Choose the Right Lacrosse Goalie Gloves
Finding lacrosse goalie gloves that fit comfortably and provide maximum protection for your hands and wrists is crucial. Look for gloves with thick foam padding across the fingers, palms, and backs of hands. High-quality leathers or synthetic materials will be more durable and offer better shot-stopping performance. Your gloves should also allow enough flexibility and range of motion in your hands for catching, redirecting, and clearing the ball.
Find a Thumb Guard that Fits Comfortably
Lacrosse shots can inflict a lot of damage on an unprotected thumb. A well-fitted thumb guard will shield your thumb from injury while still allowing you to grip the stick. Trying on different styles of thumb guards is recommended, as they can vary in coverage area, padding thickness, and comfort. Your thumb should be able to move freely while feeling secure inside the guard.
Know Your Stick Length and Pocket Size
The length of your stick’s handle and the depth of its pocket impact how you move the stick to make saves. Longer sticks provide more blocking coverage but slower ball control. Shallower pockets make it easier to catch and clear balls quickly. Find the ideal combination of stick length and pocket size that matches your height and preference for maximizing your range while still allowing dexterity and fast ball movement.
Continue developing engaging paragraphs for the remaining outline points…
Find a Thumb Guard that Fits Comfortably
Protecting your thumb from injury is imperative as a lacrosse goalie. Shot speed can exceed 100 mph, so wearing a properly fitted thumb guard is not optional. When trying on thumb guards, ensure full coverage over the entire thumb without restricting joint mobility. The guard should be snug but not painfully tight. High-density foam or plastic guards generally offer more protection than soft Guards. Look for guards with moisture-wicking lining to keep hands dry and avoid slipping. Some goalies prefer removable thumb guards for convenience while others favor fixed guards integrated into the glove for maximum security. Testing different designs is the best way to find the thumb guard that gives you the ideal blend of comfort, flexibility, and protection against painful thumb and wrist hyperextension injuries.
Know Your Stick Length and Pocket Size
The optimal lacrosse goalie stick has the right balance of length and pocket size. Longer sticks (up to 72 inches) allow you to cover more area when making saves. However, they can be slower for clearing and cause you to over-swing. Shorter sticks provide greater control and quickness for clearing, passing and stick handling at the cost of reduced reach. Pocket depth also affects ball control. Shallow pockets make it easier to catch and clear balls rapidly but reduce holding power. Deeper pockets allow superior ball retention but slower ball release. Consider your height and arm length when choosing stick length. Test different pocket depths to find the sweet spot of both catching ease and secure cradling. The best goalie sticks are strung by experienced stringers and customized to your exact preferences for maximizing your range and dexterity based on your individual style of play.
Master Proper Stance and Positioning
Your stance and positioning in the crease are vital fundamentals for lacrosse goalies. Stay on the balls of your feet, knees bent and feet shoulder-width apart for mobility. Keep your weight centered and stick held ready in front with hands positioned correctly. React to ball movement by shuffling, never crossing your feet. Follow the shooter’s eyes, not just the ball. Protect the high percentage shooting areas by staying square to the shooter. Cut down shooting angles by coming out farther from the goal as needed. When the shot is taken, track the ball into your stick or body. Call out cutters behind you so defenders can pick them up. Maintain good crease awareness and avoid ball watching. Proper positioning lets you move quickly in all directions to make saves while reducing open net exposure.
Improve Reaction Time with Drills
Sharpening your reaction time as a goalie is crucial for making split-second saves. Work on hand-eye coordination by having teammates toss tennis balls at you from close range and reacting quickly to catch them. Do agility ladder and shuttle runs to build fast footwork. Practice tracking drills where you follow objects with just your eyes or hands. Go through visualization exercises before games, seeing yourself already in position and making saves. Stress drills with wave after wave of shots help mimic game intensity. Match your training to game speed by having shooters take quicker shots with less windup. Facing live shots from different angles trains you to react instinctively. Testing and tracking your progress with timed reaction drills keeps your reflexes finely tuned.
Focus on Clearing Skills
Being able to clear the ball effectively is a vital skill for lacrosse goalies. Work on quickly transitioning from making a save to clearing the ball upfield. Practice accurate full-field passes to hit midfielders and attackers in stride. Drill different clearing throw techniques like overhand, sidearm and shovel passes. Develop the stick skills to carry the ball on clears when needed. Clear left and right handed for versatility. Scan the field before clearing to spot open cutters. Incorporate pump fakes and hesitate moves to dodge defenders. Maintain composure under pressure when being pressured on clears. Clearing efficiency reduces chances of turnovers in dangerous spots. Mastering clearing is as important as making saves for helping your team maintain offensive possessions.
Communicate Constantly with Defenders
Strong communication with your defenders is imperative for lacrosse goalies. Verbally call out picks and skips to alert defenders to defenders to upcoming screens or passes. Remind them to slide early on isolation drives. Call out cutters you spot behind the defense. Let defenders know where you want redirection on skip passes. Signal weakness if you are shaded to one side on a dodge. Advise them on best positioning relative to the ball. Keep the chatter positive when goals are scored. Build trust through repetition in practice. Use checklists for scenarios you commonly identify. Nonverbal cues like hand signals can also be effective. The goalie view of the whole field provides insights defenders don’t have. Keeping your defense informed, prepared and confident leads to better team defense.
Stay Hydrated and Fueled
Proper hydration and nutrition are key for lacrosse goalies to maintain energy and focus. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after games and practices. Sports drinks can replenish electrolytes lost in sweat. Eat carbohydrate-rich meals and snacks for sustained energy. Pack nutritious snacks like energy bars, fruits, and nuts to eat during games. Avoid overly heavy meals right before competition. Caffeine in moderation can boost alertness. Be mindful not to overhydrate to the point it adversely impacts performance. Dehydration and nutritional deficiencies multiply fatigue and increase injury risk. Establish effective hydration and fueling habits to feel physically ready to give your best effort through intense games and tournaments.
Work on Quick Feet Movement
Lightning-quick footwork allows lacrosse goalies to move explosively in the crease to track shots and cut off angles. Drill lateral shuffle steps, crossover steps, and drop steps to hone agility. Work on stickhandling while moving to maintain ball control in motion. Quickly bounce in and out from the goal to cut down shot options. Close space rapidly on shooters to force lower angle shots. React instantly to shot fakes that shift your momentum. Maintain athletic ready position while moving so you stay balanced and centered. Increase foot speed with ladder drills, side shuffles, and suicide sprints. Quick feet let you adjust angles, set feet and stay square to make saves on blistering shots. Mastering footwork fundamentals elevates goalie mobility for covering more net.
Analyze Opponents’ Shooting Tendencies
Studying opponents’ shooting tendencies enables lacrosse goalies to read and react quicker. Review game film to detect each shooter’s go-to moves and shot locations. Note if they favor high or low shots, corners or midpoint. Identify their shooting hands and style. See if shot selection varies against zone versus man defenses. Look for tendencies on power plays or other situations. Mark their shooting accuracy and velocity. Check if shot selection changes when pressured. Being familiar with opponents’ strengths and weaknesses helps you anticipate the most likely shot types. Focus extra on the top scorers and crease attackmen. Adjust your positioning accordingly to take away their preferred angles and shots. Analyzing data and video sharpens your instincts for blocking their best scoring opportunities.
Don’t Neglect Leg Pads and Chest Protector
Quality leg pads and chest protectors are essential lacrosse goalie gear. Leg pads should rise to just below the knee without restricting mobility. Dense foam or plastic knee blocks provide impact protection. Extended thigh rises boost coverage. Choose chest protectors with robust sternum, collarbone and shoulder padding that allow free arm movement. Ensure complete arm, heart and vital organ protection. Getting hit in unpadded areas equals bruises or worse. Replace worn pads with holes or compressed padding. Properly sized and fitted pads increase comfort and safety. Take time to adjust straps and loosen areas that impede motion. Broken-in pads conform better to your body. Well-constructed pads withstand season-long abuse. Inspect for cracks or damage after hard impacts. Goalies rely on pads taking endless punishment so invest in quality protection.
Perfect Redirecting and Deflecting Shots
Mastering the skill of redirecting and deflecting shots expands a lacrosse goalie’s save repertoire. Redirect shots with the end of your stick by angling it to send shots wide or over the cage. Deflect shots up or down by positioning your body behind the stick. Allow low momentum shots to rebound softly into your stick by cushioning upon impact. Absorb force on hard shots to safely redirect momentum. Practice deflecting bounce shots downward into the turf. Work on slight stick rotations to alter shot paths. Repetition trains proper hand placement for optimal redirection control. Don’t “stab” at shots to avoid mishandling redirects. Staying square to shooters allows adjusting your save angle at the last second. Redirection ability complements catching and blocking as another way to deny goals.
Develop an Effective Rebound Control Strategy
Controlling rebounds is vital for lacrosse goalies after making a save. Optimal rebound direction depends on game situation. Deflect high-risk shots wide or over the cage. Guide low-risk saves toward your defense or corners. Smother shots to eliminate rebounds when possible. Box out opponents on rebounds to shield the ball. Maintain vision on the ball throughout saves to track its path. Adjust hand and body position to direct momentum. Develop quick recovery skills to reset after saves. call out “ball down” to alert defense of live rebounds. Stay alert for late trail checks on loose balls. Chip in on ground balls near the crease when needed. Solid rebound control limits opponents’ second chance opportunities. Mastering rebound technique and strategy minimizes costly goals off saves.
Maintain Proper Gear Maintenance
Consistent lacrosse goalie gear maintenance ensures equipment lasts and performs optimally. Inspect gear regularly for cracks, tears or compression. Replace faded, ill-fitting or defective pads. Tighten loose screws or straps. Patch small holes in netting or mesh. Keep gloves flexible by periodically re-conditioning palm leather. Clean gear after wet or muddy games to prevent mildew. Wash and thoroughly air-dry padding after heavy sweat. Stiff pads can be softened with glove mallet treatment. Apply weather protection spray to repel water. Sharpen helmet and pads edges with wet sandpaper. Broken-in gear molds better to your body. Offseason gear storage in bags keeps shape and prevents damage. Proper maintenance maximizes protection and extends the usable life of expensive goalie equipment.
Watch Film and Learn From Every Game
Studying game film allows lacrosse goalies to critique and improve performance. Review footage of recent games to detect strengths and weaknesses. Note situations causing difficulty and find solutions. Identify overplayed angles that led to goals. Check footwork and positioning on each shot. Watch cleared balls and outlet passes for improvement areas. Compare shot stopping tendencies side-by-side. Check communication with defenders. Critique rebound control. Look for patterns in goals allowed. Keep a training journal tracking mistakes to correct. Share constructive feedback with coaches and players. Don’t get down on yourself over goals allowed. Build confidence seeing many saves made. Celebrate growth in new or weaker areas. Detailed game review reinforces good habits and provides a blueprint for continued skill development.