About Arvak & the Book
Helping Goalies Find Calm in the Crease
I’ve spent more than thirty years helping goalies, players, parents, and coaches find confidence and calm in the chaos of the game.
Sports have shaped my life since childhood, and my coaching philosophy—drawn from experience, reflection, and decades on the sideline—focuses on developing the whole athlete: mind, body, and heart.
Through Calm in the Crease, I share lessons that go beyond the field—on communication, resilience, and self-awareness—while challenging coaches and parents to see the game through the eyes of the goalie.
As a high school and club coach, husband, and father of three, I combine stories, philosophy, and practical drills to help others live with purpose, lead with integrity, and love others.
The Mission Behind Calm in the Crease
Great coaching changes more than games — it changes people for life.
Calm in the Crease exists to help coaches, goalies, parents, and players build confidence, communication, and connection. The focus is on developing the whole athlete—mind, body, and heart—so practice feels purposeful, game day feels calmer, and the lessons last well beyond the crease.
What You’ll Find in the Book
Body
Develop effective goalie technique with repeatable habits, warm-up, and drills that actually transfer to game day.
You’ll learn how to:
- Design practices that build consistent form and reaction speed
- Teach positioning, balance, and recovery under pressure
- Create game-day routines that calm nerves and boost readiness
Mind
Build resilience, focus, and the mental skills that calm the game down when it speeds up.
You’ll learn how to:
- Coach with language that builds confidence instead of fear
- Reframe mistakes into teachable moments
- Strengthen emotional control during high-pressure situations
Heart
Coach and parent with purpose. Build connection, trust, and character so confidence lasts beyond the crease.
You’ll learn how to:
- Lead with empathy and integrity every day
- Develop communication habits that build trust
- Model calmness that inspires your players
A lifetime of coaching, teaching, and leadership built around developing confident, self-aware athletes — and the teams that support them.
Coaching Experience & Philosophy
Coaching & Teambuilding
With more than three decades of coaching experience, Arvak has helped goalies, players, and teams grow in confidence, communication, and calm across youth, high school, and club levels.
He has served as Boys JV and Girls JV Head Coach and spent fifteen years leading the Varsity program at Southern High School.
As a longtime club coach and dedicated goalie mentor (M&D 2006, 2011, 2017, 2022), he continues to develop players from third grade through high school with a focus on mindset, skill, and leadership.
Community & Leadership
Former Vice President, USA Lacrosse Chesapeake Chapter
Past USA Lacrosse Coach Development Trainer
Longtime commissioner and youth coach in local recreational programs
Continues to mentor goalies, parents, and coaches through clinics and workshops
Lifelong advocate for transformational coaching
Lead goalie clinician at regional lacrosse camps
Philosophy & Background
Influenced by transformational coaching models and guided by a background in psychology, Arvak’s philosophy centers on developing the whole athlete — mind, body, and heart.
His Goalie Intelligence Model blends psychology, communication, and physical readiness to help goalies grow in confidence and calm both on and off the field.
A husband, father, and lifelong learner, he draws from sport, philosophy, and family to teach perspective, presence, and purpose.
Voices from the Field
“This book explains things so clearly, but more importantly, it made me feel seen. As I read, I kept thinking, ‘Oh my God, someone actually gets it.’ It helped me realize I’m not the only one who feels the pressure, the overthinking, the highs and lows that come with this position. It’s taught me so much about the mental side of being a goalie and helped take some of that weight off my shoulders. Honestly, I think this book could change the way goalies are coached; it’s smarter, more thoughtful, and so much more supportive than anything I’ve ever had before.”
—Ava Sprinkel, College Goalie
“I felt so seen in this book and loved the way it was written. I laughed out loud a good number of times and could feel that your personality was truly coming out in this book.
I really want my parents, coaches, and teammates to read this so that they can better understand goalies!”
—High School Goalie
“I love how universal this book is. Your words and insight can be translated to any athlete, coach, or parent of an athlete. There are a lot of takeaways! I think my biggest takeaway was how intentional I need to be with my words.”
—High School Goalie Parent
“This book will be so valuable for any coach, parent, or player to read—thank you for writing it! You are honest, insightful, and passionate about what you do. How lucky are we to have someone so committed to this position, the game, and our daughter as we navigate this sport.”
—High School Goalie Parent
“Arvak has been coaching my daughter for many years! Each and every lesson she learns a new skill and drill that has made her better. He has pushed my daughter to be the BEST goalie and work beyond her means.
She wouldn’t be in the position she is today, playing D1 without Arvak. She always looks forward to her lessons with Arvak.”
—College Goalie Parent
“ I love that coaches will be able to see inside of a goalie’s mind, to learn how to help them and improve their game. I wish that my parents were able to read this book when I was growing up.
“I am so glad that I found my connection to other goalies, realizing that everyone goes through mental struggles of being a goalie. The difference is who can get over that boundary.”
—College Goalie
—College Goalie Parent