Tampa Bay Lacrosse Academy

Web: www.utahlax.org PREPARING FOR A COLLEGE

LACROSSE CAREER

SKILLS EXPECTED OF THE COLLEGE LEVEL LACROSSE PLAYER

College lacrosse coaches hear about prospects all the time from many different sources. The only way for them to evaluate a player’s potential accurately is to watch him/her play. Unless they play on a high profile high school team, the vehicles available for a coach to see a player is during summer camps or at select team tournaments held indoors or outdoors in the off- season. High school players should sign up for camps at colleges that draw the most coaches or at colleges in which they are interested in attending. They should also play on a select team in the off-season. The following are criteria college coaches look for: 1. Technical Ability - Technique or skill is most easily evaluated by how the player responds to the pressure of defending players. Each position has its special qualities. Coaches note athletic ability, speed, and psychological dimensions of each player. Unless a player has an “acceptable” level of skill under pressure, he just won’t be able to compete at the “next level”. Defining exactly what is “acceptable” is not an easy task and its meaning varies with each coach who is evaluating. Therefore, every player must create a positive result every time he touches the ball. Midfielders and attackmen create offensive scoring situations. A defenseman’s and a midfielder’s defensive play is evaluated by his individual defensive skills (Do they get beat easily 1-on-1?) and his team defensive skill (Do they slide in a timely fashion?). Goalies are evaluated not only by their abilities inside the goal, but also how they perform outside the goal (clears and rides).

Stick skills are a given. Everyone attempting to play college lacrosse can catch and throw. What sets players apart at the “next level” is: can they use both left and right hands equally? Can they throw pinpoint passes at 20 yards? At 50 yards? This applies to all positions. How accurate and timely are their shots? Can they shoot quickly and on the run? Do they hustle to pick up a ground ball? Are they successful in picking up the ball and what do they do with it once it is in their sticks?

If a player cannot reach the college coaches’ “acceptable levels” for the aforementioned skills, further evaluation is usually fruitless. 2. Specific Attributes - All coaches at the “next level” want to know what you can do for their team. What can you add, what positions can you play, and what role can you play for them? It is not enough to be able to say, “I’m good enough to play at your school.” Most decent players can go to the next level and play (or survive), but college teams usually have enough players who can fit in with the overall level of their team. You must be able to add something in order to make a place for yourself on a top college squad. Can you score goals? Can you play the other team’s best player and keep him from scoring? Do you do it consistently? If you can’t give them a good answer, chances are they will look elsewhere. 3. Psychological and Personal Characteristics -The third set of attributes coaches are looking for are the personal qualities of the individual. Is the player coachable? Does he play the game with his heart and mind? Playing the game with heart can be measured by how a player goes after ground balls and whether he maintains his concentration, tenacity, and hustle throughout four quarters. Playing the game with his mind is measured by the absence of mental mistakes.

Offensively, mental mistakes include: forcing a shot or dodging when it’s not there, not making a timely pass to an open player, not being in the proper position for clears, and rides, dump off’s or not backing up shots. Defensively, mental mistakes include: being penalized, playing poor body position, getting beat when using all or nothing checks, and not sliding in a timely fashion.

How does he react when his team is losing? Does he get along with his teammates and coaches? Does he love the game and does he want to be the best he can be? Does he work hard in the off-season and during the season on improving his technical and physical skills? Does he function well as a member of the team or is his own game more important? Can he play away from home? How does he react to bad weather or bad officiating? Does he look for and offer excuses when experiencing failure?

The difference between winning and losing in sports often comes down to psychological dimensions. As the quality of lacrosse increases, playing ability alone is just not enough anymore.

CATCHING THE EYE OF THE COLLEGE COACHES

Making Colleges Sit Up and Take Notice As participants in a sport still in the growing stages, everyone needs to accept some hard

facts. One is that we are going to have to do most of the work ourselves. When it comes to being recruited by colleges, 99% of all high school players have to live with this reality. If you, your family, your coach or someone else in your local area is not working to make college coaches aware of you, then chances are the college coaches will not know who you are. There are no national scouting combines for lacrosse players. You cannot afford to wait for coaches to call. Simply stated, college coaches need to know as much as possible about you as soon as

possible. Below are some key points. 1. Start early - If, as a sophomore, you are an integral part of the varsity team, then after your sophomore year is an appropriate time to get started. By the beginning of your junior season, everyone interested in playing college lacrosse should have contacted coaches at the colleges of interest. The reason for this early start is to give an interested college coach a chance to see you play during one of your seasonal games. Remember: it is too late for anyone to see you play senior year. 2. Write a simple resume - Include lacrosse, personal, and academic information, including your graduation date. Lengthy biographies including every goal you have scored since your birth don’t get read. Include newspaper articles, references, and letters of recommendation from reliable lacrosse people, not your dentist who thinks you’re a swell kid! Don’t try to hide low SAT scores or poor grades. It doesn’t do you any good to get the interest of a coach if you can’t be admitted into the college. Being honest about your academics helps coaches make an accurate evaluation about your chances for admission. Your coach will help you with an honest evaluation of the schools you have chosen and direct you toward those schools where you have the greatest chance of success in relation to his assessment of your athletic abilities. Ask your coach and parents to help you put together a packet to send to the college of your choice. The packet should contain your personal resume, a cover letter, and a game schedule for the upcoming season. Successful lacrosse programs sell themselves. This is the direction in which we are heading. It is important that we recommend our players to lacrosse programs where they can succeed. It does not benefit the player or the program to make recommendations to a college beyond the player’s skill level. This requires an honest assessment of the talents of the high school player along with certain academic achievements. 3. Send a video tape - It should be decent quality, not filmed at ground level, and one that a coach can look at without getting dizzy. Coaches would rather see one half of a competitive game than look at a highlight tape that only shows goals. Coaches know that no one is going to make a highlight tape of their mistakes. Generally, tapes generate interest, not finalize a deal. Coaches will not watch an entire game unless it is truly a great game and a first quality tape. Ask your coach about the availability of game tapes that you may wish to forward to college coaches. There may be a cost related to have additional tapes made for distribution to the colleges of your choice. 4. Keep in touch - Coaches hear from many players and if their school is really on the top of your list, it helps separate you from other prospects. It does not decrease your “bargaining power” and it does get a coach’s attention. 5. Make a personal visit - A visit in your junior year can be very helpful in deciding which schools you will apply to in the fall of your senior year. On your visit, be sure to talk with all current team members and other students, not just the coach. Most starting players will only give a positive assessment of their coach. They are the ones who get most of the coach’s attention. Talk to the second string players as well. They may be the best indicator of the fairness and the personality quirks of the head coach. These visits are essential with the colleges that are high on your list. Remember, these personal visits, not only with coaches but also with admissions people, demonstrate your sincere interest in their college. 6. Help coaches see you play - Send schedules of school or postseason games. Go to the camps if at all possible. Most coaches will tell you honestly and promptly what their impressions of you are once they have been able to see you play. It isn’t easy and most of the effort to get exposure has to come from you, but usually it’s worth the effort.

7. Ask questions - The following is a list of recommended questions that you should feel comfortable asking a college coach;

o Considering your present players and your current recruiting, how do you envision me helping the team?

o How good is the department in my prospective major? o What percentage of players graduates in four years? o What is your academic support program? o What is a typical day for a student athlete?

o If I am injured, what happens to my financial aid? (This assumes that you are attending a college where financial aid is available)

FINANCIAL AID

Scholarships – Facts and Fantasy Yes, there are full athletic scholarships out there if you really can convince a coach that you will be a great addition to their team. That’s a fact. The fantasy is that these scholarships are plentiful and readily available. The problem is that many players, their families and coaches tell other people that “their” player is on a scholarship and leave out words “partial”, “need-based”, “academic”, “token” or “promised for next year if he does well.” Many players assume that if “Johnny’s” on a “scholarship” (when he’s probably not) “then I’m sure that I’ll get a full scholarship. After all, I’ve worked so hard and I deserve it”.

The NCAA allows a player to receive tuition, fees, room, board and books as a full scholarship; based on lacrosse ability alone. Some Division I schools may have a total of only 11 such scholarships per school, which averages out to 2.75 scholarships available each year. This means that in any given year, the top ten Division I college teams will be able to offer a total of 27.5 full scholarships for the entire country. Additionally, many of these are not given out as full scholarships, but divided between 2 or more players. The odds of getting a full scholarship to a top 10 Division I school are slim. However, if you add all Division I schools to the list, the possibilities increase.

Division II schools also allow up to 11 scholarships based on athletics alone. This was not always the case and this now expands the number of full scholarships available in any given year. If you are not being received positively by the Division I schools, then you may want to expand your search to the Division II schools.

Division III Charters restrict scholarship based on lacrosse abilities alone. However, academic or financial aid partial scholarships can be made available for proficient lacrosse players. The vast majority of college lacrosse players are not on any scholarship. In fact, gaining admission to a good college and having the opportunity to play a college sport might be the only reward available. Gaining admission to the college of your choice, and the opportunity to continue playing lacrosse should be enough incentive. A successful high school lacrosse experience may just be the additional “hook” you need to obtain admission to the college of your choice.

You can visit the website: www.ncaa.org or call the NCAA directly at 317-917-6222 with any questions concerning rules and policies for Division I, II and III athletics and scholarships. Another reference is the NCAA “Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete” available in your high school’s guidance office.

APPLYING TO COLLEGE

The College Application Process The actual application process is relatively easy. 1. Selecting colleges - Decide as early as possible which schools interest you. 2. Visiting colleges - Call the Admissions office at those schools during the summer before your senior year and request an application be sent to your home address. Do not rely on coaches to send applications. We recommend that a first visit be made at this time. Admissions officers take note of the number of visits you make and your level of interest is highlighted by these visits. 3. Applications - Complete all applications before the Thanksgiving Holiday. Be thorough and do a good job on all parts of the application. There are generic applications which may be sent to numerous colleges and universities. Applications may also be submitted electronically. Take the time to do each school’s application. Their application may be looking for different strengths or weaknesses of the applicant.

4.Early decision - Applying early decision has created some problems for students in the past. If it is your intent to apply early, then you should discuss it with your parents and coach so that all can discuss the possible pitfalls. The general rule of thumb is that not to commit yourself to any school unless that school has shown a similar commitment to you. That commitment can come in the form of a firm statement from the coach of a Division I school stating that “you’re in” and a letter of intent on your part. For Ivy League schools, you can notify them of your intentions to apply early and they can supply you with a “likely letter” if they believe you will be accepted. Do not take yourself off the market to other quality lacrosse schools unless you are 100% sure that one college is “your school” and that school is also fully committed to you. You will need to ask the Admissions office when your early application is due and what specific guidelines they follow. Again, if you are not sure of where you want to go, or you are not getting the same commitment from a particular college/coach, do not apply early decision. It is uncertain that early decision gives you any advantage over regular decision (unless they have already committed to you) and it is important to keep your options open if you are undecided.

5. Responsibility - Again, the parents or player need to quarterback this process. Do not rely on a coach, teacher, or guidance counselor to head up this game plan. It is really up to you!

ACADEMICS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!

Colleges look at your entire academic record, not just test scores. The following are significant points:

1. Course Selection – Make sure you are in the college prep program at your school. Check with your guidance office to make sure you meet all the basic course requirements for college admissions. Use that as a guide for course selection. Take the best academic courses in which you can maintain good grades.

2. Getting Good Grades – Challenge yourself with courses, but don’t overload yourself so that your grades suffer. Most good colleges recommend taking a course load that is demanding, but one in which you can get “A’s” and “B’s”. A weak course selection and getting all “A’s” can hurt your chances as much as a strong selection and too many “C’s”. Try to find a balance that shows the admissions office that you are taking challenging courses and maintaining good grades.

3. Every Year Is Very Important – A year of poor grades always hurts your chances. Senior year is too late to make up for previously poor results. Colleges look at your overall grades, not just one year. They also look at the direction your grades are going. It is best to start out strong and get even better each year. Taking good courses and getting good grades are the most important parts of your track record as a high school student. 4. Standardized Tests – SAT’s, ACT’s and SAT II’s are used to help evaluate your potential academic success. You need to take these tests and do as well as you can. Take them early and as often as reasonable. Schools will take your best results and most students do better on their second or third attempt. High test scores are helpful, but they are not as important as your day-to- day courses and grades.

5. The application– The application is also extremely important. Neatness does count and completeness is expected. Some schools require essays and all schools frown on a sloppy job, hastily done. After all, if you can’t do a good job on the application, what will you do once you arrive on campus?

FINAL THOUGHTS

We consider the college admission process a course in Introductory Sales 101 (selling yourself). If you think that your grades, SAT’s, lacrosse ability or personality, standing alone on their individual merits will be your ticket to the college of your choice, you are mistaken. The fact is that the college coach and Admission’s office does not know you as well as your parents, high school teachers, or coaches. The impression you make in your interview may mean the difference between admission and rejection. When you speak to anyone representing a college (admission, coaches, alumni, other players) put your very best foot forward. Dress appropriately, have a neat appearance, think before you speak and speak clearly. Please do not use the words “you know” as a comma and please erase the word “like” from your vocabulary! Use Standard English!

Time passes very quickly. Freshmen, take notice and focus. Set high goals for yourselves. Good luck to everyone!