If you’re a lacrosse goalie, you know how important your position is to your team’s success. You’re the last line of defense, and your job is to prevent the opposing team from scoring. This requires a unique set of skills, including quick reflexes, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to read the field and anticipate shots.
As a lacrosse goalie, you’re responsible for protecting a six-foot by six-foot goal. This means you need to be able to move quickly and cover a lot of ground. You also need to be able to communicate effectively with your defense, directing them to where they need to be and letting them know when to slide or switch.
Being a lacrosse goalie can be a challenging and rewarding experience. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but it can also be a lot of fun. If you’re interested in becoming a lacrosse goalie, or if you’re already a goalie looking to improve your skills, there are a variety of resources available to help you achieve your goals.
The Role of a Lacrosse Goalie
As a lacrosse goalie, your role is critical to your team’s success. You are responsible for protecting the goal, communicating with your defense, and initiating the transition on a save. In this section, we will discuss the key aspects of your role, including positioning and communication.
Positioning
One of the most important aspects of being a lacrosse goalie is positioning. You need to be in the right place at the right time to make a save. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Stay centered: You should always be centered in the goal, with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Stay on your toes: You should be on the balls of your feet, ready to move in any direction.
- Be patient: Don’t lunge at the ball. Stay patient and wait for the shot to come to you.
- Know your angles: You should be aware of your angles and position yourself accordingly. For example, if the ball is on the left side of the field, you should move slightly to the right to cover more of the goal.
Communication
As a goalie, you are the eyes and ears of your defense. You need to communicate with your teammates to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Here are some tips for effective communication:
- Be loud and clear: Your teammates need to hear you, even if they are on the other side of the field. Speak loudly and clearly.
- Use specific language: Instead of just saying “ball,” say “ball left” or “ball right” to give your defense more information.
- Stay positive: Encourage your teammates and let them know when they are doing a good job.
- Be a leader: As the goalie, you are the leader of the defense. Take charge and make sure everyone knows their role.
By focusing on your positioning and communication, you can become a successful lacrosse goalie and help your team win games.
Skills and Techniques
As a lacrosse goalie, you need to have a variety of skills and techniques to be successful. Here are some of the key areas to focus on:
Hand-eye Coordination
Having good hand-eye coordination is crucial for a lacrosse goalie. You need to be able to track the ball as it moves towards you, and react quickly to make a save. One way to improve your hand-eye coordination is to practice tracking drills. For example, have a teammate throw a ball at you from different angles and distances, and try to catch it with your stick.
Footwork
Footwork is another important skill for a goalie. You need to be able to move quickly and efficiently to get into position to make a save. Practice shuffling side-to-side, backpedaling, and moving forward to cut down angles. You should also work on your explosiveness, so you can quickly move to make a save.
Clearing the Ball
As a goalie, you will often need to clear the ball after making a save. This means getting the ball out of your defensive zone and into your offensive zone. You should practice your passing and catching skills, so you can quickly move the ball up the field. You should also work on your communication with your teammates, so you can direct them where to go.
Shot Stopping
Of course, the most important skill for a goalie is stopping shots. To be a successful shot stopper, you need to have good positioning and anticipation. You should also work on your reaction time, so you can quickly move to make a save. Finally, you should practice your stick skills, so you can deflect shots away from the goal.
Training and Practice
As a lacrosse goalie, training and practice are essential to improving your skills and performance. This section will cover two critical areas: drills and exercises, and mental preparation.
Drills and Exercises
Practicing drills and exercises is crucial for a lacrosse goalie to improve their reaction time, agility, and hand-eye coordination. Here are some drills that you can incorporate into your training:
| Drill | Description |
|---|---|
| Colored Balls | Set up four mini disc cones along the crease and place a different colored tennis ball atop each cone. Practice catching the balls as they come at you from different angles and directions. |
| Agility | Place two lacrosse sticks or tape about four yards apart, parallel to one another. Start straddling one stick, and have your partner roll a lacrosse ball to the other side. Shuffle your feet to reach the other stick and then pick up the ball and throw it back. |
| Wall Ball | Stand in front of a wall and throw the ball against it, catching it as it bounces back. This drill helps improve hand-eye coordination and reaction time. |
Remember to practice these drills consistently to see improvement in your skills.
Parallel to training and exercises, you maybe need to choose the best lacrosse goalie sticks for yourself.
Mental Preparation
Playing goalie in lacrosse requires mental toughness and preparation. Here are some tips to help you mentally prepare for games:
- Visualize success – imagine yourself making saves and playing well.
- Breathe deeply and stay calm – focus on your breathing to stay calm and centered.
- Stay positive – maintain a positive attitude and don’t let mistakes get you down.
By incorporating these mental preparation techniques into your routine, you can improve your overall performance as a lacrosse goalie.
Try some training videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXA6PtfVnws
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5337Cjjre-g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgHg2pSzoa0
Learn more skills with this list: https://laxez.com/how-to-play-lacrosse/#lacrosse-skills-list
Game Strategy
As a lacrosse goalie, you play a vital role in the team’s success. Your job is to stop the opposing team from scoring, and to do that, you need a solid game strategy. Here are some tips:
Working with the Defense
One of the most important aspects of a successful game strategy is working with your defense. You need to communicate with your defenders and make sure everyone is on the same page. This means calling out plays, directing traffic, and making sure everyone knows their responsibilities.
You should also be aware of the opposing team’s offensive strategy. Watch for patterns in their play and adjust your defense accordingly. If they tend to shoot from a certain angle or distance, make sure your defense is positioned to block those shots.
Anticipating Shots
Anticipating shots is another key aspect of a successful game strategy. You need to be able to read the opposing team’s offense and anticipate where the ball is going to go. This means watching the ball, the opposing players, and their body language.
One way to improve your shot anticipation is to study game footage. Watch how opposing players shoot and try to identify their tendencies. This will help you anticipate their shots and make more saves.
Another way to improve your shot anticipation is to practice your footwork. The better you can move around the goal, the easier it will be to position yourself to make saves. Work on your agility, quickness, and reaction time to improve your footwork.
You may also be interested in these 15 Lacrosse Goalie Tips.
Are You Ready for Being a Lacrosse Goalie?
Being a lacrosse goalie is a challenging and rewarding position that requires a unique set of skills and qualities. As a goalie, you are responsible for protecting your team’s goal, anticipating plays, and understanding strategy and tactics. You must also stay alert and focused throughout the entire game or practice session.
To be a successful goalie, you need to have excellent hand-eye coordination, quick reflexes, and the ability to make split-second decisions. You also need to be a good communicator, as you will be directing your defense and coordinating with your teammates.
Additionally, goalies need to have the right equipment, including a helmet, chest protector, gloves, and leg pads. It’s important to find equipment that fits well and provides adequate protection, as you will be facing shots that can reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.
Ultimately, being a lacrosse goalie requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but it can also be a lot of fun. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro, there’s always room for improvement and growth. With the right mindset and training, you can become an elite goalie and help lead your team to victory.
(Related: Best Lacrosse Goalie of All Time)
