Episode 63: Mike and Andrew Gavazdin of GoalieSmith on Film Analysis, Goalie Technique, and College Recruiting

Episode Overview

In Episode 63 of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, Coach Damon Wilson welcomes back Mike and Andrew Gavazdin, the brothers behind GoalieSmith, to discuss goalie development, training techniques, film analysis, and the college recruiting process.

Building on their first appearance in Episode 6, Mike and Andrew share lessons from their successful GoalieSmith Experience events, including how to create effective training sessions, keep goalies engaged, and build a stronger goalie community. They also break down key techniques for playing shots on the run, staying ready when the ball is behind the goal, and using positioning to influence where shooters aim.

The conversation also explores how goalies can use film to identify recurring mistakes, improve their performance, compete against stronger shooters, and maintain confidence during difficult stretches of a game. Whether you're a young goalie, a parent, or a coach, this episode offers practical advice for taking your game to the next level.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• How the GoalieSmith Experience helped bring goalies together and improve their training.

• Why detailed planning and delegation are essential when coaching larger groups.

• How to stay prepared when the ball is behind the goal at X.

• Why limiting adjustment steps can improve your ability to save shots on the run.

• How the 60-40 rule can influence where shooters aim.

• How to use film analysis to identify patterns and make meaningful improvements.

• What goalies can do to improve their college recruiting opportunities.

• How to train effectively when you don't have a regular shooting partner.

• Why competing against challenging shooters helps build confidence.

• How to reset mentally after a difficult quarter or a series of goals.

Key Takeaways

1. Build Confidence Alongside Technical Skills

Mike and Andrew explain that one of the most rewarding parts of coaching is seeing goalies become more confident and enthusiastic about playing. Helping goalies understand their position and feel supported can make a lasting difference, especially for those who don't have access to experienced goalie coaches every day.

2. Plan Training Sessions Carefully

Running a session for 60 goalies is very different from coaching a group of 30. Successful events require detailed planning, clearly assigned responsibilities, organised stations, and drills with specific purposes. When the logistics are handled in advance, coaches can focus on giving goalies individual feedback.

3. Let the Drills Do the Teaching

Goalies need instruction, but they also need opportunities to move, compete, and learn through repetition. Mike and Andrew recommend balancing verbal coaching with well-designed drills that keep goalies active and engaged.

4. Stay Ready When the Ball Is Behind the Goal

When the ball is at X, goalies can become too relaxed because the shooter is not an immediate threat to score. However, the offence can still dodge or feed a teammate cutting towards the crease. Staying in a ready stance helps goalies react instead of getting caught off guard.

5. Limit Adjustment Steps on Shots on the Run

Excessive movement can take goalies out of position and delay their ability to react. Mike recommends limiting adjustment steps, staying balanced, and tracking the ball in the shooter's stick throughout the dodge. The goal is to remain set and ready to move when the shot comes.

6. Understand the 60-40 Rule

Andrew explains an advanced positioning technique in which goalies show approximately 60% of the stick-side portion of the net and 40% of the off-stick portion. The intention is to encourage shooters to aim where the goalie is prepared to make the save.

The brothers recommend beginning with a balanced 50-50 approach before experimenting with this more advanced technique. Positioning should be practised carefully and adapted to the situation.

7. Use Film to Identify Patterns

Rather than analysing every shot individually, Mike and Andrew look for recurring patterns that contribute to goals. They combine game footage with instructional clips to demonstrate what a goalie is doing and how a small adjustment can improve performance.

Goalies can begin by recording a short training session from the front or side. Reviewing even five minutes of footage may reveal habits they don't notice while playing.

8. Focus on One Improvement at a Time

A goalie may make several mistakes on a single shot, but trying to fix everything at once can become overwhelming. Identifying the underlying pattern and prioritising one important adjustment makes coaching clearer and progress easier to measure.

9. Compete Against Stronger Shooters

Training without a shooter can help develop footwork, hand-eye coordination, stick skills, and overall athleticism. However, goalies also need challenging, game-like repetitions against capable shooters.

Mike and Andrew encourage goalies to seek out stronger competition when possible. Challenging sessions can reveal areas for improvement and help build confidence over time.

10. Approach College Recruiting Proactively

Being a backup goalie doesn't determine where you'll play in college. Mike and Andrew encourage goalies to use competition as motivation, continue improving, and look for opportunities to demonstrate their abilities.

They also stress the importance of benchmarking yourself against goalies across the country, preparing quality highlight film, communicating with college coaches, and attending events where coaches can evaluate you in person.

11. Train Your Mental Game

Recovering from a difficult quarter begins long before game day. Mike recommends turning practices into competitions so goalies become more comfortable dealing with both success and failure.

During a game, goalies should return to clear, consistent focus cues rather than becoming consumed by mistakes. Andrew adds that a bad stretch doesn't mean you've suddenly become a worse goalie. Consistent mental focuses can help you perform more consistently over the course of your career.

About the Guests

Mike and Andrew Gavazdin, GoalieSmith

Mike and Andrew are goalie coaches and co-founders of GoalieSmith, a training organisation dedicated to helping lacrosse goalies improve their skills and understanding of the position. Through goalie training events, coaching, and film evaluations, they help players develop their technique, confidence, and competitive mindset.

Their GoalieSmith Experience events bring together goalies, coaches, shooters, and college lacrosse staff to create an intensive learning and development environment.

Resources Mentioned

• GoalieSmith: Visit GoalieSmith.com for information about their training events and resources.

• Lax Goalie Rat Online Camp: Visit LaxGoalieRat.com/goal for goalie drills, workouts, and mental training exercises.

• Film Analysis: Record your own training sessions to identify recurring habits and areas for improvement.

• College Recruiting: Prepare highlight film, contact college coaches, research goalies around the country, and seek opportunities to compete in front of coaches.

Note: The camp dates discussed in this episode reflect the plans announced at the time of recording and may no longer be current.

Listen to the Episode

Tune in to Episode 63 of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast to hear Mike and Andrew Gavazdin share their insights on goalie technique, film analysis, training, recruiting, and mental performance.

Whether you're working towards a college roster spot or simply want to become a more confident goalie, take these lessons to the field and put them into practice.

Visit GoalieSmith.com to learn more about Mike and Andrew's work.