Coaches: Make sure you've got your thoughts right before you work with goalies. I know it can be hard, but in this example I think we have some overly confused coaches who may really be hurting their team in general and this goalie in particular. Please send me questions if you need clarification. There is no such thing as a stupid question.
Here's My Response To The Email
Jonathan -
Adam my responses are below. Thanks again for writing. By being your sisters coach you're going to learn a ton yourself. They say that if you want to become an expert in anything you should learn how to teach it. So good on your for becoming a teacher.
----- Original Message -----
From: (Name and email address witheld)
Date: Sunday, March 23, 2008 6:22 pm
Subject: RE: differences between boy's and girl's goalkeeping
To: JONATHAN EDWARDS
>
> Jon
> I play in (City State witheld). normally I wouldn't care and
> would just accept that the girls sport is different, but I know
> that her team is not very good, so I don't trust them.
+++When things are new to people they tend to take whatever they hear and apply it no matter what the source. Also, they might misunderstand things along the way and end up teaching the wrong things even though they think it's right. There is a great saying that I tend to remind myself of and that is this, "The worst position in the World to be in is to think you know that you know, but you really don't know." You might want to read that a couple of times so it sinks in.
>
> first off, they were having her hold her stick at the bottom of
> the shaft instead of at the head. I don't know the logic
> behind it, but they say it works better, I think she just looks
> like a retard. I think I have her convinced to change
> that, but it would be helpful to get confirmation that I'm
> right.
Ok here's a great drill just to test that theory out. Have your sister get in her stance with her hands at the end of the stick. Now take a ball in your hand and hold it. Now take your hand with the ball in it and pretend like it's a shot coming at her. (The ball doesn't leave your hand. Do this in slow motion.) Now take your hand with the ball and have the ball go to her off stick hip. Have her try and catch it with the head of the stick. There is no way she'll get it. Now do that to a bunch of different positions. She'll be able to get the ones to stick side high. And maybe off stick high. Even the low shots. But anything near the body she will have no chance on. This should prove to her that holding the stick down low on the shaft is not a good idea.
As for looking like a retard I can't help her there. Those are bigger issues. But hopefully they are helped by holding the stick at the throat. Just FYI, the top hand goes right to the plastic. The bottom hand should be a shoulders width distance from the top hand. The reason it goes right to the plastic is now it's like a big baseball glove. It's an extension of that top hand and you should always think about getting that top hand to the ball first.
>
> The biggest differences are in stringing and throwing.
> They have her string it like a tennis racket, with almost no
> pocket. She's new so she doesn't know, but there aren't
> pocket depth requirements in girls lax are there?
+++In the girls rule book that you can download for free at NCAA.org it doesn't say anything about depth of stick. It does however talk about depth of stick for any other stick. Her coaches may have it confused but she should have some depth in that stick. Now I'll be honest, I've always assumed you can have depth in a girls stick. If there has been a rule change I don't know about you'll have to double check but I don't think so.++++++++++
but the
> main reason it seems that she is stringing it that way is so she
> can throw it, she's having trouble throwing with the big stick,
> so she flings it with her waist. any ideas on how to get
> her to throw....like a man, the full overhand way you have to
> throw with the big stick.
+++This is a very valid reason. Most girls are simply not strong enough in the wrists and forearms t throw with a deep pocket. Heck, most young guys aren't able to throw with a big pocket so by having a shallower pocket she will be able to throw further but she'll have no control of the ball in the stick.
As far as ideas to get her to throw like a man...strength train. Seriously, get her in the gym. You too. You guys can train together.
One of the best ways to teach anyone how to throw a lacrosse ball with a stick better is to have them throw a ball without the stick. If you guys have some baseball gloves this is what you do, start on your knees facing each other and throw back and forth. By taking the legs out of it you really see how weak you are. Then you lift one leg up so you are on one knee and one foot. (The up leg should be the one opposite your top hand. If you're a righty then your left leg is up bent at ninety degrees.) Then you stand and take a step. By getting the legs into it you'll really notice how far the ball can travel. If she's just throwing with her wrists she's not using a lot of the power that comes from our legs when we throw.++++++++++++++
>
> As far as stepping to and reading shots, we're obviously a long
> way from that, but if there are any tips you can give me as to
> how to teach her to play, I think I have the basic athletic
> stance with her, but does she need to walk an arc or is it just
> like hockey where you square up with the shooter all the
> time. and what are the major rule differences I need to be
> aware of.
++++++++++Ok, as for rules I think it would really help you to read the girls rulebook at NCAA.org. Just go to Spring Sports > Womens Lacrosse> 2008 Rulebook. One major rule to note is that once they leave the crease they are just like any other player.
As far as teaching her to play you are on the right track. My recommendations to most goalies at this stage is to focus on being an athlete first, and a goalie second. If we can make her stronger, and more aggressive then she'll be better. Also, she has to be well protected. She has to feel safe and unafraid of the ball to be able to focus on the ball at all times. If she's fearful and not enjoying herself then she won't be a good goalie as you would if you felt the same way.
She should walk an arc as well. She needs to be square to the shooter of course. The best thing you can do is to shoot on her in a stress free environment and focus on moving properly to the ball. When you shoot on her do this, take all the shots for the whole shooting session at the same place. Every single one. Pick a new spot every day but only shoot to that one spot. This way she can focus on moving properly. What you're doing is wiring in the right moves over and over and over again. That way in a game, when the shot comes, she'll be able to move without thinking.+++++++
Hope that helps Adam. If your sister, or her coaches need any guidance send them to the blog. They can email me any questions they may have. Great to hear from you again and good luck. Stay in touch and let me know how it goes.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Edwards -
www.LacrosseGoaltending.blogspot.com
