By Coach Damon
Posted In: Lacrosse Goalie, Lacrosse Goalie Gear
You’ve seen it before. It’s a scorching hot day as two teams get set to battle it out on the lacrosse field.
As the goalie takes the field, he’s wearing….sweatpants!
Lax goalies have one of the few jobs in the world where sweatpants are appropriate business attire.
In fact, Icompletely recommend every goalie wear sweatpants. And the baggier they are, the better.
So why do some lacrosse goalies always wear sweatpants in the cage? And should you start doing it?
Sweatpants provide added protection
Most lacrosse goalies don’t wear any pads on their legs. So as weird as it may sound, the extra fabric of sweatpants helps to take some of the sting out of getting hit directly in the thigh with a shot.
Make sure you’re using the heavy duty sweatpants, like these Heavy Weight Sweatpants from Champion. You don’t want the lightweight sweats as that defeats the purpose of getting extra protection on the legs.
Many lacrosse goalies pull up the sweats so they expose the shins, letting the world know you’re not committing the sin of wearing shin guards.
When pulled up to the knee the sweats also provide some nice padding for shots taken directly to the knee.
Sweatpants provideextra saves
Many lacrosse goalies swear by baggy sweatpants for the additional surface area they provide to protect the net.
This extra surface area can translate into an additional save every couple of games.
Even if the sweats don’t result in saves they definitely take up more surface area and reduce the amount of open cage an attacking player sees. This often results in them firing an errant shot which doesn’t count as a save but is better than a goal.
I remember several saves very specifically where the ball hit my sweats under the crotch or grazed the side of my sweats just enough to deflect it from going into the goal.
Lacrosse goalies are a crazy breed. We’d probably shave off our eyebrows if it meant an additional save per game!
Instead we wear sweatpants and get a few extra saves every season because of that.
Sweatpants Provide Warmth
In my example in the intro of this post, the game was on a hot day but the lacrosse season starts in February when there’s still snow on the ground in the North East.
Because goalies are not active while the ball is on the other side of the field, it tends to get a little chilly.
Therefore, most goalies will wear the sweatpants to also keep their legs warm.
It’s important to stay loose and warm while the ball is on your own offensive side so that when its time to play defense you’re reaction time doesn’t suffer one bit.
Sweatpants will keep you warmer than shorts.
Sweatpants are a Goalie’s Superstition
Many lacrosse goalies have superstitions that they follow to maintain theirdominance in the cage. If they’re doing a certain thing or even eating a certain thing, they won’t switch up during a hot streak.
Some goalies like ex-Syracuse star John Galloway rub dirt on their face and re-tape their goalie stickbefore every game.
“Part of being goalie is getting on a hot streak,” says ESPN Analyst Quint Kessenich. “So you stay with whatever is working.”
For many goalies, whatever is working means sweatpants.
And Kessenich is right, if something is working there’s no reason to stop doing it.
Sweatpantscan cover up additional pads
There is a certain machismo amongst the male lacrosse goalies that explains why many ridicule goalies who use additional pads on their legs.
With how fast today’s shooter can rip the ball I encourage goalie’s (especially during practice) to be as protected as possible.
Goalies have a full range oflacrosse goalie gearat their disposal and I encourage all goalies to get protected.
If you find yourself being scared of the ball,try strapping on some additional padding and you’ll feel more confident in the cage.
If you’re going to use shin guards or lacrosse goalie pants, you can coverthem up with a pair of sweatpants so nobody will know what kind of extra leg protection you’re using.
SweatpantsLook Good
I saved the most trivial reason for last. I liked the way they look.
I think a lacrosse goalie with a pair of thick sweats rolled up to the knee looks like a bads$$ goalie.
And as Deion Sanders once said, “When you look good, you feel good, when you feel good, you play good”.
Conclusion
Wearing sweatpants while playing goalie is entirely a preference thing. Some goalies like them while others prefer to stick with shorts.
For those that wear sweatpants while in goal they typically do so because:
- Sweatpants provide additionalprotection
- Sweatpants provide additional saves
- Sweatpants provide additionalwarmth
- Sweatpantsare a superstition
- Sweatpants look good
- Sweatpants can cover up extra leg padding
I encourage all goalies to get a pair of sweatpants about 2 sizes too big and use them while in goal.
Until next time! Coach Damon
Anyone out there use sweatpants in the cage? Let me know in the comments below.
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As someone deeply entrenched in lacrosse goalie tactics and gear, I can attest to the multifaceted benefits of sweatpants within the cage. The use of sweatpants by lacrosse goalies isn't merely a matter of comfort or style; it serves as a strategic choice that amalgamates protection, tactical advantage, and even psychological readiness.
Firstly, the extra fabric of sweatpants offers a layer of protection for the legs, compensating for the absence of dedicated leg pads common in other sports. The choice of heavy-duty sweatpants, like the Champion Heavy Weight Sweatpants, ensures substantial coverage, cushioning blows from shots that could otherwise cause discomfort or bruising.
When appropriately worn, with the lower leg exposed, sweatpants provide a clever workaround to forgo shin guards, maintaining flexibility while still offering padding against knee shots. Moreover, the increased surface area of baggy sweatpants can contribute to additional saves, simply by creating a larger obstacle for attackers aiming at the net.
Apart from the physical benefits, there's a psychological aspect. Goalies, often driven by superstitions, find comfort and a sense of continuity in their gear. Just as some players have rituals before a game, the choice of attire—like wearing sweatpants—can contribute to a goalie's mental readiness and consistency, potentially impacting their performance positively.
In climates where the lacrosse season commences during colder months, the warmth provided by sweatpants becomes invaluable. It ensures goalies stay loose and ready to react swiftly during defensive plays, despite the weather's chilliness.
Covering additional padding with sweatpants not only protects but also aligns with the traditional goalie ethos. It allows for increased protection without compromising the goalie's perceived toughness, an essential element in the lacrosse goalie culture.
And lastly, the aesthetic aspect should not be overlooked. The intimidation factor and confidence boost that come from the appearance of a goalie adorned in purposefully oversized sweatpants can't be understated. As Deion Sanders famously said, "When you look good, you feel good, when you feel good, you play good." This rings true even in the realm of lacrosse goaltending.
In essence, the decision to wear sweatpants isn't merely a fashion statement; it's a strategic choice that encompasses protection, performance enhancement, psychological comfort, and even an element of style. It's a nuanced preference within the lacrosse goalie community that holds significant advantages for those who adopt it.
Now, let's break down the key concepts and aspects related to lacrosse goalies and their use of sweatpants mentioned in the article:
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Protection: Sweatpants offer added protection to lacrosse goalies due to their extra fabric, mitigating the impact of shots on the legs. Heavy-duty sweatpants are recommended for this purpose.
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Surface Area for Saves: Baggy sweatpants provide additional surface area, potentially resulting in extra saves during games.
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Warmth: In colder weather conditions, sweatpants help goalies stay warm and maintain readiness during defensive plays.
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Psychological Readiness and Superstitions: The choice of attire, such as sweatpants, can contribute to a goalie's mental readiness and consistency, aligning with their superstitions or rituals before games.
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Covering Additional Padding: Sweatpants can discreetly cover extra leg padding, offering increased protection without compromising the perception of toughness among goalies.
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Aesthetics and Confidence: The appearance of a goalie in purposefully oversized sweatpants can create an intimidating presence, boosting confidence and potentially influencing their performance.
Understanding these facets provides a comprehensive view of why sweatpants are a viable and strategic choice for lacrosse goalies.
