Look, we get it. You’re 16-17 years old and feel as though you’re making a decision that will affect the rest of your life. On top of the looming stressors of grades, injury, location, your high school relationship that seems like it’s straight out of a Rom-Com (trust us, you’re the only one who feels this way), SATs, and what may feel like a million other things, we’re also living in a strange time up against a world-wide pandemic. But as you look your future in the face don’t focus on the stress – instead choose to see the opportunity. There’s a place for everyone if you want it enough, and we want to help you better understand how to land exactly where you’re meant to be – on the college lacrosse field.
Here are some simple things you can do to get noticed by college coaches.
1. Create a Profile for Recruiting Sites
The internet is the key to – well, nearly everything nowadays. Connectlax.com, NCSAsports.org, and maxpreps.com are great websites to help get you onto a coach’s radar.
These are websites where coaches will be able to search for exactly what they are looking for in their athletes. For example, they can search by position, GPA, and prospective major. A list of potential recruits comes up that fits the criteria they are searching, and they can view your profile and express their interest in you if you match their search demographic. The more information and effort you put into these profiles, the more searches will include you. So hit the books, be vigilant, and make sure you’re being seen; because if a 14 year old can use the internet to make millions of dollars off of a 20 second dance video, you can use it to reach your college lacrosse goals.
2. Create a Highlight Video
Highlights are very important when it comes to recruiting. Not only will they help give coaches who can’t come see you play a sample of what you got, they also serve as a reference to those who can come to see you. Do not make your video too long though. A 1-3 minute video is perfect. Coaches are busy, and vetting through a lot of potential recruits. Make sure you mix it up a bit, but still try to highlight what you do exceptionally well. If you’re a shooter, start off with some of your best shots, but also be sure to get some assists/steals/dodges in there. If you’re exceptional at stripping players as a defender, be sure to also get some GBs, long clear passes, and slides in there. While some coaches may be looking to fill a specific niche on their roster, they would much rather have a “do it all” kind of guy, than a unilateral player who excels at one thing and lacks elsewhere. Be sure to use tape from different games; coaches will get suspicious if every single highlight you include is from the same game. It’s also important to use appropriate music for your video. Pick a hype song, but nothing explicit. Don’t be afraid to show yourself off, this isn’t the time for humility.
Connor DeSimone's Senior Year Hopkins highlight video is a good example of how to showcase your skill in a highlight reel
3. Get in Contact
Reach out to college coaches. Get your name out there. Introduce yourself, tell them why you are interested in that school, what your intended major is, and link your highlights to the email. Make sure to leave your contact information also so that way the coaches can get right back to you when they become interested. Also, if the school is one of your top choices, be sure to tell them. The coach is more likely to make you an offer if they know you want to go there. Coaches are just normal people too. There’s no need to feel intimidated, because when it comes down to it, there are hundreds of coaches and schools. There’s only one you.
4. Prospect Days
Prospect days are a great way to get first-hand knowledge about the school that you believe you want to attend. You will be able to see what it is truly like to be on campus. Coaches typically will run their prospect days as if it is a regular collegiate practice, so you’ll get an idea if it is a good fit for you. This is a great way to gauge what type of campus you are going to be interested in, as well as what level of collegiate lacrosse you would like to play. You will also get the chance to build relationships with these coaches. It is not like a tournament where coaches just sit, watch your game and then go to the next team. You will be getting coached, given advice and be able to see what the program is truly about. Make sure that you ask questions at prospect days too. It doesn’t matter what it is, ask about the school, the program, your play, anything you can think of. When the day is over and the coaches are looking back at the reviews, they are going to remember you for asking questions and caring about the day.
5. Grades
Yea, we know you’re tired of hearing it, but here we are telling you for the 1000th time: GRADES MATTER. It still holds true in the recruiting world. If a coach is interested in you and another player and you’re of equal skill in the same position, he will look to other criteria – grades being one of them. And when a coach is interested in you they can only do so much to get you in, the decision ultimately comes down to the school’s admissions office. This is a decision, believe it or not, that strongly depends on GPA. You may think it is not a big deal, but the school is deciding what individuals will be the best representation for them, and systematically, grades tend to be a huge indicating factor for this decision making process.
We’re left with this: Great Grades + Good player >Good Grades + Great Player.
6. How do You Get to Carnegie Hall?
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Make sure that you are practicing every day. It doesn’t have to be a full lacrosse practice, just make sure that you have your stick in your hand. Go to the side of a building and play wall-ball for a while. Work on your weak hand as much as, if not more than your dominant hand. Go to a field and shoot around with your friends for an hour or two, just make sure you are actually trying to improve and not just messing around. Think about what athletes you look up to. The more consistent work you put in, the more you will get out of it. They say it takes 10,000 hours to master anything, so what are you waiting for?
We get this isn’t an easy time, but keep your head up and stay determined. The only thing that can stop you is you, on and off the field. And always remember, every no is that much closer to a yes, so never get discouraged, and if you want it go get it.
