Show Notes: Tim McGinney — Building Elite Goalies Through Mindset, Preparation, and Process

Episode Overview

Welcome to the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast! In this episode, Coach Damon Wilson sits down with legendary lacrosse goalie Tim McGinney to discuss his incredible journey through the crease, from growing up in a lacrosse family in Maryland to becoming one of Loyola University’s greatest goalies and a professional champion.

Tim shares the lessons he learned throughout his playing career, his approach to developing goalies, and the mental framework that helped him succeed at the highest levels of the game.

A four-year starter at Loyola University, Tim was a three-time All-American, two-time team captain, and helped lead the Greyhounds to four NCAA Tournament appearances. His 810 career saves remain among the top marks in Loyola history, and he later went on to win an MLL championship with the Baltimore Bayhawks.

This conversation dives deep into goalie development, mental toughness, film study, deliberate practice, and the mindset required to thrive at the toughest position in team sports.

Topics Covered:

Tim’s Journey Into the Cage

• Growing up as the youngest of five children in a lacrosse family
• How his father’s youth program introduced him to the game
• Starting as a midfielder before becoming a full-time goalie
• The early influences that shaped his love for the position

Learning the Position Before the Internet Era

• How Tim developed as a goalie by watching elite players
• Learning from legendary goalies like Larry Quinn, Sal Acasio, and Paul Schmehl
• Taking different elements from great goalies and creating his own style
• Why watching film remains one of the best ways for goalies to improve

Playing at Loyola University

• Becoming a four-year starter for the Greyhounds
• Adjusting from high school lacrosse to the college level
• How his style evolved as shooters became faster and more skilled
• The impact of coaches like Charlie Toomey and Dave Cottle

The Mental Side of Goaltending

• Why mindset is the foundation of goalie development
• Understanding that goals allowed are not always failures
• The meaning behind Tim’s numbers:
  • 478 — career goals allowed at Loyola
  • 21 — goals allowed against Syracuse in his senior year
  • 0 — career shutouts
• How to treat mistakes as data points rather than failures

The PSSR Goalie Framework

Tim breaks down his simple but powerful goalie checklist:

P — Positioning
Getting yourself into the right spot gives you a chance to make the save.

S — Set
Being ready and balanced before the shot is released.

S — See
Tracking the ball and picking it up clearly.

R — React
Trusting your preparation and making the save.

Getting Out of a Goalie Slump

• Why every goalie will experience bad stretches
• Resetting through fundamentals
• Using breathing techniques and visualization
• Returning to the process instead of focusing on results

The Importance of Film Study

• How video reveals habits goalies don’t realize they have
• Identifying false steps, poor positioning, and movement issues
• Why coaches should use film as a teaching tool
• The importance of becoming a lifelong learner

Training Elite Goalies

Tim shares some of his favorite goalie drills, including:

• Footwork and agility training
• Jump rope and movement exercises
• Tennis ball reaction drills
• Mystery shots
• Hand-eye coordination exercises
• Balance and core development
• Deliberate practice with immediate feedback

Should Goalies Wear Protective Gear?

• Why younger goalies should not be afraid of using extra protection
• Building confidence while learning the position
• Finding the balance between safety and mobility
• Why protection should never carry a negative stigma

Lessons From Lacrosse That Apply Beyond the Field

Tim explains how goalie skills translate into business and life:

• Controlling what you can control
• Managing emotions under pressure
• Building a process
• Learning from mistakes
• Developing leadership qualities

Final Advice for Young Goalies

Tim’s message:

• Build a process you can trust
• Continue seeking feedback
• Embrace adversity
• Stay coachable
• Keep improving every day

Key Quotes & Takeaways

“You don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to your level of training.”

“Goals allowed are not failures. They are data points.”

“If you’re not in position, you don’t give yourself a chance.”

“Even if you’re not a captain, you’re a leader. Everyone looks to you.”

About Tim McGinney

Tim McGinney is one of Loyola University’s all-time great lacrosse goalies. A three-time All-American and Loyola Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Tim recorded 810 career saves during his collegiate career and later won an MLL championship with the Baltimore Bayhawks. Today, he coaches goalies, works in wealth management, and continues sharing his knowledge of the game.

Connect with Tim:
Twitter/X: @inthecrease_
Instagram: In The Crease

Learn more about goalie training:
Visit Lax Goalie Rat at laxgoalierat.com/goal

Episode Takeaway:
The best goalies are not just built through physical training — they are built through mindset, preparation, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Tim McGinney’s approach shows that mastering the mental side of the position is what separates good goalies from great ones.