All successful lacrosse teams feature a quality goalie who can make up for defensive mistakes and keep games tight long enough for the offense to take control. Lacrosse goalies must have courage, athleticism, quick reflexes and sound technique to dominate the position. But before a goalie can master the position, he first must have a firm grasp of the basics.
Equipment
Lacrosse goalies wear surprisingly little equipment considering the velocity with which opposing shooters can fire the ball. All goalies wear a helmet, throat guard, chest protector, gloves and a protective cup. They also wield a goalie stick, which has a larger than normal head with more netting to make catching the ball easier. All other equipment, including arm guards, padded pants and shin guards, is completely optional or sometimes dictated by the particular league in which the goalie plays.
Stance
To ensure that they take up as much of the goal as possible, lacrosse goalies must stand in a ready position with their feet shoulder-width apart, their knees slightly bent and their weight forward on the balls of their feet. Lacrosse goalies should also hold their sticks out in front of them with a firm but relaxed grip. Their hands should be positioned roughly 12 inches apart so the stick can easily be turned clockwise or counterclockwise as needed to block shots. The goalie's top hand should grip just below the stick's head while the bottom hand anchors the shaft.
Position
A lacrosse goalie wants to always be square to the ball. In maintaining proper position, the goalie will move back and forth in front of the goal in a half-moon pattern. Goalies must remember not to bend at the waist or risk lowering the shoulders and exposing the top corners to shooters. Lacrosse rules prohibit any attacking players from entering the goal crease, so the goalie should use that to her advantage, clamping on any loose balls and raking them into the crease. Once the goalie has possession, she must move the ball from the crease -- either by passing or running it out -- within three seconds.
Catching
Lacrosse goalies must be aggressive when attempting to catch the ball. They should never stab or pop at it. Goalies should catch the ball just like a regular player would, cradling it into the stick. The goalie must also keep his stick in excellent condition, checking on the strength of the pocket strings before every match to ensure no disastrous equipment failures.
Throwing
Just as with catching, lacrosse goalies must also be able to throw the ball like any other player, with accurate, forceful throws helping spring the offensive attack. Mistakes can prove costly. Any inaccurate toss from the goalie can quickly end up in his own net. Goalies should always remember to step towards the target and lead teammates like a football quarterback throwing to a wide receiver.
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