Belief: Coaches only notice me when I am on ball or have it in my stick
vs.
Reality: FALSE! Nothing could
be further from the truth.
The truth of
the matter is that coaches are looking for a lot more out of a player than
solid individual skills. Don't get us wrong, it definitely helps you get
noticed when you tear a corner off a left-right split dodge, or helicopter an
attackman and create a fastbreak. However, those moments can be few and
far between for most players in a game where they have 45 minutes to make
an impression on a coach. Here is 3 other ways to impress coaches and increase
your chances of making a team or being recruited.
Hustle
This one probably comes as no
surprise to anyone. Coaches want players who hustle. They hustle on the field,
off the field, on clears, rides, groundballs, etc.
Essentially, players who are always going full speed and giving it their
best. The easiest thing to spot on the field is a player who isn't hustling.
He's that kid on the other side of the field as a defenseman clears the ball
with ease on the opposite side. He's watching his teammate in a 1v1
groundball battle when he could easily go in a win it. He doesn't back up
the shot and maintain possession for his team. Basically, if your not hustling
your not making an impact on MOST of the game.
Another reason hustle is
important is because it's a fantastic way to showcase athleticism. There is not
much truer than the old coaching phrase: you can't teach athleticism. Many
coaches will recruit a player simply because they are athletic. Coaches can
teach you the skills to get you on the field, but they can't make you fast and
strong.
Coaches want players that they
can leave on the field, not just in certain situations, but all. Hustle helps show
a coach you're that guy.
Put simply: Skill gets you on the field, hustle keeps you on it.
Attitude
Attitude comes across in many
different ways, however, some of the easiest ways to gauge players' attitude is
watch them when they are being critiqued and when they mess up or lose. Those
are two defining moments that coaches will look for.
Ways to show Positive Attitude
- Make sure you are receptive to coaching advice and that you respond with an enthusiastic "yes, coach" when a coach takes time to correct you.
- Lift players up around you who have made a mistake and encourage them.
- When you mess up on a play, don't slam your stick or swear, make it up for it by getting the ball back or making sure that a goal against your team is the result of your mistake
Off-Ball Activity
Last, but certainly not least,
is off-ball activity. Essentially what are you doing when you aren't on ball as
a defenseman, making saves as a goalie, winning faceoffs, or have the ball
in your stick on offense? That is a huge tell tale of how useful you will be on
a squad.
On Defense How can you support your team and ensure that a goal
isn't scored? Can you communicate? Sluff in to the hole? Cover backside? Have
your stick in passing lanes?
On Offense: How can you occupy your man? Can you back door cut him? Can
you cut through and drag the slide guy with you? Can you pop out wide and be an
outlet for someone dodging?
At NELA, these are all things
we try to cultivate in players.We want our boys to be complete lacrosse
players, not just good at one aspect of the game. Our coaches strive
to address and improve skills, as well as, these qualities
in our athletes.
Coach Corcoran
New England Lacrosse Academy Founder
Head Coach Connecticut College