Weekly Goalie Training in NH & Massachusetts
The 4 Leaf Goalie Summit is the most dedicated lacrosse goalie training program in Northern New England — weekly small-group sessions in Amesbury MA and Hooksett NH, capped at 20 players per session to ensure every goalie gets maximum reps in the cage. Open to boys and girls in grades 3–12, regardless of what team they play for. Whether you play for 4 Leaf, another club, your high school, or your town program — if you play in net, this is where you get better.
What Is the 4 Leaf Goalie Summit?
Most lacrosse programs work goalies into the general practice — ten minutes of shots before the rest of the team takes the field, or a few reps between offensive drills. That is not goalie development. The Goalie Summit is built exclusively for goalies, run exclusively for goalies, by coaches who understand the position from the inside.
Sessions run all winter, weekly from November through February, at two locations in the region's most accessible facilities. Sessions are capped at 20 players — which means real repetitions, real coaching attention, and real improvement every single session.
Why Goalies Need Dedicated Training — Not Tag-Along Sessions
- Goalies process the game differently from field players — they need position-specific coaching, not modified field drills
- Most club and town practices give goalies 15–20 minutes of attention per session — Goalie Summit is 60–90 minutes entirely focused on one position
- Capped at 20 players — no sharing reps with a team of 30
- Coaching from staff who have developed goalies at the collegiate level
- Builds mental resilience alongside technique — both are essential for elite goalies
- Open to any program — no 4 Leaf membership required
2025–26 Session Schedule — Amesbury MA & Hooksett NH
Location |
Dates |
Ages / Time |
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amesbury MA | Nov - February | Grades 3–7: 6–7 PM| Grades 8–12: 7–8 PM | $50 per session |
| Hooksett NH | Nov - February | Grades 3–7: 11:30 AM–1 PM | Grades 8–12: 1–2:30 PM | $50 per session |
4 Leaf travel team players:Goalie Summit sessions are included in 4 Leaf Player Tuition. Email your coach for a discount code before registering. |
Amesbury Goalie Summit — Maples Crossing Dome
The Amesbury location at Maples Crossing Dome serves goalies from the Seacoast NH, northeastern Massachusetts, and southern Maine area. Evening sessions on Monday nights make it accessible for school-age athletes without disrupting weekday afternoon commitments.
Session A — Grades 3–7 | 6:00–7:00 PM
Dates: November 10, 24 · December 8 · January 5, 19 · February 2, 16
Session B — Grades 8–12 | 7:00–8:00 PM
Same dates as Session A — older players follow directly after.
Hooksett Goalie Summit — NH Sportsdome
The Hooksett location at NH Sportsdome serves goalies throughout central and southern New Hampshire, accessible from Manchester, Concord, and the Lakes Region. Weekend morning sessions fit easily around weekend sports schedules.
Session A — Grades 3–7 | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
Dates: January 11, 18, 25 · February 1, 8, 15, 22 · March 1
Session B — Grades 8–12 | 1:00–2:30 PM
Same dates as Session A — older players follow immediately after
What Goalies Work On Each Session
Technique: Footwork, Set Position & Arc Movement
- Proper stance, set position, and recovery footwork between shots
- Arc movement — stepping to cut angles without losing balance
- Lateral movement patterns for wide-angle shots
- Clearing mechanics — outlets after saves, communication with defense
Reads: Shot Tracking & Angle Management
- Reading shooter's hips and stick angle before the shot releases
- High/low positioning based on shot distance and dodge angle
- Reaction to skip passes and off-ball movement
- Handling EMO situations — when to slide, when to hold position
Mental: Bounce-Back After Goals
The mental side of playing goalie is as trainable as the physical side. Every session includes reps where the coach deliberately puts the goalie in high-pressure, high-failure scenarios — because learning to reset after a goal is a skill that has to be trained, not just talked about.
Frequently Asked Questions — Goalie Summit
Do I need to be on a 4 Leaf team to attend the Goalie Summit?
No. The Goalie Summit is open to any boy or girl goalie in grades 3–12, regardless of what team they play for. Town program goalies, club goalies from other organizations, and goalies with no current team affiliation are all welcome.
Why is the session capped at 20 players?
Goalie training only works with real repetitions. A session with 30 goalies means every player gets fewer reps and less individual coaching attention. We cap at 20 to ensure every goalie gets meaningful work every session.
My daughter plays goalie for a girls team — are these sessions co-ed?
Yes. Both boys and girls goalies are welcome at the same sessions. Goalie technique and footwork fundamentals are consistent across boys and girls lacrosse, and the coaching staff is experienced with both.
What gear does my athlete need to bring?
Full goalie gear is required: goalie stick, helmet, throat guard, chest protector, gloves, and shin guards. Wear cleats or athletic shoes appropriate for indoor turf. Bring a water bottle.
Is there a multi-session discount?
Session pricing is $50 per session. Contact drew@4leaflax.org for questions about multi-session packages or sibling situations.