GOALIE DRILLS

By mastering these fundamentals, McKinney Lacrosse athletes will develop the strong foundation

needed for long-term success on the field.

GOALIE (noun)

Bravest (or Craziest) Player on the Field – Depends on who you ask

This section covers different aspects of playing goalie — one of the most unique (and bravest!) positions in lacrosse. Goalie play is often debated (how to hold the stick, which arc to use, step angles, etc.), but the videos here show recommended starting points for new players.

This guide isn’t meant to be fully comprehensive, but it provides strong fundamentals and drills every goalie should know.

If you’d like to see other content added, or notice a problem, please reach out to our Program Director.

Hand and Body Position

Holding the Goalie Stick & Positioning in Cage

Key Notes:

Goalies may hold the plastic head of the stick — top hand should rest at the base of the head.
Top hand should guide, not grip tightly — keep the thumb pointed at the shooter.
Hands should be spaced about hip-width apart on the shaft.
Feet should point straight forward, body “square” to the ball.
Balance on toes with heels down — ready to spring, not leaning.

Arc Play

The Different Goalie Arcs

Key Notes:

Start with a five-point arc until comfortable, then adjust style.
Less movement = more saves. Stay still unless the ball moves.
Never move while a dodger is a threat to shoot.
On alley dodges: be just off the pipe, only stepping to pipe below “five by five.”
On wing/X dodges: hold the pipe until the player gets above five by five/GLE.

Saving the Ball

Saving Shots at Different Locations

Key Notes:

The priority: move your body into the shot. Pretty saves come later.
Step angle varies:
- 45º step for close/crease shots (within 5 yards).
- 10–20º step for outside shots.
Don’t step straight at the shooter — step into the shot path.
Stick should be vertical before the shot, then tilt 45º on contact to control rebounds.
Avoid intentional rebounds (“popping” the ball) — control is better.
Off-stick high saves: punch top hand to ball, bottom hand opposite for quick rotation.
Hip saves: angle down into ground, keep stick perpendicular.

Defending on the Pipes

Defending the Pipes

Key Notes:

Stand at a 45º angle to the goal line.
Hold pipe until the dodger reaches above five by five.
Avoid standing fully perpendicular — it opens the cage too early.

Positioning When Ball is Behind Goal

Key Notes:

Stay centered in the cage when the ball is behind.
Step to the pipe only when the dodger comes within 4–5 yards of GLE.
Call out ball position loudly to help the defense.
Turn your body, not just your head — staying square upfield prevents losing track.

Groundballs & Outlet Passes

Key Notes:

Clean groundball pickups are critical — outlets start fast breaks.
Practice quick outlets with accuracy, using both short and long passes.

Crease Play & One-on-One Shots

Crease Play & Stopping 1v1s

Key Notes:

Stay big, don’t panic.
Focus on cutting down angles and forcing bad shots.
Use patience — sometimes waiting one extra beat forces the shooter to miss.

Warm-ups

Warming Up the Goalie
Goalie Warm-ups

Step to the Ball Drill

Key Notes:

Warm-ups should include saves at all shot zones: high, hip, low, five-hole, and bouncers.
Step-to-the-ball builds muscle memory — add hand-toss variations for quicker reactions.
Goalies should practice both catching and absorbing shots to control rebounds.

These drills and notes will help McKinney Lacrosse goalies build confidence, develop proper technique, and become leaders on defense.

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