Position Perfect
Denver Outlaws perennial All-Star Jesse Schwartzman shows how to stand your ground in the goal
>> WHAT I DO
JUGGLE ANYTHING I CAN FIND
SCOUT TEAMS, NOT
PLAYERS
HOPE FOR GOOD TRAVEL
Hold your hands away from your body, not gripping the stick so tight, but nice and relaxed to stay comfortable and relaxed in the goal.
During the season, I try to keep my body healthy. I’m not taking as many shots during the week. I rely on the weekend practices, shoot-around and game. But I do a lot of footwork and hand-eye drills during the week: wall ball, juggling, jumping rope, different box drills just to keep my feet quick and eye-hand coordination good. I juggle lacrosse balls, tennis balls, beanbags, oranges —whatever is around.
Between college and pro, I’ve played against most MLL players. I don’t as much scout shooters as the team’s offense as a whole. I have all the games on my DVR and usually watch on the Thursday or Friday before I head out of town the team that we’re playing that week. I watch for where most of their shots are coming from. I don’t like to scout the shooters as much because then I’ll be thinking too much in the goal. If you’re thinking, then you’re going to get beat.
The games might be the easiest part of the league. Sometimes you’re just hoping your sticks and bags get there. I usually fl y from Baltimore to Denver on Southwest. My fi rst year in the league, I met the Denver guys in Rochester for championship weekend. Their fl ight got cancelled in Chicago, so they ended up renting a bus and driving 14 hours. Our bags didn’t come, so guys were stringing sticks the morning of the game. Our jerseys never came so we wore practice shirts and pinnies as our jerseys for the game.
My Pre-Game
Ritual Once we break the huddle after the anthem, I run out to the top of the arc and run down to the goal, tap the pipes and point up. I’ve been doing that
forever. My Nemesis
I’ve always had some trouble with Kyle Dixon. He has such a quick release and he can bring it high and low from the same spot.
My Alter Ego
To stay balanced, you want to be on the balls of your feet, not on your toes.
If I weren’t a goalie, I’d probably be a roving attackman, like a Chris Bocklet style, with a mid-range game and inside moving off ball.
>> MY IDOLS
Brian Carcaterra from Hopkins. I loved his energy and passion. Brian Dougherty from Maryland. Both of my parents went to Maryland and my brother played there. I kind of grew up a Maryland fan. We have the same body type and styles of play. He was loud and very energetic. And Greg Cattrano was just a winner from the time he joined the league.
— compiled by Corey McLaughlin A Publication of US Lacrosse September 2013 >> LACROSSE MAGAZINE 57
©KEVIN P. TUCKER (BD); ©SHUTTERSTOCK
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