In this episode of the LAX Goalie Rat Podcast, Coach Damon Wilson reconnects with one of his biggest mentors, former Cal goalie Rob Warner. A three-time MCLA All-American, National Champion, and MCLA Hall of Famer, Rob reflects on his journey from a seventh-grade midfielder to one of the greatest goalies in MCLA history. The conversation covers goalie technique, mental preparation, memorable Cal lacrosse stories, and lessons learned from legendary coach Joe Proud.
Episode Highlights
- Rob's introduction to lacrosse in San Diego
- Why switching from midfield to goalie changed everything
- Learning the position through specialized goalie camps
- The philosophy of making saves look effortless
- Efficient goalie mechanics and proper positioning
- Building confidence as a young goalie
- Playing high school lacrosse in Southern California during the early growth of the sport
- Recruiting as a West Coast goalie in the 1990s
- Choosing Cal over NCAA opportunities
- Cal's 1998 MCLA National Championship run
- Rob's overtime saves that helped secure the national title
- Memories of legendary Cal coach Joe Proud
- Funny team traditions, road trips, and rookie hazing stories
- The mental side of playing goalie
- Handling pressure and crowd distractions
- Coaching goalies and developing fundamentals
- Why goalies should focus on improving one skill at a time
- Being inducted into the MCLA Hall of Fame
Topics Covered
Rob's Goalie Journey
- Starting lacrosse in seventh grade
- Making the transition from midfielder to goalie
- Overcoming fear of getting hit
- Learning fundamentals through goalie camps
Goalie Philosophy
- Keeping movements simple and efficient
- Proper hand positioning
- Arc management
- Athletic stance fundamentals
- Letting technique create consistency
Cal Lacrosse Memories
- Winning the 1998 MCLA National Championship
- Overtime championship saves
- Team chemistry and leadership
- Rivalries with Sonoma State and BYU
Coach Joe Proud Stories
- Pregame speeches
- Team traditions
- Tough coaching lessons
- Building championship culture
The Mental Game
- Forgetting mistakes quickly
- Staying composed under pressure
- Blocking out opposing fans
- Confidence through preparation
Coaching Goalies
- Teaching one concept at a time
- Individualized coaching
- Developing consistency
- Creating practice goals
Key Takeaways
Make every save as simple as possible.
The best goalies don't make routine saves look spectacular. Efficient movement leads to consistency.
Master one skill before worrying about everything else.
Trying to fix your stance, hands, arc, communication, and clears all at once is overwhelming. Focus on one improvement each practice.
Technique creates confidence.
The better your fundamentals become, the calmer you'll feel in games.
Forget the last shot.
Whether it's a goal allowed or a huge save, move on quickly and stay present for the next play.
Great goalies never stop learning.
Even Hall of Fame goalies continue studying the position and coaching others years after their playing careers.
Memorable Quotes
"A save doesn't have to look spectacular. The hardest save you make should look easy."
"Make every save as simple as possible."
"You can't teach everything in one practice. Focus on one thing and master it."
"If you let the crowd get in your head, everything else will too."
About Rob Warner
- Three-time MCLA All-American
- 1998 MCLA National Champion (Cal)
- Two-time WCLL Tournament MVP
- MCLA Hall of Fame Inductee
- Former Cal player and coach
- Former University of San Diego head coach
- Longtime goalie coach and mentor
