Choose the Right Goalie Stick Head
As a lacrosse goalie, having the right stick is crucial for success on the field. The head of your stick acts as an extension of your body, and can make the difference between stopping that blistering shot or letting it slip by you into the back of the net. When it comes to finding the perfect goalie head, you’ll need to consider a few key factors to get the right fit for your game.
First and foremost, you’ll want to think about the shape of the head. Goalie heads typically come in one of two styles: flared or straight. Flared heads have wider sidewalls that help you get more surface area on the ball for those reaction saves. They also give you some extra power when clearing the ball upfield. Straight heads, on the other hand, offer increased ball control and accuracy for outlet passes. Consider your playing style and needs to determine which shape may work best.
The next big consideration is the offset, or angle, of the head’s scoop. A deeper pocket requires a more angled scoop to make those low saves and picks easier. More shallow pockets pair better with a straighter scoop design. Think about how low you get when making stops, and pick an offset angle that matches your range of motion in the goal.
Stringing is also key for any lacrosse goalie stick. You’ll want durable mesh that bags out enough to let you make clean catches, but not so much that the ball rattles around. Hard mesh can help give you more responsiveness, while softer varieties offer better ball retention. Mixing different types of mesh, and using techniques like double sidewalls and U-strings, can let you fine tune the pocket performance.
When strung up properly, your head’s pocket should sit about mid-way up the head, centered from side to side. This positioning gives you the optimal catching range. Too high or off-center, and you may fumble those shots down low. Too low, and high bouncers can be tough to snag.
Don’t forget about durability either. Those high speed shots can take quite a toll, so you’ll want a head built to withstand the abuse. Look for solid construction with reinforced sidewalls and scoops. Avoid flimsy heads that will bend and warp easily. Titanium and composite materials are ideal for maximum toughness.
The last piece of the puzzle is figuring out the right head size for you. While field players are confined to narrower head dimensions, goalies can use wider heads for expanded coverage. The maximum legal width is 10 inches. Most goalie sticks range from around 7.5-9.5 inches across. Wider heads are heavier, but give you more blocking surface. Narrower options are lighter and quicker. You’ll have to balance size and maneuverability for your preference.
With the right goalie head, you’ll have the tools to develop your game and take it to the next level. As you gain more experience between the pipes, you may find your needs change over time. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different heads, meshes, and stringing setups until you find your go-to combination.
Get Proper Gloves for Durability and Control
Having the proper lacrosse goalie gloves is just as important as your stick. Your gloves take a beating on every shot, so you need equipment designed to withstand the impact while still allowing you to make those quick reaction saves.
Look for goalie gloves constructed from rugged synthetic leathers and layered foam padding. These materials stand up to high speed shots without breaking down over time. The fingers should use an articulated design to prevent hyperextension when snagging shots. Large cuff wraps help seal your arms for added protection.
When trying on different gloves, focus on getting flexible pairs that don’t restrict your catching range of motion. Loose or tight gloves will cause fumbling, so take your time finding the right fit. High end options even allow you to customize padding thickness and cuff tightness.
You’ll also want sticky latex palms that help you grip your stick better for more control. They should provide plenty of tactile feel so you can cradle cleanly. Some gloves also have specialized grip patterns for even more consistent handling.
Your lacrosse goalie gloves will see a ton of abuse, so spend some time finding the right balance of durability, flexibility, and grip. With sturdy gloves designed for your position, you’ll have the tools to wrangle even the hardest shots.
Invest in Protective Gear Made for Goalies
Since the goalie faces the most rubber of anyone on the field, investing in protective gear designed specifically for your position is crucial. Taking a direct hit to an unpadded area can put you out of commission fast.
Look for chest protectors with extra thick foam covering your heart, lungs, and collarbone. They should wrap around your ribs without restricting mobility. For arm guards, find extended length pads offering forearm, bicep, and shoulder protection.
Goalie pants feature padding in the thigh, knee, and shin areas for covering your five hole. Jock straps and cups designed for impact protection also minimize pain on low shots. Cut and abrasion-resistant goalie shorts protect the hips and tailbone.
Don’t forget about your head either. Many goalies opt for football style helmets with full face masks for max protection. Other key pieces like padded goalie shirts, elbow pads, and neck guards give you complete coverage.
With the right protective gear, you gain the confidence to make saves all over without fear. Never cut corners on your safety. Lacrosse goalies endure a ton of abuse, so having equipment designed for your needs is critical.
Pick Cleats for Superior Traction and Footwork
Your footwork as a lacrosse goalie is just as important as hand-eye coordination. Choosing lacrosse cleats with good traction and support will allow you to move confidently in the crease.
Look for durable cleats equipped with reinforced toes for preventing wear and tear when diving. Low profile designs give you a more responsive feel for pushing off. Abrasion resistant uppers stand up to foot drags during extreme lateral moves.
When it comes to the outsole, opt for aggressive cleat configurations with multiple pivot points. This allows you to dig in and push off in all directions. Softer rubber compounds bite into loose surfaces better. Some cleats also feature a higher toe cleat for scraping out during extension saves.
Proper stud length and shape also enhances your traction. Shorter conical studs are ideal for natural grass surfaces, penetrating the turf without getting stuck. On harder synthetic fields, smaller bladed studs supply grip without hindering mobility.
With the right cleats, you gain confidence that your feet won’t slip out from under you during quick reactions. Take the time to find a lacrosse goalie specific cleat that provides stability for your intense lateral movements and explosive saves.
Use Mesh Designed to Withstand High Shot Speeds
As a lacrosse goalie, you need a mesh that can withstand the abuse of high speed shots game after game. Using mesh designed specifically for your position will improve the durability and performance of your stick.
Look for goalie mesh constructed from materials like HDPE, nylon, and polyester instead of cotton. These synthetic fibers resist breaking down from continual impact. They also maintain their structure better over time.
Harder meshes, like those using thicker HDPE and polyester, offer more rebound and responsiveness. Softer nylons provide better hold and control. Look for a combination of string and mesh stiffness that suits your playing style.
Mesh with a tighter weave prevents premature bagging out from heavy usage. However, the pocket still needs to form a proper channel and depth to make catching easier. Skip meshes that bag out too quickly or remain too pinched to pocket the ball well.
With mesh designed for goalies, you get superior ball control and durability. Don’t settle for regular field mesh that will bag out and deteriorate too soon. Invest in goalie-grade materials woven to withstand seasons of abuse in the crease.
Get a Helmet Engineered for Maximum Visibility
As a lacrosse goalie, having optimal visibility is crucial for tracking shots and making quick reactions. Finding a helmet specially engineered for your position’s needs will give you a leg up.
Many goalie helmets use a rounded mask bar positioned lower in your sightline to open up downward vision. Bars constructed from titanium also resist warping from ball impacts. Look for a wider eye opening and minimal mask obstruction.
Helmets with compressed foam or removable crown padding lower your head position in the mask for increased peripheral vision. Some also angle the side vents forward for a wider field of view.
Face masks with thinner but stronger chrome alloy or stainless steel materials maximize your focal breadth. Less face bow curvature also prevents fishbowl distortion. For field players running smaller mesh, a finer dangler may be needed.
Don’t forget about helmet accessories too. Adding a complementary colored chin strap and vent locks can aid tracking. Optional visors also allow customizing light and vision conditions.
Your helmet is your last line of defense as a goalie. Make sure to get one providing optimal sight lines so you can anticipate shots early and react in time. With the right goalie-specific helmet, you gain an edge in the crease.
Conclusion
Success as a lacrosse goalie requires the right gear tailored for your demanding position. With sturdy sticks, protective equipment, and enhanced vision, you gain the tools needed to command the crease. Don’t settle for generic equipment better suited for field players. Investing in goalie-specific gear engineered for your needs gives you the best opportunity to take your game to the next level.
Find the Perfect Shaft for Quick Stick Speed
If you’re looking to step up your lacrosse goalie game this year, improving your reaction time and stick speed should be a top priority. The shaft of your goalie stick plays a major role in how quickly you can move the head to make saves. The ideal shaft has the right combination of lightweight feel and stiffness for maximizing both your hand speed and power on clears.
Composite shafts made from materials like carbon fiber are popular choices for goalies looking to shed some weight without sacrificing durability. The lighter weight helps reduce fatigue so you can maintain quick reflexes even late into games. Carbon fiber also provides excellent stiffness for superior ball control.
For an extremely lightweight but rigid option, the Maverik Centrikgoalie shaft is a great choice. The advanced carbon fiber construction allows it to weigh under 8 ounces while still giving you great command over the head. If you prefer the feel of aluminum, the Epoch Integra Max shaft offers an excellent strength-to-weight ratio for quick yet controlled play.
The diameter of your shaft impacts comfort and control. Thinner diameters around 0.5 inches allow for easier grasping and faster releases when clearing, while thicker shafts around 0.6 inches offer a bit more stability in the hands. Consider your preference, as the right diameter can provide a noticeable advantage in stick speed.
Don’t forget to try out different shaft lengths to find your optimum fit. Shorter shafts increase manoeuvrability and velocity but reduce reach. The typical range for most goalies is about 40 to 42 inches. Ensure the shaft length allows you to comfortably make saves anywhere within the goal circle while maximizing the speed of your hand movements.
Choose a Lacrosse Goalie Head for Faster Reaction Time
The head is the key tool for making those split-second saves, so finding one that matches your playing style is crucial. Focus on heads with optimized designs for lightning-quick ball control.
Narrower heads with a subtle flare at the base help concentrate weight at the bottom for improved balance. This allows for faster side-to-side and up-and-down head movements to get your stick in position faster. IF you tend to play on the aggressive side, opt for a shape with a little more flare for extra ball-stopping power.
Lighter materials like plastic can help reduce strain on your hands and arms as you whip your stick around making saves. This may translate into an incremental improvement in reaction time over the course of a game. Just be sure the head retains enough stiffness for accurate ball control.
Goalie heads with deeper pockets help secure the ball better for clearing quickly up the field. Consider adding custom shooting strings to get just the right amount of hold and release speed for your preferred passing and clearing style.
Stringing up the head with a soft mesh pocket rather than traditional leathers and nylons can offer another advantage in stick speed. Soft mesh increases hold at all points of contact with the ball, allowing for quicker control.
Master Proper Hand Placement and Grip
Proper hand placement on the shaft can give you that extra split-second advantage to get your stick in position for a save. Contrary to field players, the bottom hand does most of the work during saves. Focus on developing lightning-fast reactions in your bottom hand.
Keep the bottom hand in control of the head, and use a relaxed guide-hand grip up top for maneuverability. Avoid squeezing too tightly with either hand to prevent fatigue and keep the maximum speed. Proper padding on the shaft can help minimize slippage in the hands for faster reaction time.
Work on developing quick rotations with the bottom wrist and arm to whip your stick back and forth. Smooth, controlled head movements depend more on wrist motion than excessive forearm rotation for the quickest reaction times.
Practice locating and tracking shots with precision head movements initiated from the wrist and bottom hand. The top guide-hand can then follow through for added head control once you’ve zeroed in on the ball.
Drills for Improving Goalie Reaction Time
Improving reaction time takes focused practice and drilling. Here are some excellent drills to help goalies make saves faster:
- Footwork and lateral motion drills – Improve explosion and push-off speed from side to side
- Positioning drills – Work on getting your body behind shots as quickly as possible
- Tracking drills – Follow and react to the ball with just your head and eyes, then add in stick motions
- Reaction drills – Develop quick reflexes through agility ladder, cone, and “soft-toss” reaction drills
- Stick-hand speed drills – Focus on sprinting your stick into position from multiple angles
- Clearing drills – Practice explosively transitioning into fast but controlled clearing passes
By mastering these drills and techniques, you can gain an edge this season with lacrosse goalie stick speed. Work on improving quick reactions in your hands, wrists, and arms along with explosive footwork and tracking for faster saves.
Get Proper Gloves for Durability and Control
If you want to excel as a lacrosse goalie, having the right gloves is a must. The gloves protect your hands while also enhancing ball control and stick handling. With the right fit and features, gloves can give you an edge by boosting confidence, grip, and durability throughout games.
Protection is the first priority. Hard shots to the hands can cause severe injury if you’re not wearing thick padded gloves. Abrasion-resistant materials like synthetic leather and durable palms add longevity during dives and saves. Look for gloves with fully wrapped thumbs and expanded cuff protection.
The ideal goalie glove offers dexterity as well as protection. Flexible materials across the fingers and minimal palm padding gives your hands freedom of movement for catching, throwing, and stick handling. Pre-arched or curved finger construction matches your natural catching position for quicker reactions.
For the best control, choose lacrosse goalie gloves with textured latex palms or wrapped thumb cores. The tacky grip helps keep the stick firmly planted regardless of the weather conditions. This also allows for better feel and command when throwing clearing passes up-field.
Don’t neglect proper wrist support either. Extended cuffs with integrated wrist wraps stabilize the joint against hyperextension when you make saves. This helps avoid injuries and discomfort that can throw off your mechanics and reaction time.
Goalie gloves come in different cuts to suit your playing style and comfort needs. Tighter, anatomic fits offer a more responsive feel by eliminating extra material and binding. Looser, bulkier fits allow more hand ventilation and flexibility. Think about your preference.
When trying on different glove options, focus first on getting a snug, secure fit in the fingers and hand. The gloves shouldn’t pinch uncomfortably, but you don’t want excessive room that reduces feel and dexterity. Also ensure proper wrist immobilization from the cuff design.
High-quality leathers or synthetic materials like DuPont Kevlar will offer increased durability and longevity for your lacrosse goalie gloves. Your hands take a beating as a goalie, so invest in gloves that will withstand seasons of play.
Break in your new gloves before the season to get the ideal fit and feel. Use steam and massaging to soften and loosen key areas like the fingers and palms without reducing protection. This helps boost flexibility, responsiveness, and overall control.
Focus on Proper Glove Technique
Mastering proper hand positioning and technique will let you get the most out of your goalie gloves. Keep these key pointers in mind:
- Keep fists slightly clenched for stability as shots approach
- Point your thumbs toward each other, palms facing out
- Angle hands slightly outwards to steer shots wide
- Allow hands to flex and “give” upon impact to absorb force
- React through the wrists and palms vs. swinging the arms
- Use quick rotations and extension to adjust glove positioning
With snug-fitting gloves and proper hand control, you can move quickly and efficiently to place your gloves in the optimal catching zone as shots come your way. Practice tracking shots with just your eyes and hands to perfect form.
On clears, keep your thumb pointed along the shaft for optimal stick control. The textured glove palm lets you cleanly cradle and pass the ball clear up the field.
Caring for your gloves is also key. Frequently re-taping the thumbs and attachments keeps everything secured. Use leather conditioners to prevent cracking. Fix any minor rips immediately before they spread. This preserves both durability and performance.
Accessorize for Cold-Weather Play
Early season lacrosse means cold hands, which can quickly sap your performance. Prepare with cold-weather goalie gloves and accessories:
- Wind-resistant glove shells for added warmth
- Thin glove liners to wear underneath your gloves
- Hand warmers to keep your fingers and palms warm
- Water-repellent glove coatings to stay dry
- Longer wrists with adjustable closures to seal out drafts
Don’t neglect your stick either. Cold weather compromises grip and feel. Add extra tape to the shaft to absorb moisture and create friction. Handle heating packs also help provide quick warmth without gloves.
With the right lacrosse goalie gloves and preparation, you can catch and clear with confidence regardless of the conditions. Protect and perform at your best through proper sizing, technique, and accessories.
Invest in Protective Gear Made for Goalies
As a lacrosse goalie, you put your body on the line every game to keep shots out of the net. To perform at your best while minimizing injury risk, having the right protective gear designed specifically for goalies is essential.
Start from the ground up with goalie-specific footwear. Cleats with extra ankle coverage and studs in the toe offer stability during quick lateral movements and diving saves. Gel padding inserts also help shield your feet from hard landings in the crease.
For leg protection, goalie thigh pads extend higher and integrate knee padding to protect the joints most vulnerable to impact. They wrap around to shield the inner thigh as well. Look for increased foams and shielding in the knee stack if you want some extra insurance against injury.
Standard shoulder pads leave critical areas exposed, so get pads designed just for goalies. Full torso wraps, increased chest padding, and bicep shields provide complete coverage as you dive around the crease. Higher density foams absorb the hardest checks.
Since the ball can strike from any angle, a goalie helmet with full wrap-around protection is essential. Look for a lightweight but rigid shell covering the temples, jawline and rear of the head. Jaw straps keep it stable as you track shots.
Hand protection is also vital. Goalie-specific gloves have heavy padding across the fingers, wrists and palms to withstand point-blank shots. Abrasion-resistant palms allow for controlled cradling and stick handling as well.
Don’t neglect your hips either. Optional goalie pants with tailored thigh pads, hip and tailbone foam offer impact protection as you drop to make saves. They integrate cleanly with your leg pads as well.
When shopping for gear, prioritize proper fit and coverage over absolute weight savings or flexibility. Gear that shifts or exposes areas defeats the purpose. Test different sizes to get the right snug fit that lets you move without restraint.
Make Safety a Priority in Your Training
The right protective gear is essential, but avoiding injury also comes down to smart training:
- Warm up thoroughly pre-game, especially your knees and shoulders
- Focus on building strength and flexibility to withstand impacts
- Enlist a coach to ensure proper save technique
- Allow adequate recovery between intense practices
- Report any troubling aches or pains for early treatment
- Consider custom braces for any previous injuries or structural issues
Proper maintenance ensures your gear lasts and performs as intended. Inspect regularly for cracks or damage. Repair or replace pads immediately if their protective quality is compromised. Keep straps snug and attachments secured.
Off the field, icing tender areas helps speed recovery. Massage aids circulation to sore muscles as well. Maintain a balanced fitness regimen alongside lacrosse-specific training.
Paying mind to safety doesn’t make you any less competitive in the crease. The right protective gear gives you confidence to play all-out knowing your body is protected from harm.
Master Proper Save Technique
Even with protective gear, sloppy technique can lead to injury. Refine your form with these tips:
- Stay square to shots and move feet to get your body behind the ball
- Keep your core engaged to withstand impact
- Bend knees to lower center of gravity
- Absorb force by allowing joints to flex naturally upon impact
- Avoid extending joints past their limits to make saves
- Keep shoulders level and head up when tracking shots
- Lean slightly forward at the waist for balance during saves
Drilling proper positioning, footwork, and recovery will help make sound technique second nature. Have coaches critique your form and watch film to correct flaws.
Staying mentally focused is also key. Block out distractions that could cause you to lose concentration and body control. Take deep, calming breaths during intense game situations.
With a commitment to safety in your training regimen, gear selection, and technical execution, you can dominate between the pipes without fear of injury. Protecting your body should always be the top priority en route to becoming an elite lacrosse goalie.
Pick Cleats for Superior Traction and Footwork
Having the right cleats as a lacrosse goalie is essential for maximizing your quickness, agility, and power around the crease. Your footwork is integral for getting your body behind shots and exploding across the goal mouth to make saves. With optimal traction and support, the right cleats become a key asset rather than a hindrance.
Prioritize cleats with enough studs and surface area to keep you firmly planted during lateral shuffle steps, pivot movements, and challenging foot saves. Removable rear studs help ensure solid push off traction for accelerated speed in all directions.
The stud profile and layout should match your field surface for the best grip without overstabilizing. Harder grounds call for slightly longer studs up to 1/2 inch, while softer, thick grass fields allow for shorter 3/8 inch studs. Mixes of conical and blade studs grab and release optimally in all types of turf.
Since goalies are constantly down in butterfly and hopping back up, a low-profile cleat allows smoother transitions. Look for a mid or 3/4 cut upper extending just above the ankles to allow unrestricted mobility.
Cushioning is another key factor. Good shock absorption in the heel and forefoot protects against foot and leg fatigue. This maintains your explosiveness and quickness late into games. Assess your arch type and look for appropriate midsole support.
Finding the right balance of snugness, security, and flexibility in your cleats is also imperative. Your feet shouldn’t slide or lift out of proper position in the shoes. Focus on a locked-in heel fit with room to splay toes for optimal push off power.
Focus on Proper Footwork Technique
Mastering goalie-specific footwork establishes a foundation for quickness and efficiency in the crease. Keep these pointers in mind:
- Keep feet shoulder width for balance
- Stay up on toes for explosive lateral slides and drives
- Drop back and pivot off heels when retreating
- Keep knees bent and weight centered for agility
- Push off balls of feet and drive through studs for maximum traction
- Point lead foot and drive back hip for efficient butterfly drops
- Focus on small, controlled steps during approach and tracking
Drill proper mechanics like lateral shuffle steps, crossover starts, and drop steps until they become natural. This allows you to reach shots with maximum efficiency to make more reflex saves.
Prepare Your Cleats for Peak Performance
Proper cleat preparation and maintenance ensures you get the most out of your footwear:
- Break them in during practices to prevent game-day blisters
- Keep studs clean and replace as needed for optimal traction
- Retie laces before each use for the right custom fit
- Allow to fully air and dry between uses to prevent stench and damage
- Add aftermarket insoles if the stock ones compress
- Re-mold cleats once a year to restore snugness as feet change
Optional features like heel and lace locks, anti-friction linings, and metatarsal shields also boost comfort, security, and durability over extended use.
Don’t neglect recovery either. Massage feet post-game to improve circulation and reduce swelling. Ice tender areas to help avoid nagging pain. Wear proper compression socks as needed.
With a dialed-in cleat setup and training focused on sound footwork technique, you can own the crease better than ever this season. Your feet are your foundation in goal, so invest in superior traction and support.
Use Mesh Designed to Withstand High Shot Speeds
As a lacrosse goalie, you need a head strung with mesh that can withstand the abuse of high-velocity shots game after game. Superior durability ensures the pocket maintains its shape and ball control even as mesh breaks down over a season of play.
Mesh constructed from materials like proprietary blends of nylon, polyester and polyethylene offer an optimal balance of responsiveness, consistency and longevity. They maintain pocket structure without excessive stretching or sagging.
Opt for a high-quality soft mesh over traditional hards for durability. The multifilament nylon fibers better resist breaking down from continual impact forces. The soft weave also conforms better to cradle smoothly at all points.
Favor a medium to semi-soft density mesh if your league allows it. More fibers per inch provide increased structural integrity and protection against premature wearing in the sweet spot.
Pockets strung with wider pieces of mesh rather than multiple narrow strips hold up better over time. This provides more continuous surface area across the head to dissipate energy.
Avoid mesh with thicker, stiffer plastic coating applied. This leads to brittleness and crack propagation under continual impact. Softer, flexible coatings maintain the mesh integrity longer.
Be sure to anchor mesh properly across the entire head, not just the shooting strings. This distributes tension evenly and prevents isolated tearing. Securely knotted nylon sidewall strings decrease friction and pulling.
Inspect and Maintain Mesh Frequently
Stringing your stick only gets you halfway—proper inspection and maintenance makes mesh stand up to shots:
- Routinely check for any loose or broken sidewall strings
- Watch for premature wear, tearing, and holes during stringing
- Confirm consistent pocket depth across the width of the head
- Repair small tears immediately with string or clear nail polish
- Avoid over-washing mesh – use clean water and mild detergent only
- Let air dry fully extended away from direct heat or sunlight
Replace mesh immediately once it loses original shape, gets excessively soft, or develops large holes. Gradual deterioration leads to uneven pockets that compromise ball control and velocity damping.
Re-stringing mesh every season ensures you start with a fresh pocket optimized for making saves. Consider trying different mesh setups each year to find your ideal stringing.
Choose Shooting Strings for Added Durability
Shooting strings play a key role in structural integrity. Consider these tips:
- Use nylon shooter strings over cotton options
- Braid multiple nylon cords or leathers for strength
- Avoid over-tensioning shooting cords
- Securely double-knot cords through every sidewall hole
- Use U-nylons or laces to further lock in sidewalls
A crisscross lacing style helps provide even tension distribution to reduce premature wearing in the sweet spot. Straight shooters can overly stress those center diamonds.
Nylon release cords allow for custom tuning of hold and release speed required for goalies. Softer cords increase hold through the pocket for superior control.
With mesh and strings designed to take high-velocity punishment, you gain confidence knowing your pocket will maintain prime shape all season. Take time for careful inspections and maintenance to get the most life from your mesh.
Get a Helmet Engineered for Maximum Visibility
The ability to see shots coming from every angle is critical for lacrosse goalies. A helmet that provides unobstructed vision makes tracking shots much easier. Optimized design elements expand your field of view to react quickly and see passes developing downfield.
Look for a helmet with a streamlined chin and jawline that sits low on your head. Minimal forward protrusions keep your eyes above the rim without craning your neck up. This expanded downward view helps spot low bounce shots.
Helmets with narrowed sidewalls, contoured ear guards, and ample rear ventilation open up peripheral vision. You can pick upicutside shots and backside cutters without significant head rotation.
Facemask attachment and arm positioning also impact visibility. Opt for a throat-centered chin cup and ask coaches to tie mask cords tight to the side rails. This prevents obstruction.
Clear face masks are now legal for youth levels, maximizing vision. Even metallic face masks can be powder coated with a flat finish to reduce glare and distractions when tracking shots.
Specialized goalie visors that sit flush within your face mask eliminate view impediments. Look for anti-glare coatings to cut down distractions especially on sunny days or under stadium lights.
The best goalie helmets allow you to tilt your head forward and establish proper vision angles without compromising protection. Ensure the helmet sits low and snug.
Master Head Positioning Fundamentals
Proper tracking and positioning techniques maximize the visibility benefits of a goalie helmet:
- Keep head up with eyes focused downfield as much as possible
- Spot shooter’s hips early to anticipate shot direction
- Minimize head movement during shot approach
- Lean slightly forward from hips for optimal viewing plane
- Rotate eyes before head when locating passes
- Keep chin tucked and head vertical for balanced neutral stance
Drill picking up shots from all angles using only your eyes and head. Then incorporate efficient footwork and stick positioning to build full tracking technique.
Prepare Your Helmet for Peak Performance
Proper helmet preparation optimizes visibility and safety:
- Clean face mask and visor regularly
- Ensure chin strap is snug to avoid slips
- Tighten screws and check padding monthly
- Consider helmet tape in team colors for easier ID
- Use anti-fog spray on visors before games as needed
- Replace helmet immediately if any cracks appear
Newer helmet technology like adjustable side wall width and vision cage positioning lets you further customize visibility. Consider re-fitting as your needs and head shape changes.
With a helmet engineered to expand vision, you gain a vital split-second advantage tracking shots from all angles. Spend time honing optimal head positioning technique to utilize your vision fully in goal.
Find Arm Pads With Max Mobility and Protection
As a lacrosse goalie, your arms take a beating stopping shots, so having pads that protect without impeding motion is key. The right arm pads allow free and controlled arm rotations for quick stick positioning and passing while shielding from bruising shots.
Look for goalie-specific arm pads with extended bicep coverage and shoulder caps. These vulnerable areas need extra padding as you reach out wide with arms exposed making saves. Soccer-style elbow guards leave these zones unprotected.
While protection is paramount, don’t overlook mobility. Padding that is too bulky inhibits arm motion critical for quick reactions. Seek out pads with strategic segmentation and flexible joints aligned with your elbow and shoulder.
Breathable backing and foam construction prevents overheating. This allows you to extend arms fully without restriction from sweat-soaked materials. Ventilation zones right where joints flex keeps pads light and airy.
Forearm plates should wrap fully to shield against slashes but taper above the wrist for unimpeded stick handling. If detachable, secure them tightly so they don’t shift during motion.
Proper arm pad sizing balances snugness with flexibility. Measure your arm length and circumference to get ideal wrist, forearm and bicep fit. Test mobility before committing to a pair.
Refine Arm Positioning and Glove Hand Technique
Mastering arm and hand skills maximizes performance from your pads:
- Keep elbows tucked and hands positioned in front of chest
- Lead with palms facing out and thumbs vertical
- Allow arms to flex and rotate naturally to absorb impact
- Keep wrists loose to allow gloves to redirect shots wide
- Quickly reset arm positioning to prepare for next save
Regularly practice clearing and passing with pads on to get used to any minor mobility constraints. Integrate arm pad movements into all footwork and shot tracking drills.
Maintain Your Arm Pads
With some basic care, your pads maintain protective quality longer:
- Check for loose or detached straps before each use
- Clean sweat and grime buildup after each use
- Treat leather components with conditioner
- Replace detached or compacted padding immediately
- Air dry thoroughly after cleaning
- Disinfect with gentle cleanser to prevent skin infection
Consider detachable liner sleeves for extra cushion and sweat absorption during hot weather play. Carry spares to swap out as needed.
With arm pads offering maximal mobility and coverage, your arms and hands can operate freely while remaining protected. Focus on refining positioning technique and pad maintenance for complete arm protection.
Choose Shoulder Pads for Complete Coverage
Having shoulder pads designed specifically for goalies is a must. They provide reinforced protection across your collar bones, chest, and back as you contort making tough saves. Targeted padding where you need it most gives you confidence to react without hesitation.
Look for complete torso wrap-around coverage with extended chest plates, spine shields, abdominal inserts, and collar bone cushions. These vulnerable zones need extra protection as shots approach from all angles.
Increased padding thickness across the shoulders and a pronounced rear hump pad deflects the hardest checks. Soccer-style shoulder pads leave these vital areas exposed.
While beefed up coverage is key, don’t neglect mobility either. Segmented padding linked by flexible joints allows natural torso rotation for quick positioning. Breathable backplate materials prevent overheating also.
Proper shoulder pad fit eliminates gaps where padding shifts. Measure your chest diameter and get the snuggest size that still allows free arm motion. Suspenders and adjustable belt straps help lock pads in place.
For comfort, look for foam padding options like EVA or EPP rather than thick solid plastic caps. Softer foams conform better and reduce irritation during long games in the hunched goalie stance.
Get the Right Pairing With Chest Protectors
Your shoulder pads foundation is maximized by pairing with a chest protector:
- Get protector length based on torso, arm and glove measurements
- Choose thick high-density foams for primary impact areas
- Favor blocking glove wrist attachments for total arm coverage
- Ensure full integration with shoulder pad collars and abdomen padding
- Secure all adjustable straps for minimal shifting and gaps in protection
Practice clearing while wearing your pads to get used to any minor constraints. Keep padding well-maintained and make small adjustments as your physique evolves.
Safeguard Your Collar Bone and Sternum
These fragile areas warrant extra protection:
- Wear a padded compression shirt underneath pads for added cushion
- Consider a supplemental padded vest for lightweight reinforcement
- Discuss a custom brace if you have a history of collar bone breaks
- Strengthen chest and back muscles to provide natural padding
Properly fitted goalie shoulder pads with strategic reinforcement allow you to lay out confidently without exposing critical areas. Paired with a chest protector, your core stays protected as shots bombard you from all angles.
Get a Mouthguard for Safety and Communication
A protective mouthguard is a must-have piece of goalie equipment. It safeguards your teeth, jaw and tongue from injury when hit by balls. A proper mouthguard also allows you to effectively communicate with teammates during live action.
Choose a durable, molded guard that fully encapsulates your teeth. “Boil and bite” thermoplastic designs provide the best custom fit and protection. Ensure the material adequately shields your gums also.
Favor a guard with impact-absorbing thicker walls and multiple layers. This lessens the force transmitted to your jawbone and reduces risk of concussion. Softer construction absorbs shock better too.
Look for large air holes and channels running vertically through the guard. These features allow clear speech projection even when clenched on the guard. Guards lacking adequate ventilation deaden critical vocal commands.
Pick a mouthguard with wider occlusal and labial flanges or “wings” extending onto the teeth. This enlarged barrier better protects the lips and sides of the mouth vulnerable to exposure.
While protection is key, don’t overlook the fit. An ill-fitting guard feels uncomfortable and makes talking difficult. Get one that allows some minimal movement but avoids excessive slipping.
Practice Communication Skills
Effective goalie communication improves with deliberate practice:
- Enunciate key words and over-pronounce vowels and consonants
- Project your voice loudly from the diaphragm
- Use concise, repetitive phrasing of 2-3 words for clarity
- Employ emphatic yelling tones for maximum penetration
- Face the defender you are instructing when communicating
Drill essential goalie calls like “Time!”, “Help Left!”, and “Slide Right!” wearing your mouthguard to get the feel. Teammates can give feedback on intelligibility.
Hand signals and gestures can also augment critical vocal commands. Just be sure they don’t distract from tracking shots.
Care for Your Mouthguard Properly
With basic care, your mouthguard lasts longer:
- Rinse after each use with cool water
- Avoid chewing or storing in the mouthguard case
- Brush with non-abrasive paste and soft brush
- Use denture cleaner monthly to prevent bacteria buildup
- Store in perforated case for ventilation
- Avoid direct sunlight or hot water
Bring your mouthguard to dental exams to monitor for needed adjustments or re-molding as teeth shift. This ensures the proper protective fit is maintained.
An essential piece of protection, a properly fitted mouthguard also optimizes the vocal tools needed to command the defense from the crease. Focus on projection and enunciation to get calls heard over the live action.
Pick the Right Chest Protector for Ball Stopping Power
Looking to take your lacrosse goalie game to the next level this year? With some focused training and the right gear, you can make huge strides as a netminder. Here are 15 tips to help improve your game between the pipes:
1. Perfect your stance
Having proper goalie mechanics starts with a solid ready position. Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and weight centered. Hold your lacrosse goalie stick out in front with hands together and elbows bent. This balanced stance will allow you to move fluidly in the crease while tracking shots.
2. React faster
Reaction time is critical for any lacrosse goalie. Set up tennis ball machines or have teammates rapid fire shots during practice to sharpen your reflexes. Mix up shot speeds and locations to keep you on your toes. With enough quality reps, you’ll be snagging blurry shots in no time!
3. Master angles
Understanding shot angles is a huge part of strong goalie play. Drill playing different angles by having a coach call out a specific number before each shot. This translates to game situations when you must position yourself to cut off the most dangerous scoring angles.
4. Improve footwork
Quickness and agility are crucial for defending the cage. Perform ladder drills, cone drills, and suicide sprints to improve explosiveness in the crease. Solid footwork lets you track shots while staying centered in front of the goal.
5. Strengthen hands
A lacrosse goalie’s hands take a beating over the course of a game. Use hand strengtheners like grip trainers or rice buckets to build dexterity. Juggling tennis balls also improves hand-eye coordination while handling tough saves.
6. Check range of motion
Flexibility is key for goalies who need to contort their bodies to snag off-target shots. Make sure you have full shoulder, hip, and ankle mobility. Do dynamic stretches before games and practices to maintain range of motion.
7. Refine clearing skills
After making a save, quickly transitioning the ball to your defenders is vital. Practice precision clearing passes across the field and up the sidelines. Work on clearing ground balls cleanly to maintain possession.
8. Communicate constantly
Goalies act as on-field generals, directing defensive positioning. Use loud, clear communication with teammates to shut down scoring threats. Call out cutters, slide packages, and double teams to orchestrate your defense.
9. Analyze the shooters
Study your opponents’ top offensive weapons and shooting tendencies. Do they prefer high shots or bouncers? Quick sticks or big windups? Identifying these clues will give you an edge when defending different players.
10. Stay mentally focused
A lacrosse goalie must have a short memory to overcome goals allowed. Refocus after each shot by taking a deep breath and getting set for the next opportunity. Maintaining composure is half the battle in high-pressure situations.
11. Fix equipment flaws
Make sure your goalie gear fits snugly with no gaps or weak points. Adjust arm and shin pad placements as needed. Check your lacrosse goalie stick head and pocket to ensure optimal ball control.
12. Eat and hydrate properly
Proper nutrition and hydration keeps your mind and body sharp between the pipes. Eat healthy pre-game meals with protein and complex carbs. Stay hydrated by steadily drinking fluids all game long.
13. Simulate game intensity
Practice and scrimmages can’t fully replicate real game speed and pressure. Do battle drills with continuous shot attempts to get your heart rate up. Work on situations like penalty kills or power plays to mimic game scenarios.
14. Watch the greats
Study game film of elite NCAA and professional goalies to pick up advanced techniques. Take note of their positioning, recovery speed, and shot anticipation. Isolate areas of your game that need improvement.
15. Keep grinding
Improving as a lacrosse goalie takes countless hours of dedicated work. Stay motivated through the frustration and always push yourself to get better. With the right mindset and skills, you’ll be a brick wall in the crease this season!
Following these tips will help take your goalie game to new heights. Finding the perfect lacrosse goalie stick and dialing in your mechanics are great places to start. But most importantly, keep working hard and believing in yourself. Let’s hope you’re saving big this season!
Invest in Rib Pads for Vital Core Protection
Eager to step up your lacrosse goalie game this season? With dedicated training and strategic upgrades, you can make major improvements in net. Here are 15 tips to advance your goalkeeping to the next level:
1. Dial in your ready position
Rock-solid goalie mechanics start with the stance. Plant your feet shoulder-width apart, bend knees, and center your weight. Present your stick out front with hands together and elbows flexed. This balanced base allows fluid movement around the crease.
2. Hone reaction time
Lightning-quick reflexes are essential for lacrosse goalies. Use tennis ball machines or have teammates rapidly shoot during practice. Mix up shot speed and spots to keep you on high alert. After quality reps, you’ll be snagging blurry shots no problem!
3. Master shot angles
Understanding shooting angles is critical for strong goalkeeping. Drill various angles by having a coach call out numbers before shots. This mimics games when you must position to cut off the most threatening angles.
4. Improve foot quickness
Agility and explosiveness are vital for defending the net. Do ladder drills, cone drills, and suicide sprints to boost crease quickness. Smooth footwork lets you track shots while staying centered before the goal.
5. Build hand strength
A lacrosse goalie’s hands take quite a pounding. Use grippers, rice buckets, and tennis balls to develop dexterity and coordination. Juggling particularly hones hand-eye skills for tough saves.
6. Maintain full range of motion
Flexibility enables goalies to contort for off-target shots. Ensure full shoulder, hip and ankle mobility. Perform dynamic stretches pre-game and practice to maintain range.
7. Refine clearing ability
Quickly transitioning the ball post-save is essential. Drill precise outlet passes across the field and sidelines. Practice clearing ground balls cleanly to retain possession.
8. Direct defenders vocally
Goalies act as field generals, commanding defensive positioning. Use loud, clear direction to shut down threats. Call out cutters, slides, and doubles to orchestrate defense.
9. Scout opponent shooting
Study opponents’ top offensive weapons and tendencies. Do they prefer high rips or bouncers? Quick sticks or big windups? Identifying clues provides an edge against different shooters.
10. Maintain mental focus
A lacrosse goalie must have a short memory after goals allowed. Quickly refocus after each shot with deep breaths before the next opportunity. Staying calm is key in high-pressure spots.
11. Eliminate gear gaps
Ensure goalie equipment fits tightly with no weak points. Adjust arm and shin pad placements as necessary. Check your stick head and pocket for ideal ball control.
12. Fuel and hydrate properly
Proper nutrition and hydration keeps mind and body sharp. Eat healthy pre-game meals with protein and complex carbs. Stay hydrated by steadily drinking fluids.
13. Simulate game speed
Practice can’t fully match real game intensity. Do continuous shot battle drills to elevate heart rate. Work specific situations like man-down or man-up to mimic games.
14. Watch elite goalies
Study NCAA and pro goalies’ film to pick up advanced techniques. Note positioning, recovery speed, and anticipation. Isolate areas needing improvement.
15. Persist through frustration
Improving as a goalie requires immense dedication. Stay motivated through difficulties and keep pushing to get better. With the right mindset and skills, you’ll be a brick wall!
Following these tips will raise your goalie game significantly. Finding an ideal lacrosse goalie stick and honing mechanics are great starting points. But most of all, continue working hard and believing in yourself. Here’s to a season full of big saves!
Look for Goalie Shorts With Padding in Key Areas
As a lacrosse goalie, finding the right pair of goalie shorts can make all the difference when it comes to protection. Look for shorts designed specifically for lacrosse that have padding in the thigh, hip, and tailbone areas. The padding should be thick enough to absorb the impact of shots but also thin enough so you can still move freely. Opt for shorts with an adjustable waistband and leg openings so you can customize the fit. Well-padded goalie shorts will protect your lower body as you dive around in the crease.
Invest in a Quality Goalie Throat Protector
Protecting your throat is a top priority as a lacrosse goalie. Look for a sturdy throat protector that wraps securely around your neck and covers your adam’s apple and collar bones. The throat protector material should be rigid but also allow you to turn your head from side to side smoothly. Make sure the Velcro or buckles fasten tightly so the protector stays in place even when facing high-velocity shots. A properly-fitted lacrosse goalie throat protector will give you the confidence to make saves without worrying about your neck exposure.
Upgrade Your Goalie Gloves for Maximum Protection
Your gloves are your hands on the lacrosse field, so invest in the best quality pair you can. Look for goalie gloves with thick foam or gel padding on the palms, fingers, backs, and wrists. The padding will absorb the bruising impact of blocking shots. Fingers and palms should be reinforced with durable materials like leather or vinyl to enhance protection. Look for gloves with a secure wrap-around wrist closure so they stay tightly on your hands. High-end goalie gloves also have removable palm padding so you can replace it as needed after heavy use. With well-padded and protective gloves, your hands will be ready for any shot.
Get a Lacrosse Helmet Designed for Goalies
While all lacrosse helmets provide head protection, goalie helmets are reinforced for maximum padding and visibility. Look for a helmet with a facemask designed specifically for goalies, which provides an optimal sightline on shots coming your way. Goalie helmets also have extended ear protection and occipital padding in the back for when you take hits. The chin strap and side straps should all tighten securely so the helmet stays firmly on during play. Consider adding a chin cup for extra protection on high shots. With the right goalie helmet, you’ll have full visibility and padding to make those game-saving stops.
Pick Up Arm Guards That Allow Mobility
Having arm protection is key for goalies who constantly expose their limbs to shots. When shopping for arm guards, prioritize mobility and range of motion so you can freely move to block shots. Look for lightweight, breathable materials like polyethylene shields with elastic straps. Make sure the plastic shields cover most of your arm without restricting your range of motion. For hardcore protection, extended arm guards protect more of your shoulders too. Just keep arm guard sizing in mind so they don’t hinder your quick reaction time in the goal. The right pair provides padding without limiting your ability to move.
Get Goalie-Specific Shoulder Pads for Collar Bone Protection
Shoulder pads tailored for lacrosse goalies are reinforced for maximum padding. Look for adjustable pads that wrap securely around your shoulders without restricting arm movement. Check for lightweight, shock-absorbing padding materials over the collarbones, shoulder blades, deltoids, and biceps. The pads should be fitted but not bulky. For goalies, extended shoulder caps that come farther down the arm provide expanded protection. Make sure any plastic caps or shields have rounded edges to prevent digging into your skin. With the right shoulder pads, your upper body will have padded protection.
Pick Up Protective Compression Shirts and Pants
For an extra layer of padding, lacrosse goalies rely on compression shirts and pants. These formfitting garments are made of stretchy, breathable material that wicks away sweat. Look for compression gear designed specifically for lacrosse, with strategically placed padding over chest, ribs, thighs, and tailbone areas. The tight fit keeps the padding secure against your body. Compression pants also keep muscles warm and improve circulation during play. Layering padded compression garments under your goalie gear provides cushion against painful shots.
Get a Backup Goalie Stick Prepared
Having a backup goalie stick at the ready is a must in case your primary stick gets damaged. Keep a second strung stick on the sidelines for quick mid-game swaps. Your backup goalie stick should be strung to the same specifications and pocket depth as your primary for consistency. Some goalies prefer to keep their backup stick unstrung until needed to maintain fresh stringing. Make sure your second stick is the identical model, length, and weight of your primary stick for a smooth transition. No matter what, a backup goalie stick is essential equipment so you’re always ready to make those crucial saves.
Practice With Your Equipment to Break It In
Don’t just pull out your goalie gear for games. Breaking in your equipment properly requires practice time. Take some shots wearing your pads and gloves to mold them to your shape and movements. Get used to maneuvering in your goalie shorts and shoulder pads by doing lateral shuffles and drop steps. Fully secure your helmet and tighten all straps so it feels natural when you turn your head. Practice clearing with your goalie stick to finesse those long passes. Log reps in your gear to eliminate discomfort and distractions come game time. With sufficient practice, your equipment will feel like a second skin.
Maintain Your Gear with Proper Storage and Cleaning
Take good care of your goalie equipment so it’s in optimal condition all season long. Use gear bags to store items like pads, gloves, and helmets to prevent damage. Allow sweaty equipment to fully air dry before packing it away to prevent mildew. Sanitize gear regularly by wiping down with antibacterial spray and removing built-up dirt. Replace worn or damaged straps as needed so equipment fits securely. Check for cracks or dents in protective plastic shields. Keep gloves and pads pliable with conditioner. With some TLC, your goalie gear will provide better protection and last longer term.
Analyze Your Playing Style and Identify Needed Improvements
Being an effective lacrosse goalie requires regularly evaluating your skills and fixing weaknesses. After games and practices, reflect on your performance in the crease. Identify strengths like quick reaction time or good positioning. But also pinpoint areas needing work, like sloppy footwork or being slow to drop into splits. Study game film to analyze opposing shooters’ tendencies. Work on adjusting your stance, grip, or hand positioning to see what works best. Drill problem areas in practice to ingrain muscle memory. Continually honing your technique and strategy will take your goalie game up a notch.
Perform Goalie-Specific Drills to Hone Your Skills
Standard lacrosse drills usually focus on outfield players and shots. So as a goalie, seek out drills tailored to your specialized position. Have coaches and teammates work with you one-on-one on high shot reaction and smothering rebounds. Practice clearing drills to improve your outlet passing accuracy. Do lateral shuffle and crossover step drills to enhance crease mobility. Master quick stick hand-eye coordination with tennis balls. Isolate challenging situations like two-on-one attacker scenarios. Performing goalie-centric drills develops the specific skills vital for excelling between the pipes.
Hit the Weights to Build Goalie-Specific Strength
A strength training regimen builds the athleticism goalies need. Focus on exercises that increase leg power for explosiveness in the crease. Squats, jump lunges, and lateral raises strengthen legs and hips. Core rotational moves like Russian twists improve body control. Shoulder exercises like rows, presses, and flies build stability for absorbing high shots. For hand quickness and grip, do finger and wrist curls. And don’t forget cardio like sprints, rowing, and biking for stamina. A tailored strength routine makes you stronger and more agile in goal.
Perfect Your Positioning and Angles for Better Saves
Sound positioning and angles are essential for goalies to track shots and cut down scoring angles. Master dropping into a relaxed but athletic stance, knees bent and feet shoulder-width. Keep shoulders square and weight evenly balanced on the balls of your feet. When the ball is behind the net, pivot to face the ball through the crease. Come out higher to cut down angles on close dodgers. On skip passes, stay centered to either pipe. Having excellent positioning lets you move quickly, stay square, and minimize open net.
Watch Game Film to Study Shooters’ Releases and Tendencies
One of the best ways for goalies to gain an edge is studying game film. Focus on videotape of shooters to learn their release points, shot power, and accuracy. Note whether they prefer high corners, low bounce shots, or 5-hole targets. Watch body language for shooting tells. See if footage reveals weaknesses like an inconsistent windup or domineering hand. With insight on shooters’ mechanics and go-to moves, you can better predict shot placement for more saves.
Communicate Constantly With Your Defensemen
Goalies must function as on-field coaches, continually communicating with their defensemen. Provide reminders like “Shoulder to shoulder!” to keep defenders tight on their men. Call out potential cutters or skip passes to alert your D to slide. Offer encouragement after big stops or caused turnovers to rally teammates. Provide constructive feedback on better body positioning or when to pressure outbound. With clear, consistent communication, you become a defensive leader. Your coaching helps the defense play their best.
With the right protective gear, practice regimen, and defensive coordination, you can take your lacrosse goalie play to the next level. Bring your best game between the pipes this season!
Choose Knee and Thigh Pads That Won’t Restrict Motion
Looking to step up your lacrosse goalie game this season? With some focused practice and strategic upgrades to your gear, any netminder can take their skills to the next level. Here are 15 tips to transform you into an unstoppable force between the pipes.
First and foremost, you need the right protective equipment to play freely while staying safe. Shop for knee and thigh pads that provide ample cushioning without limiting your range of motion. Look for lightweight, low-profile pads with stretchy material that moves with you. Avoid bulky pads that could throw off your mechanics or reaction time.
While you’re upgrading equipment, don’t neglect your lacrosse goalie stick head. Finding the right head shape and stringing setup can make a world of difference in your stick skills. Test out pinched-in heads for more ball control or wider heads for improved passing. Having a custom pocket strung by a specialist is ideal for maximizing hold and release.
Of course, top-notch gear means nothing without the skills to use it well. Spend time each practice session isolating and improving fundamental goalie techniques. Have teammates take shots from different angles so you can focus on positioning, challenging shooters, tracking shots, and scooping up ground balls. Broken down step-by-step, these mechanics will soon become second nature.
Footwork drills are another essential piece of the training puzzle. Quick lateral slides, crossover steps, and propulsion from the cage will get you where you need to be in the blink of an eye. Set up cones or markers and move through the patterns until the movements feel fluid. Your feet are your foundation as a goalie, so invest the time to get them working for you.
For most goalies, rebound control is a weak spot. Drill your rebound technique by having players take warm-up shots right at your stick side. Get comfortable angling deflections with accuracy. You should be able to place rebounds in corners or guide them towards teammates regularly.
Of course, even the best goalies get scored on sometimes. But the great ones have short memories. After any given goal, quickly refocus on the fundamentals for the next shot. Dwelling on past mistakes or getting in your own head is a surefire way to unravel. Stay present in the moment for your best performance.
To go along with focus, developing an unflappable mental game is key for any netminder. Visualize success before hitting the field. During games, use positive self-talk to maintain composure. Develop pre-save and pre-shot routines to get in the zone. With the right mindset, you’ll exude confidence between the pipes.
While individual training is crucial, don’t underestimate the importance of communicating with your defense. Build bonds with teammates by talking through play strategies and post-game reviews. Share constructive feedback and be open to suggestions. You want your defenders to trust you, so cultivate open lines of dialogue.
Most lacrosse goalies stick to the cage area, but don’t be afraid to leave the crease when needed. Learning when to challenge shooters or act as a fourth defender takes game sense, which comes from time on the field. Push your comfort zone gradually and act decisively when the time comes.
Along with stepping up on shooters, work on intercepting passes. During practice, have players make crisscrossing passes for you to read and cut off. Quick hands and predictive awareness will have you snagging turnovers left and right.
On the flip side, passing is an often overlooked skill for goalies that can really augment clear attempts and transition play. Use downtime to nail down quick outlet passes, clear tosses, and clearing bombs. Your teammates will appreciate the extra dimension you add to the offense.
If you get bored easily, lacrosse goalie may not be the position for you. The reality is you could go several minutes without touching the ball during games. Stay engaged by focusing on communicating with teammates and reading the field. Be an active participant, even when the action is distant.
Not all practice time needs to be spent stopping shots on cage. Take some reps at the other end shooting on your backup goalie. Understanding offensive angles and release points will enhance your goalie instincts exponentially.
Wind sprints, box jumps, ladder drills…goalies need top-notch conditioning too. Don’t just work on lacrosse-specific skills. Build your aerobic capacity, power, and athleticism with cross-training exercises tailor-made for reaction time, lateral speed, and quickness.
Rather than waiting until game time to get in the groove, simulate pressure situations at practice. Have teammates fire rapid shots, incorporate odd-man rushes, or make you face penalty shots. The more “game-like” scenarios you train through, the more prepared you’ll be once the whistle blows for real.
By focusing your training on these 15 areas, you’re sure to take your lacrosse goalie skills to the next level this season. Don’t get complacent once you start seeing results either. Keep setting that improvement bar higher and higher. With hard work and smart preparation, the possibilities are limitless. Now grab your stick and gloves and get out there – your defense needs you!
Lacrosse Goalie Customizers Can Help You Design Your Perfect Setup
Hey lacrosse folks, looking to seriously upgrade your goalie skills this season? I feel you. As a long-time netminder myself, I know firsthand the constant quest to improve between those pipes. Thankfully, there are tons of ways to take your game to the next level if you’re willing to put in the work. Let me walk you through 15 killer tips to transform yourself into an unstoppable force of a goalie.
Now I know it may sound obvious, but having the right gear is essential. Don’t just settle for whatever. Shop around for knee and thigh pads that really let you move without restriction. The cushier and more flexible, the better. Avoid bulky, stiff pads that could limit your range or reaction time. You want to feel light and agile in the cage.
And while you upgrade your pads, give some thought to your lacrosse goalie stick setup too. The head shape and stringing can impact your handling big time. Experiment with pinched heads for control or wider heads for better outlet passing. And definitely invest in a custom pocket stringing from an expert – total game-changer for hold and release, bro.
Okay, so killer gear is clutch. But at the end of the day, it’s about having the skills and technique dialed to use that equipment to its full potential. Make sure to spend quality reps isolated on those goalie fundamentals like positioning, challenging shooters, tracking shots, scooping up GB’s, all of it. Have your boys whip shots from different angles until it becomes second nature.
I’d also say footwork drills are super underrated. Nail down those lateral slides, crossover steps, and explosive pushes out of the net. Your feet are so essential as a goalie, so really get that footwork fluid with cones or ladders. It’ll get you around the crease in no time, trust me.
Now let’s be real – rebounds are hard for most goalies. I feel you. Take some time to specifically drill your rebound control by having dudes shoot warm-up shots right at your stick. Get awesome at placing deflections into corners or towards teammates. Make that goalie stick work for you, ya dig?
Oh, and even the best goalies get scored on sometimes – don’t sweat it! Just stay focused for the next shot. Don’t dwell on the past, just get into that next-shot mindset. Keeping yourself mentally locked in is huge for any netminder.
Speaking of mental game, having unbreakable focus and composure is so clutch. Visualize yourself making big saves before taking the field. Use positive self-talk during games to stay in that confident headspace. Routines also help big time for getting in that goalie zone.
You definitely want a tight bond with your defenders too. Talk strategies, do post-game reviews, give constructive feedback. Make them know you’ve got their back. Goalies and defense go together like peanut butter and jelly, straight up.
Don’t be afraid to leave the crease when you’ve got to either. Learning when to challenge shooters takes game sense that comes from experience. Step out of your comfort zone bit by bit until stepping up is second nature.
Work on intercepting passes too. Have your teammates make crisscross passes for you to read and pick off during practice. Quick hands and anticipation leads to all kinds of turnovers, trust me.
Surprise teammates by working on goalie outlet passes and clearing bombs too. Add another dimension to clear attempts by being able to sling passes and outlets. Your boys will appreciate those quick transition looks.
Also, be mentally prepared for some down time during games as goalie. Use it to focus on communicating with teammates and scanning the field. Stay engaged even when the action’s not around you.
Take some reps at the other end shooting on your backup too. Understanding the offensive angles will only up your goalie game even more, no doubt.
And don’t neglect conditioning! Goalies need killer athleticism – do sprints, box jumps, ladder drills. Build that explosive power and reactiveness off the field so you bring it between the pipes.
Lastly, simulate pressure situations at practice. Rapid shots, odd-man rushes, penalty shots – put yourself through the ringer so games feel easy. More game-like training equals more game-ready performances.
If you focus training on these 15 things, I guarantee you’ll see your goalie skills skyrocket. Just keep setting that bar higher and don’t get complacent. With the right prep, you’ll be stopping everything that comes your way. Now grab that stick and get after it! Your defense needs you out there.