Need help getting my son to shoot

[wylie_scott]

Need some help? Here is my problem

My son who is ten and plays midfield, was recently moved up to a seventh grade team in his fall/winter league and for some reason will not shoot the ball anymore, he still dodges and burns his defender and will get within a couple feet of the crease, but has been constantly passing to an attack man when the defense collapses, of if they don’t he keeps taking the ball back around to X and then feeds to an open middy. This is even when he clearly has a enough space and time to get off a good shot.

This was never the case when he played with his fifth grade team, but now he just seems like he is afraid to shoot. He can handle the ball both right and left and can shoot both right and left with accuracy, but wont. When I talk to him about it just says they were more open or he didn’t feel he had a good shot, but his new coaches have been telling him to shoot. I don’t think it is a fear getting hurt because he has been playing up in both football and hockey
For a couple of years. Also when he scrimmages with his new team he has no trouble taking it to the hole.

So my question is there something I can do to help him feel more comfortable or should I just move him back down to his regular team. I am afraid that he will lose his aggressiveness if he stays in this situation and I am not sure if that is good for him or his new teammates.

[WHEELAX2]

I think he's fine.. it's great that he's seeing the field that much.. most kids that age think only about shooting the ball and scoring.. he's at least a team player.. that's something to be proud of.. <<rather he developes these skills at a young age than have to relearn how to be a good team player in high school.. no one wants a great player who is a ball hog..

[MaKiMaKi13]

well being a middie isnt it his main job to be the assist guy anyways? but i dunno i think he's fine where he's at for his level maybe you should just simulate game like situations to get him to feel comfortable shooting?

[#15Roadies]

My two cents in a hurry:

I would explain the concept of 'high percentage shot' to him and let him know that when he passes it away when he has a high precentage shot he is hurting the teams chances, not to mention that his pass could be intercepted or knocked down and completely negating any scoring opportunity. If he is in tight and is not confident to shoot that is one thing, but he needs to learn the what and whys of high precentage shooting. Let him know the best shooters in the game take risks and blow few shots, but practice makes perfect in each and every case.

Then I would get him to go one-on-one practice with an older goalie if possible - starting outside and then slowly moving in for shots around the crease. Get him working on his fakes especially under pressure because this is where the confidence will come from once he realizes he can beat an older goalie or hit the sweet spots on a regular basis.

On the other side of things, when those little hearts get pounding and the brain is racing they are in a less of a position to confidently make good choices. When practicing (as above) get him to start each shot with a hard sprint to a spot before shooting or faking. Once repetition takes over it will be second nature for him.

[ViennaLAX16]

well being a middie isnt it his main job to be the assist guy anyways? but i dunno i think he's fine where he's at for his level maybe you should just simulate game like situations to get him to feel comfortable shooting?
exactly, our prime job is to get the ball from the defense and feed to our attack. I see us as more of transitioners. Even though we aren't afraid too shoot.

[sweet_ceX]

That's a pickle there. I Think iwould yell at him really loud to shoot, tell him to practice cuts and off the ball screens. He needs confidence in his shot.

[ghs/wylax]

practice with him,and encourage his shots.

[byualum]

Sounds like a young man trying to fit in with an older crowd. All he needs is one goal and then see the reception he gets from the older boys when he scores. Encouragment to shoot from boys on the team might be the best solution...

[nemesislax]

Sounds like a young man trying to fit in with an older crowd. All he needs is one goal and then see the reception he gets from the older boys when he scores. Encouragment to shoot from boys on the team might be the best solution...
exactly...playing with older guys for the first couple weeks is always hard because you don't wanna shoot when they're open and then have them not like you. Happens to everyone at one point or another. A couple goals should get his confidence back completely.....but hey, being able to feed like that at a young age is phenomonal.

[NC-LACROSSE]

Maby he fels like hes hoggin the ball, or he gets nervous about messing up since hes now 10 he can think about what other people think about him, and i dont no your son but if he has a shot in a game he should take it unless your winning then he should probably pass it to somone wo can take it to.

[lacrossefanatic]

If you have a big yard clear of trees or possible obstacles that would otherwise empty u of lacrosse balls... I'd get one. I'm also a middie and since i've bought a backyard goal my shooting has gone to a whole other level... It eventually becomes natural and belive me once he's got a nice shot he'll want to show it off, I for one do.