Nick Beattie on Goalie Training, Mental Toughness, and Playing MCLA Lacrosse

Episode Overview

In Episode 57 of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, Coach Damon Wilson sits down with Nick Beattie, a senior goalie at the University of California, Berkeley, to discuss his journey as a lacrosse goalie and his experience playing in the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA).

Nick shares how he first stepped into the crease as a young player in Florida, the coaching lessons that shaped his technique, and the importance of fitness, consistency, and mental toughness. He also explains what makes MCLA lacrosse competitive, how to choose the right college programme, and how goalies can lead their teams both on and off the field.

Whether you're a youth goalie, a college player, a coach, or a parent supporting a developing goalie, this conversation offers practical advice for improving your game while keeping your love for lacrosse alive.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• How Nick Beattie first became a goalie and gradually overcame his fear of the ball.

• Why proper technique matters when making low saves.

• How your stance, arc, and body type can influence your approach in the crease.

• What makes MCLA lacrosse competitive and how it compares with NCAA programs.

• Why academics should be a major consideration when choosing a college lacrosse program.

• How physical fitness and conditioning help goalies move explosively and build confidence.

• How agility ladder drills, juggling, and other activities can improve coordination and conditioning.

• How backup goalies can contribute to their teams and develop as players.

• Why consistency, positivity, and fitness are important qualities for a goalie leader.

• How to reset mentally after allowing goals and avoid overthinking.

• Why young goalies should take breaks when needed and avoid specializing too early.

Key Takeaways

1. Master the Fundamentals of Making Saves

Nick's high school goalie coach taught him to approach low shots as though he were smothering a grenade. The lesson was simple: get your entire body behind the ball instead of bending at the waist or reaching down with your hands alone.

Nick also discusses his neutral stance, mid-arc positioning, and tendency to use a wider base in certain situations. The best approach depends on the individual goalie, including their size, reach, and ability to move explosively.

2. Experience Helps You Overcome Fear

Nick initially felt anxious facing shots from older and bigger players. Over time, repeated exposure helped him become more comfortable in the crease.

There wasn't one defining moment when the fear disappeared. It happened gradually as he saw more shots and gained experience. Consistent practice can help young goalies build confidence and become more relaxed under pressure.

3. Fitness Is Within Your Control

Nick puts a strong emphasis on overall fitness, including weight training, running, squats, and other exercises that develop strength and endurance.

Being in good shape helps goalies maintain their movement and technique throughout a game. It also builds confidence because they know they have prepared physically for demanding moments.

Rather than worrying about things outside your control, focus on what you can improve through consistent effort.

4. MCLA Lacrosse Offers a Competitive College Experience

Nick explains that MCLA programs vary in their level of commitment, but some operate with serious competitive ambitions, dedicated coaching staff, strength and conditioning resources, film review, and structured training.

At Cal, the main difference Nick identifies between his experience and Division I lacrosse is the overall time commitment. The competitive spirit, commitment to winning, and team camaraderie can still be strong at the MCLA level.

For players deciding between college programs, Nick recommends considering the whole experience, including academics, coaching, teammates, location, and lifestyle.

5. You Can Lead Even When You're Not Starting

Nick's freshman year at Cal taught him what it meant to be a backup goalie. Although he wanted to be on the field, he learned that he could still support the starter and contribute to the team.

He helped collect missed shots during halftime warm-ups, encouraged his teammate before games, and stayed positive when things weren't going well.

These small actions can make a meaningful difference and help a backup goalie become a more mature player.

6. Build Mental Toughness Beyond Lacrosse

When Nick needs a mental reset, he turns to other competitive activities, including racquetball, ping-pong, and badminton.

Taking a break from lacrosse gives him a chance to compete, improve his hand-eye coordination, and rebuild his confidence without the pressure of constantly evaluating his goalie performance.

Sometimes, stepping away briefly can help you return to the game with a fresher mindset.

7. Consistency Is a Powerful Form of Leadership

Nick believes goalies can earn their teammates' respect by being fit, reliable, positive, and willing to put in the work. Leadership isn't limited to giving speeches or being the loudest person on the team.

Showing up early, working hard, encouraging teammates, and maintaining a consistent attitude are all ways to lead. Over time, those habits build trust.

8. Find Ways to Reset After Giving Up Goals

Nick doesn't follow the exact same routine after every goal. He might tap the goalpost with his stick or walk around the cage after a particularly frustrating shot.

When he was struggling with a run of goals, his goalie coach sometimes had him sprint to the end line and back several times. The physical activity helped him get out of his head and stop overthinking.

Every goalie needs to find a reset routine that helps them refocus and move on to the next shot.

9. Keep the Game Fun

Nick's advice to young goalies is to stay positive and enjoy playing. If the position starts to feel overwhelming, taking a break or trying another position can help restore the fun.

He cautions against specializing too early, especially for players with ambitious long-term goals. Developing as an athlete while maintaining a healthy relationship with the sport can help prevent burnout and support long-term growth.

About Nick Beattie

Nick Beattie is a senior lacrosse goalie at the University of California, Berkeley, where he competes in the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA). Originally from Winter Park, Florida, Nick began playing goalie as a child and developed his game through coaching, consistent training, and years of experience.

Beyond stopping shots, Nick values fitness, teamwork, leadership, and giving back to the sport by helping younger goalies learn and improve.

Resources Mentioned

• Lax Goalie Rat Online Camp: laxgoalierat.com/goal for goalie training techniques, drills, and mindset guidance.

• Lax Goalie Rat website: laxgoalierat.com for lacrosse goalie resources and instructional content.

• Nico Amato: Nick discusses learning from Amato, particularly the connection between a goalie's eyes, hands, and feet.

• Agility ladder drills and juggling: Training ideas discussed for developing coordination, footwork, conditioning, and mental toughness.

Listen to the Episode

Listen to Episode 57 of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast to hear Nick Beattie share his experiences at Cal, explain the realities of MCLA lacrosse, and offer practical advice for becoming a more confident, fit, and mentally tough goalie.

Listen, learn, and take one thing from this conversation into your next practice.