Players often wonder in what ways they can get noticed to maximize their recruitment chances. ESPN Rise asked this and many other questions to head coaches at Denver, Jacksonville, John's Hopkins, and Notre Dame to disover ways that a player can attract the attention of a coach.
ESPN RISE: What can a player do to get noticed?
Kevin Corrigan, Notre Dame“There are three different avenues a guy can take. If I were trying to be noticed I would pick my events in the summer and fall. I would do some self-promotion to the programs I was interested in and I would use my high school coach to help get my name out there.
“Kids should be smart and strategic about the events, know what the level of play is and what his aspirations are. Every event doesn’t have the same people. You’re going to have different coaches at different venues based on the perceived level of play at that event. Have some good video available and send it out to coaches.”
Matt Kerwick, Jacksonville University“The summer and fall tournaments are so crucial to the recruiting process now. If you are a sophomore and playing at a strong high school program, unless you’re a superstar you’re not going to be playing much. There aren’t many sophomores leading those rosters because juniors and seniors who have earned the right to be starters lead them. So sending out DVD and video clips from YouTube can be really useful. “
Dave Pietramala, Johns Hopkins“Perform. That’s the most obvious. If you find yourself in a game where college coaches are present, perform at a high level. That’s what’s going to catch a coach’s eye first. Coaches are always looking for guys that compete with great energy and enthusiasm. How hard you play is something I find to be an interesting quality you’re looking for, but you don’t necessarily find it as much as you’d like. I’m always amazed when I go to these camps and there is a number of coaches watching and here’s the players, some who are not playing as hard as they’re capable of.”
Bill Tierney, University of Denver“There are three ways: recruiting camps, tournaments and clubs. Lacrosse has moved to the soccer model of clubs during the summer because we can’t see the kids play in the spring. Unlike football, we can’t see kids play in their senior year then wait to make a decision because then it’s too late for admissions. We need to see them, at the very latest, the summer after their junior year. More often than not it’s the summer after their sophomore year or the fall and spring of their junior at the latest. But they’re getting seen mostly at recruiting camps, tournament and once in a while coaches have kids come into their schools and their personal camps.”
What Playing Style Do Coaches Look fot at Lacrosse Camps
ESPN RISE: How important is a recruit's playing style at a camp?
John Paul, Michigan"Summer lacrosse can be such a grind with kids playing so much now. Many times, the ones who stand out are able to keep playing at a high intensity level through the summer. We're always looking for players who have a great motor. We want to see them approach the game with passion and energy, no matter the situation."
Dave Pietramala, Johns Hopkins"The first two things that stand out when watching a kid at camp are very obvious: the athleticism and the skill level. These are two very tangible ways to evaluate a player. In order to be successful at the highest level of Division I lacrosse, a student-athlete must be strong in at least one of these areas and hopefully both. Additionally, we are also looking some intangible qualities in a player. Character, how hard they play or how competitive they are become very important qualities for the young men we recruit to possess."
Bill Tierney, Denver"It is easy to observe the goal scorer, the big save, or the dominant face-off specialist. I look for a young man's reaction to situations. Does he congratulate teammates when they do well, even if he doesn't really know them? Does he hustle after a mistake or put his head down and palms up? Obviously looking for the most aware players with a good 'lacrosse IQ' goes hand-in-hand with skill, speed, and size. We look for consistency, not kids that are trying to make a big play every time they touch the ball. We look for defensemen who play good defense, not necessarily have fancy stick skills. We like goalies who make the saves they should make, not ones that make a spectacular save, then let three easy ones go by. Can a midfielder make a good decision with the ball on whether to shoot or pass under pressure? Do they throw hard passes? These are just some of the many things we look for."
Charley Toomey, Loyola"We are looking for athletes. We are looking for kids that stand out with size and strength. Next, we look for skills and quickness. These are probably the most noticeable attributes right away. We will look for a player's intelligence too. Does he know how to play off ball both defensively and offensively?"
Jon Torpey, High Point"The first things that catches my eye at a recruiting event are the obvious physical attributes -- things like, size, speed, lateral quickness, balance, playmaking ability, toughness and a solid foundation of fundamentals. Being on the road from the day your season ends -- hopefully in late May -- until the first of August in most cases, most coaches develop a very keen eye regarding what they look for in players that will fit their systems. It is the work that you put in after the initial assessment that will ultimately be the determining factor in whether or not this is a student-athlete you want to bring into your locker room."
Dave Webster, Dickinson College "We look for athletes who play our distinctive style. That is, we look for fit athletes who make good decisions while playing fast and up-tempo. Each team has a particular style, and coaches and players should assess if that is a good fit. When it is a good fit, the young man will be able to fully grow and realize his potential. When it is a bad fit, the player could be stifled and not allowed to flourish."
Charles Toomey, Loyola“Lacrosse is exploding and it gives us a great opportunity to see kids from some of the outlying areas. We would say that if you’re going to put a highlight on the front end, make it a five- or six-minute clip, but then put a full game. It can be a game against your biggest rival, a team on the East coast that we’re familiar with or maybe just your best game of the year.”
Getting Noticed from Non-Traditional Areas
ESPN RISE: Is there anything athletes from non-traditional lacrosse areas can do to get noticed?
Kevin Corrigan, Notre Dame“It’s tougher for kids who are not from traditional areas. You’re best bet is to try to get some people to give you some advice. Start with the events and games you’re playing in. If you are in a good league and you’re one of the best players in your league it will help you.”
Matt Kerwick, Jacksonville University“From the non-traditional areas here in Florida and out in California, a lot of what we’re learning about them has been initiated from them – they send us a link. It’s very important to be proactive and reach out to coaches even if you think it might be a long shot. Don’t be afraid to send an e-mail early. Get their name out to the coaches and schools they’re interested in early.”
Dave Pietramala, Johns Hopkins“This is a world of technology now and they need to use the Internet. We’ve recruited kids off a link from a website. If a coach is worth his weight in gold, someone on the staff is going to evaluate that footage. If you’re in a non-traditional area and have not been able to get out to the camps, that’s an easy way to put yourself in front of a college coach. We have a couple guys here we recruited strictly off video we received.”
Bill Tierney, University of Denver“The YouTube and DVD thing is a double-edged sword. It’s a way for them to get introduced to that coach, but I don’t think there are many coaches out there that are going to say to a kid, ‘yes I have 10 spots, and from your DVD you’re on my list.’ What they will say is, ‘I liked your DVD and where are you playing?’ They need to see them live. The other edge is if it’s not good or not good enough, that will be the end of it. They’re not going to write them back and say ‘I didn’t like your clip, but I’m going to give you a second chance.’”
Charles Toomey, Loyola“Hopefully they can look into some of the club programs in their area and find out what exposure tournaments they go to. Once they find out about the tournaments, find out what colleges have attended those tournaments in the past. That’s their chance to be in front of those coaches. Take the time to reach out to the college coach and let them know you’re going to be there. Send them an e-mail with your jersey number, game times and where you’re going to be so it’s easier for us to track you once we get there.” Knowing your skills can help determine what level of college lacrosse to play."
