Shoot or Pass Gate
Decision Making
Legend
- player
- defender
- coach / parent
- ball
How it works
Make the correct shoot-or-pass decision based on defender positioning as the player enters the shooting zone.
What you need
- lacrosse stick
- lacrosse ball
- cones
- goal
Your focus
The shoot-or-pass decision is one of the most important decision-making moments in lacrosse. Training players to read defender position before entering the shooting zone builds the situational awareness that reduces forced shots and turnovers.
Ball carrier drives toward goal. A defender either stays between them and the goal (pass cue) or steps out of the lane (shoot cue).
Ball carrier must make the correct decision: if defender is in lane, pass to a cutting teammate; if open, shoot.
Coach varies the defender's position randomly across 10 reps.
Debrief which decisions were made correctly and why.
Goal
Success is making the correct shoot-or-pass call at least 4 out of 5 reps, if you're guessing, keep training. If you're reading the defense, you're there.
Helpful cues
- Read the defender's feet, they tell you where the lane is
- If you're not sure, pass, a bad shot is worse than a good pass
- Train your eyes to find the defender before you commit
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Defender holds a cone up (pass) or down (shoot) as a clear signal.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Defender can move after the ball carrier has already committed to one direction.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.