In this episode of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, Coach Damon sits down with Jack Michael, a recently graduated Division III All-American goalie from York College, to talk about his lacrosse journey, developing his game, recruiting, mental toughness, and what it takes to succeed between the pipes.
Jack shares how he went from a sixth grader volunteering because he loved the look of the goalie stick to becoming a four-year starter and honorable mention All-American. He talks about learning the fundamentals at TGS Goalie School, studying elite goalies, and taking pieces from different players to build his own unique style.
A Michigan native who also spent part of his childhood in Germany, Jack discusses how soccer influenced his lacrosse goalie game, why he chose the Division III path, and why York College ended up being the perfect fit.
Topics Discussed:
- The story behind Jack’s first save and why he chose the goalie position
- Learning goalie fundamentals and becoming a student of the position
- The impact of studying elite goalies like Jack Kelly, Jared Conners, and Kyle Bernlohr
- How to borrow techniques from other goalies while still developing your own style
- Growing up playing lacrosse in Michigan
- How soccer helped develop his footwork, angles, and ball-stopping instincts
- His recruiting journey and why Division III York College was the right fit
- The reality of Division III lacrosse and how competitive the level is
- His goalie training philosophy: volume, video analysis, and intentional practice
- How filming practice helped him improve his mechanics
- Adjusting his hand position, stance, and overall goalie style in college
- Getting sponsored by Powell Lacrosse
- How to handle slumps and rebuild confidence
- Staying present and avoiding negative self-talk
- The importance of being kinder to yourself as a goalie
- York College’s historic season and their run to the NCAA semifinals
- Pregame preparation and avoiding unnecessary superstitions
- His advice for young goalies chasing improvement
Key Takeaways for Goalies:
1. Study great goalies — but make their game your own
Jack became a better goalie by watching other players closely and taking specific elements from their games. Instead of copying an entire style, he focused on details like:
- Hand placement
- Stance width
- Body position
- Movement patterns
Experimenting helped him discover what worked best for his own body and game.
2. Confidence comes from preparation
One of Jack’s biggest points was that confidence isn’t just a mindset — it comes from knowing you have put in the work.
His offseason routine included:
- Taking thousands of shots
- Recording himself
- Reviewing his mechanics
- Making adjustments
- Visualizing game situations
That preparation created confidence when he stepped into games.
3. Your mental game needs training too
Jack emphasized that goalies need to practice staying calm, staying present, and avoiding negative self-talk.
His advice:
- Don’t dwell on goals allowed
- Focus on the next save
- Recognize that mistakes are part of playing goalie
- Practice controlling your emotions during training
4. Find what you love about playing goalie
Jack’s final message to young goalies:
“Have fun. Find what you love about playing goalie and try and bring that attitude to every practice.”
Enjoying the process is what keeps goalies improving over the long term.
About Jack Michael
Jack Michael is a former goalie for York College, where he was a four-year starter and earned honorable mention All-American honors. He helped lead York to a historic season, including a conference championship and NCAA semifinal appearance.
He is currently coaching with White Rose Lacrosse Club in Pennsylvania and continues to help develop the next generation of goalies.
Connect with Jack:
Instagram: @jack_michael
Resources Mentioned:
- Lax Goalie Rat Podcast
- Goalie Summit virtual training library
- “Thinking Inside the Crease” mental game resources
Thanks for listening to the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast. Keep working, keep learning, and keep making saves.
