First time goalie coach

[laxcanada]

Hi all,

Our province is having tryouts for our peewee provincial team (box lacrosse), and the head coach told me to come out to the tryouts to help and discuss my being able to teach the goalies, and I'd like to know what I should look for in the little kids, like should I lean towards kids with raw talent or a goalie I can teach and mold into a good goalie, and if so, what would be the best way to do it? I've never tought another goalie besides my little brother, so it's till new to me.

[SimplyLax]

Kids will amaze you.

I would look for three things.


Do they want to be a goalie?
Are they coachable?
Do they have any natural talent?



In that order.

Goalies take a lot of heat from everyone. They feel the pressure more than any other position. Kids need a ton of encouragement and having the right personality in goal is very important in my book. The younger the kids the more that is true.

If you have a kid who wants to be a goalie or who you can convince would make a good goalie then you need a kid you can coach. And finally do they have any talent? Hopefully yes, but often times no.

If they don't posses all three attributes it is a difficult task.

For the short term maybe go just with the talent, but for the long term work with a kid or two like I describe. And as soon as they are ready start throwing them in the fire. You will be pleasantly surprised.

[CTLaxer]

I always ask for volunteers. A kid that wants to be there isn't usually one of the ones that will shy away from getting hit with a ball. After that, anyone with prior goalie experience is a plus (hockey, soccer, or field lacrosse in your case) as they're used to the mindset and mechanics of having others try to put holes in them.

A rather dirty trick I pull if no one is willing to step is I tell everyone that if no one volunteers, everyone will play goalie and they won't have a choice of who is finally picked. This usually gets one or two brave souls to step up, and if not, you get to take a look at each kid in the position before you make your choice.

Good luck, and if you need a last resort, just find the most hyper kid you can and throw him in there.

[CelticLaxer]

Having a volunteer is huge, but if you have to aggressively recruit or throw someone in, don't look for physical attributes as much as mental ones.

Look for one of these 2 personality types- a cocky, arrogant showboater or a cold, calm, field commander. These 2 personality types are best suited to goaltending, and other realms where success is demanded, odds of failure are high, & they are quite literally under attack while trying to do their job.

These won't necessarily make the best goalies from your players right away, but these are the guys most likely to enjoy it, stick with it, and hopfully even come back wanting to play it next year.

[gripitandripit]

Find the kid that can handle being the most important player on the field and can't stand to lose. That's your goalie.

[laxcanada]

Thanks for the advice but the goalies are trying out for the position, we arent picking volunteers, it's for the provincial team and these kids have played goalie for a few years now, i want to know what i should look for skill-wise in them

[Laxattack05]

you want a fairly good athlete. because sitting down in a ready position for 15-45 minutes isn't easy on the quads. you want the best hand eye coordination. and physical and mental toughness. also ready to take all the blame and not much credit for losses and wins respectively.

[aviator7]

IMO, take anyone and everyone that volunteers

[warrior4lax]

id say who ever has the most heart. because they will work to be the best one out there. but they should have some coordination and talent

[OldPtboBoy]

I think from a "Provincial Team" standpoint you need the best two you can find. Existing talent.

We're not talking about big kids, so they have to have a grip on their angles and crease awareness. Depending on your defensive/transition plan you may or may not need throwing Goalies.

Desire is a great asset but at that level it should not be thought of as more important than ability. Kids that wish to play at that level will practice prior to tryouts so as not to come in too rusty. Don't discount the kid that works harder than others but, estimate where his desire will push that ability to throughout the coming season. He may one day be a monster, this might not be his year though.

I think I would look for a kid that moves well across the net with the play. Doesn't shy away from the ball at all. Understands where he has to be in relation to the shooter. Is capable of following the play across his crease. Has some depth awareness in the crease. (out to cut down the outside shot) And almost as important, communicates with his defense. At that level he has to be coachable.

Remember that they are kids, so look to the kid that displays talent and seeks advice, or that you know will accept it. I'd sit them all down and talk to them before you drill them. You'll see who's listening and who wants to learn.

[Texlax33]

Communcation, Can the Command a Defense, good clearing ability, have good positioning, ability to cut off angels and quick hands. Have to be mentally strong they need to get over the fact they let a goal in and get ready for the next one.