10 WAYS TO GET YOURSELF NOTICED AT LACROSSE TRYOUTS

Post date: Feb 3, 2017 8:21:25 PM

http://www.uslacrosse.org/blog/10-ways-to-get-yourself-noticed-at-lacrosse-tryouts

It’s early February, and our team selection process is already underway. The small college where I coach finished this process a week ago, and now we’re carefully building our high school team’s roster. This year, we’ve put a lot of focus on what makes a young athlete the right fit for our program. There are two categories that will earn the highly desired rank of “varsity player.”

So, just what are coaches looking for?

From the outside looking in, some may be convinced that there’s no rhyme or reason to team selection. The superstar is an obvious choice, of course, but what about that player who has never held a stick before? How in the world did she make it over a player who’s been around for several years and plays year round at tournaments and on club teams? Is it political? Is there some strange formula?

Chances are that a player who will ultimately be selected falls into one of two categories.

Player A—an easy pick—is the highly skilled athlete who has been driven to become a craftsman in sport. These often multi-sport athletes hit the wall every day, can throw and catch with both hands, are in peak condition, and can play offense and defense with almost equal intensity. These are usually genetically gifted athletic kids that live and breathe competition. If you fall into this category, then you’ve got a great chance of getting that coveted varsity spot.

But there’s another category that’s equally important, so much so that coaches like me are willing to select a player who falls completely outside the characteristics of Player A. If you’re new to lacrosse (or any sport), being this type of player could very well be your ticket onto the team.

Meet Player B. She may have never held a stick in her life or never seen a game, but she has something else. It’s something that can’t be taught like catching, throwing, and dodging.

Player B may not be highly skilled, but her attitude and willingness to learn, coupled with being a great teammate, like a coach to feel confident that the skills can be taught and learned quickly and efficiently. I can teach anyone who has the desire to learn to throw and catch, but I don’t have time to deal with a player who won’t attempt to improve or contribute to their teammates’ success.

What about Player C? This player has played for a while, shows up for activities, plays on club teams and then suddenly gets cut during tryouts. She goes through the motions, shows up for practice and participates, but never really brings any focus. She doesn’t have a desire to learn, often chooses to do the easiest task possible, cheats those last few steps during sprints, cuts some corners, and daydreams when lessons are being taught.

To the outside world, this player seems like an easy pick for a team, but coaches want players who are hungry to learn and grow. Player C has become complacent and is at risk of losing their spot if a young, hungry Player B comes along.

When I’m selecting players, I ask myself the following questions about each one. If I don’t know the answer, then I track down that player and I give them a couple tests until I know exactly what kind of teammate they would be. Want to get noticed at tryouts? If you can answer yes to these 10 questions, you’re in good shape.

1. Are you open to new ways of thinking? When I give you a correction, do you attempt to fix the mechanics, or do you insist on repeating their mistake because you are afraid to try it a different way?

2. Do you look like you enjoy coming to practice, or do you seem distracted, bored, or complain a lot? Do you talk when I’m talking, or do they respect the coach’s knowledge with the desire to learn more?

3. Do you attempt to FINISH every task, even if you know you aren’t good at it yet? Do you FINISH every run, even if you are the last one and have to crawl in at the end at a snail’s pace?

4. Do you help getting the balls, cones, etc. from the field, or do you let the rest of the players get them instead?

5. Do you ask questions and seek to learn?

6. Do you make improvements each day? Are you competitive, trying to be the best you can, no matter the activity?

7. Do you offer praise or encouragement to other players?

8. Are you on time with all of your equipment and dressed appropriately for the weather? Do you call if you will be late, or follow through on responsibilities?

9. Are you task-focused during drills, knowing when it’s your turn, listening carefully to directions and willing to assist others?

10. Are you willing to give just a little bit more effort, even when you’re tired?

How will your coach see you at tryouts this season? My challenge to you is to focus on the things you can control—effort, teamwork, respect, focus and being coachable. If you do those things well, we’ve always got a spot for you on my team.

Kate Leavell is a national coaching education trainer for US Lacrosse, as well as a high school varsity and NCAA Division III women's lacrosse coach in metro Atlanta, and a certified strength and conditioning coach.