BFF Recruiting: 10 Tips for players just beginning the process

10 Tips for players just beginning the process

Lacrosse -“the fastest growing sport on two feet”.

I have heard over and over… that one of the most stressful times in the lives of players and families can be trying to navigate the “recruiting process”.

When I began coaching college…I was surprised to see over and over how many families would come to campus kind of in the dark. Happy to be there but no real understanding of what it all meant.

The process should be looked at as a journey… There is no “one size fits all” product that can perfectly match you to the school of your dreams, however I hope to help provide tips, tactics, and education to ease the pain. Journey’s are marathons, not sprints.

“Success is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”- Seneca…..The more educated and prepared we are, the less stressful the process can be. You can begin to see it as a privilege, and an honor instead of a scary beast!

Here are 10 tips to help you

1-Focus on YOU!  

Let’s face it: We live in a culture that at an early age we are taught we must do well in school, go to a great college, find a great job, and then get married and have kids. Subconsciously, we are receiving messages at a young age that its a one size fits all system and that can cause stress and anxiety early on.

The truth is: every single person is different. We are all unique, we are all different. There are no other Crysti’s Foote’s in the world- so comparing, stressing, and worrying about what others are doing, or taking advice from others who are on a different path than you can create a false reality, create stress anxiety, and cause ample issues and setbacks along the way.

Time after time players and parents compare their daughter to another.  This is the worst thing you can do! Focus on the strengths and weakness of YOU.  

You have no control if the coach thinks another player is better than your daughter!  All you can do is CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES.

Do not compare to others-it will only end in frustration.

Start to do some self reflection. What things do you like to do? What type of person are you? What motivates you? How is your confidence level?

Start to get in tune with YOU. That is the first step. 

 2- Evaluate yourself: Academically, Physically, Emotionally, Mentally-

The second step is to now sit down and evaluate different parts of who you are. Be as honest as possible.  You can ask coaches for help with this but it must be done. (We can help with this ! Make sure to contact us to set up a consult).

1- Academically- GPA, SAT’s, Major

2-Physically- speed, agility, strength, height, quickness

3-Emotionally- (Motivation- highly, self motivated, need to be pushed), Work Ethic- work hard, consistent in training, Intensity

4-Mentally- positive, winning, competitive, winning

5-Lacrosse Stickwork- left, right, 

6-Lacrosse IQ- understand the game, vision

 3- Create A list of Schools: 

Did you know there are division 1, 2, and 3 schools. There are also opportunities to play club lacrosse at schools. There is a place for everyone if you really want to play. The number of programs is growing each year. I was surprised to see there are over 110 division one programs, over 135 division two schools, and close to 280 division 3 schools. There are also opportunities to play club WCLA Division 1 close to 80 schools, and WCLA Division 2 almost 150!!

Do your homework and research! So many opportunities! If your club team uses ! Sports Recruits they have a way to search all schools at every level. IT’s a great resource!

 4- Fill out Recruiting Questionnaires on the websites:

Each college has a recruiting website.  When you fill out that information you will be added to their email list and then receive upcoming camps, clinics, events. They will now also have your contact information if anything does happen down the road.

 5- See if schools are doing any camps clinics that you can attend

By filling out questionnaires you will be on that schools camp list. However, coaches do a lot of 3rd party events and clinics through the country. Make sure you go to the schools websites, make a list of camps and clinics they are attending see if you are available to go to them. 

If they are running their own camp or clinic on their campus- It great way to see the campus and meet the coaches and players . Coaches can’t officially talk to you but you can get a sense of how they coach, the culture of the players, and an overall vibe. It shows the coach your interest level, and allows them to work with you and begin to develop a relationship.

 6- Camps/Clinics vs. Prospect Day?

This is the new thing.  Schools are setting up prospect days on their campus but also local areas to try and attract players that may not have the resources to travel to their school. If you are very interested in a school this is a good event to attend. Make sure you email them beforehand and even introduce yourself at the event.  Make it personal.

 7- Start putting together your resume & email to send out to coaches

Make sure they are professional, to the point, no spelling errors, and exemplify all your strengths.  This is a whole article in itself!

 8-Send a video –

Start to put together a personal highlight video (3-4 min). Make sure there is an easy way to identify you on the video. They will watch for at most 1-2 minutes so make sure you have best clips at the start.  Coaches look for speed, quickness, athleticism, lacrosse IQ, team players, and believe it or not they care if you are a team player and a good person! 

 9-Continue to evaluate yourself: work on strengths and weakness & stay in touch

Continue to focus on academics, continue to play and love the game.  You want to market yourself and put yourself in the best situation to be recruited but at the end of the day you just need to focus on loving the game and growing as a person and player. Things will fall into place- but you have to invest in doing the daily work to be better than you were yesterday.

 10. Create a plan of attack- “Be an advocate for yourself”

Update your resume, update videos, contact information, check in with coaches.  Put yourself in the best light. When at tournaments, play hard, do the little things, be a good teammate, don’t put your head down after a mistake.  Just continue to work hard.