Playing goalie in lacrosse is a great way to become an integral part of the team and help your team secure victories. As a lacrosse goalie, you will need to be quick on your feet and exercise good decision-making to prevent the opposing offense from scoring.

Get Familiar with Lacrosse Goalie Equipment

The first step in becoming a lacrosse goalie is familiarizing yourself with the equipment. The goalie must wear a helmet, chest pad, arm pads, gloves, and a throat guard to protect himself from shots and errant sticks. Additionally, you will need a stick that is designed for goaltending.

Learn Proper Positioning

Positioning is key when playing goalie in lacrosse. As the opposition moves upfield, you will need to move accordingly and maintain a position between the ball carrier and the goal. You should also be aware of your team’s position and adjust when necessary. 

When a player on the opposing team shoots the ball, use an athletic stance that allows you to react quickly while staying balanced.

Communication is Key

Communication is a critical component when you are a lacrosse goalie. As the last line of defense, you should be constantly talking to your teammates and directing them from the goal area. You will also need to call out any potential threats so your team can react accordingly.

Introduction to Saves

A “save” is when a goalie uses their lacrosse stick or another part of their body to stop the ball from going into the goal. In regard to lacrosse goaltending, numerous coaches recommend various techniques for saving shots targeted at each of the 7 quadrants. These include stick-side high, hip, low, off-stick high, hip, low, and 5-hole.

However, when faced with a split-second decision, it is neither practical nor efficient to juggle 7 different thoughts simultaneously. The key is to focus on one overarching objective – to save the ball. As a coach, I emphasize to my goalies that there is only one type of shot to consider: the shot headed toward them. This perspective eliminates the need to clutter the mind with an array of options.

Processing 7 different possibilities places unnecessary strain on the brain, hindering the body’s ability to respond swiftly. Keep in mind that we are working within a mere 0.2 seconds timeframe, demanding the simplest and most efficient response mechanism to consistently achieve saves.

Let’s explore a simplified approach to thinking about saving shots.

Step 1: Top Hand to the Ball

The first step in a simple save motion is to ensure that the top hand (right hand for righties, left hand for lefties) goes straight to the ball. Why? Because a straight line is the quickest path between two points, and when we only have 0.2 seconds to make a save, speed is crucial.

A key aspect of a strong ready stance for goalies is having the top hand centered in the cage. From there, we move the top hand directly to the path of the shot. To practice moving the hand in a straight line to the ball, we recommend the Goalie Lead Hand Drill or the Colored Balls Drill. 

These should be the first drills that a beginner lacrosse goalie masters.

A lacrosse goalie can easily learn to move their top hand straight to the ball without a stick. However, once a stick is in the players’ hands, they tend to start making big rotating movements on off-stick shots and moving the top hand in a semi-circle. 

It is crucial for lacrosse goalie coaches to correct this bad habit. We want the top hand to move in a straight line to the ball. By focusing on the top hand, the goalie simplifies their thought process. 

Step 2: Full Body Control

In the game of lacrosse, the key to successfully getting to the ball lies in our body control. By utilizing the power of our body, we can enhance our saving ability, throwing technique, and accuracy.

To achieve this, it is crucial to have good coordination. This not only helps us reach the desired position faster but also positions our body for effective saves in case we miss the ball with our hand or stick.

To accomplish this, we combine our lead hand with a lead step. The lead step is determined by the side the ball is shot on. By drawing a line down the center of our body vertically, we can identify which foot should be leading based on the ball’s location.

By stepping at a 90-degree angle to meet the ball, we create the shortest distance between two points. Typically, this means stepping at a 45-degree angle, although it may vary depending on our goalie arc preference.

It is important to widen our lead step slightly beyond the ball’s projected path. This enables us to position our body correctly behind the ball, ensuring optimal defense even if we miss with our hands.

By implementing these techniques, you can enhance your gameplay and dominate the field with precision and efficiency.

Step 3: Keep Your Head Up

As a goalie in lacrosse, it is important to stay positive even when the opposition scores. You will need to keep your head up and focus on what you can control while ignoring any negative thoughts or emotions that might distract you. Having a positive attitude will help you stay focused and make better decisions during games.

Staying positive may be the most important part of being a lacrosse goalie. No matter how good you are, shots will go past you. Have short-term memory and move on to the next play. 

You are a leader on your team and it is important to lift yourself and your teammates up at all times.

Reflection

Learning how to become a lacrosse goalie can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Being responsible for protecting the goal gives you a sense of pride, knowing that your hard work and dedication are making an impact. With a little practice and patience, you can become an integral part of the team and help your team secure victories.

Conclusion

Being a lacrosse goalie requires skill, knowledge, and determination. With familiarity with the equipment, proper positioning, communication, and a positive attitude, you can become an effective goalie for your team. Keep practicing and stay focused to improve your skills! 

If you or anyone you know wants to know more about lacrosse, feel free to contact us.