Goalie InstructionA guide to playing and coaching

“the most important position on the field”

Introduction• A survey of the top 50 NCAA coaches in the country

asked what the most important position on the field of lacrosse is: 48 out of 50 answered that it is the goalie*

• There is no other player on the field that can single handedly change the course of the game. If a goalie has a perfect game, the worst case scenario is a 0-0 tie

• Coaches, choose your goalies wisely. You want an athlete, a personality and a leader to mind the net

*two answered the face-off guy but we think it’s because they were face off guys themselves

Hand Positions• Hands should be positioned

comfortably no more than shoulder width apart

• The top hand should grip a portion of the plastic on the head for maximum control and hand-eye accuracy

• Arms should extend away from the body comfortably to allow area to rotate the stick 360 degrees without hitting the body or helmet

• The bottom hand is slightly further away from the body than the top hand

• Make note of the thumb protection on this goalie’s top hand. This is the most common point of injury for any lacrosse goalie – protect your thumbs

Body Position - Stance• The more time a goalie is in

the proper stance, the better chance he has of making the save

• Hands away from your body

• Feet are shoulder width apart

• Knees Partially Bent• Slightly up on your toes and

balanced but ready to move forward

Body Position in Goal – Moving on the Arc

• A 5 point arc – pipe left, top left, top center, top right and pipe right

• Some goalies play with very little arc (flat movement across the goal line), or a very high arc (standing further away from the goal - not recommended), while a few simplify to a 3 point arc of left, center and right.

• We will evaluate your style and body type and make a recommendation on arc

Body Position in Goal – Moving Pipe to pipe

• A pipe to pipe move occurs when the ball is fed from one side of the goal to the other which is very common on fast breaks or from behind the goal to the opposite side of the field which is common in extra man and set play situations

• The challenge is that the goalie must move the greatest distance (6 feet) in one controlled motion to maximize speed and maximize their potential to save the ball without being fully set

• Many times this is simply an athletic reaction that results in unorthodox saves, however, there is one popular method that the diagram on this page illustrates.

• This move should be practiced often, and completed in one fluid motion. From the pipe, the up field foot leads the body turn landing directly in the middle of the goal line. The goalie, without ever touching the trailing foot to the ground, hops to the opposite pipe landing on both feet. Right foot on the pipe and left foot in parallel

• Often called a “jump step” the goalie glides across the goal mouth, he has his stick in the ready position, his body is square to the shooter and can react to the oncoming shot throughout the transition

• This is an advanced technique for older goalies

ste

LR R R

L

Path of ball left to right

Reverse move going right to left begins with left foot first and left foot hop

For advanced players

StepHop

Making the Save – Focus on the ball• You won’t find many goalies who wear glasses.

The ability to see the ball clearly is the most important part of being able to make a save

• Top hand to the ball – Your hand eye coordination allows you to use natural athletic movement when saving the ball. The top hand ALWAYS leads and everything else including your head, your body you bottom hand and your feet will follow

• You’re priority will always be on the man with the ball. Don’t watch his eyes or his body as much as watch the ball inside the stick. Eyes can fake, bodies can fake and sticks can fake, but the ball will never lie

• Follow the ball all the way into the stick until it has settled in your pocket. Take one strong cradle as you look up to find a breaking midfielder

Making the Save – The Step• Where the top hand goes your body should

follow … that’s why we step to the ball• Starting from a set and still position the

goalie reacts to the ball leaving a shooter’s stick

• Step towards the shot with the ball side foot immediately bringing the trailing foot forward to a balanced finishing position

• Steps are meant to improve the angle from which a goalie is defending the net, not jeopardize their position with a twisted body or an unbalanced reaction

• Don’t drop to your knees. While on low shots it may seem to make sense, once you’re on the ground, you cannot react to rebounds. You also have no way to protect the top of the net from a ricochet or a low fake followed by a high shot.

Making the Save - Rebounds• The good news is the ball isn’t in the goal …

yet.• Great attackers love to pick up “junk” goals

when a ball rebounds off a goalie or a defender

• The key is to always be balanced in your recovery from a first save and to communicate to your defense that the ball is still in play

• When a goalie yells, “REBOUND!!!” it signals your defenders to take the body on the crease and to scour the area for a ground ball. Good defenders will rake or shovel the ball to the goalie inside the crease and often place the ball behind the mouth of the goal.

• Some techniques will teach you to be more prepared for a low shot than a high shot when the ball is on the ground in front of the goal. It will depend on your preference and each unique situation

Control the ball and limit rebounds• Using the crease to control

the ball ultimately limits the amount of saves you have to make

• Loose ball on the ground: Clamp down on the ball with your stick and ‘rake’ it into the pocket being careful to always rake away from the open net if you don’t scoop the ball up cleanly the first time

Making the Save – Importance of Extending your arms

• When a goalie catches the lacrosse ball he wants to give with his top hand and pull it towards his body as the ball enters his stick. This strategy is used by goalies to lengthen the amount of time the impact occurs and reduce the force on the lacrosse ball. Goalies do this to keep the ball from rebounding out of their stick and back in front of the crease where an offender can pick up the ball and take another shot.

Making the Save – 1 on 1• Stay in the goal, coming out is a last

resort• Step to the ball, not the shooter• Be patient, save your reaction for after

the fakes• Reduce the angle. If you’re on the

pipe, stay on the pipe until the last possible second

• Mirror the attacker’s stick. On a shot from distance, we instruct to cushion the ball into your stick. One on one, the stick more often is moving forward or on a plane trying to repel the ball away from the goal

• Baiting is a risky proposition but can work at times. Try it in practice first.

Position – Hugging the Pipe• Lock your heal into the pipe and

remain in a ready position• When an attacker is ready to shoot

from a wing with a limited angle, there are two ways to play the shot– With no angle, stand tall and hug the

pipe and let your body make the save– With a limited angle, remain on the

pipe in the ready position and avoid stepping off of the pipe to take away being beat on the inside. Make the save normally with little or no step

Communicating• The goalie is the “Field General” of

the defense• Defenders should always have their

“head on a swivel” to see their man and the ball but it is crucial for a goalie to tell them what they can’t see

• Calling ball position, Calling “Check” on a feed, Calling “Rebound” off a shot, Calling “Slide” when a defender is beat, and Calling “Break” after a save

• The more you talk, the more efficient your defense becomes awarding you with fewer and easier shots to save

Playing the Field• Following the save, the goalie becomes the first

point of offense on the field.• The goalie has the most central point (the crease)

and the widest view of all offensive options available

• The crease also affords the goalie time to make the right decision and to pass the ball without interference from a riding attacker’s stick

• Be great with your stick (including your off hand). Be accurate, be in control, be protective of the ball when clearing … and be on offense.

• Most fast breaks start with an pinpoint outlet pass from the goalie giving an extra man advantage to the offensive end of the field

• Know that when you leave the crease, the goalie is a favorite target for riding attackers. Move the ball and play to their over aggressiveness to gain the advantage in clearing.

The Warm-up: Basics

• 1 Coach Warm up• 8 basic shots : Stick Side High, Stick Side Hip, Stick

Side Foot, Between the Legs, Off-Side Foot, Off-Side Hip, Off-Side High and Bounce Shots

• 10 shots minimum at each position – 100% save percentage should be the goal

• Prior to setting up in the net for a live warm-up, a goalie should refine his technique by practicing the seven save positions against an imaginary shooter.

Standard Warm-Up10 Shots – 8 Spots

1010

10

10

1010

10

10

The Warm-Up: Intermediate

• Two coach warm up– Side to side passing up top with alternating shot

positions– Feeds from behind with alternating shot positions.

Inside and outside shots off a feed.– Focus on Pipe to Pipe movement (see jump step

and other techniques), following the ball and set feet before the shot is taken

Two Coach Warm Up

C1 C2

10 Yard Minimum

Coaches pass back and forth rotating who takes the shot

The object is for the goalie to move along his arc, from one coaches angle to the next and then set his position before making the save

Two Coach Warm Up

C2

C1

10 Yard MinimumWith occasional sneak to 1 on1

Coach 2 up top moves back and forth on a line taking feeds and shooting on goal

The object is for the goalie to pivot from center goal to either pipe or top center, top right or top left positions, set feet and make the save

Coach 1 at “X” moves back and forth on an arc pressing each pipe and feeding the ball up top

C2 C2

C1 C1

The Warm-Up: Advanced

Goalie specific drills and fitness• Short stick warm-up• No stick warm-up• Quick stick warm-up• Outlet passing after every save• Communication – Calling ball position, Calling

“Check”, Calling “Rebound”, Calling “Break”

Sticks & Maintenance• The goalie stick endures the most wear and tear of any piece of

equipment on the field. • Each goalie must maintain the integrity of their pocket to ensure

there is no weaknesses that could result in a allowing a goal. • Tighten all bottom strings, make sure side walls and top strings are

in tact and not frayed.• Check to make sure there are no large gaps that a ball could ever fit

through• Make sure all throwing strings are helping to channel the ball into

the deepest middle portion of the pocket and guide the ball when throwing.

• The ball should NEVER hit the plastic at the top of a stick when throwing

• Keep your pocket deep enough to absorb almost any shot but still shallow enough for an easy throwing motion that gives both distance and accuracy to an outlet pass

EquipmentTrust us … barring injury, this is all

you’ll ever need:• A great stick and a great back up

stick are mandatory• Helmet and Throat Protector• Goalie Gloves with added thumb

protection• Chest Protector• Mouth Guard• Athletic Supporter and Cup for

boys

Fitness & Pre-Season Workouts

• Jump Rope for quickness• Distance running for stamina and short burst

training like ladders for aerobic recovery• Strengthen your lower back and large leg

muscles – wall sits for quads are great• Hit the wall – stick skills set good goalies apart

from great goalies. Left and right hand passing and catching first … then work on making saves off the wall in a 1 man warm-up

Good Luck and Play well

Contact us with questions• Scott Giardina (654-9066, sgiardina@mountkellet.com)• Kevin McGurn (789-3135, kevin.mcgurn@hulu.com)

Some Great Stuff – Check it out!!!

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ8svu8ANl4

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkQn6kyxSjE&feature=related

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EezsWXmgJVQ&feature=related