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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!
October 2003
Hi Billy! I'm a field hockey goalie and the lacrosse team has asked
me to be their goalie. I have never played lacrosse or even watched
a lacrosse game! How can I learn to play before the spring?
Date: Oct 2, 2003
Name: Courtney
Grade: Senior
School: GHS
State: Connecticut
Years in Net: 0
[Bill Daye] Hello Courtney! I recommend getting some video of goalie
play, both instructional and game footage. Check around for preseason
goalie clinics in the CT, LI or MA area. Most importantly ask a lot
of questions. There are some similarities in playing goal in both Field
Hockey & Lacrosse. Your positioning, athletic abilities, etc. will
all come into play. As for learning the specifics however, you need
to begin now to get ready for the spring. Do you know anyone who can
give you some tips? If not, I'll expect to see another question from
you in the next round! Good luck!
Any advice or drill I can do to improve reaction time for one on one
shots? I found out it's easy to lose your position when an attackmen
is drawing you from pipe to pipe. Also, is there any advantage using
a Titanium shaft in goal compared to a lighter C405 shaft?
Date: Oct 12, 2003
Name: David O'Connell
Grade: 10th
School: Shaker Heights
State: Ohio
Years in Net: 3
[Bill Daye] David, the hardest thing about one on ones is staying still
and calm and waiting for the shooter to release the ball. We as goalies
usually get too excited and fall for the first or second fake and by
that time you're caught out of position. The more you work on hanging
in, even baiting a little (forcing the shooter to shoot to a certain
area) the better you'll do. It's one of the toughest parts to playing
the position that's for sure. You do tend to lose your positioning when
going pipe to pipe. I recommend trying to stay as close to goal line
as possible when stepping across. The more you stay under control (your
body) the better. As for shaft preference, titanium is stronger than
a C405 shaft but its more personal preference than anything.
Hi Billy, I needed some advice. I played var goalie for 3 years in hs
and did well. Now coming up to college, I feel that I have developed
bad habits(not stepping to ball) and that its hard to break. I could
get away with it in hs, but in college its really killing me in goal.
What should I do to redevelop fundamentals that will help me get better?
Date: Oct 19, 2003
Name: Mike Sheridan
Grade: freshman
School: UCSB
State: California
Years in Net: 4
[Bill Daye] Mike, you said it.......redevelop your skills. It's that
simple, start back with the basics. Work on stepping to the ball with
a friend or by yourself. If you can't find a shooter, than use a wall
to practice attacking the ball. I'm not sure what your stance is like
but try getting in a more athletic stance with a bend at your knees
so you're in the "attacking" position. Here's a drill I love
using; drop your stick and get some tennis or racquet balls. Have someone
shoot at you 1/2 speed as they're warming you up. Without your stick
you're forced to really step to the ball, attack it and catch it w/your
hands. This gets all the important parts working as one.
Bill,
I said it in the feedback and I will say it again. Goalies finally have
a place where they can share experiences, teach and learn from one another,
realize we all have up's and down's, that we are all somewhat masochist
(not many volunteer to play Goalie), and most important a place where
we know others will understand what experience. Good job! I always played
sports (organized team) that required a Goalie. The amazing thing is
we all usually give the same answer to the following, "Why do you
play Goalie?" We love the pressure, being in charge, being the
leader. Ok, here are my questions. First, is there such a thing as talking
too much? Sometimes, I feel like I am speaking a different language
than my defense, especially the middies, because they won't "check",
"slide", "or go get them" on the fast break, which
makes me get louder, feel like a pre-school teacher, and sometimes lose
focus or concentration. I know it depends on the d unite, but what are
you views and have you ever experienced this? I also would love to hear
you opinion on this. I do not want to sound pompous, but I love inside
shots and have always been better at them than outside shots. I do not
know what it is but I hate outside shot and love inside On inside I
cover my angles well, have fast reflects, and usually never budge for
the fakes. What do I do to improve on blocking outside shots? (I know
you will say have someone shoot on you) Do you have specific drills
or ideas? Sorry it is so long, but heck, I do not know about you all,
but having or even seeing a Goalie coach is like owning an endangered
species. They are rare.
Thanks again!
V
Date: Oct 22, 2003
Name: Vic
Grade: Graduated 1997
School: Gettysburg College
State: Pennsylvania
Years in Net: 4 yrs with "organized teams ( Palmetto/Gettysburg)"
and 3 yrs with club team
[Bill Daye] V, FIRST OF ALL, NO there is no such thing as talking too
much!!!! A goalie that is constantly talking is really in the game,
seeing the field and knows what's going on. Have you gotten together
with your d men and middies to discuss what you may be saying and what
it means (what you want them to do)? Get everyone on the same page man,
it sounds like to me you're doing a great job communicating, your teammates
are just not on the same page with you. As for outside shots, where
are you on your arc? It sounds to me that you're having trouble seeing
the ball and finding it maybe? What type of stance are you in? Real
athletic or upright? I need to hear more from you about this before
I recommend something. Write back!
Hi I am not playing so hot. I need more time in the net but I don't
have any one to shoot on me. What should I do?
Date: Oct 23, 2003Name: Max Weldon
Grade: 10
School: Worthington Kilbourne
State: Ohio
Years in Net: 1
[Bill Daye] Max, my man you need some repetitions bro! Any of your friends
want to help you out? What exactly are you doing well, anything? What
do you mean by not playing so hot, can you be more specific? Look for
clinics in your area if any to get some shots and recruit friends to
get repetitions. Dig a little deeper and I may be able to help you in
the next column.
I tend to have a hard time staying focused after I make a great save.
I get all hyped up and don't pay as much attention. did this ever become
a problem for you? and if so, how did you fix it?
Date: Oct 25, 2003
Name: Doug
Grade: senior
School: Oakton hs
State: Virginia
Years in Net: 6
[Bill Daye] Doug, I'm a little confused about your question, you get
hyped up and don't pay attention to what? If I'm reading between the
lines correctly then I'm thinking you keep the great save on your mind
and you can't focus on the next shot??? Sorry man, but you need to be
a little more specific. Basically I treat a great save like a goal,
it happened, it's over, time to move on and focus on the next shot.
Unless it's the last save of the game, reflect on those sick saves afterwards
and not during the game. The only thing I take away from a sick save
is if I'm in that position with the same shooter again, will he attempt
the same shot or do something different........the chances are he'll
do something different so you have the advantage there. Write back if
you want.
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