WHAT COACHES LOOK FOR
The foundation of evaluating prospective players falls back on these three criteria
Athletic Ability
Skill Level
Knowledge of the game
Offensive Players… Here is what Coaches ask themselves when evaluating.
Can you run by your defender?
Offense is initiated 1st by the player with the ball running/ dodging/moving past his defender to open space.
If you cannot generate offense yourself you now limit the number of ball carriers to 5 or fewer players.
Can you force the defense to slide to you?
To be a threat you must be able to dodge any defender, ie Long Pole/Short Stick-Transitional Defender to force the defense to slide and cover you.
In game planning the 1st approach to a successful offensive series is to force the defense to slide and recover, if you cannot execute here, the defense does not have to react, they can stay pressed and keep their match ups.
Can you stop and change direction quickly?
When carrying the ball, it is important to vary your speed (like a driver changing gears in a sports car)
work your defender in and out, and be sure to work in changing the path of your dodge quickly to elude your defender.
Can you move full speed and catch/throw/shoot?
Can your body move and can your skills match the speed at which you are moving.
Do you know where to go?
With playing offense comes a lot of freedom, however there is always room for creativity
there are simple cues that always need to be followed such as:
dodging to space
clearing thru to make space
providing an outlet
letting the ball do the work
moving it one more
all of the above are simple concepts that are very visible in evaluating a players lacrosse I.Q..
Recruiting Phrases… These are some of the terms coaches use when evaluating and skills are observed that answer their questions
North/South Dodger - Dodges Hard – Top Side Moves – Gets to 5 & 5
Draws a Pole – Creates – Dangerous – Turns the Corner
COD – Shifty – Water Bug – Speed
Lacrosse IQ,
Defensive Players… Here is what Coaches ask themselves when evaluating.
Can you cover 1v1?
Every defender must be able to match up and cover , having to slide and help to a defender more and more weakens the defensive unit.
Can they see and help off ball/ do they ball watch?
When defenders are playing off ball, is the defender aware of where their match up is and where the ball is ball
-watching 2:1, 2 seconds to their man, 1 second the ball
-head always on a swivel.
Groundballs?
The most dangerous time for a defense is when the ball is loose and on the ground, competitive defenders have a nose for the ball.
Can you carry the ball?
As a defender it is important to be able to be able to help clear the ball and play in transition. Having a defender who is also a threat on the offensive end is a nice asset to a team.
Communicator?
The communication between defenders is crucial to the success of the group. Offenses are always moving and attacking different spots of the field and different players, so with that defenders need to adjust and react with in the scheme to make sure all of the defenders are in the correct spots.
Do you know where to go?
Playing defense, you need to learn the meaning of team defense. There is always a moment to help another teammate.
The simple cues defenders need to follow in order to be successful are:
-always know where you are on the field to position your feet and your stick
-when to press-always help
-strive to be consistent.
Recruiting Phrases… These are some of the terms coaches use when evaluating and skills are observed that answer their questions
