Entrance Into Coaching

Sean's Background

Midway through Sean’s senior year of college, a season-ending concussion shortened his playing career sooner than he had hoped. Rather than being sidelined as an injured player, Sean asked his coach if he could help prepare the goalies who would take his place for what would have been his final games. That decision sparked a passion for coaching that has since led him to coach hundreds of goalies across a wide variety of settings.

A coaching colleague once explained that it would take more than 900 lacrosse balls to fully cover the face of a lacrosse goal—highlighting just how challenging and demanding the position truly is. The margin of error between being benched and becoming an All-American can be razor thin. That reality is what makes the goalie position so exciting, invigorating, and impactful.

Sean believes few positions in team sports carry the influence of the goalie. One player, on the field for the entire game, has the ability to change momentum, outcomes, and even the direction of a season. If a goalie can become just one save better each time they step on the field, those gains compound over time—leading to confident goalies, resilient teams, and sustained success.

McNamara credits several coaches and resources that have shaped his development as a goalie coach, including Jeff Schwartz (St. John Fisher College), GoalieSmith, and countless hours studying educational content through YouTube, the IMLCA, and other coaching resources. However, he believes the greatest growth has come through ongoing dialogue—conversations during games and practices that allow him to learn directly from the goalies he coaches. As the position continues to evolve, Sean believes coaching begins with an open mind, asking good questions, and continually learning alongside the athletes he serves.

Coming to Kansas City

The Origin Story

After my first goalie training session in Kansas City, I was blown away. I had coached and trained goalies in lacrosse hotbeds like Baltimore, Rochester, and Washington, DC, but one thing stood out immediately—how hungry Kansas City goalies were to learn.

Many of them had taught themselves the position. They were eager for someone to truly pay attention to their game, to help bring focus and clarity to what they were doing in the crease. They had spent countless hours standing in cage during youth and high school practices while coaches worked through the many demands of teaching the rest of the team.

That opportunity—to intentionally teach the goalie position in a new area—reinvigorated my passion for coaching, especially as my family had just relocated from Rochester, New York. At the same time, my son Luke was beginning to make friends in a new city, and we had access to great shooters who were hungry for reps. Everything we needed to get started was right in front of us.

We haven’t looked back since. Our goal is simple and ambitious: to help make Kansas City a place where goalies are trained better than any other position in the game.

Why Team Tendy?

Today's Purpose

Our sessions are high intensity and intentionally designed to mirror the demands of the game. Training is a dynamic combination of loud music, hand-eye skill development, fundamental teaching of the goalie position, and competitive, game-like scenarios that challenge focus, toughness, and decision-making.

Every session is structured to push goalies physically and mentally while reinforcing sound habits and confidence in the crease. We believe intensity creates clarity, and competition brings out the best in each athlete.

We always conclude our sessions by bringing the group together and asking goalies to share one lesson they learned or one thing they are thankful for. This moment reinforces reflection, gratitude, and community—reminding our athletes that growth happens not only through competition, but through awareness and appreciation as well.

Our goal is to build a bridge between becoming a stronger goalie physically, mentally, and spiritually, and having that growth translate directly into in-game success, confidence, and resolve.

We believe true development happens when preparation, mindset, and character align. Through intentional coaching, competitive environments, and reflective moments, we help goalies grow in ways that show up when pressure is highest—allowing them to compete freely, lead confidently, and respond with resilience in every moment of the game.