sidearm shot, or behind the back shot...
If you score, good.
If you don't, bad.


True, but you have to make distinctions between levels of play. You certainly don't want to reward a middle school kid who pulls off an ugly yet successful behind the back shot or something like that. you want to reinforce good habits and good fundamentals.
Even in high school, if we scored btb, we still had to come to the sideline for 25 push-ups. at the time it seemed silly, but I now know the value of this. I have found that fundamentals have carried me much further. (of course with the occasional unconventional shot in the right situation)

[prisoner]

Every shot has its time and place. You just need to use it when it is appropriate. My players coming out of HS were amazed that I didnt forbid behind the back shots. My philosophy is if you can do it and know when to do it and you get it in the goal that is all that matters. I think coaches who forbid uniformly for a whole team are just buying into the idea that kids want to be hotdogs and take crazy shots. A coach will know their players and what they are capable of, and players also know what they are capable of. I have an attackman that nails 70% of his btb shots, how do you argue with that. The thing is he knows when to use it and it isnt all he does.

The only time I come down on players for shooting is when they take shots they know they cant make and are just shooting because they are frustrated with a double team or are too lazy to position themselves for a better shot. Basically, I dont restrict my players from however they want to get it in the goal, but focus on how to make them better at getting it in the goal.

[NickBritt]

lower to the ground it is the faster it LOOKS
my hardcore baseball friend told me that one

[fallingupstairs]

i think underhand shots are good but my coach hates it when we do it

[lax4life6]

prisoner is completely right. If u have a good underhand shot and are close enough to score then it is good but if u know yur underhand shot sucks then its bad to take one.

[shiftylax]

It's good for advanced players. If you practice it enough, the release can be very very fast. Set up a dodge to the left, roll back righty and fire the shot as you turn. Sick move, sick goal, good use of the underhand.