Everything you need to know about playing – Goal Shooter

Published on June 19, 2025

Goal Shooter

GS is the team’s main scorer leader in the circle. Each goal shooter is different in how they approach the game. Different players like to shoot from different parts of the goal circle, hold or lead out and they are all require to be fed differently. It’s important to create your own trademark as a GS.

5 key focuses to nail:

Develop a strong one-handed shot
Work on your release: Aim for a smooth, consistent release to improve accuracy & power.
Master your footwork: Practise footwork drills to improve agility & positioning for shots.
Focus on balance and core strength: A stable stance & strong core contributes to accuracy.
Have great space awareness. As the ball rushes down to you, you must read & create space.

1) Spatial Awareness

Spatial awareness is crucial for goal shooters, who must learn how to free themselves from defenders & get into good position to increase their chances of scoring.
They must also be able to work well & connect with the goal attack, knowing where to set up in the ring to create the space for their drives.
Be aware of your space & body awareness for some quick shooter to shooter passes under the ring.
GS need to give some attention to their defensive work from throw-ins & rebound missed shots.

2) Shot Technique

Be consistent with your one-handed shot, which requires a strong shooting arm & a supportive non-shooting hand. To have power on the shot comes from a balance between leg power and upper-body strength, allowing you to release the ball with a high arm and follow through with a wrist flick.

We sometime forget:

Footwork: position your feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward.
Hips and elbows: you should align your hips and elbows with the post, ensuring that your body is square to the ring. This alignment helps to maintain accuracy & consistency in the shot.

3) Resetting after a missed goal

GS have an instinctive feel for how to get the shot in & when a defender throws their rhythm off, it can be costly. Just because you miss one doesn’t mean you’re going to miss the next.
If you start to miss, just say one word to yourself. Have a key word you can use to refocus on your technique. Just say the word to yourself just as you are about to set the shot and this will help with your concentration.
Getting into the right position before taking a shot is the most important thing to improve accuracy. Create your own space within the circle for the best placed shot.
Don’t worry about missing, everybody does it… just nail the next one!

4) How to hold

GS should aim to hold space effectively, demand the ball, and be a strong, reliable shooting option within the goal circle.
This involves being comfortable with body contact, presenting a strong physical presence, and working with their teammates to create space and scoring opportunities.
Holding an upright ‘T’ shape with their body, with their back to the defender’s stomach or a shoulder against their stomach, and their other shoulder pointing towards the post. The GS should maintain this position, adjusting their feet to maintain the hold, until the ball is in the air and heading towards them.

5) Circle movement

Working in partnership with your GA is important here too. Together you need to continually create a balanced movement to receive a ball for the opportunity to shoot.
The player in front moves forward to allow space for the player behind to work towards the post.
Think about loosing your player before you drive to the space where you want to receive the pass.
Set up a hold on your defender to protect the space where you want to receive the pass.
Keep vision of the ball & team mates at all times.
GS needs to be aware of the post & baseline at all times.

6) Following your shot

After putting up a shot with a defender 3ft in front of the GS, you must use quick footwork to follow in the shot.
The aim is to block your defender by getting in front of them and claiming the front space to the ball.
Keep your eyes up for the ball and prime positioning is approx. 3ft radius of the goal post (but not under it).

7) Turn & look at the post

When a GS receives the ball from a teammate, the aim is to turn quickly, force the defender to quickly set up their 3ft mark.
Even if you know you might not take the shoot turning your hips and shoulders around to the post get the defender off your body.(Move the defender). A quick give & go pass to then work you closer to the post into your comfortable shooting zone is key.
Turning quickly to look at the post can give you the space to step in & have an easier shot at goal before the defender has time to put their arms over the ball.

8) How to combat tall defender

Defenders all have different strength, be physical, tall, good jump or great timing. The key is to mix the timing of your shot.
Sometimes shooting on the first second doesn’t allow defenders time to set up their lean.
Also shooting on the third second gives you a chance to potentially step back or to the side, away from a defender’s reach.

9) Practise, practise & practise

The standard shot rate for rep and high level goalers is 1,000 shots a week in all different forms.
Try hitting a standard 100 shots on technique under the post, other times – focus on movement in the circle with finishing a shot under fatigue.
Our latest NETFIT home shooting program has a list of practise drills you can do at home, for different conditions.

10) Shooting under pressure

A GS needs to be able to shoot under pressure, when there is five seconds left and the scores are even – you need to be able to perform. You can practise these things in training.
Aim to replicate situations that might occur in a match, example; 20 seconds on the clock and you are tied on the score board.
Other practice techniques can include:
- Shooting over somebody holding over a broom or with a defender standing one centimetre away.
- Shooting with your eyes closed, shooting with a defender in all sections of the circle. Keep note of the areas where you like to shoot & are more accurate & those you are not.
- Shooting with loud distracting music