Sebastian “Seabass” Adams on Goalie Confidence, Mental Toughness, and Learning the Position

Episode Overview

In Episode 88 of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, Coach Damon Wilson sits down with Sebastian “Seabass” Adams, a young lacrosse goalie who caught everyone's attention during the third Virtual Lacrosse Goalie Summit.

Sebastian shares his experience of stepping into the cage for the first time, learning the fundamentals of goaltending, handling pressure, and developing the confidence to lead his defense. Although he has only been playing goalie for three years, Seabass already understands the mental side of the position and the responsibility that comes with protecting the goal.

From working on low shots to communicating with defenders, Sebastian discusses the areas he wants to improve and the lessons he has learned from his goalie coach, Coach Sash. He also shares his ambitious goal of playing lacrosse at Harvard University and explains how being a goalie has helped shape his confidence, discipline, and approach to life beyond the field.

Whether you're a young goalie just starting out or a parent or coach helping a developing player, this episode offers an encouraging look at the importance of repetition, communication, perseverance, and setting ambitious goals.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Handling pressure as a goalie: Why Sebastian views pressure as an opportunity to help his teammates rather than something negative.

• Improving low-shot saves: Why low shots, particularly low corner shots, remain a challenge and how repetition can help make save movements more instinctive.

• Learning goalie techniques: How Coach Sash has taught Sebastian the 33 technique for low-angle shots, the six-foot concept for close-range situations, and the five-hole save.

• Developing the mental game: Why Sebastian believes confidence, preparation, and repetition are essential to becoming a better goalie.

• Studying other goalies: Which goalies Sebastian enjoys watching and how learning from other players can support development.

• Communicating with the defense: How calling out ball movement, identifying open attackers, and directing defenders can prevent opponents from getting clean shots.

• Building confidence beyond lacrosse: How the goalie position can develop leadership, responsibility, and confidence in academics and everyday life.

• Pushing through fatigue: What Sebastian learned after playing eight games in one day and why conditioning matters for goalies.

• Setting ambitious goals: Why Sebastian hopes to play lacrosse at Harvard University and how he connects academic achievement with athletic development.

• Choosing the right goalie stick: Why Sebastian likes the CLA CL18 goalie head and its field-player-style design.

Key Takeaways

1. Treat Pressure as an Opportunity

Sebastian enjoys the adrenaline that comes with knowing his teammates depend on him. Rather than viewing pressure as something negative, he sees it as an opportunity to make a difference and help the team succeed.

For young goalies, learning to reframe pressure can make a difference in how they approach competition.

2. Make Save Movements Instinctive Through Repetition

One of Sebastian's biggest challenges is stopping low shots, especially those aimed at the lower corners. He explains that he still has to think about the movement instead of reacting automatically.

Consistent practice helps goalies develop muscle memory so they can react more naturally when facing shots in a game.

3. Communicate With Your Defense

Sebastian explains that he used to face too many direct shots because he wasn't communicating enough with his defenders. As he began talking more, his teammates became more engaged in preventing attackers from getting clean looks.

Coach Damon also shares the BSC communication framework from the Goalie Smith coaches:

• B: Ball. Communicate the ball's location as it moves around the field.

• S: Slide. Make sure the defense knows its slide responsibilities.

• C: Command. Direct the on-ball defender and help them maintain proper positioning.

Goalie communication is about more than calling out players. It helps organize the defense and reduce the number of difficult shots a goalie must face.

4. The Mental Game Matters

Sebastian's goalie coach, Coach Sash, teaches that the game is 80% mental and 20% physical. Sebastian's perspective reflects the importance of confidence, preparation, and trusting the work put in during practice.

He also discusses a demanding tournament day when he played eight games without a break. When exhaustion set in, thinking about his teammates helped him push through and give the team everything he had left.

The experience highlights why goalies need to develop both their mental resilience and physical conditioning.

5. Set Goals That Push You to Improve

Sebastian's long-term goal is to play lacrosse at Harvard University. He recognizes that reaching that goal will require dedication in both the classroom and on the field.

Having a clear goal can help young athletes stay focused when training gets difficult or other distractions compete for their attention.

6. Being a Goalie Builds Skills for Life

When asked what he would tell another 12-year-old considering the position, Sebastian describes being a goalie as more than another role on a team. He sees it as a personality and a lifestyle that requires confidence and a willingness to take responsibility.

The skills developed in the cage, including leadership, perseverance, and confidence under pressure, can carry over into school and other areas of life.

Goalie Techniques and Training Discussed

During the conversation, Sebastian and Coach Damon discuss several techniques and training concepts for developing goalies:

• The 33 technique: A method Coach Sash taught Sebastian for handling shots from low angles, particularly around goal-line extended.

• The six-foot concept: Keeping the stick raised to the height of the goal in close-range situations, when shooters may be more likely to aim high or low.

• The five-hole save: Dropping the stick between the legs, with the head of the stick touching the ground, to stop low shots.

• Reading the shooter: Coach Damon recommends the “read them and beat them” approach for shots inside eight yards, using a shooter's body language to help anticipate where the ball is going.

• Repetition and instinct: Practicing save movements consistently so goalies can react without having to consciously think through every movement.

Sebastian's Goalie Development

Sebastian has played lacrosse for approximately five years and has spent three of those years playing goalie. He first stepped into the cage during a game when his team's regular goalie was unavailable. His first save came with an uncomfortable hit between the legs, but he got back up and was ready for the next shot.

At this stage of his development, he identifies low shots as his biggest weakness. He wants to become more consistent at stopping shots aimed high, middle, and low so he can become a more well-rounded goalie.

He also recognizes how much his understanding of the position has grown, particularly when it comes to working with defenders rather than trying to stop every shot on his own.

Goalie Coaches and Players Mentioned

• Coach Sash: Sebastian's goalie coach, who has taught him techniques for low-angle shots, close-range situations, and low saves.

• Jack Conaghan: A goalie Sebastian enjoys watching.

• The Goalie Smith coaches: Their summit presentation introduced the “read them and beat them” approach and a structured communication framework.

• Justin Goldman: Presented a session on mental health for hockey goalies at the Virtual Lacrosse Goalie Summit, which Sebastian particularly enjoyed.

Sebastian's Goalie Stick

Sebastian uses the CLA CL18 goalie head, which he likes because of its field-player-style design.

He explains that the shape makes it easier to collect the ball after a save and helps goalies cradle and run with the ball when looking to clear. Coach Damon also notes that the head's design can help reduce rebounds and support handling and throwing, while acknowledging that its weight may take some getting used to.

Sebastian recommends Deep South Lacrosse as a place to purchase the stick and find other lacrosse equipment.

Advice for Young Lacrosse Goalies

Sebastian's advice to young players considering the position is to embrace the responsibility that comes with being a goalie. The role requires confidence, commitment, and the willingness to face challenging situations for the benefit of the team.

His experience also reinforces several important lessons:

• Keep practicing the skills that don't feel natural yet.

• Communicate with your defense instead of trying to do everything alone.

• Take care of your physical conditioning so fatigue doesn't undermine your focus.

• Set ambitious goals and put in the work to pursue them.

• Remember that the confidence and resilience you develop in the cage can help you in other areas of life.

Final Thoughts

Sebastian “Seabass” Adams is still early in his lacrosse goalie journey, but his attitude toward pressure, teamwork, and personal growth shows why the position can be such a powerful learning experience.

His commitment to improving his low saves, communicating with his defense, and pursuing his goal of playing at Harvard offers an encouraging reminder that development takes time, consistent effort, and a willingness to learn.

Listen to the full conversation for more insights from Sebastian and Coach Damon on goalie technique, mental toughness, and growing into the position.

Improve Your Goalie Game

Want to learn from experienced lacrosse goalie coaches and players? Explore the Lax Goalie Rat Academy for more resources to help you develop your skills and confidence.

Visit: https://laxgoalierat.com/goal

You can also explore the Virtual Lacrosse Goalie Summit sessions mentioned in this episode to learn from coaches and specialists across the goalie community.