LGR 200: The Importance of Playing with Urgency with Luke Staudt

On today’s episode of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, host Coach Damon Wilson is joined by Luke Staudt, a standout goalie at Loyola University.

Luke breaks down how he navigated high-pressure environments at West Genesee and Loyola, using active on-field communication and mental mantras to counter performance anxiety and improve clear accuracy under defensive pressure.

"Preparation exudes confidence. The more you practice, the more shots you get, the more film you watch, the less of a reason you have to be anxious." — Luke Staudt

Key Highlights & Takeaways
Finding His Footing: Luke began playing lacrosse somewhat later than his peers, entering the net in the 3rd grade. Growing up just outside Syracuse, New York, he faced a steep learning curve but was quick to fall in love with the position’s competitive edge.

The Legacy of Coach Bob Deegan: Hailing from West Genesee High School—a program with a rich lacrosse tradition—Luke credits much of his foundational stick work and base stance to his goalie coach, Bob Deegan, a legendary assistant coach who trained standout collegiate players.

Overcoming Game-Time Anxiety: Recognizing that goalies have a high propensity for performance anxiety, Luke relies on consistent preparation to build confidence. His mental strategy revolves around specific, repetitive mantras like "Next one" or "Flush it" to maintain extreme poise.

The Mechanics of "The Hop": Influenced by top-level netminders, Luke utilizes a quick hopping mechanism right before a shooter releases. He describes how this movement keeps his weight distributed equally, ensuring he lands in a highly athletic stance to anticipate low-to-high shots.

The "Yes" Trigger: Echoing techniques shared by elite keepers, Luke adopts the "Yes" verbal trigger, where he calls out right as the ball breaks an imaginary plane outside his stick to synchronize his lead step and body movements.