[The Korean]

I am learning to become a goalie. But unlike hockey, I always seem to flinch when ball comes close. How can I work my body to stop flinching?
And how can I improve my stickwork?

[Dadabhoy]

It's great to see another goalie! Flinching will stop with practice. Get some buddies that you can trust and have them shoot tennis balls at you. This will help you get used to the shots. After a while, step it up to lacrosse balls. You just need to condition your body to standing it's ground.

As to stickwork, play a lot of wall ball. I played wall ball a few hours after practice everday just to get my hands good. I always carried around a stick and ball wherever I went and just craddled. I did it at the bus stops, walking to class, breaks, anytime I got a chance. Just practice hard and you will succeed.

Remember to have fun while you do any drills. If you push too hard and stop having fun, you wont want to play and then stop. Good luck and keep us updated on your progress!

Dadabhoy

[shot_smotherer]

hey, i had the same problem too. you just need to go in the cage with the felling of ATTACKING the ball. When you become more aggressive,100 mph shots turn into jello.

[The Korean]

I stopped moving away from the ball, but now I am having hard time saving balls coming low. I can't seem to get my stick down there fast enough and I can't really tell when a player throws low or high. Help! And how can I make myself good at saving balls coming from close position from the crease? I can save ones that comes from a considerable distance with ease, but have a diffucult time saving ones from close position.

[Dadabhoy]

Close shots are always a problem. Some people like to stand and rely on their reflexes. Some like to come out and try to stuff the shooter or just get big. Just work on what works best to you.
Just keep working on moving towards the ball. It will come with practice.
Low shots are one of the hardest to save. While working on stepping to the ball, work on this as well.
For high or low shots, try to read the stick. Depending on what level of the player. Usually, some people cannot control their shot height. If the stick is high, it probably will be coming high stick side. Low sticks will probably shoot low stick. Some people can control their shot height.

Hope I answered everything. Good luck!

Dadabhoy

[joe c]

i started goalie a last week i played in my last game i olny let up 1 goal to night is my next game v.s. deer park i also play attack.

[QACLAX36]

you could always just. you know. grow a sack and not be a girl about it.

[Laxabilly]

To help with stepping in front of the ball, try having a friend or someone take medium speed shots at you. But don't use your stick, put your hands together like your holding it, and use your body to stop the balls. It gets you used to getting hit and stepping to the ball, and it helps for cutting off angle of the shooter.

[joe c]

Originally Posted by QACLAX36

you could always just. you know. grow a sack and not be a girl about it.

what are you talking about being a girl about it.

[lax28keeper]

[/i][/i][/u][/u][/u]

Originally Posted by The Korean

I stopped moving away from the ball, but now I am having hard time saving balls coming low. I can't seem to get my stick down there fast enough and I can't really tell when a player throws low or high. Help! And how can I make myself good at saving balls coming from close position from the crease? I can save ones that comes from a considerable distance with ease, but have a diffucult time saving ones from close position.

When they come up to the crease put the pocket of your stick on his.