Women's Lacrosse Using New Tactics For Practice

BEVERLY, Mass. — Endicott women's lacrosse head coach Maureen Spellman is always looking for new ways to improve her student-athletes on the field, whether that's through new drills, conditioning work, or footwork. Now with the new wave of technology, Spellman has found a new way to work with her student-athletes, specifically goalies. 

As a former All-Region goalie at the University of New Haven, Spellman, who is the all-time saves leader for the Chargers certainly knows her way around a goalie practice, but with technological advances, she has found a new way to work with her goalies, virtual reality (VR). 

Originally for Spellman, working with VR was all about hand-eye coordination and reaction time.

"My plan was to just use the games that they have preloaded to work on reaction time, break a little sweat, and have some fun," she said. "Timing, as a goalie, is imperative to success and a little fun never hurts anyone. It was not until I did some further research that I found out there was a specific App for VR goalie training," Spellman added. 

The specific program they use is called "Virtual Goalie" which is part of the Reaction VR Sports program and specifically for lacrosse goalies. 

"They have a ton of drills, situations, and adjustments you can make like the speed of the shot," Spellman said.

"What I focus on with my goalies is their footwork, how they move in the cage, their form when making a save, and the 'next shot' mentality. For example, I noticed one of my freshmen falling for a lot of fakes out at practice, so we did the drill called "close fakes" and we just worked on her staying patient, holding her position, and only stepping when that ball was actually released. Another cool thing we have incorporated is resistance training along with VR. They are set up in the simulator going through drills, while also attached to our Vertimax which provides actual resistance. This way they are training those firing muscles to stay aggressive and quick to the ball," Spellman added. 

While they haven't been using it for long, the student-athletes have definitely seen an improvement on the field based on the VR training. 

Just ask senior goalie, Alexandra Rose (East Lyme, Conn.) who has seen specific improvements in her fundamentals.

"One improvement I have recognized in my play as a result of using VR is in my fundamental skills like getting my hands to the ball and having stronger footwork," Rose said. 

She continued, "With the only two sensors located on a weighted shaft that Coach (Spellman) gives me, I cannot rely on my body to make the save. I have been working on my form by quickly moving my feet and getting my hands where they need to be. I think as a result of practice with VR I have been doing a much better job of getting my body behind the ball on low saves." 

Another benefit Rose sees in working with VR is it helps save her from being hit with a lacrosse ball all the time. While live practice is always preferred for Rose and Spellman, Rose is thankful that she has a way to work on her skills as a goalie while saving her body. 

"I obviously love real practice, nothing compares to the weight of the ball in your stick or the impact of a ball when you get hit. But my body is also grateful to have the break from being hit so frequently," Rose said. 

Rose also said that it allows her and her teammates to practice inside which is a huge benefit, especially in New England. 

Overall, VR is something that Rose never would have imagined using, but she is relishing a new and fun way to work on her craft. 

"When I started playing lacrosse as a kid I never imagined that I would be doing anything like this at all," Rose said. "Of course there are the obvious differences from playing on the field, but it is crazy how many similarities there are. Having played goalie for so many years it is exciting to train for my position in such a new way." 

A new way that Spellman says will be around for the Endicott women's lacrosse program from here on out. 

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(Photo Credit - Nick Grace '20)