Coach Chalmers
Background
Hey all! I’ve been working with Goalies and youth players for the past 11 years. Beginning with St. Mary’s Youth Lacrosse Club in 2016 working with U11 thru U15, I am now going into my 8th season as the dedicated goalie coach at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
I have learned over the years from working with goalies of all different sizes and abilities, that it is not a “one size fits all” when it comes to technique. While there are some high level standards or “pillars” we should always be striving toward, some of the details for how we get there will look different from athlete to athlete. With this in mind, I view coaching as a collaborative endeavor with the player, where we will work together to improve your game while taking into account your unique “lacrosse DNA”.
Outside of lacrosse you might find me golfing at Breton Bay or, more likely, chasing my two toddlers around the beach or playground.
What to expect out of a lesson
Every session is uniquely tailored to the ability and goals of the athlete. Whether this is your first time holding a lacrosse stick, or you’re home from college and looking for that extra edge between semesters, you will leave knowing you got at least 1% better today. We will work through a variety of drills that naturally progress eventually building into one of our three pillars below.
Be Ready for the Shot
This is step 1. We’ll achieve this by being in a good, athletic stance with our chest towards the shooter and body positioned in the center of the goal. Our eyes must be laser focused on the ball and our top hand pointing towards that ball. Calm and patient, but ready to explode towards a shot in less than a moments notice.
Goalie Pillars
Finish Behind the Ball
If we finish with our body behind the ball, that’s a guaranteed save. But that’s easier said than done. Our motion to the ball must be explosive and direct. Our hands will be fast and tell us where to go but our legs will get us there. Our chest and stick should always be flat to the shooter and our toes pointed to the shot. No lunging! Use that back foot to get you to your target. We want to end with our feet the same distance that they started.
Get the Ball Back to the Offense
The answer to my favorite goalie question… “What is our #1 job?”
We can make all the saves in the world but if we can’t clear it, what’s the point? Our responsibility extends outside of the 6×6 cage. Running out shots, extending for shots that go wide, communicating with our defense, making a good throw. These are all things we need to do well to achieve our goal.