Lacrosse Goalie Training Tips

In transforming the most significant team player into a stellar goaltender, coaches need to implement effective lacrosse goalie training tips. Goalies are one of the most essential players in defense and they need to be trained hard in order for the team to win. These drills will transform every goalie into their best form for a winning game:

1. High-to-Low Drill. This lacrosse goalie training tip is aimed to develop the goalie’s skills in receiving shots of various heights and intensities. This is done by positioning two players in opposite sides, approximately ten to fifteen yards away from the goalie. These players shall bombard alternating shots starting with shots at shoulder level until shots reach at the height of the goalie’s ankle. Commence the drills by having each player fire several bounce shots.
2. Brick Wall Drill Tip. Developing the goalie’s reflexive abilities is also necessary in saving most, if not all, instantaneous shots. Competing with opponents exhibiting different playing styles and techniques require impulsive reactions to save shots with diverse speeds, heights and angles. This drill is executed by having the goaltender stand facing a brick wall around five yards away. Another player stands behind the goalie with a similar distance of five yards. He will then fire shots aimed to the brick wall. This should be done initially with gradually increasing speed of shots until the goalie is accustomed enough to save fast-speed shots. Being unable to see the direction of shots, this lacrosse practice drills will certainly bring out the unfailing reflexes in every goalie.
3. Passing. Another essential goalie tip deals with passing the ball. Firing great passes to teammates is just as significant as stopping the balls from penetrating the goal. Enhancing the ability in making effective passes shall then be integrated in the lacrosse practice drills. This is done by forming two lines of players in both left and right sides of the goalie. The coach shall then position himself at the center with the primary task of taking shots aimed at the goal. The goalie will save the shots and after signaling “clear,” he will set a crisp pass off to a player running off from a side. Several cycles of saving a ball and making a pass continue until all players from both sides have received clearing passes from the goalie. To make the drill more motivating and more exciting to the goalie, several push-ups for every poor pass made are recommended.
4. Endurance. Every athlete needs to have high endurance and lacrosse goalies are expected to be the player that can stay focus and alert during the whole game. This tip focuses on training the goalie to have better stamina and strength. Before each training or practice games, make the goalie run for several rounds within court, incorporating short distance bursts of speed.