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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!

December 2003

Question:
I need some advice on a quicker release when throwing the ball.

I've had instances where the ball has fallen out when I cocked the stick back and instances where the ball has not settled in an optimal place in the pocket, so when I throw, the ball starts outside the heart of the pocket and I throw a pass that makes my coach have an aneurysm. Both are particularly embarrassing and have hurt my teams confidence and momentum in games.

At this point, rather than make a mistake dropping the ball or turning it over on a bad pass, I have adapted by taking an extra half second in my release to assure the ball is where it should be to make the pass. This hesitation is hurting the efficiency of my clears.

Can you provide any tips about stringing the head and/or technique to get quicker release while reducing the risk of dropping the ball or having it come out awkward?

I would like to send in a picture of my head (don't go there...) for you to suggest adjustments.

Date: Dec 01, 2003
Name: Anonymous
Grade: College
School: Club
State: Maryland
Years in Net: 8

Answer:
[Bill Daye] Dear Anonymous, sounds like you need to get a bigger pocket so I would rather see a picture of your pocket than your head (funny, eh?). Seriously though, if you send the picture, I can probably make a few recommendations on how to string your stick so that you have more control when throwing outlet passes.

Question:
Bill,

[ see previous question Oct 22 ]

First, thank you very much for your reply, advice, and again web site. I have spoken to my team, especially the defensive unit (d and mid). Many do not give 100% since it is a club league. Do not get me wrong, we play to win. I HATE LOSING, but at the end of the day we goalies (the last defense) pay the price for others mistakes on the field. Our own and potentially our team members, either with a nice donut followed by the bruise or a goal on us. The d on my team love the talk and they have never had a goalie until now that was so controlling and demanding, but the freaking middies do not get it. Next practice I think I am going to suggest that all middies spend 10 minutes in the goal to see what it feels like. Funny thing is that they will still do not understand the hardest part, which is the mental aspect. Having to keep it cool, not blame others or yourself, focus, and even if losing by a lot... playing your best and never giving up. Which I will admit, can be hard at times -- I am the type of goalie that during a game, I speak to no one, only during play am I vocal...in between q and halftime I walk around by myself thinking what I did wrong and what I did right. staying fully focused on the job at hand and dislike it when ppl try to speak to me. Call is a jinx thing or something.

I am a very unorthodox goalie which sometimes looks like a hockey goalie without pads, I do what I have to try to make save. I NEVER had a goalie coach, started in 11th grade (We only had around 12 teams in Florida then and now there are over 35. Amazing!! ), and played in Miami fl, and proud to say was a walk on at G'burg and made the team. Damn, playing in the cold was tough at first. My muscles were tight which made being hit more painful. I had also never faced shots that fast or accurate. Some of those guys did not hit corners; they hit squares on the net. First shot I faced cracked my stick, and at another practice Dave curry took a shot that ripped my throat guard in half.

As for my arc, I play an outside arc for the outside shots in the middle and slightly off each side to shut off angle. I play mid to low on angle and close shots, because as I stated before, I have good reflexes and usually don't bite when they fake. that makes them freak and either I make save or they shoot wide - often not always!!!!! I am 6ft 4, and I stand semi upright, with me knees slightly bent. Someone once told me, hey keep stick high, because it is easier to move it down than bring it up - gravity. Made sense to me. I also wanted to hear your view on staying in the goal or going for the ball when its semi-around the goal. I myself truly hate going for it, unless all is clear, because at the end of day I am the goalie. I view my job as playing goalie not middie. What do you think? Again, I am talking about plays in which it will be a very close call not the goalie alone. Know what I mean?

thnx, vic

Date: Dec 07, 2003
Name: vic
Grade: 1997
School: Gettysburg College
State: Florida
Years in Net: 4 yrs with "organized teams ( Palmetto/Gettysburg)" and 3 yrs with club team

Answer:
[Bill Daye] Vic, wow DC broke your throat protector in practice, eh? I'll have to ask him about that! Man you're right on with everything you've explained about your positioning, especially one on ones, which hopefully some other readers will read. That's the key but it's also very difficult to remain calm and as still as possible when a shooter is coming at you one on one. But you hit the nail right on the head brother, it does freak them out and puts all the pressure back on them when they don't see a goalie flail after they throw their 1st fake.

As for getting the GB's etc. I've always been a big fan of getting the GB's and mixing it up a little,, trying to start the transition for my team. BUT, I must say there are a lot of successful goalies out there who don't necessarily play that style. To be honest w/you I'm leaning towards heading in that direction and focusing more on saving the ball, communicating and being a leader by seeing the entire field than leaving the cage to go chase a GB in the corner. So that's my take on my man, now it's up to you do what you feel will benefit your game.

Question:
Hi! I've been playing goalie for about a year now but haven't started actually training. What are some good tips for goalie strength training?

Date: Dec 13, 2003
Name: Kaitlin
Grade: 7th
School: NAMS
State: Massachusetts
Years in Net: 1

Answer:
[Bill Daye] Kaitlin, I like to workout 3-4x a week focusing on explosive (ply metrics) training more than anything. When you think about it, that's what our position entails, exploding to the ball to stop it. Your legs are very important when playing this position so you need to work those muscles the most. Cardio is also very important, one thing you'll notice however, running isn't the same as playing goal. If you can run miles, etc. it's still different when you're seeing a lot of shots, etc. When I train I begin by doing sprint workouts, etc. so I can try to work on recovering faster more than anything. The best training you can do is actually get into the goal and see rubber. Good luck!

Question:
Last season I used to get real bad pains in my lower back. Is there anything I could do to fix that? And also, my coach told me to strengthen my shoulders for next season. Is there an exercise that I could do?

Date: Dec 25, 2003
Name: Danielle
Grade: Sophomore
School: Waterloo High School
State: New York
Years in Net: 2 years

Answer:
[Bill Daye] Danielle, the only reason I can think of why you may have pains in your lower back is because your hamstrings aren't developed enough. I would get into the gym and try and strengthen your legs and see if that helps the problem. As for shoulders, forearms, etc. I'm not a trainer but there are exercises that will help strengthen and develop your shoulders. I.e. shoulder presses, pulls, etc. I would seek advice from a personal trainer, or a fitness trainer, etc. on the specifics. Good luck!

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