Old Newb..

[DonnieUtah]

Hi all,

I've been playing for many years now, and over the last year I've had some problems with my neck (herniated disk) which are trying to force me into retirement much too early for my liking. I play middie (short and long-pole), and was attack, but have since moved to defense/transition within box (what can I say, I can control, and like to hit people... :banghead:).

Now, I'm nearly back to full health after a few months off, but the doc says I could do some major damage should I continue with my normal play. I can't stand to watch from the sidelines though, and my box team needs a dedicated goalie. So, I've decided to pick up the shovel. Now, I've played in cage a time or two, and didn't do too bad. I understand the angles and such, but have no formal training in field or box.

So, this brings me to my query. As an 'old guy' (30's not old!!), where should I start? I'll be playing box until Feb, and then may take up the challenge of learning goal on the field as well.

[3rdPersonPlural]

I would not want to pick up goalie in the twilight of my playing days.

Why not contact your local assigner and get on as an official? Refs are in short supply everywhere, and you can contribute more to the game officiating than you can playing club ball.

Officiating ain't for everybody, but if you're too hurt to play your normal position, I don't think that goalie is a much safer choice.

::3PP, with his recruiting hat on::

[OldGoalie]

I would not want to pick up goalie in the twilight of my playing days.


Hmmm...as a 36 year old player still actively playing club ball, I take issue with that "twilight" comment! :nofear: You can keep playing for as long as you can stay fit and active. You may not play at the highest level, but I see a good number of guys in their 40's playing club ball, and certainly masters ball.

Now, if you are concerned about further injury to your neck, that's a different story, but just because you're 30 doesn't mean you can't learn to be a good field goalie if you have the desire and the time to dedicate yourself to the task.

There's lots of info in the stickies above, but two good places to start are:
1) "The Ball Stops Here" video by Bill Pilat, and
2) The book "Lacrosse Goaltending" by Jon Weston (http://members.aol.com/westonlax)

Good luck.

[3rdPersonPlural]

I figured that the injury had sort of brought on a compulsory twilight.

[OldGoalie]

I figured that the injury had sort of brought on a compulsory twilight.

Ahh. My bad!

[DonnieUtah]

Thanks for the info lads, much appreciated! Was looking up Bill Pilat after doing some searches on the forum last night. I'll give the Jon Weston book a squint as well.

You're correct 3rd, the injury has forced my hand a bit. But, I'm not ready to give in yet! My legs are strong, reflexes still quick (faceoff guy), and the desire to compete's still there. I've always been quite loud on defence (communicate!!), so I figure that will help a bit as well.

As you say, refing's kind up up to the person, and I'm not much of a ref-type person. Just doesn't really interest me much. I figure I've got a few more years in me though. I'll give it a go this season as a 'test' and we'll see where it leads from there. It's not like I'm playing Sr A or anything... ;-)

The biggest thing is that I've always wanted was to play alongside my son once he's old enough. He's 7 now and just learning, so I could be pushing it, but hey, it's a goal none the less. :-)

Thanks again!

Don

[laxhero123]

i say to play with your son is a great goal, my little brothers coach played in the league that turned into the MLL. before it was the MLL the name was wierd and i forget. IM a junior and i told him when i graduate im joining a club team and he said to hook him up. right now he is 42 and he is in great shape. he stopped playing because he was suspeneded for fighting a 26 year old who was in the league and the kid slashed him so he said somethin and it went from there. the kid got a concussion and i thought that was funny because he was the oldest guy in the league. anyways he quit because he said it was wrong. he regrets it know because the year after it became the MLL. i say read up on goalie if you make the switch and practice with your son maybe both of you will get better.

[dvdreeve]

I am over 40 and still playing regularly in goals both box and field. Your recovery times go up a bit and the noise of the creaking bones gets a bit loud but it is still as much fun as it always was. I can still hold on to my position so I must still be able to play ok.

Playing angles and technnique become a bit more important as the cat like reflexes and ability to leap and dive about are not quite what they were. Also keep the conditioning up it is suprisingly hard work to stay focussed for a whole game in goal. I would recommend adding jumping rope to your work out routine as this really keeps the bounce in your legs. But check first if that's ok with your neck problems.

Jon Weston's book is good. Watch some other goalies and pick up the good things they do. Then its wall ball and lots of shots. Make sure that you have a trusted warm up guy before games who can shoot accurately and realises that the point of a warm-up is not to kill or score lots of goals.

Feel free to PM me if you have questions.

[DonnieUtah]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, much appreciated!

First training session was this last wed, and went pretty well. My biggest weaknesses at the moment are low shots in close, as I lose track of the ball. Outside shots aren't too bad so long as I keep the proper angle. Other than that I've got to keep my eye on the stick and ball rather than the players hips (old habits die hard..). The neck felt pretty good after a solid 90 minute scrimmage, but my mid-back got all sorts of stiff. I think you're right on the conditioning piece. I'll have to adjust training to match the different playing style (and plenty of stretching and ice! :-)) Overall though I had a great time. I used to think goalies where a bit nutty, but I'm beginning to understand now. Blocking a cross shot with your foot, the crack of the ball on plate and the yell of frustration from the shooter as the ball heads down field is just magic. :-)

Thankfully I have a great warm-up guy who's from canada and actually has played in goal a bit. Makes a huge difference!

The other thing I've learned is I need some proper gloves! I work in IT and coming in on Thursday after taking quite a few shots off the thumb and fingers the night before didn't help my typing much!

I'm off to meet the doc this afternoon. Hopefully she'll give me a pass to continue. Bring on the season!

[dvdreeve]

Great to hear you enjoyed it. Welcome to the union.

Sorry, I should have mentioned to do some lower back and core work to build up the strength and flexibility. Also make sure you warm your back up before you play.

Only watch the ball. After you have mastered the total ball watch you can then start looking for other cues from shooters but at first just concentrate on the ball. Watch it even when it is at he other end. You just change the level of focus as it gets closer to your end.

I am glad that you have already discovered the simple joy of frustrating attack men. This is one of lifes great pleasures.

Enjoy.

[HdGLaxWarrior]

I would not want to pick up goalie in the twilight of my playing days.

john marr is almost 70 years old.

[DonnieUtah]

Well, three games into the season (pre-season and two regular games), and I'm really getting into the groove. I'm really beginning to understand the addictive power of playing in goal. I love it!

First couple of games it took me a bit to get into things. I've been practicing off field at home and it's helped a ton. I get all the neighborhood kids to come over and throw lax balls, tennis balls, soccer, whatever at me. It's get's a bit crazy, but they all love it.

So far, after 2 games, I've got .72 save %, 13 goals on 47 shots, which I don't think's too bad of a start. There's been a few goals that I shouldn't have let in, but thankfully I learned from each and haven't been scored on in those spots since.

Thanks again for all the advice folks. Bring on the rest of the season!

[OldGoalie]

Great to hear it! I have achieved the same addiction and feel as you did since coming back to the game 2.5 years ago after a long layoff. All the points about conditioning, watching other goalies and getting in some extra shot practice are really solid and have worked for me as well. Most important, as dvdreeve has said, and Jon Weston harps on continuously, is "WATCH THE BALL", especially with your top hand thumb.

Anyway, I hope to keep playing club ball well into my 40's. Go "Old" goalies!

[dvdreeve]

Great to hear. Well done great stats.

I agree with old goalie, I am already in my forties there is no reason to stop. Jock Marr has proved that for all of us.

[LiquidMercury16]

I played in an exhibition game last year that had a goalie who was 68 so you definitely have a few more years to go before retirement.

[3rdPersonPlural]

john marr is almost 70 years old.

Twillight is not a static term. The chap said that he had suffered an injury that seemed pretty nasty to me. I figgered that he was looking at winding up his playing career.

He corrected me. My bad.

My mom is 84 and can still give me a good game of tennis. The old broad beat me until 5 years ago when I got serious and she got monocular. Now I can eke out games.

I admire folks who keep playing. I also admire folks who hang up the crosse when they are so hobbled that they.....well.....stink.

It is apparent that our old newb is not stinking up the joint. He's excelling. A very sincere bravo to him. Nonetheless, as a fellow former field player who now stinks, I still think he's nuts to step into the cage.

[spenny]

i'm with 3PP. you need to see an orthopaedic surgeon and tell him what you want to do before you get back out on the field. your injury could could get you in worse trouble. goalies get hit too. they also have to contort their bodies to make saves.

that said, ive got masters teammates that are in their late 50s, and i dont think jon weston started playing goalie till he was in his mid 30s, and managed to be MVP of the masters world games.

so, if the doc gives you the go ahead, go. you have plenty of time.
if not, please consider becoming an official

[DonnieUtah]

I've been to the doc's and physio a couple of times regularly, and they've given me the all-clear. I'm not ready for full-on contact mind you, but plenty healthy for goal. Of course, that doesn't mean I'm going to run out and start pounding on guys, but it means I'm good to go for the season.

Still, I'll be seeing the physio every other week, and checking in with the Doc each month for the next few.

What kinda sucks (and kinda doesn't), is I may be taking a new job in the next month or so, right in the middle of the season! How could this possibly be a bad thing you ask? Well, I'd be moving back to Seattle. I mean, c'mon guys! I don't have time for work, I've got lacrosse to play. ;-)

[3rdPersonPlural]

..... c'mon guys! I don't have time for work, I've got lacrosse to play. ;-)

That's the spirit!!!

Rest assured that old people play lax in Seattle, too. :guns:

[DonnieUtah]

That's the spirit!!!

Rest assured that old people play lax in Seattle, too. :guns:

lol, damn straight! I'm a Coopers man from back in the CIP days. :-)

But, Eire's my adopted home these days, and I'll be more than a little sad to leave her. There's really no Box lax in Seattle (indoor, but not proper box), though I hear there's a league down around Portland nowadays. Perhaps I'll just have to start my own!