How College Coaches Evaluate Lacrosse Players (And What You Can Do About It)

What Every Middle & High School Player in Kentucky Should Know

For many young players, the recruiting process can feel confusing. Social media often makes it seem like college coaches only care about highlight videos, rankings, or tournament championships.

The reality is much different.

Whether you're a middle school player just getting started or a high school athlete hoping to play at the next level, understanding what college coaches are actually looking for can help you focus on the things that truly matter.

1. They Evaluate How You Play Without the Ball

The ball is only in one player's stick at a time.

Bring a DOG mentality between the lines. Compete for every loose ball, celebrate your teammates' success, and make every possession count.

College coaches spend just as much time watching what players do when they don't have possession.

They notice players who:

• Move with purpose

• Get to the right spots

• Communicate

• Back up shots

• Ride hard after turnovers

• Play team defense

• Create opportunities for teammates

  
  

Biggest Cheat Code: Be the high-five guy. Be the glue guy on your team. Great teammates get noticed.

2. Athleticism Matters

You don't have to be the biggest or fastest player on the field, but college coaches want athletes.

They look for:

• Speed

• Agility

• Change of direction

• Balance

• Competitiveness

• Motor

Improving your athleticism through strength training, sprint work, and consistent movement training can separate you from equally skilled players.

One mistake many players make is believing that simply playing more tournaments will make them a better player. While tournaments provide valuable experience and exposure, they don't replace physical development. If you're spending every weekend competing but never investing time in the weight room, improving your speed, or becoming more explosive, you're limiting your potential. The best players don't just play the game; they train to become better athletes.

3. Decision Making Is Huge

College coaches love players who make good decisions under pressure.

Ask yourself:

• Do I move the ball quickly?

• Do I force bad shots?

• Do I recognize slides?

• Do I make the simple play?

Lacrosse IQ is one of the fastest ways to earn a coach's attention.

One of the best ways to improve your lacrosse IQ is by watching film. Don't just watch the highlights; use the pause button often. Ask yourself what you or your teammates could have done better, what the offense or defense was giving you, and what decisions led to successful plays. The more you learn to recognize situations on film, the faster you'll recognize them on the field.

Keep the remote close. Utilize the pause button, slow it down, and break the game down.

4. Effort Is Always Evaluated

Talent gets noticed.

Effort gets recruited. Again, back to the "Dog Mentality"

College coaches immediately recognize players who:

• Sprint between lines

• Hustle on ground balls

• Ride every possession

• Play through mistakes

• Compete until the final whistle

Effort requires no talent, and it's something every player can control.

5. Stick Skills Still Matter

Strong fundamentals never go out of style. One of the best things about lacrosse is that improving your stick skills doesn't require much. All you need is a stick, a ball, and either a teammate or a wall.

I always tell players to make wall ball competitive. Set a timer, establish a baseline for how many quality reps you can complete, and then challenge yourself to beat that number every week. Consistent, purposeful reps are what separate good players from great ones.

Can you:

• Throw and catch with both hands?

• Pick up ground balls cleanly?

• Pass accurately under pressure?

• Finish consistently?

The best players continue sharpening the basics long after everyone else stops practicing them.

Pro Tip: Grab a teammate and make it a goal to be the last two players off the field after every practice. Ten extra minutes every day adds up over the course of a season.

6. Be Coachable

College coaches aren't just evaluating your talent; they're evaluating how coachable you are.

Ask yourself:

• Do I listen when I'm coached?

• Do I apply corrections?

• Do I respond well to adversity?

• Do I encourage my teammates?

Players who accept coaching, make adjustments, and put the team first earn trust quickly. Talent may get you noticed, but being coachable is what keeps coaches invested in your development.

7. Consistency Beats One Great Game

A spectacular tournament can get attention.

Consistently playing well earns trust.

College coaches often watch players multiple times before making recruiting decisions. They want to know what they're getting every time you step on the field.

8. Communication Is Everything

If you're a player from Louisville or anywhere in Kentucky, it's important to understand that you're not in a traditional lacrosse hotbed. That doesn't mean you can't play college lacrosse; we know that's not true. It simply means you have to be more intentional about getting yourself in front of college coaches.

College coaches recruit players from Kentucky every year, but they aren't driving through the state every weekend looking for prospects. That's why communication matters.

Don't wait for coaches to find you. Be proactive.

• Build and update your highlight film each season.

• Email coaches when you've added new film or have an upcoming tournament.

• Respond to emails promptly and professionally.

• Research schools that fit your academic, athletic, and financial goals.

• Attend prospect days and camps at schools you're genuinely interested in, not just the biggest-name programs.

The recruiting process isn't about sending one email and hoping for the best. It's about building relationships over time. Coaches appreciate players who communicate well, show genuine interest in their program, and consistently keep them updated on their development.

The good news is that technology has made recruiting more accessible than ever. A strong highlight video, thoughtful communication, and consistent follow-up can help put Kentucky players on the same radar as athletes from traditional lacrosse hotbeds.

Remember: Coaches can't recruit a player they don't know exists. Your ability to communicate, follow up, and represent yourself professionally can be just as important as your performance on the field.

What Middle School Players Should Focus On

If you're in middle school, don't worry about recruiting yet.

Instead, focus on becoming the best player and athlete you can be.

Build:

• Elite stick skills

• Athletic habits

• Lacrosse IQ

• Confidence

• A love for competing

  
  

One thing that is never too early to start is footwork. Developing quick feet, balance, and coordination at a young age creates a foundation that will benefit every part of your game. You don't need expensive equipment or a personal trainer. A speed ladder, jump rope, a few cones, and a willingness to work are enough to make a huge difference.

Just as important, these workouts help build a strong work ethic. Learning to consistently put in extra work while you're young makes it much easier to stay disciplined as you get older. Players who develop these habits early often separate themselves from their peers long before recruiting ever begins.

Players who focus on these areas now give themselves the best chance to succeed in high school and eventually earn opportunities to play at the college level.

Advice for High School Players

If you're serious about playing in college:

• Train consistently year-round.

• Play against strong competition.

• Watch film and learn the game.

• Communicate with coaches professionally.

• Focus on improving every season, not chasing rankings.

College coaches are looking for players who continue to develop, compete, and represent their programs the right way.

Final Thoughts

At L4 Lacrosse, we've worked with players throughout the Louisville area who have gone on to compete at every level of college lacrosse.

The players who earn opportunities aren't always the ones scoring the most goals. They're the ones who consistently do the little things, compete every day, and never stop improving.

The players who reach the next level aren't always the most talented; they're the ones who stack good habits day after day. They communicate. They compete. They train. They study the game. They become great teammates.

Focus on becoming a complete lacrosse player, not just a highlight player, and the recruiting process has a way of taking care of itself.

See you on the field.

Reid Wesley

– L4 Lacrosse