Shooting Techniques Focus

Lesson Overview

This 60-minute lesson is designed for Year 6 students and concentrates on developing fundamental shooting skills in lacrosse as part of the "Serve and Score: Tennis & Lacrosse" unit. Students will learn correct shooting mechanics, aiming to improve both accuracy and power. The lesson integrates skill practice with target drills adapted for their age and ability. It aligns with the Australian Curriculum (v9) for Health and Physical Education.

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Curriculum Links

Learning Area: Health and Physical Education
Year Level: 5 and 6
Content Descriptions:

• AC9HP6M01 Adapt and modify movement skills across a variety of situations, e.g., applying stability and locomotor skills to different movement situations, transitioning from dribbling to shooting .
• AC9HP6M02 Transfer familiar movement strategies to different movement situations, including adapting and transferring offensive strategies across activities .
• AC9HP6M04 Participate in physical activities to investigate the body’s reaction to different levels of intensity, relevant for understanding effort in shooting power .

General Capability: Critical and creative thinking is encouraged during skill practice and refining techniques.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate the fundamental mechanics of shooting in lacrosse, including grip, stance, and follow-through.
• Practice and improve shooting accuracy using target drills.
• Understand how to control power in shooting for different game situations.
• Reflect on their own and peers’ shooting performance with constructive feedback.

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Equipment

• Lacrosse sticks (one per student)
• Soft lacrosse balls or suitable alternatives
• Shooting targets on goal nets or marked on walls (cones, hula hoops at target zones)
• Cones to mark shooting lines
• Stopwatch or timer

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction and Warm-up (10 minutes)

• Brief recap of previous lessons’ skills relevant to lacrosse (passing, catching) to activate prior knowledge.
• Dynamic warm-up focusing on coordination and upper-body activation (arm circles, wrist mobility, light jogging).
• Demonstrate the correct shooting mechanics:
  • Grip: hands placement on the stick
  • Stance: feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent
  • Shooting motion: pulling the stick back and pushing forward with follow-through aimed at the target
• Use a visual demonstration and encourage students to mimic slowly to internalise the movement.

2. Skill Teaching and Drills (25 minutes)

Drill 1: Stationary Shooting (10 minutes)

• Students line up behind a marked spot ~3-5m from the target.
• Focus on hitting large target areas on the goal using controlled shots.
• Each student takes 5 shots, trying to hit the target.
• Teacher provides personalised feedback on shot mechanics and encourages consistency.

Drill 2: Shooting with Movement (15 minutes)

• Set up cone lines 5m from the goal with students weaving through cones and shooting immediately after the last cone.
• Emphasise shooting in motion, power control, and aiming for accuracy under movement conditions.
• Students work in small groups (4-5) to keep engagement high.
• Rotate roles: shooter, ball feeder, and rebound catcher to involve students continuously.
• Use timing intervals to challenge students (e.g., shoot every 20 seconds).

3. Game Application and Peer Feedback (15 minutes)

• Mini "shooting competition": students split into two teams.
• Each player gets 3 shots to at least hit medium-sized targets to score a point for their team.
• Encourage supporting and constructive feedback from peers focusing on form and accuracy.
• Discuss how shooting skills can affect the outcome in a real lacrosse game scenario.

4. Cool-down and Reflection (10 minutes)

• Gentle stretching focusing on arms, shoulders, and legs.
• Class discussion: What did you learn about shooting today?
• Students complete a quick self-assessment checklist on how confident they feel about their shooting skills.
• Teacher summarises key points and sets expectations for next lesson (defending techniques).

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Assessment/Evidence of Learning

• Observation of students demonstrating appropriate shooting mechanics during drills.
• Accuracy recorded during target drills to monitor improvement.
• Use of peer feedback and self-assessment forms to evaluate understanding and engagement.
• Teacher notes on transfer of shooting skills under different movement conditions.

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• Provide options for different shot distances based on skill level.
• Use softer balls for students needing gentler impact.
• Visual demonstration and tactile guidance for students who benefit from kinaesthetic learning.
• Encourage peer support and cooperative learning during drills.

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Cross-curricular Connections

• Mathematics: measuring distances and time intervals during shooting drills.
• Critical and creative thinking: adjusting techniques for accuracy and power according to feedback.

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This lesson plan ensures students develop essential lacrosse shooting skills progressively and enjoyably while adhering strictly to the Australian Curriculum content descriptions for Year 6 Physical Education. It balances instruction, practice, application, and reflection suitable for 25 students within a 60-minute period.

If desired, I can also help create accompanying student worksheets, assessment rubrics, or detailed warm-up/cool-down routines.