Travis Wagner: Goalie Development, Mental Game, and Finding Your Style – Episode 302

By Coach Damon

September 7, 2026

Posted In: Podcast

This episode is sponsored by Thigh Pro. Use that special link for 10% off.

In this episode, I’m joined by Travis Wagner, assistant men’s lacrosse coach at SUNY Brockport and a former four-year starter in goal for the Red Dragons. Travis shares his journey from being put in the cage at just three years old to becoming a successful college goalie and now helping develop the next generation of goaltenders.

Travis grew up in Upstate New York and was inspired by watching legendary indoor goalie Pat O’Toole play for the Rochester Knighthawks. That early inspiration helped spark his love for the position, but his development as a goalie came through years of experimenting, training, and learning from the people around him.

We start by talking about how Travis first got into goal and why simply being willing to get in front of the ball was so important when he was young. He explains how he went from relying mostly on his size to developing his athleticism later in high school and college.

Learning From Box Lacrosse and Other Sports

Travis also talks about his experience playing box lacrosse during his fifth year in college and how it helped his field lacrosse game. Playing box gave him more opportunities to see shots, work on angles, and become comfortable in the cage.

One of the biggest themes throughout the episode is learning from other sports. Travis has studied ice hockey goalies extensively, particularly their butterfly style and ability to use different parts of their body to make saves. He has also taken lessons from baseball catchers, especially the importance of staying square and allowing the ball to come to you.

Rather than simply copying other athletes, Travis explains how he takes pieces of different styles and adapts them to his own game.

The Bottom-Hand Philosophy

We spend a lot of time discussing Travis’s approach to goalie mechanics, especially his philosophy of using the bottom hand.

Travis compares the bottom hand to a gas pedal and the top hand to a steering wheel. He explains how keeping the bottom hand active can help with movement, staying square, and controlling rebounds.

We also discuss different techniques for off-stick high and off-stick hip saves, including the debate between going over the top or underneath. Travis explains why he prefers going underneath for off-stick hip saves and how keeping the bottom hand out in front can help keep the chest square.

Fixing Your Stance and Footwork

Another major topic is the importance of keeping your hips back and preventing your knees from collapsing inward.

Travis explains how he struggled with his knees buckling earlier in his career and eventually discovered that strengthening his gluteus medius helped him maintain a stronger position.

We talk about exercises such as goblet squats and resistance-band work, as well as how goalies can incorporate resistance bands into their wall-ball and hand-eye routines.

We also discuss footwork and why goalies don’t need to make huge movements around the cage. Travis describes his philosophy of being quick and explosive without over-moving, comparing it to “lightning in a bottle.”

Dealing With Injuries

Travis has a unique story when it comes to equipment and injury prevention. He broke his thumb six times during his playing career, which eventually led him to create his own custom thumb protection.

He explains how he experimented with pieces of old chest protectors and different types of foam to create additional protection for his thumb while still maintaining mobility.

We talk about the problems with traditional goalie glove thumb protection and how equipment design could potentially improve in the future.

The Mental Game

Travis also opens up about the mental side of playing goalie.

During his junior year, he went through a difficult stretch where he began overthinking his movements and trying to predict every shot. Instead of playing naturally, he was thinking about every decision he was making.

He eventually developed ways to bring himself back into the present moment, including writing short phrases on his stick before games.

Phrases like “Be here now” helped him stay focused on the current play rather than worrying about what had already happened or what might happen next.

We also discuss the importance of having a consistent pregame routine. Travis shares his routine from college, including arriving at the field three hours before the game, his pregame meal, eye exercises, and other preparation that helped him get into the right mindset.

What College Coaches Look For

For goalies hoping to play at the next level, Travis gives some valuable insight into what college coaches are evaluating during recruiting.

Making saves is obviously important, but coaches are looking at much more than that.

Travis talks about the importance of:

Communication
Clearing ability
Body language
Shot tracking
Footwork
Reactions after giving up a goal
Supporting and celebrating teammates

He explains why a goalie doesn’t necessarily need to have the best save percentage at an event to catch a coach’s attention. Coaches are also looking at the fundamentals and the things that show how a goalie might fit into their program.

Finding Your Own Style

One of the biggest takeaways from the conversation is that goaltending isn’t a one-size-fits-all position.

Travis has coached alongside SUNY Cortland head coach Nick Fiorentino, who was a very different type of goalie from Travis. While Travis is 6’2″ and Fiorentino is 5’10”, their different physical builds contributed to very different playing styles.

That experience has shaped Travis’s coaching philosophy. Instead of trying to make every goalie play the same way, he believes coaches need to understand each goalie’s strengths and help them build around what they already have.

The episode covers everything from technique and equipment to training, recruiting, confidence, and the mental game. Whether you’re a young goalie just starting out, a high school goalie going through the recruiting process, or a coach looking for new ideas, there’s plenty to take away from Travis’s experience.

Travis Wagner - 2025 - Men's Lacrosse - SUNY Cortland Athletics