10 year old wants to play goalie, any advice?

[Anonymous]

Similar background as poster above.

STX exlipse has been the goat since the beginning of lacrosse. Any attack shaft is fine, can probably use what he already has and just swap the heads as needed.

Definitely needs a chest protector, and a good one.

Whatever helmet he has is probably fine if its current. Just get the neck protector from whatever brand the helmet is (I'm assuming cascade). DO NOT let him go out without a neck protector.

Probably needs goalie gloves. Goalies breaking thumbs is becoming very common.

For training, honestly he just needs to see a ton of rubber. He's got a brother, let them figure it out out back. I hate saying this, but for a 10 year old who wants to face a ton of shots, maybe get those soft lacrosse balls on amazon.

I wouldn't send a new 10 year old for private coaching or camps or anything until thats his dedicated position. I would have him watch some instructional youtube videos for the basics of footwork and hand movement, and then watch goaliesmiths IG content to really see how the top dogs move. Amazing what kids pick up by watching and doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make sure he has all the right equipment (and wears it). Make sure he is on supportive teams. It can be a tough and isolated position for the kid and the parents; but, a good goalie is foundational for a team and always in demand. Mine started in goal in kindergarten and she's never looked back. Hasn't played in the field in about 10 years. Loves every minute of it and will be playing in college soon.

Congrats to her, that’s awesome. I’m interested what you mean about a tough an isolated position. He’s really young and we have not noticed any difference in positions or treatment at this age. Is that a thing later?

He means goalies are basically on their own little island. It's a lot like an NFL placekicker, they're expected to make all their kicks and people really notice when they miss. Every other field position can screw up and the team can most likely recover, but a mistake by a goalie usually is highly visible and results in a goal.

It's not all bad though, the opposite is also true--a goalie playing out of his mind is also visible and gets their team pumped up.

So I guess ultimately the lows are lower but the highs are higher, so you'll just want your kid to have an even keeled personality is all. It's a great position to play, you can have an outsized impact on a game, which is cool. It's pretty stressful for parents though, so be aware of that.

--goalie dad

Exactly that. Maybe it has gotten better now, but when my kid first started many of the other kids and parents had familiarity with soccer but not lacrosse and expected soccer level save percentages and that the goalie could bail the team out on a regular basis after the ride and defense got beat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PS forgot to add, definitely get a good cup. Nothing will kill a new goalie's enthusiasm for the position than a hard shot to the nuts.

You'll also need a throat protector, at this stage just get the kind you tie on to the helmet bars.

Mine is a high school junior. There really isn't a stage where a tied on throat guard isn't as good (or better) than screwing it into the helmet. We've found that when screwed in, the guard can come up and expose the throat, whereas tying allows more free movement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PS forgot to add, definitely get a good cup. Nothing will kill a new goalie's enthusiasm for the position than a hard shot to the nuts.

You'll also need a throat protector, at this stage just get the kind you tie on to the helmet bars.

Mine is a high school junior. There really isn't a stage where a tied on throat guard isn't as good (or better) than screwing it into the helmet. We've found that when screwed in, the guard can come up and expose the throat, whereas tying allows more free movement.

I was just saying that the tie-on at this stage is a bit easier on the parent in terms of installing - the "real" throat protectors require you to drill holes into the helmet along the jawline. Not impossible but I have to admit even at this stage (my son has been a goalie for about seven yrs now) I'm still paranoid I'm going to ruin a $300 helmet when I do it. Both protectors work well, it just seems the older guys get the less you see the tie-ons. Maybe it's fashion to some extent.

[Anonymous]

You can order the Cascades with the throat guard already mounted from most online retailers. Cascade does the work so it's screwed on right and saves you the stress of doing it. lol!

For shafts look around online. Stopstop has Dragonflys on sale now with a ton of color options. But remember, with carbon fiber shafts they will eventually break. Not if but when but at 10 it's not something to lose sleep over.

[Anonymous]

I ziptied my neck guard through college. Also forgot to mention, get a hockey goalie cup.

as far as feeling like you're on an island, I think lacrosse is maybe the least lonely of all the sports.

Hockey you face a ton more action but you aren't really communicating much, you are just in your own zone.
In lacrosse, you are communicating with the 6 guys in front of you at all times. Constant communication. You feel very much a part of a unit. When the ball is on the other end you're usually standing there talking to your defense or an attackmen on the other team about fortnite or some nonsense

[Anonymous]

It prob says something about the position that this thread hasn't had any arguing or name-calling (yet...). Sometimes I feel like I have more in common with other goalie parents from different teams than I do with other parents from my son's own team lol. From my son's experience most guys that play the position respect each other for getting in the cage regardless of skill level or club/HS pedigree, it's pretty cool to see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It prob says something about the position that this thread hasn't had any arguing or name-calling (yet...). Sometimes I feel like I have more in common with other goalie parents from different teams than I do with other parents from my son's own team lol. From my son's experience most guys that play the position respect each other for getting in the cage regardless of skill level or club/HS pedigree, it's pretty cool to see.

Them's fightin' words!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PS forgot to add, definitely get a good cup. Nothing will kill a new goalie's enthusiasm for the position than a hard shot to the nuts.

You'll also need a throat protector, at this stage just get the kind you tie on to the helmet bars.

Mine is a high school junior. There really isn't a stage where a tied on throat guard isn't as good (or better) than screwing it into the helmet. We've found that when screwed in, the guard can come up and expose the throat, whereas tying allows more free movement.

I was just saying that the tie-on at this stage is a bit easier on the parent in terms of installing - the "real" throat protectors require you to drill holes into the helmet along the jawline. Not impossible but I have to admit even at this stage (my son has been a goalie for about seven yrs now) I'm still paranoid I'm going to ruin a $300 helmet when I do it. Both protectors work well, it just seems the older guys get the less you see the tie-ons. Maybe it's fashion to some extent.

We use the cascade throat guard. It can be installed by drilling or you can affix the throat guard to the chin guard using the existing hardware and tie the sides through the holes in the throat guard to the facemask. The latter approach is what I'm recommending. I'm not recommending the turkey gobbler ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It prob says something about the position that this thread hasn't had any arguing or name-calling (yet...). Sometimes I feel like I have more in common with other goalie parents from different teams than I do with other parents from my son's own team lol. From my son's experience most guys that play the position respect each other for getting in the cage regardless of skill level or club/HS pedigree, it's pretty cool to see.

100%. Always nice to see the other team's goalie parents when crossing the center line between halves. Almost as fun as the pain on the attack parents' faces when your kid stuffs theirs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It prob says something about the position that this thread hasn't had any arguing or name-calling (yet...). Sometimes I feel like I have more in common with other goalie parents from different teams than I do with other parents from my son's own team lol. From my son's experience most guys that play the position respect each other for getting in the cage regardless of skill level or club/HS pedigree, it's pretty cool to see.

100%. Always nice to see the other team's goalie parents when crossing the center line between halves. Almost as fun as the pain on the attack parents' faces when your kid stuffs theirs.

I agree and not to bring in a negative comment more of comradery, but it really bugs me to see some of the "evaluations" of "goalie play" at a specific event or team when it is clear who that person is. I see goalie at XXX school is an issue or did not play well. You rarely hear of another player not playing well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It prob says something about the position that this thread hasn't had any arguing or name-calling (yet...). Sometimes I feel like I have more in common with other goalie parents from different teams than I do with other parents from my son's own team lol. From my son's experience most guys that play the position respect each other for getting in the cage regardless of skill level or club/HS pedigree, it's pretty cool to see.

100%. Always nice to see the other team's goalie parents when crossing the center line between halves. Almost as fun as the pain on the attack parents' faces when your kid stuffs theirs.

I agree and not to bring in a negative comment more of comradery, but it really bugs me to see some of the "evaluations" of "goalie play" at a specific event or team when it is clear who that person is. I see goalie at XXX school is an issue or did not play well. You rarely hear of another player not playing well.

Unfortunately it comes with the territory. Keep your goalies focused on themselves and blockout the noise. Goldfish mentality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It prob says something about the position that this thread hasn't had any arguing or name-calling (yet...). Sometimes I feel like I have more in common with other goalie parents from different teams than I do with other parents from my son's own team lol. From my son's experience most guys that play the position respect each other for getting in the cage regardless of skill level or club/HS pedigree, it's pretty cool to see.

100%. Always nice to see the other team's goalie parents when crossing the center line between halves. Almost as fun as the pain on the attack parents' faces when your kid stuffs theirs.

I agree and not to bring in a negative comment more of comradery, but it really bugs me to see some of the "evaluations" of "goalie play" at a specific event or team when it is clear who that person is. I see goalie at XXX school is an issue or did not play well. You rarely hear of another player not playing well.

What does this mean? Who is evaluating them?