Playing at Top of Crease

[kansascity53]

I'm in 7th grade and our team has a new goalie coach. He is teaching me to stay at the top of the crease for my arc for most of the time. I have not been able to find any threads where anyone recommends playing this far out.

Does anyone have any experience with being taught this way or do you have an opinion on whether this is effective or not?

[WHEELAX2]

I have heard of goalies with a rather wide arc, but playing out that far will make you extremely vulnerable to any ball movement... although you will cut down a lot of angle in regards to outside shots...

[OldGoalie]

First off, let me just commend you on your post - it is well-written and worded, and seems like it comes from someone older than a 7th grader. Impressive...

Anyway, playing out at the crease, with the exception of one-on-ones and fast breaks, seems extreme to me, and opens you up to quick ball movement as Wheelax pointed out. Perhaps your coach is thinking that the quick ball movement will not be much of an issue at the 7th grade level, and that by staying higher and challenging (young) shooters more you can cut off a lot of angle. He could also be thinking that by learning a higher arc, you can always shorten it later, though I would think it would make more sense just to teach the proper arc and teach good stepping technique.

Ask your coach about his rationale for playing so high and what to do about the vulnerability; I'm sure you'll get some explanation.

[kgoal95]

OldGoalie I think you are under estamating the 7th grade.In my league I play on a select team ball movement is crazy good. What's funny is I also am a 7th grade goalie and I had this problem with a coach to. ( he wasn't a goalie coach) But i just asked why i would play that far out and I told him I don't feel comfortable there he relized i shouldn't play that far out. But now i have a goalie coach and well yea no more problems. GOOD LUCK

[kingwolf]

every goalie has there own philosophy. My goalie coach who is a two time All American is a believer in the lower arc and so am i. The reason a lower arc is beneficial is it gives you that extra .1 second to react and every fraction of a second counts. While the high arc allows you to get in your shooters face you also give up a large portion of the goal. It really does not work for every body you need to do what feels comfortable of you but you should not be afraid to experiment with you style, your cushion, or your arc. Also ask your coach he believes this will work

[stinisonfire]

This may help..

http://www.lacrosseforums.com/showthread.php?t=40475

[TrapDoor]

I'm a 7th grader, as well. In the past, I've used a pretty flat arc, steeping no more than maybe a foot out. My new goalie coach this year also recommends a higher arc. It's hard to get used to, but I can manage and have seen some improvement during my 1v1's.

However, playing at the very top of the crease could be problematic. Judging that you are stepping out towards the ball as you should be, that step and your follow up step could land you outside of the crease. I'm not exactly sure what you would call the "top of crease".

But, I can tell you a few things about a higher arc with the litte experience I have. Firstly, quick ball movement with the 8 and you may be a goner. You gotta work on not only memorizing your crease, but being able to quickly move from opposite positions in alignment with your crease, as well. You'll also have to focus on moving around it quick, quick, quick. I prefer my low arc on outside shots, quite a bit so, but I would want to keep one consistent arc than switch around a few... I'd suggest the same for you, too.

Getting used to a higher arc can be hard, especially when it is extremely high. If you feel that uncomfortable about it, maybe you could negociate with your goalie coach and settle for a high but not-as-high arc. But keep in mind that your goalie coach has years of experience ahead of you, and he knows his stuff. You also have to realize that you are coming from two different generations of lacrosse, with two different types of goalie play. In the past, goalies tended to be more aggressive, much like what your goalie coach is implementing in you. Todays goalies are beginning to lean towards the lower, because the shots are getting faster and what. So yeah, I'd say find a high enough arc that works for your goalie coach but isn't too high for you. I suggest voicing any concerns you have about the arc to your goalie coach, he should know how to help out.