The Stoic Competitor: Mastering Emotional Control in the Crease

January 15, 2026

In the high-pressure environment of the lacrosse crease, your physical reaction to a goal is just as important as the save itself. Coach Andrew McMinn, a two-time ASUN Coach of the Year, teaches a philosophy of calculated simplicity known as the Stoic Competitor. This mindset is built on the idea that you must control the few things within your power and let nothing rattle your core foundation.

The Power of a Stoic Physical Presence

When a goal is scored, the natural instinct is to show frustration by slamming a stick or hanging your head. However, an outward display of frustration signals to your own brain that emotion is taking over, which actively prevents a mental reset. By maintaining a stoic physical demeanor, you signal to your internal self that it is time to move on. This composure does not just affect you; it impacts your entire team. If your defenders see you visibly shaken, their own confidence can shatter.

Using Rituals to Transition Focus

To maintain this stoic foundation, you need a repeatable process to anchor yourself in moments of chaos. Coach McMinn utilizes specific sensory cues and physical rituals to manage his mindset:

  • The Music Trigger: Consistently pairing a specific playlist with the act of preparing to compete trains the mind to flip a switch into a state of peak focus and aggression.
  • The Ball Ritual: After a goal, taking a few seconds to stare at the ball or ritualistically throwing it up to yourself three times acts as a hard reset.
  • The Focus Mantra: Repeating a simple command like “see the ball” during low-action periods helps drown out corrosive, negative self-talk and keeps the mind from drifting.

Shared Burden, Individual Effort

One of the most dangerous traps for a goalie is the belief that they are the singular reason for a team’s failure. Coach McMinn’s ultimate perspective for longevity is understanding that a loss is a shared burden. If you are not the only reason the team wins, you can never be the only reason the team loses. Your value as a goalie is defined by your daily effort and your willingness to show up, not by the final score on the board.

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