Question: Hi jonathan, im a first semester goalie in high school and I have gotten down the fundamentals of being a keeper... with one major problem. After a head shot or many painful bruising shots,(especially during practice) I start flinching away from the ball badly, sometimes even exposing my sides to the ball. I don't know how to get out of this bad habit since I do it unconciously. I wear only the minimal padding for a girls goalie (chest, helmet, throat, hands, and legs) so should I get more maybe?
Answer: Yes, you need more equipment. At least until you get better at stopping the ball with your stick. It's a natural reaction of the body to shy away from a ball especially after you've been hit enough for it to really hurt. That is why I recommend that most goalies wear more than enough equipment to start while you are learning. I also tell coaches that they should ensure that their shooters in practice shoot from far enough away that the goalie can react to the ball.
If you are flinching so much that you are turning your body you aren't learning anything in the cage. Until you can face the ball and focus on moving to it to make the save you are just a target and I might add not a very happy one. I don't want to see you get hurt or worse, discouraged enough to quit. It's a fun position but you need to step into it slowly.
I would recommend some football pants to help cover your thighs. Make sure that your chest protector is protective enough and not too small. Many women I have worked with have chest protectors that shift and leave a breast exposed enough to really hurt when hit. We want to avoid that. Also, make sure you have a woman's cup (pelvic protector) Shoulderpads with shouldercaps also help.
Let me know if you need anything else. I'm here to help.
Jonathan - The Goalie Guru
Showing posts with label Lacrosse Equipment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lacrosse Equipment. Show all posts
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Should I Take My Shin Guards Off?
Answer: Hey there Tori. Thanks for writing.
Are you wearing large shin guards? For, let's say, a hockey player? Or are you wearing soccer style shin guards? When you say they are hard to run in I'm guessing they are hockey style shins guards. Or maybe baseball catchers shin guards?
The way I break it down is this: If, by not wearing them, you feel like you will get hurt you should wear them. By hurt I don't mean injured and can't walk. I mean, Oh-my-lord-that-really-hurts-and-that-might-even-leave-a-really-big-bruise-there-that-won't-go-away-for-a-month sort of thing. Basically, if your brain sends a signal that the shot is going to hurt instead of one that focuses on saving the ball you want to wear them.
Even when I play today, getting hit with the ball is not fun. It hurts. And bruises are bad. Something to consider is that boys don't wear them because they want to look cool. That's it. And most of them, if they are new, are stupid not to wear them for some period of time. Also, you have to consider the level of player that you are playing against. If you are getting hit with the ball and not moving to it then the shooters aren't that good and you're eventually going to get hurt with a shot or two. If you are moving to the ball and your leg is getting to the ball but not your stick, that is a little better. It tells me you are aggressive enough and not fearful of moving to the ball and getting yourself in the way. Finally, if you are moving well enough but maybe missing a couple with the stick you are really close to breaking through to the next level and stopping a bunch of balls and not getting hurt that often.
When I was starting out I put my shin guards under a pair of light sweatpants. No one saw them. And no one asked if I wore them. It kept me from feeling weird if I had them on. But for a while they helped me be a better goalie and I'm thinking that's the category you fall in. They make you feel safe, but your noticing others who aren't wearing them and are maybe feeling that "tug" to take them off.
Many men's goalies will wear a shin guard of some sort on their off-stick leg. I'm a righty goalie so the furthest point to have to move my stick to make a save is to my left leg. Many times my left leg gets there but not my stick and I tend to get a bruise on the inside of my left calf. When I played a lot I would put on the pad after I got nailed there a few times. Now I just leave it on most of the time. It's preventative.
I know they are hard to run in but how much do you really run in a game? Not much. Here's a suggestion. Wear them in your warm ups. Try and take them off for games.
But...if we were sitting across from each other here is what I'd tell you. I'd say, "Tori, your brand new and your doing a great job. I really see you progressing and you obviously love the game. Now I want you to continue to love the game and I would hate to see you get hit with a ball that really hurts and then that sticks in the back of your head for a while every time a shot comes. Leave on the shin guards for now. I want you to feel safe and secure in the cage. We've got plenty of time for you to shed equipment. If you are feeling self-concious throw on some sweats. Take them off when we do line drills and sprints and put them on when you are in the cage." How's that.
Good luck Tori. Let me know how things go and keep me posted on what you decide. You're going to do great.
Jonathan - The Goalie Guru
-
Are you wearing large shin guards? For, let's say, a hockey player? Or are you wearing soccer style shin guards? When you say they are hard to run in I'm guessing they are hockey style shins guards. Or maybe baseball catchers shin guards?
The way I break it down is this: If, by not wearing them, you feel like you will get hurt you should wear them. By hurt I don't mean injured and can't walk. I mean, Oh-my-lord-that-really-hurts-and-that-might-even-leave-a-really-big-bruise-there-that-won't-go-away-for-a-month sort of thing. Basically, if your brain sends a signal that the shot is going to hurt instead of one that focuses on saving the ball you want to wear them.
Even when I play today, getting hit with the ball is not fun. It hurts. And bruises are bad. Something to consider is that boys don't wear them because they want to look cool. That's it. And most of them, if they are new, are stupid not to wear them for some period of time. Also, you have to consider the level of player that you are playing against. If you are getting hit with the ball and not moving to it then the shooters aren't that good and you're eventually going to get hurt with a shot or two. If you are moving to the ball and your leg is getting to the ball but not your stick, that is a little better. It tells me you are aggressive enough and not fearful of moving to the ball and getting yourself in the way. Finally, if you are moving well enough but maybe missing a couple with the stick you are really close to breaking through to the next level and stopping a bunch of balls and not getting hurt that often.
When I was starting out I put my shin guards under a pair of light sweatpants. No one saw them. And no one asked if I wore them. It kept me from feeling weird if I had them on. But for a while they helped me be a better goalie and I'm thinking that's the category you fall in. They make you feel safe, but your noticing others who aren't wearing them and are maybe feeling that "tug" to take them off.
Many men's goalies will wear a shin guard of some sort on their off-stick leg. I'm a righty goalie so the furthest point to have to move my stick to make a save is to my left leg. Many times my left leg gets there but not my stick and I tend to get a bruise on the inside of my left calf. When I played a lot I would put on the pad after I got nailed there a few times. Now I just leave it on most of the time. It's preventative.
I know they are hard to run in but how much do you really run in a game? Not much. Here's a suggestion. Wear them in your warm ups. Try and take them off for games.
But...if we were sitting across from each other here is what I'd tell you. I'd say, "Tori, your brand new and your doing a great job. I really see you progressing and you obviously love the game. Now I want you to continue to love the game and I would hate to see you get hit with a ball that really hurts and then that sticks in the back of your head for a while every time a shot comes. Leave on the shin guards for now. I want you to feel safe and secure in the cage. We've got plenty of time for you to shed equipment. If you are feeling self-concious throw on some sweats. Take them off when we do line drills and sprints and put them on when you are in the cage." How's that.
Good luck Tori. Let me know how things go and keep me posted on what you decide. You're going to do great.
Jonathan - The Goalie Guru
-
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Brine Triad Lacrosse Helmet. Sticky Throat Guard
I got an email from my buddy Shawn Brown. He asked me what to do with his Brine Triad Lacrosse helmet. Seems that the throat guard keeps getting stuck on the mask. This happened to me a ton with mine. By the way I LOVE this helmet. For goalies I think is absolutely the best. Because the center bar is so close to your eyes it gives you great visibility. My only complaint is that the mask sits a little bit too close to the chin. If your chin strap is loose and you take a shot in the mask or if you hit someone the mask tends to cut your chin. Can look sexy but it's really a pain in the...chin, I guess.
So here's my answer to Shawn. If anyone else has a problem with their equipment don't hesitate to write and ask.
Answer: Hey there Shawn. Make sure those little black pieces that hold the throat guard are installed in that bottom part of the mask by your jaw. They need to be flush to the plastic so if they're not it won't hang right.
I had the same problem with mine. What I did to fix it was I took some sandpaper and sanded down the inside of the throat guard where it was hitting the center bar on the mask. By reshaping that upper portion it just changed how the throat guard hit the mask. Instead of getting stuck it would just fall back down.
Try that. It should work.
Jonathan -
So here's my answer to Shawn. If anyone else has a problem with their equipment don't hesitate to write and ask.
Answer: Hey there Shawn. Make sure those little black pieces that hold the throat guard are installed in that bottom part of the mask by your jaw. They need to be flush to the plastic so if they're not it won't hang right.
I had the same problem with mine. What I did to fix it was I took some sandpaper and sanded down the inside of the throat guard where it was hitting the center bar on the mask. By reshaping that upper portion it just changed how the throat guard hit the mask. Instead of getting stuck it would just fall back down.
Try that. It should work.
Jonathan -
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Lacrosse Goalie Stick Pocket Is Off-Center. Why?
Question: When I pass or clear the ball my pocket is off centered. Instead of both sides of my mesh sloping one slopes and the other one is at a 90 degree angle. i dont know how to get rid of it. can you help?
Answer: Alex the most common reason for that to happen is that the mesh is actually strung off-center. If you look carefully and follow the diamonds across the mesh from one side to the other you may find that one side of is strung higher than the other. The way you are describing this situation it sounds like that is the problem.
If it's not you may just have some bad mesh. Mesh is woven in big machines and sometimes there is a "splice" where two ends are sewn together. That may be in your mesh too. Ot the mesh just might be off.
Check out those two things and let me know what you find. If it is neither you may just need to go buy some new mesh and string it up again.
Jonathan -
www.lacrossegoaltending.blogspot.com
Answer: Alex the most common reason for that to happen is that the mesh is actually strung off-center. If you look carefully and follow the diamonds across the mesh from one side to the other you may find that one side of is strung higher than the other. The way you are describing this situation it sounds like that is the problem.
If it's not you may just have some bad mesh. Mesh is woven in big machines and sometimes there is a "splice" where two ends are sewn together. That may be in your mesh too. Ot the mesh just might be off.
Check out those two things and let me know what you find. If it is neither you may just need to go buy some new mesh and string it up again.
Jonathan -
www.lacrossegoaltending.blogspot.com
Friday, May 16, 2008
Mom Wants To Know What Lacrosse Stick To Buy For Her New Goalie?
New Lax Mom Writes: Hi, My son is just completing his first season in lacrosse and is in love. He is a goalie and has borrowed his coach's stick this season ( we wanted to make sure he really liked the position before buying another set of lacrosse equipment) and I was hoping to get your suggestions on a shaft and head. I was hoping to spend $150 total since we're also getting him a goal and sending him to lacrosse camp at F&M in Pa. He is tall for his age, about 100 lbs and athletically inclined( he is captain of both his football and lacrosse teams)What should I get him without going overboard but not doing him a disservice? He really wants a custom stringing job in his teams black and red colors which I found at sportsunlimited.Thanks for the help,
A new LAX mom
Answer: Hey there Pam! Welcome to the wonderful world of the goaltending parent. In lacrosse however, the goaltending position is actually cheaper than playing anywhere else ultimately.
My suggestion on the stick is to get an Excalibur head by STX and then go with a very light shaft. I would wait on the goal for this year and buy him a titanium shaft if that is in the budget. It is one of those things where if you spend the money on the titanium now you will never need to buy him another shaft. I STILL have a shaft from high school that I still use. (I'm 36) That's eighteen years of playing with the same shaft. Anything less than titanium and you risk having it break, bend, or crack. Just my thoughts. That would be the ULTIMATE in a stick for your son but then you should never have him asking, "But mooooom (whiny voice) can I puhleeze get (another stick) this year???"
The thing about goalie sticks in general is that they don't change much. Not nearly as much as an attack stick. So if you invest in this stick now you will have to invest less later. The only thing I will warn you about in advance is that he should have two sticks eventually that are identical. That way if he breaks a head or a string in a game he has a back up that is ready to go. I almost feel you would be doing him a disservice with anything else. If you don't want to do the titanium you can buy him a good, inexpensive alloy shaft that will be light but not nearly as durable. The good thing about goalie sticks is that they don't take the abuse as often as other players sticks but if he does get caught out of the cage and gets stick checked then he's fair game for a breakage. I'm trying to save you money in the long run.
So if it's the goal or a cheaper shaft versus a better shaft now and a goal let's say next year then I'd go with the shaft. I would also save on the custom string job and go all white. He'll be bummed but if you have him look at the majority of the best goalies in the country they all have white sticks with white mesh and lacings. I had a custom string job back in high school for about a week untill I broke a lace. Guess what went in the stick? A white lace. Yeah, that looked REALLY cool with my black and orange string job that I spent extra money on. I looked like welfare goalie with the funky string job. If he wants to be a great goalie it starts right now and it starts with a very professional stick. Go all white with the Excalibur head, white hard mesh (10-12diamond) and a titanium shaft. You can do no better now it's up to him to play like a champ. He doesn't need the goal anyway, he's not shooting.
I know what it's like buying equipment for your kids. Will he like it? Will he stick with it? Sounds like your guy is fine and will stick with it. But don't be surprised if your $150 budget is a little low. In the long run you will save a ton of money by spending a little bit more now.
Oh wait. I just read that your son is 11. Skip the titanium for now because he is surely going to grow. Go with an inexpensive alloy that is light. You will be replacing that as he gets taller. Please, please, please don't make the mistake of giving him a long shaft that he can "grow into." That would be a major disservice. You want him to always have a shaft that fits his body. Not seeing him I would recommend a 30-35" shaft on that excalibur head. If he shaft is too long it will affect his play tremendously for the worse. If it's the right length it will help with his throwing mechanics and his movement when making saves.
Hope that helps Pam. Let me know if you need any clarification. My email address is on my blog so please keep me up to date on how your son does. Great job on sending him to a camp. That is one of the best things you can do for him. The more coaching he has at a young age the better he will be. You can always pass my email on to him if he has any question. He can email me directly.
Talk to you soon Pam. And remember, "Goals go in. And if his team was good enough they wouldn't need a goalie." Just some words I like to pass on to the parents.
Best of luck and stay in touch.
Jonathan -
www.lacrossegoaltending.blogspot.com
A new LAX mom
Answer: Hey there Pam! Welcome to the wonderful world of the goaltending parent. In lacrosse however, the goaltending position is actually cheaper than playing anywhere else ultimately.
My suggestion on the stick is to get an Excalibur head by STX and then go with a very light shaft. I would wait on the goal for this year and buy him a titanium shaft if that is in the budget. It is one of those things where if you spend the money on the titanium now you will never need to buy him another shaft. I STILL have a shaft from high school that I still use. (I'm 36) That's eighteen years of playing with the same shaft. Anything less than titanium and you risk having it break, bend, or crack. Just my thoughts. That would be the ULTIMATE in a stick for your son but then you should never have him asking, "But mooooom (whiny voice) can I puhleeze get (another stick) this year???"
The thing about goalie sticks in general is that they don't change much. Not nearly as much as an attack stick. So if you invest in this stick now you will have to invest less later. The only thing I will warn you about in advance is that he should have two sticks eventually that are identical. That way if he breaks a head or a string in a game he has a back up that is ready to go. I almost feel you would be doing him a disservice with anything else. If you don't want to do the titanium you can buy him a good, inexpensive alloy shaft that will be light but not nearly as durable. The good thing about goalie sticks is that they don't take the abuse as often as other players sticks but if he does get caught out of the cage and gets stick checked then he's fair game for a breakage. I'm trying to save you money in the long run.
So if it's the goal or a cheaper shaft versus a better shaft now and a goal let's say next year then I'd go with the shaft. I would also save on the custom string job and go all white. He'll be bummed but if you have him look at the majority of the best goalies in the country they all have white sticks with white mesh and lacings. I had a custom string job back in high school for about a week untill I broke a lace. Guess what went in the stick? A white lace. Yeah, that looked REALLY cool with my black and orange string job that I spent extra money on. I looked like welfare goalie with the funky string job. If he wants to be a great goalie it starts right now and it starts with a very professional stick. Go all white with the Excalibur head, white hard mesh (10-12diamond) and a titanium shaft. You can do no better now it's up to him to play like a champ. He doesn't need the goal anyway, he's not shooting.
I know what it's like buying equipment for your kids. Will he like it? Will he stick with it? Sounds like your guy is fine and will stick with it. But don't be surprised if your $150 budget is a little low. In the long run you will save a ton of money by spending a little bit more now.
Oh wait. I just read that your son is 11. Skip the titanium for now because he is surely going to grow. Go with an inexpensive alloy that is light. You will be replacing that as he gets taller. Please, please, please don't make the mistake of giving him a long shaft that he can "grow into." That would be a major disservice. You want him to always have a shaft that fits his body. Not seeing him I would recommend a 30-35" shaft on that excalibur head. If he shaft is too long it will affect his play tremendously for the worse. If it's the right length it will help with his throwing mechanics and his movement when making saves.
Hope that helps Pam. Let me know if you need any clarification. My email address is on my blog so please keep me up to date on how your son does. Great job on sending him to a camp. That is one of the best things you can do for him. The more coaching he has at a young age the better he will be. You can always pass my email on to him if he has any question. He can email me directly.
Talk to you soon Pam. And remember, "Goals go in. And if his team was good enough they wouldn't need a goalie." Just some words I like to pass on to the parents.
Best of luck and stay in touch.
Jonathan -
www.lacrossegoaltending.blogspot.com
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