Lacrosse is a popular sport on the East Coast and growing in the Midwest and California. To secure a college lacrosse spot, athletes need more than athleticism. Coaches seek talented, well-rounded players committed to success on and off the field. Standing out requires a strong recruiting profile and effective communication with coaches. Factors like determining the appropriate collegiate level and selecting preferred schools come into play. Building an athletic profile, creating highlight videos, contacting coaches, competing in tournaments and attending prospect camps are vital steps. Navigating NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA regulations can be complex, but it is very important to navigate the lacrosse recruiting process at each level.
The college lacrosse recruiting process is governed by strict rules and regulations imposed by the NCAA. These rules aim to address the issue of early recruiting that was prevalent in the sport. In a 2017 NCAA study, lacrosse had the highest rate of early recruiting, with 81% of athletes receiving their first recruiting contact before their junior year.
To address this, USA Lacrosse, IWLCA and IMLCA proposed a change to prohibit college coaches from communicating with student athletes until September 1 of their junior year. This proposal was approved by the NCAA in April 2017, allowing coaches to initiate communication with athletes through verbal offers, emails, calls, texts and recruiting letters starting from September 1 after the athlete's junior year. These measures aim to create a more balanced and fair recruiting environment in college lacrosse.
There are Lacrosse scholarships and financial aid opportunities for talented lacrosse players at pretty much all college levels. They are primarily available in NCAA Division I, Division II and NAIA schools. Scholarship amounts and availability vary among institutions. Athletes need to showcase their skills, maintain academic eligibility and actively communicate with coaches to increase their chances of receiving scholarships. While full scholarships are limited, partial scholarships and financial aid packages may be offered. Overall, lacrosse scholarships help athletes pursue their athletic and academic goals while reducing the financial burden of college.
Creating a lacrosse highlight video is an essential step for student athletes looking to catch the attention of college coaches. To make a compelling video, athletes should understand what coaches seek in a recruit. For example, attack players can showcase their confidence and teamwork through varsity game clips. After gathering footage with the help of coaches, family and friends, athletes need to organize, edit and upload their video. The final step is sharing the video with college coaches to showcase their skills and potential.
Lacrosse camps offer student athletes a valuable opportunity to enhance their recruiting exposure and showcase their athletic abilities in front of college coaches. These camps are especially beneficial for student athletes who reside outside the boarders of the Northeast, where the majority of lacrosse programs are located.
There are four main types of lacrosse camps: prospect camps, clinics, college camps and showcases. These camps are organized nationwide, allowing athletes to travel to different regions and compete against top-level talent. During these camps, participants can expect to engage in various offensive and defensive drills, team-oriented play and skill development sessions.
Participating in lacrosse camps not only aids the recruiting process, but also provides student athletes with the opportunity to explore different college campuses. This firsthand experience allows athletes to gain insights into the campus culture, facilities, coaching staff and overall fit of the college program.
By attending lacrosse camps, student athletes can maximize their exposure to college coaches, refine their skills and gain valuable insights into potential college options. It is an essential component of the lacrosse recruiting process and an excellent avenue for athletes to showcase their talent and passion for the sport.
Attending a sports boarding school can significantly enhance a student-athlete's chances of competing in college lacrosse. Achieving success at the collegiate level requires a comprehensive support system and a sports boarding school can provide just that.
Collaborating with various individuals such as family members, college advisors, lacrosse coaches, off-field trainers and teachers, sports boarding schools have a proven track record of assisting lacrosse student athletes in their journey to the next level. These schools have dedicated staff in each of these areas, ensuring that every aspect of an athlete's development is nurtured for success.
Moreover, attending a sports boarding school offers an environment that closely resembles a college setting. By mirroring the structure and demands of a collegiate schedule, student athletes become familiar with the expectations they will encounter when they step foot on a college campus. This familiarity can give them a competitive edge and help them seamlessly transition into the collegiate lacrosse environment.