The 4 Principles for Goaltending in Lacrosse

Feet

• Balls of your feet

• Be in a comfortable ready position

• Be ready to move as soon as ball is released from stick

• Step to the BALL (CUT DOWN ANGLES)

• Avoid stepping without moving (heel strike)

• Make forward progress (lateral stepping leaves goalie unbalanced and prevents goalie from reaching the edges of the goal

• FIND THE RELEASE POINT of shot

Hands

• Elbows are in front of torso (GET HANDS TO THE BALL)

• Catch the ball (do not “pop” – we need one media guide cover shot per year)

• Elbows even or behind torso force inefficient movement (out and around)

• More fingertips than palms

• Should be able to throw a pass without changing grip

Pipes

• Shooting to the far post usually involves contact for the offensive player (something they want NO part of) -Posts are the only "anchor point" on field -Make offensive plays score on “good” shots -Cover as much goal as possible (MOVE WITH BALL)

Mind

• Develop a plan (what shots you will concede, what you defend against all costs, where you wants shooters to shoot from (goalie strengths, preferably), etc.)

• Learn to play WHEN plan breaks down (NOT IF, because it will)

• It is counterintuitive, but RELAX

• You are outstanding if you are UNSUCCESSFUL 40% OF THE TIME (60%+ is the standard)

• Good and bad shots will go in (DON’T CHASE THE LAST SHOT)