7 Mistakes You're Making with Lacrosse Recruiting (and How to Fix Them Before Senior Year)
College lacrosse recruiting gets more competitive every year. Talented players are missing opportunities because of simple mistakes that could easily be avoided.
If you're a lacrosse parent or player thinking about college recruiting, you need to know these critical errors before it's too late. The good news? Every single one of these mistakes can be fixed.
Mistake #1: Treating Academics Like an Afterthought
This is the big one. Grades matter more than your stick skills when it comes to college lacrosse.
Most families focus 90% of their energy on lacrosse training and 10% on academics. College coaches flip that equation completely.
Here's what happens: Coach loves your game film. Coach calls your high school. Coach asks about grades. Coach goes silent.
The fix:
Maintain a 3.0 GPA minimum (3.5+ opens way more doors)
Take challenging courses that show you can handle college academics
Get tutoring help immediately if you're struggling in any subject
Start treating school like your most important sport
Remember: Merit scholarships often provide more money than athletic scholarships. Strong grades = more financial aid options.
Mistake #2: Waiting Until Junior or Senior Year to Start
"We'll worry about recruiting later."
This mentality kills opportunities before they start. College coaches identify prospects earlier every year. Waiting until junior year means playing catch-up when other players have two-year head starts.
The timeline reality:
Freshman year: Learn the recruiting process basics
Sophomore year: Start building your recruiting profile
Junior year: Active outreach and showcase participation
Senior year: Commitment decisions and final visits
The fix:
Create a recruiting timeline as a freshman
Start following college programs you're interested in
Begin documenting your lacrosse journey with video and stats
Don't wait for coaches to find you
Late starters typically settle for their backup schools instead of their dream programs.
Mistake #3: Ditching Your High School Team for Club
Club lacrosse is important. But abandoning your high school team is a red flag to coaches.
College coaches want players who demonstrate loyalty and team commitment. They specifically ask about high school participation during recruiting calls.
What coaches are really evaluating:
Will this player quit when things get tough?
Do they prioritize team success over individual goals?
Are they coachable in different environments?
The fix:
Fully commit to your high school program
Attend all team workouts, including off-season training
Balance club and high school - don't choose sides
Highlight your high school achievements in recruiting communications
Your high school coach can become one of your biggest recruiting advocates. Don't burn that bridge.
Mistake #4: Choosing the Wrong Club Team
Not all club programs are created equal.
Many families chase the most prestigious club name in their area. Big mistake. The best club team for recruiting isn't always the most well-known.
What actually matters:
Coaching experience and college connections
Playing time opportunities
Individual development focus
Track record of player college placements
The fix:
Research coaching backgrounds thoroughly
Ask for recent college placement lists
Choose programs where you'll get meaningful playing time
Prioritize individual development over team prestige
Being a starter on a solid club team beats riding the bench for a "elite" program.
Mistake #5: Poor Communication with College Coaches
Mixed messages from players and families create huge red flags.
College coaches talk to hundreds of recruits. Inconsistent communication makes you forgettable - or worse, eliminates you from consideration.
Common communication disasters:
Player says one thing, parents say another
Slow responses to coach outreach
Providing different information in different conversations
Not following up after initial contact
The fix:
Create family communication protocols before contacting coaches
Respond to coach communications within 24-48 hours
Keep detailed notes of all coach conversations
Ensure everyone in your family is on the same page
One confused conversation can end months of recruiting progress.
Mistake #6: Waiting for Coaches to Discover You
"If I'm good enough, coaches will find me."
Wrong. College coaches have limited staff and massive recruit databases. They need help identifying prospects who fit their programs.
95% of recruiting starts online. If you're not actively promoting yourself, you're invisible.
The fix:
Create compelling recruiting profiles on relevant platforms
Send personalized emails to target programs
Provide updated game schedules and performance stats
Share quality video content regularly
Learn more about our player evaluation services to identify your recruiting strengths.
Proactive players get recruited. Passive players get overlooked.
Mistake #7: Ignoring Social Media Impact
Your Instagram account might be more important than your highlight reel.
College coaches check social media profiles for every recruit they're considering. One inappropriate post can eliminate months of recruiting effort.
What coaches are looking for:
Character representation
Decision-making abilities
How you handle success and failure
Leadership qualities and community involvement
The fix:
Audit all social media accounts immediately
Remove questionable content, language, or photos
Post content that reinforces positive character traits
Consider creating lacrosse-specific accounts
Your social media should support your recruiting goals, not sabotage them.
Take Action Before It's Too Late
These mistakes are completely avoidable.
The players who get recruited to their dream schools understand that lacrosse recruiting requires strategy, timing, and consistent effort.
Start fixing these mistakes today:
Check your grades and create an academic improvement plan
Build your recruiting timeline and start early
Commit fully to both high school and club lacrosse
Research club programs based on development, not prestige
Establish clear family communication protocols
Begin proactive outreach to target programs
Clean up your social media presence immediately
The recruiting process teaches valuable life skills you'll use in college and beyond. Approach it strategically, and you'll maximize your opportunities both on and off the field.
Ready to avoid these costly mistakes? Contact Myrtle Beach Lightning Lacrosse Club to learn how our recruiting guidance and player evaluation services can help you navigate the college recruiting process successfully.
Don't let preventable mistakes cost you your college lacrosse dreams.
