Getting Noticed by Recruiters - Lacrosse The Speed System

Are you scoutable? Why Your Female Lacrosse Player Might Not Be Getting Noticed by Recruiters"

Lacrosse is booming! Over the past decade, it’s grown rapidly, much like a child sprouting up. From just a couple of players, I now find myself training numerous teams across multiple states. Yet, despite the dedication and passion poured into the sport by high school players, the dream of securing a Division I spot often remains elusive. So, where’s the disconnect? Let’s delve into the potential reasons your daughter isn’t catching the eye of recruiters.

SHOWCASES AND COMBINES

I started with this one because this is the one that really gets under my skin. You see a lot of posts on Instagram about these events called showcases and combines. People say if you go to these, college coaches will be there and you’ll have a chance to impress them. So, you spend money, get in the car, maybe even fly there. But when you arrive, here’s what usually happens.

First off, there are so many lacrosse players there. Out of all those players, almost all of them play the same position as your daughter. So, in a three or four-hour event, she might only get a few minutes to show what she can do in front of the college coaches. Plus, with so many players, it’s easy for your daughter to get lost in the crowd unless the coaches already know who they’re looking for.

WHAT ARE COLLEGE COACHES LOOKING FOR WHEN RECRUITING?

I’m still puzzled by this. In football, coaches look at your game footage and your test results. But in lacrosse, it seems like they only care about how you play. I’ve been to some showcases and combines where they do basic tests like the 40-yard dash or agility tests. But if the coaches don’t understand what these test scores mean, then they don’t really matter. It all comes down to how they see your daughter perform on the field to decide if she’s college material.

SECRET SAUCE TO GETTING YOUR DAUGHTER RECRUITED

The first thing you need to get your daughter noticed by college coaches is SPEED! It’s crucial for her to stand out on the field and in videos. Having a quick start is especially important. If she can show coaches she can quickly get ahead or catch up to her opponents, she’ll shine at any event. If she’s not fast enough yet, find a reliable coach to help her improve!

The second thing is to be strategic about which events to attend. This is especially important when your daughter is a junior and has to navigate the busy summer recruiting season. Choose events wisely, focusing on those that offer combine testing. This way, your daughter can see her test results and figure out where she needs to get better.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Lacrosse is still growing. As much as I love that this sport has created another way to get school paid, as well as the great feeling of your daughter announcing the university where she will be extending her playing career. However, there is still room for improvement, and it’s with how they recruit. In the meantime, until they figure it out, increasing your athlete’s athleticism, and choosing the right showcase or combine will be the best return on investment for you and your daughter.