LAX Goalie Rat Podcast Episode Show Notes

Training the Brain: How Cognitive Training Makes Lacrosse Goalies Faster with Coach Jay Fulco

Episode Overview

In this episode of the LAX Goalie Rat Podcast, Coach Damon Wilson sits down with Coach Jay Fulco, a cognitive coach who specializes in training athletes to improve reaction time, decision-making, focus, and overall athletic performance.

Jay breaks down how goalies can train their brains to “slow the game down,” react faster, and perform under pressure. Through cognitive drills, movement training, and mental challenges, athletes can improve the skills that separate good players from elite ones.

Jay’s final piece of advice:

“Don’t be slow, bro.”

Key Topics Discussed

🧠 What Is Cognitive Training?

• Cognitive training focuses on improving the brain’s ability to process information and make decisions quickly.

• Jay trains athletes to:

  • React faster

  • Stay calm under pressure

  • Improve decision-making

  • Maintain focus during stressful situations

• The goal is to help athletes avoid the “fight or flight” response and perform with confidence.

Slowing the Game Down

For lacrosse goalies, the game moves extremely fast. Cognitive training helps goalies:

• Recognize shots earlier

• Process information faster

• React with confidence instead of panic

• Make better decisions in high-pressure moments

Jay explains that elite athletes are not necessarily moving faster—they are processing faster.

The Five Cognitive Functions Every Athlete Should Train

1. Brain Speed

• How quickly an athlete can process information.

• Helps goalies react faster to shots and offensive movements.

2. Intelligence

• The ability to make quick decisions.

• Example: Reading a play and deciding where the ball is going.

3. Auditory & Visual Reaction

• Training the ability to react based on what you see and hear.

• Critical for goalies who must respond instantly.

4. Memory

• Remembering patterns, tendencies, and previous situations.

• For goalies, this can mean remembering:

  • How a player shoots

  • Offensive tendencies

  • Shot locations

5. Attention

• The ability to maintain focus for long periods.

• Important because one moment of losing focus can change the outcome of a game.

Earning Your Progressions

Jay explains that athletes should not skip steps in training.

Instead:

• Start with basic movements.

• Add cognitive challenges over time.

• Increase difficulty once the athlete earns it.

A drill should create failure, but not complete frustration.

Jay’s training philosophy:

• Too much success = the drill is too easy.

• Constant failure = the drill is too difficult.

• The sweet spot is where athletes are challenged and forced to adapt.

How Jay Builds Training Sessions

Jay begins by putting athletes “under a microscope.”

Training includes:

Movement Assessment

• Identifying weaknesses in:

  • Balance

  • Stability

  • Cutting ability

  • Body control

Cognitive Challenges

Adding variables such as:

• Reaction decisions

• Memory tasks

• Visual distractions

• Speed challenges

Example:
A goalie may need to make a save while also:

• Identifying a number

• Reacting to a light

• Making a quick decision

Why Adversity Matters

Jay believes athletes improve when they are uncomfortable.

His training intentionally creates:

• Frustration

• Failure

• Difficult situations

The goal is teaching athletes how to:

• Stay composed

• Find solutions

• Keep competing

He explains that overcoming challenges builds confidence because athletes know they can handle difficult situations.

Training the Brain Like a Muscle

Jay explains that cognitive training works because the brain needs practice just like the body.

Examples of drills:

• Card reaction drills

• Tennis ball reaction drills

• FitLight reaction training

• Memory exercises

• Decision-making challenges

The more athletes expose themselves to difficult situations, the better prepared they are during games.

How Cognitive Training Helps Lacrosse Goalies

Goalies can improve:
✅ Reaction speed
✅ Reading shooters
✅ Tracking the ball
✅ Staying focused
✅ Recovering after mistakes
✅ Making quick decisions

Jay explains that adding extra distractions in training makes game situations feel slower and easier.

Favorite Training Equipment

🃏 Cards

Used for:

• Memory

• Decision-making

• Reaction speed

Example goalie drill:

• Make a save while identifying which card is higher or lower.

🎾 Tennis Balls

Used for:

• Hand-eye coordination

• Reaction time

• Tracking ability

💡 FitLights

Used for:

• Measuring reaction speed

• Improving focus

• Training movement decisions

The Importance of Coach Energy

Jay explains that coaches must bring energy into every session.

Great coaches:

• Care about the athlete’s success

• Celebrate improvement

• Create a competitive environment

• Push athletes beyond their comfort zones

His mindset:

The session is not about the coach. It is about the athlete.

Advice for Young Goalies

Jay’s advice:

• Train your brain consistently.

• Challenge yourself.

• Embrace failure.

• Don’t avoid difficult drills.

• Focus on becoming a better athlete, not just mastering one skill.

Final Takeaway

Elite goalies are not just physically talented—they are mentally trained. By improving reaction speed, focus, decision-making, and confidence under pressure, athletes can make the game feel slower and perform at a higher level.

Train your body. Train your brain. Don’t be slow, bro.

Connect with Coach Jay Fulco

📱 Instagram: @j_fulco
📱 TikTok: @jfulco

Episode Highlights

• “Slow the game down by training the brain.”

• “Failure creates adaptation.”

• “The brain needs an in-game feel during training.”

• “Don’t be slow, bro.”