Lauren Saffoori of Lady Lax Goalies on Female Goalie Development, Mental Toughness, and Building a Stronger Goalie Community
Episode Overview
In this episode of the Lax Goalie Rat Podcast, we sit down with Lauren Saffoori, founder of Lady Lax Goalies, to discuss goalie development, mental toughness, and the importance of creating more opportunities for female lacrosse goalies.
Lauren shares her journey from playing midfield to becoming a full-time goalie, competing at the Division I level at Temple University, and helping her team win an Atlantic 10 championship and compete in the NCAA tournament. She also discusses her career as a firefighter with the Fairfax County Fire Department and how her experiences as an athlete, coach, and first responder have shaped her approach to goalie training.
Through Lady Lax Goalies, Lauren is committed to helping goalies build confidence, improve their skills, and develop the mental toughness needed to succeed. Her mission goes beyond training individual players. She also wants to educate coaches and empower the next generation of female goalie coaches.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
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Lauren's journey to becoming a goalie: How she transitioned from midfield to playing goalie full-time and eventually competed at the Division I level.
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Playing at Temple University: Her experience competing in college, winning an Atlantic 10 championship, and reaching the NCAA tournament.
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The importance of goalie-specific training: Why goalies need specialized instruction rather than relying solely on general team practices.
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Developing mental toughness: How goalies can work through fear, build confidence, and become more comfortable facing shots.
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Finding the right coaching approach: Why coaches should meet goalies where they are in their development and help them progress toward their goals.
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Balancing individual and team training: How goalie-specific drills and live team situations can work together to improve performance.
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Recruiting and finding the right fit: Why goalies should consider more than just the name of a school when exploring college opportunities.
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Advocating for yourself as a goalie: Why communication, initiative, and taking ownership of your development matter.
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Building opportunities for female goalies: How Lady Lax Goalies is working to support players, educate coaches, and mentor future female coaches.
Drills and Training Ideas Discussed
Ball Rebound Drill
Lauren discusses a drill in which a goalie throws a ball against their helmet and catches the rebound. This helps goalies work on tracking the ball and reacting to its movement.
Tennis Ball Toss Drill
This drill involves kneeling and using the hands to block tennis balls thrown toward the goalie. A goalie head can also be used separately for additional practice. The drill provides an opportunity to work on tracking and hand-eye coordination.
About Lady Lax Goalies
Lauren founded Lady Lax Goalies to help female lacrosse goalies access the specialized training, guidance, and support they need to develop. Her work focuses on more than technical skills. It also emphasizes confidence, mental toughness, mentorship, and creating a stronger community for female goalies.
Through the Uncaged a Girl Goalie Initiative, Lauren aims to help educate coaches and mentor future female coaches, expanding the support available to girls who want to play and coach the position.
Lady Lax Goalies' guiding motto is:
Train, Educate, Empower.
Learn more: https://ladylaxgoalies.com
Instagram: @ladylaxgoalies
Lauren's Advice for Goalies
One of Lauren's key messages is to always know your why. Understanding why you play the position can help you stay motivated through challenges, continue learning, and remember what makes being a goalie meaningful to you.
Whether you're a young goalie learning the fundamentals, a high school player exploring college opportunities, or a coach looking to better support your goalies, this episode offers valuable insights into the technical, mental, and community aspects of goalie development.
Continue Your Goalie Development
Want to take your game to the next level? Explore the Lax Goalie Rat Academy for resources and training designed to help lacrosse goalies improve their skills and confidence.
Visit: https://laxgoalierat.com/goal
