Building Better Lacrosse Goalies Through Fundamentals, Confidence, and a Strong Foundation with Dave Page
Guest: Dave Page, Founder of Foundation Lacrosse
Episode: Lax Goalie Rat Podcast
In this episode of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, we sit down with Dave Page, founder of Foundation Lacrosse and a longtime student, player, and coach of the goalie position. Dave shares his journey from becoming a goalie almost by accident in fifth grade to coaching at the highest levels of the game.
With more than 20 years of experience playing and coaching goalies, Dave has worked with players ranging from young athletes just learning the position to elite goalies preparing for college and professional opportunities. He currently coaches at the University of Pennsylvania and continues to develop goalies through Foundation Lacrosse and his work with Headstrong Lacrosse.
Dave discusses the evolution of the goalie position, why athleticism alone is not enough to succeed at higher levels, and how building strong fundamentals creates confident, instinctive goalies. He also shares his philosophy on goalie development, the importance of learning the “why” behind techniques, and why the best players and coaches are always students of the game.
About Dave Page
Dave Page grew up in the Philadelphia area playing multiple sports before finding lacrosse in middle school. After starting as a midfielder, Dave transitioned into the cage and quickly discovered a passion for the goalie position.
He played high school lacrosse at St. Andrew’s School in Delaware, completed a post-grad year at The Hill School, and played four years at Kenyon College, where he was an All-American high school goalie, a three-time All-NCAC selection, and a conference Player of the Year runner-up.
After college, Dave began coaching at Ursinus College before joining the University of Pennsylvania staff. He is also the founder of Foundation Lacrosse, where he helps goalies at every level improve their skills, confidence, and understanding of the position.
Topics Covered
From Accidental Goalie to Lifelong Passion
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How Dave transitioned from midfielder to goalie in fifth grade.
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Why being willing to step into the cage helped him find his position.
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The difference between relying on athletic ability and developing true goalie skills.
Why Fundamentals Matter as Players Advance
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How moving from youth lacrosse to high school and college exposes technical weaknesses.
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Why goalies need a plan instead of simply relying on reaction ability.
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Preparing players for the next level before they get there.
The Modern Lacrosse Goalie
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Dave’s evolution from an aggressive, athletic goalie into a more technically sound player.
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Why goalies should think of themselves as playmakers, not just shot stoppers.
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The importance of:
Dave’s Influences and Coaching Mentors
Dave discusses the goalies and coaches who shaped his approach:
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Brett Queener and Sal Acasio as early goalie influences.
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John Weston’s impact in teaching not just what to do, but why it matters.
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Bill Pilat and The Goalie School’s influence on his coaching philosophy.
Becoming a Student of the Game
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Why great players and coaches continue learning throughout their careers.
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Taking small pieces from different coaches and players.
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Adapting techniques based on the individual goalie rather than forcing one style.
When Should Young Goalies Attend Camps?
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Dave’s belief that there is almost always value in getting coaching.
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Why the “right fit” matters more than a specific age.
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How beginner goalies, advanced high school players, and college-bound athletes need different training environments.
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Why development should come before exposure and recruiting.
Dave’s Goalie Development Philosophy
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Why coaching goalies requires understanding the complexity and pressure of the position.
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The importance of positive coaching and building confidence.
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Why goalies need support instead of constant criticism.
The 80/20 Rule for Goalie Training
Dave explains his approach to repetitions:
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80%: Controlled reps focused on technique, mechanics, and building habits.
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20%: Live situations where goalies react, compete, and make saves under pressure.
His philosophy is simple: build the foundation during training so goalies can trust their instincts when the game speeds up.
Key Takeaways
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Athleticism can help a goalie succeed early, but fundamentals separate good goalies from great ones.
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Every goalie has different strengths, and coaching should maximize the individual athlete.
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Goalies should see themselves as complete players who influence the game beyond saves.
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Learning the reasoning behind techniques creates better buy-in and faster development.
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The best coaches and players remain lifelong students of the game.
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Strong fundamentals create confidence when pressure situations arrive.
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Development should always come before exposure.
Notable Quotes
“Your job as a goalie is to get the ball back to the offense.”
“Think of yourself as a playmaker rather than just a ball stopper.”
“If you build the foundation, you build your base and your good habits there, then you can stop thinking and just play when the lights come on.”
“The best thing I can do for the goalies I’m coaching is continue to learn and continue to broaden my base.”
Resources Mentioned
Sponsor Mention
This episode is brought to you by the Lax Goalie Rat Online Camp, an online training resource designed to help lacrosse goalies develop their skills through structured instruction, drills, and goalie-specific coaching.
Learn more at:
laxgoalierat.com/goal
