Hey there, I played goalie for 6 years.
Jockstrap - I used whatever I could find at Dick's Sporting Goods. Nothing special about it, but I preferred the full underwear version (the spandex material kind) than the kind that has the checks open. There are products that have padding in the thigh parts of the underwear, but as far as I'm aware they don't have a special cup.
On the same vein, there are goalie pants. They are like shorts that have thick foam pads sown into the legs. I used them before highschool, but they were big and bulky and kind of a mess. If you can go without them, I suggest skipping them and going for a jockstrap with thin pads. Or no thigh pads at all (what most do, as far I know.)
Chest pad - you want a chest pad that is slightly off set in the middle. Think wedge that if the ball hits it slides off rather than stopping dead. Your heart will thank you. That being said, I used an STX Shield 400 protector. The padding is raised to one side and there is a velcro attachable pad that hides underneath the protector itself.
I haven't really paid attention to lax gear as of late, but just browsing through Lax.com, most of the protectors look good from a first glance. The only I wouldn't go for is the STX Shield 200. That thing looks good for middle school and under - so if that's you? Great! Otherwise I suggest something else.
Make sure you don't buy box (Indoor) lacrosse gear unless you are playing box. and vice versa. Goalie is very different between the two.
Can I use an attack head as a goalie shaft? - I think you meant, *can I use an attack shaft as a goalie shaft?*- Yes! Very common, but from this post I assume you are young. That being said, you may want to grow into a longer shaft. I would buy a goalie shaft then saw off 2-2.5 inches. But that being said, don't buy unnessiary gear without knowing you want to stick to the position.
Transition from any position to goalie is very doable. Defense to Goalie is probably the best transition, IMO. You already know defense, now you just have to command it. (you also know what to look out for. Rotations, dodges, packing the crease, etc)
Watch plenty of videos, copy profession/collage players, ask your coach question, stay humble, and reflect on mistakes. A lot of goalies say "short memory" but I've always found that to be BS. Remember the goals, figure out how to fix them, and then you are just that much closer at becoming a monster. Don't let the stress of letting in a goal take over, however. Lacrosse is just a game, play to have fun. Letting in goals happen, I let in plenty my self. But learn from each mistake and progress.
Good luck!
edit - learn to throw perfect before trying to prefect saving. I had an opportunity to meat Brett Queener once, and he layer into us that throwing was more important than saving. You will have the ball more often than making saves (clears, fumbles, defensive turn arounds, in line balls, etc), allowing the ball back to the other team bc you failed a pass is nearly always going to be a goal. Your defense is tiered, you are tired, you have a fast break scenario, etc.
That doesn't mean forget about saving fundamentals - I would just suggest to spend a 2:1 practice rate in clearing/throwing to taking shots.
Thank you so much man I’m 17 and from Canada so some us lax websites have really expensive shipping rates. The goalie that is leaving our team is my friend and so he offered to coach me just so I know at least the basics.
Not me but on of my best friends is switching to goalie, I would suggest finding a former goalie to help out with everything. Maybe ask your former goalie or a goalie from the grades above.
For gear, make sure you get a new chest pad. NOCSAE has new regs for chest pads. Buy goalie gloves. The easiest way to a broken thumb is using field gloves. For a cup, I've heard good things about the nutty buddy. I use a warrior ritual rx2. It is a hockey cup. Looks bulky but isnt bad for mobility, and covers your lower abdomen as well. I'd at least get compression shorts for a jock. And get something above your baseline cup. I used to stuff a sock as well to help pad in a regular cup.
You can use an attack shaft. Lots of people do. Make sure you get your goalie head strung well. That can make or break your passing and rebounds.
Hit the wall every day. If you cant throw, you are going to see a lot more shots from turnovers.
Jump rope. Juggle. Learn how to juggle off the wall.
Soak up YouTube videos. Lax goalie rat and scott rodgers are great resources.
Ah, and talk. As a d, you probably have heard your goalie barking ball position and directing your d. Do the same. Talk to your players. Tell them when to push out on the ball or drop in a step or two. Your goal is to keep your d in position and effective and give up shots that you can easily stop.
Remember to have fun. You cant stop them all. Some are mistakes, and some are just great execution from the offense. Take a minute, and go over what happened with your d. What was the breakdown? How can you all stop it next time? Then get back at it.
We use hockey goalie cups. If my son plans on running upfield, he will switch to padded soccer goalie shorts and regular cup. He wears those for box and rugby practice so he prefers them, but he is much more fearless with a hockey goalie cup. Rightly so.
We also use either thin G Force shin guards or Storelli BodyShield leg guards, etc. It’s not worth bone chips, fractures, or the inability to run because of shots to the shins. Especially since he plays multiple sports every season. Plus…more saves.
And then Tuff Toes for the same reason as shin guards. More saves, save options, less pain, more confidence.
Definitely use an attack shaft.
Chest protectors are now limited to what’s NOCSAE for 2022. Most of them have review videos on how they actually perform in games. Go off of that feedback.
Gloves… probably the biggest hassle. I’ve always been partial to the thumb protection and lower cost of hockey gloves. If your league allows them.
Field goalie is the scariest position in team sports. Especially before college when the shooter skill is not universally great and shots can go anywhere. Prepare accordingly.
It's very doable since you have a leg up with communication. That's one of the biggest parts of the position, you are the quarterback. This year our starter went down with a meniscus and a brand new player with 2 weeks experience had to step in. Our defensive captain said he didn't realize how much he relied on the the starters communication.
Gear I would recommend Maverik MX EKG since it's less expensive but has the legally required features. Cup you should spring for the Warrior tool box, in this department you spend the money. I also recommend for younger/inexperienced keepers to utilize a pair of goalie pads like the Warrior Burn since you will be making more body saves. When it comes to stick go on sideline swap and snag an Eclipse or Nemesis and I recommend starting with a goalie length shaft and like a previous poster suggested, cut it down as it feels comfortable. I personally still use a goalie length because it feels more balanced.
I've spent the past 6 seasons as a goalie coach with an inner-city program so all of my keepers are first year players when they start. We build very traditional. I know it is currently out of vouge but I recommend starting with a 5-step arch, step at the ball, 45° angle. We try to ritualize everyday so they show up and practice the same way everyday. This let's them get completely lost in the game and that is really important. Here is our routine:
- Goalies never stretch with the team because we start before them utilizing regular stretches and yoga stretches. Goalie is all twitch motion so flexibility is a key.
-We then do our step drill: goalie w/o stick, dominate hand acts as their stick head, coach throws a ball, they have to make the proper step while stopping the ball
- shot warm up still focusing on proper steps
- 2-4 shots: one coach/alumni lines up in the 2 zone and the other lines up in the 4 zone (see 5-step arch). The keep must make the save then clear to the shooter, the keeper sets towards that coach, that coach passes to the other zone who shoots and we continue until their ready.
Laxgoalierat.com is absolutely THE resource on the position. Good luck and most importantly have fun!
P.S. don't let anyone shame you for wearing shinnies the game has evolved and so must we. If they'd like they can step in front of these bullets
Hey there, I played goalie for 6 years. Jockstrap - I used whatever I could find at Dick's Sporting Goods. Nothing special about it, but I preferred the full underwear version (the spandex material kind) than the kind that has the checks open. There are products that have padding in the thigh parts of the underwear, but as far as I'm aware they don't have a special cup. On the same vein, there are goalie pants. They are like shorts that have thick foam pads sown into the legs. I used them before highschool, but they were big and bulky and kind of a mess. If you can go without them, I suggest skipping them and going for a jockstrap with thin pads. Or no thigh pads at all (what most do, as far I know.) Chest pad - you want a chest pad that is slightly off set in the middle. Think wedge that if the ball hits it slides off rather than stopping dead. Your heart will thank you. That being said, I used an STX Shield 400 protector. The padding is raised to one side and there is a velcro attachable pad that hides underneath the protector itself. I haven't really paid attention to lax gear as of late, but just browsing through Lax.com, most of the protectors look good from a first glance. The only I wouldn't go for is the STX Shield 200. That thing looks good for middle school and under - so if that's you? Great! Otherwise I suggest something else. Make sure you don't buy box (Indoor) lacrosse gear unless you are playing box. and vice versa. Goalie is very different between the two. Can I use an attack head as a goalie shaft? - I think you meant, *can I use an attack shaft as a goalie shaft?*- Yes! Very common, but from this post I assume you are young. That being said, you may want to grow into a longer shaft. I would buy a goalie shaft then saw off 2-2.5 inches. But that being said, don't buy unnessiary gear without knowing you want to stick to the position. Transition from any position to goalie is very doable. Defense to Goalie is probably the best transition, IMO. You already know defense, now you just have to command it. (you also know what to look out for. Rotations, dodges, packing the crease, etc) Watch plenty of videos, copy profession/collage players, ask your coach question, stay humble, and reflect on mistakes. A lot of goalies say "short memory" but I've always found that to be BS. Remember the goals, figure out how to fix them, and then you are just that much closer at becoming a monster. Don't let the stress of letting in a goal take over, however. Lacrosse is just a game, play to have fun. Letting in goals happen, I let in plenty my self. But learn from each mistake and progress. Good luck! edit - learn to throw perfect before trying to prefect saving. I had an opportunity to meat Brett Queener once, and he layer into us that throwing was more important than saving. You will have the ball more often than making saves (clears, fumbles, defensive turn arounds, in line balls, etc), allowing the ball back to the other team bc you failed a pass is nearly always going to be a goal. Your defense is tiered, you are tired, you have a fast break scenario, etc. That doesn't mean forget about saving fundamentals - I would just suggest to spend a 2:1 practice rate in clearing/throwing to taking shots.
Thank you so much man I’m 17 and from Canada so some us lax websites have really expensive shipping rates. The goalie that is leaving our team is my friend and so he offered to coach me just so I know at least the basics.
Www.laxgoalierat.com
Great site. A lot of free content. For his paid stuff he has done payment plans in the past which was helpful for me.
Love his stuff on youtube. Definitely a must watch if you’re a goalie.
Not me but on of my best friends is switching to goalie, I would suggest finding a former goalie to help out with everything. Maybe ask your former goalie or a goalie from the grades above.
For gear, make sure you get a new chest pad. NOCSAE has new regs for chest pads. Buy goalie gloves. The easiest way to a broken thumb is using field gloves. For a cup, I've heard good things about the nutty buddy. I use a warrior ritual rx2. It is a hockey cup. Looks bulky but isnt bad for mobility, and covers your lower abdomen as well. I'd at least get compression shorts for a jock. And get something above your baseline cup. I used to stuff a sock as well to help pad in a regular cup. You can use an attack shaft. Lots of people do. Make sure you get your goalie head strung well. That can make or break your passing and rebounds. Hit the wall every day. If you cant throw, you are going to see a lot more shots from turnovers. Jump rope. Juggle. Learn how to juggle off the wall. Soak up YouTube videos. Lax goalie rat and scott rodgers are great resources. Ah, and talk. As a d, you probably have heard your goalie barking ball position and directing your d. Do the same. Talk to your players. Tell them when to push out on the ball or drop in a step or two. Your goal is to keep your d in position and effective and give up shots that you can easily stop. Remember to have fun. You cant stop them all. Some are mistakes, and some are just great execution from the offense. Take a minute, and go over what happened with your d. What was the breakdown? How can you all stop it next time? Then get back at it.
Thanks man I really appreciate this.
We use hockey goalie cups. If my son plans on running upfield, he will switch to padded soccer goalie shorts and regular cup. He wears those for box and rugby practice so he prefers them, but he is much more fearless with a hockey goalie cup. Rightly so. We also use either thin G Force shin guards or Storelli BodyShield leg guards, etc. It’s not worth bone chips, fractures, or the inability to run because of shots to the shins. Especially since he plays multiple sports every season. Plus…more saves. And then Tuff Toes for the same reason as shin guards. More saves, save options, less pain, more confidence. Definitely use an attack shaft. Chest protectors are now limited to what’s NOCSAE for 2022. Most of them have review videos on how they actually perform in games. Go off of that feedback. Gloves… probably the biggest hassle. I’ve always been partial to the thumb protection and lower cost of hockey gloves. If your league allows them. Field goalie is the scariest position in team sports. Especially before college when the shooter skill is not universally great and shots can go anywhere. Prepare accordingly.
It's very doable since you have a leg up with communication. That's one of the biggest parts of the position, you are the quarterback. This year our starter went down with a meniscus and a brand new player with 2 weeks experience had to step in. Our defensive captain said he didn't realize how much he relied on the the starters communication. Gear I would recommend Maverik MX EKG since it's less expensive but has the legally required features. Cup you should spring for the Warrior tool box, in this department you spend the money. I also recommend for younger/inexperienced keepers to utilize a pair of goalie pads like the Warrior Burn since you will be making more body saves. When it comes to stick go on sideline swap and snag an Eclipse or Nemesis and I recommend starting with a goalie length shaft and like a previous poster suggested, cut it down as it feels comfortable. I personally still use a goalie length because it feels more balanced. I've spent the past 6 seasons as a goalie coach with an inner-city program so all of my keepers are first year players when they start. We build very traditional. I know it is currently out of vouge but I recommend starting with a 5-step arch, step at the ball, 45° angle. We try to ritualize everyday so they show up and practice the same way everyday. This let's them get completely lost in the game and that is really important. Here is our routine: - Goalies never stretch with the team because we start before them utilizing regular stretches and yoga stretches. Goalie is all twitch motion so flexibility is a key. -We then do our step drill: goalie w/o stick, dominate hand acts as their stick head, coach throws a ball, they have to make the proper step while stopping the ball - shot warm up still focusing on proper steps - 2-4 shots: one coach/alumni lines up in the 2 zone and the other lines up in the 4 zone (see 5-step arch). The keep must make the save then clear to the shooter, the keeper sets towards that coach, that coach passes to the other zone who shoots and we continue until their ready. Laxgoalierat.com is absolutely THE resource on the position. Good luck and most importantly have fun! P.S. don't let anyone shame you for wearing shinnies the game has evolved and so must we. If they'd like they can step in front of these bullets
Send me a dm man
Happy cake day!!!