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Every goalie has their own style of play. What I recommend and say in my
column is what has made me a successful goalie. I recommend you watch different
goalies play and adapt what works best for you!
Good Luck!
June 2003
Billy, I have a question pertaining to mental toughness. Skill-wise,
I am good, but I get frustrated and broken down somewhat easily. I can
never seem to stay cool and calm for a whole game. How can I improve
my mental toughness and leave my worst enemy, myself, in the dust?
Date: Jun 1, 2003
Name: Rebecca
Grade: 11th grade
School: Langley High
State: Virginia
Years in Net: 3
Rebecca - It's the hardest thing to overcome. I written about it previously
and tried get the point across to young goalies; you have to keep your
mind in the game but at the same time you need to balance it with enjoyment.
What I mean is at some point in our careers we've all experienced mental
breakdowns where we get "shelled" within a matter of minutes.
What you need to work on his forgetting about the last goal or bad play
that was made, realize there is nothing you or anyone can do to get
it back or take it off the scoreboard. You can watch all levels of play
and notice that everyone wishes he or she should've gotten that last
save, etc. The GOOD ones know how to put it behind them and get ready
for the next one, because if they don't......it's going to be a long
day! I know I didn't directly answer your question but my recommendation
is to really focus on "getting the next one" and remember
it's a long game.
When the game is close and u just are not stopping any goals what do
u tell yourself or what do u do to get yourself pumped up or ready for
the next shot?
Date: Jun 1, 2003
Name: Jenna Moulton
Grade: 9th grade
School: East Rochester
State: New York
Years in Net: 4
Jenna - I try to realize what I could've done to get the shot that just
went in, then forget about and focus on the next one. It's something
we all deal with (see Rebecca's question above), it's the ups and downs
of playing this position we love. It's a pretty tight balancing act
the best goalies have learned to master. If you watch an MLL game, those
guys don't have time to get frustrated because at that level they're
going to see another shot in a matter of minute's maybe even seconds.
If they're thinking about the goal that just went in, how are they expected
to stop the next one? Keep working at it and you'll get better!
Mr. Daye,
This past year our college coach that the HCC just hired quit on us
before the season started and this put me in a funk. Now I have trouble
following the ball, I'm always out of position, and I seem to be dropping
my stick when shots are taken. How can I fix these problems and go back
to the old me?
Date: Jun 5, 2003
Name: Bill Correll
Grade: College
School: Harford Community
State: Maryland
Years in Net: 6
Bill - This is the mental aspect of the game I talk about (see above).
Can I ask you a question? Besides a few strategical moves here and there,
what did your coach have to do with you following the ball, being out
of position or dropping your stick? By no means am I disrespecting your
coach but the point I'm trying to make is you got thrown off track by
something that has no effect on your ability to play
this position. You need to go back to the basics my man, get shot on
by someone you trust will work with you and is not just try to light
you up. You can go to camp if you like, but the only thing that’s
really going to help you is practicing, and while you’re practicing
you need to be conscious of these “bad habits” you have.
We’ve all had them at some point in our careers, how soon they
disappear is up to you and only you.
When practicing take one day and just have the shooter take high shots,
you know they’re coming high and you’re thinking “don’t
drop my stick.” Awareness and repetition will take care of the
bad habits. Good luck, let me know how you’re doing in a month
or so.
What are some good off season workouts for a goalie both lifting
agilities and running wise as well as playing and getting shot on? What
is your advice for a good summer workout routine?
Date: Jun 15, 2003
Name:
Joe
Grade: 2006/soph
School: M-town
State: New Jersey
Years in Net: 9
[Bill Daye] Joe - I would recommend working out hard 2-3 months
prior to the start of your season for the simple reason of "burn
out". The off season is a great time to cross train so that you're
staying active but at the same time you're resting. I believe in giving
your body a rest from shots and the physical beating it takes during
a long season. Other sports that are good for goalies are anything that
involves foot work, hand eye coordination such as basketball, racquetball,
and squash to name few. All of these sports are great for cardio but
they also target the areas we as goalies need to keep sharp. This is
just a suggestion, if you're the type who likes to work out all year
long then that's cool too. Go for a long distance run 2 -3 times a week,
maybe see some shots once a week to keep the eyes trained.
When you start preparing for your season, I recommend ply metrics and
agilities to work on the footwork and most importantly the explosiveness
of attacking the ball. Weights are great to get your muscles in shape
to take the beating getting hit by the ball puts on the body. Always
carry a jump rope around with you this not only builds up your calves
but at the same time reinforces being on the balls of your feet (toes)
at all times.
My question is about the goalie sticks shaft. I play with a attack or
midfield shaft because I feel it's lighter for quicker saves and easier
to control when running down the field. What I would like to know is
what are benefits and risks with both the shorter and normal 40 inch
goalie shaft, and what you think is better for goalies to use. Thank
you for your time.
Date: Jun 15, 2003
Name:
Max Speth
Grade: Jr.
School: Evanston Township
State: Illinois
Years in Net: 2
[Bill Daye] Max - I wrote an article last year about using a short shaft.
You see a lot more goalies at all levels playing with a shorter shaft
than 40" norm. I personally play with a 35" shaft and it makes
the world of difference for me. There are no risks as far as I am concerned
just a lot of benefits. It's easier to maneuver because it's shorter
which also increases your hand speed; plus it's easier to handle when
you're out of the cage. How short you choose to cut the shaft is up
to you, I recommend trying different lengths with an aluminum shaft
and once you find the length that feels right then cut down the shaft
on your number one stick.
Hi Mr. Daye, this site is great and I find it very helpful. My senior
year in high school I learned how to play goalie just in case I was
needed, but when it was clear that the younger guy was going to do okay,
I switched back to my starting role as a close defenseman. After two
years of playing defense at a D3 school, I transferred to Penn this
year. Now, I am coaching back at my high school. I have found myself
working with the defense and the goalies a lot. I was wondering if you
can give any tips on how to coach a goalie, good warm-ups, pointers
to run through with them at practice or pre-game, good drills, drills
that they can do on their own, etc. Basically anything would help, I
think it would also help goalies to hear because then they could do
them on their own or suggest them to their coaches. It's funny how each
goalie is so different from the others. For example, one of our guys
loves the "Georgetown Warm-up" (we went down to Georgetown
for the Jesuit Lacrosse Classic this year and saw Gtown Prep warm up
their goalie by spending a long time staying in real close and taking
lots of soft shots), but then another hates that and wants hard shots
right away. Hopefully one day I'll understand goalies, I know my month
in the net brought me closer, but just in that I realize how crazy they
have to be do it all the time.
Thanks.
-Joe
Date: Jun 18, 2003
Name:
Joe Caulfield
Grade: Senior in College/High School Coach
School: Univ. of Penn/St. Joe's Prep
State: Pennsylvania
Years in Net: 1 month
[Bill Daye] Joe – thanks I’m glad you find the site helpful.
As for tips, the warm up is extremely important. Most schools don’t
have enough coaches to run practice & warm up the goalie; so they
have one of their players warm them up and it’s more shooting
practice than anything. I like a relatively close warm up where the
shooter is 10-12 yards away to start. I like to start at stick side
high for about 10-15 reps, then move to offstick high, stick side hip,
offstick hip, stick side low, offstick low, then bounce shots. So basically
the goalie is seeing 65-80 shots from in tight. The most important thing
about a warm up for me is that it’s a warm up. I use it to break
a sweat, focus on the ball coming out of the stick and get used to the
playing surface. But as you’ll find out, all goalies are different.
I recommend maybe cutting these down from 8-10 shots at all spots and
then bring over 2-3 middies or attackmen, line up cones 15-17 yds. away
so that it’s a shooting drill/goalie drill.
As for other drills, ball behind (feeding to the crease),
pipe to pipe are great drills that help get goalies prepared for real
live game situations. I’m also a big fan of warming up goalies
with tennis balls or soft practice balls with out a stick. This helps
focus on getting the hands to the ball, away from the body and getting
the body behind the ball.
Hope this helps and good luck!
I just played my first season in the net, after playing D for 4 years,
and I love it. We recently won the city championship. I was wondering
what shaft length do you suggest for goalie. I currently use a normal
length goalie shaft. But I’ve noticed that when I make hip saves
the but gets caught under the top pipe. Also when I come out to take
it up my stick always gets caught on the ground you see I’m 6'2"
and 230lbs. Would an attack length shaft be a good thing for me? Thanx
Pat
Date: Jun 19, 2003
Name:
Patrick Baker
Grade: sophomore
School: Baltimore Polytechnic Institute
State: Maryland
Years in Net: 1
[Bill Daye] Pat - I just answered a similar question [see above response
to Max from Illinois]. I wrote an article last year about using a short
shaft. You see a lot more goalies at all levels playing with a shorter
shaft than 40" norm. I personally play with a 35" shaft and
it makes the world of difference for me. There are no risks as far as
I am concerned just a lot of benefits. It's easier to maneuver because
it's shorter which also increases your hand speed; plus it's easier
to handle when you're out of the cage. How short you choose to cut the
shaft is up to you, I recommend trying different lengths with an aluminum
shaft and once you find the length that feels right then cut down the
shaft on you number one stick.
hey,
I have been goalie for only one year but I have picked up the concept
really easy. I am on the Maine select u-15 team. do u think if I stayed
with it if anybody would recognize me? because everyone tells me I’m
a really good goalie. and also I am wondering what do u do to improve
your goalie skills and what would be some good camps?
thank you,
Brian plowman
Date: Jun 20, 2003
Name:
Brian
Grade: 9th
School: gorham high school
State: Maine
Years in Net: 1
[Bill Daye] Brian - definitely keep playing the position, especially
if you're enjoying it. Try and get out to some camps this summer or
the next, so you can be seen by some coaches outside of Maine. GoalieNation
runs clinics throughout the year and I also have a camp in Rhode Island
at Bryant College from Aug 4th-7th. For more information go to www.pclax.com
I was fortunate to try out two consecutive years for the Long Island
Empire States team and that's one of the main ways I was recognized.
Prior to my fist tryout though, I sent letters to Div.1 and 3 college
coaches at the schools I was interested in attending. This helps because
it shows you are eager and when they come to the camp/tryout they have
a face to put to the letter. Watch other goalies play as well, pick
out something from each of them and apply it to your game.
Hey Billy, what's up? In the net during a game we might all agree that
you feel less pain from a shot because you're so pumped up. But how
do you personally deal with the impact of a blistering shot to an uncovered
area of you're body when it kills? Also, after playing in the MLL, what
do you think the best stringing for a Warrior Abyss is? Thanks a lot,
any response would be super.
Date: Jun 21, 2003
Name:
Chris B
Grade: 9
School: Triton Middle School
State: Massachusetts
Years in Net: 1
[Bill Daye] Chris – great question! Not sure how to answer it,
I guess over time you get used to the bumps and bruises from the shots.
You are correct, they hurt less in a game than they do in practice.
I do recommend that after a game if you do have any bruises, you ice
them. Taking care of your body is essential to maintain longetivity
in the goal. When I was playing in the MLL I strung my stick with Mid
Monster mesh for a more true hold, but I didn’t really have any
specialized stringing method.
How should I control my frustration level and control my temper. This
is a problem for me because I have a weak team with a terrible defense.
Also I have trouble determining when I should and should not step out
of the goal to pick off passes and hit attack men.
Thanks
BRICK WALL
Date: Jun 25, 2003
Name: Ben felleman
Grade: senior
School: Bellaire high
State: Texas
Years in Net: 3
[Bill Daye] Brick Wall – controlling your temper is tough especially
when things aren’t going your way. What you have to remember is
you are the QB on the field and the most visible by not only your teammates
but also by fans. How YOU depict yourself on the field is also how your
teammates will. They look to their goalies for leadership, if he/she
is frustrated or dejected; it spreads like wildfires throughout the
rest of the team. Even when things aren’t going the way we would
like it to, we need to remember to stay in control and be leaders.
As for picking off passes and hitting attackmen, I’m
a believer that if attempting to pick off a pass will pull you out of
position then it’s not worth going for it. If it's right there
and all you have to do is put out your stick, then yes that’s
a pass you should get. Hitting guys, if you can get to them before they
catch, turn and shoot then it’s not a bad thing.
I have two questions, one is that I usually just wear gloves, neck protector,
chest protector, and the goalie thigh pads is there anything else I
need? And did what did you think of Dartmouth this year (my father played
there) almost up setting Syracuse?
Date: Jun 29, 2003
Name: nick
Grade: 8th grade
School: Doherty middle
State: Massachusetts
Years in Net: 5
[Bill Daye] Nick – I’m going to assume you wear a helmet
J and a cup(?). Other than that you don’t need anything else,
however if you want to protect yourself a little more then wear whatever
you want. When I first began in 9th grade I completely covered my body
in pads; besides the norm I wore arm pads, thigh pads, knee pads and
shin guards. I was afraid of the ball and there’s nothing the
matter with that until you get use to getting hit with it; simple as
that! Once you get used to the ball the pads will come off, it takes
time more for others than some. I shed the pads the following year.
Dartmouth had a great season in ’03, pulling off
an upset would had been tremendous. Syracuse is a great team that always
finds away to win those tough games. I believe Dartmouth with the season
they had this year and that game alone earned some respect for some
time to come.
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