This week on the LAX Goalie Rat Podcast, Damon Wilson welcomes one of the greatest lacrosse goalies of all time, Brian "Doc" Doherty. Doc shares the philosophy behind his famous Flow System, explains how elite goalies simplify the save process, and discusses everything from baiting shooters and trash talk to building confidence, communicating with the defense, and developing championship-level habits. Whether you're a youth goalie, coach, or experienced player, this episode is packed with practical lessons from one of the game's true pioneers.
In This Episode
- The story of how Doc unexpectedly became a goalie.
- Why athleticism changed the goalie position.
- The philosophy behind the Flow (PHL-O) System.
- The three essential components of every save.
- Why elite goalies "flow" instead of reacting.
- Using video analysis to accelerate development.
- Teaching goalies how to communicate and run a defense.
- The famous Doc Drill and why it's still one of the best training drills.
- Baiting shooters and the psychology behind reading offensive players.
- Developing confidence through preparation.
- Why becoming a better person matters just as much as becoming a better goalie.
Key Takeaways
The Flow System
Doc's coaching philosophy centers on making every save as efficient as possible. He teaches that every save is built on three connected movements:
- Eyes – Find the ball in the shooter's stick and track it all the way into your own.
- Top Hand – Attack the ball with your hands rather than waiting for it.
- Feet – Take a short, explosive first step while eliminating wasted movement.
When these three elements work together naturally, goalies are "flowing."
"There are lots of different goalie styles, but the non-negotiables are seeing the ball, punching your top hand to it, and moving efficiently."
Ridiculous Focus
One of Doc's signature coaching phrases is to watch the ball with "ridiculous focus."
He teaches goalies to lock onto the ball so intensely that everything around them slows down.
Rather than simply reacting to shots, elite goalies:
- Track the ball out of the shooter's stick.
- Stay visually locked onto it the entire flight.
- Eliminate distractions before and during the shot.
Become an Athlete First
Doc believes today's goalies are far more athletic than previous generations.
Being an athlete allows goalies to:
- Start fast breaks.
- Pick off lazy passes.
- Chase down loose balls.
- Become another playmaker instead of simply a shot stopper.
Reading Shooters
One of Doc's greatest strengths was baiting shooters.
Instead of simply reacting, he intentionally showed shooters certain areas of the cage while preparing to attack those shots.
His philosophy:
- Force shooters into uncomfortable decisions.
- Make them think instead of reacting naturally.
- Win the mental battle before the shot is even released.
Combined with his trademark trash talk, Doc constantly worked to get inside opponents' heads.
Communication Wins Games
Doc believes many young goalies struggle with communication simply because they don't know what to say.
He teaches goalies to communicate:
- Ball location.
- Defensive package.
- Slide responsibility.
- Hot defender.
- Recovery assignments.
Understanding team defense is just as important as making saves.
The Importance of Film Study
At Net Nation camps, every goalie receives video analysis.
Film allows players to identify:
- False steps.
- Poor stance.
- Inefficient hand movement.
- Positioning mistakes.
- Communication opportunities.
Doc believes film accelerates learning faster than simply taking more shots.
The Doc Drill
Doc still considers the Doc Drill the most efficient goalie drill he has ever created.
The drill develops:
- Hand speed.
- Footwork.
- Eye discipline.
- Muscle memory.
- Conditioning.
Thousands of quality repetitions help build automatic movement patterns that transfer directly into games.
Breaking Out of a Slump
When goalies struggle, Doc recommends simplifying everything.
Instead of overthinking mechanics:
- Get your body in front of the ball.
- Watch the ball with complete focus.
- Stop analyzing every movement.
- Return to the fundamentals.
His belief is that most slumps become mental because goalies start thinking instead of playing.
Building Confidence
According to Doc, confidence isn't something you're born with.
It's earned through preparation.
Confidence comes from:
- Wall ball.
- Repetition.
- Practice.
- Experience.
- Trusting your preparation.
"Playing the game was the easy part because I knew I'd done the work."
Coaching Beyond Lacrosse
One of the most meaningful parts of the conversation centers on teaching character.
Doc encourages players to become great teammates and great people by:
- Showing respect.
- Helping others.
- Using good manners.
- Leading by example.
- Giving maximum effort both on and off the field.
His goal is to develop better people—not just better goalies.
Favorite Quotes
"Flow is eliminating negative movement."
"Ridiculously watch the ball into your stick."
"The game should slow down because your eyes are locked onto the ball."
"When you're in a slump, get back to the basics."
"If you want to be great, you've got to put the work in."
About the Guest
Brian "Doc" Doherty is widely regarded as one of the greatest lacrosse goalies in history. A former professional standout and accomplished coach, he is the co-founder of Net Nation Lacrosse, where he teaches goalies of all ages through camps, clinics, and private instruction. His Flow System has helped develop elite goalies across youth, high school, college, and professional lacrosse.
Resources Mentioned
- Net Nation Lacrosse
- The Flow (PHL-O) System
- The Doc Drill
- LAX Goalie Rat Online Camp
Final Thoughts
Doc reminds us that elite goaltending isn't about flashy techniques—it's about mastering the fundamentals, eliminating wasted movement, and putting in the work when no one is watching. Whether it's making saves, communicating with your defense, or becoming a better teammate, greatness is built through consistent habits, preparation, and relentless repetition.
