HS Defenders: Summer Showcases and How to Stand Out

There are many different events, and competition is at an all-time high. Everybody is looking for an edge. So, what can you do to make the most of these events that you are attending?

“How can I stand out at a tryout / tournament / showcase?”

This is a question I get all the time from parents and HS players entering the summer circuit. I remember going through the recruitment process and the stresses that came along with it. These pressures have only increased on the current players going through the process.

[Quick Note: Each of these events can feel like the biggest deal in the world. I’m a firm believer that things tend to work out in the long run for people that consistently do the right thing. Does everybody get to play at their dream school? No, but sometimes a player’s original dream school may not have been the best spot for them. Control what you can control, prepare, try your best, and have fun with the opportunity to play. Playing summer lacrosse with my friends are still some of my best memories.]

Starts with your Schedule: Quality > Quantity

Understand the events you are attending. Players have limited time and physical capacity, and parents have budget-constraints. It is not about doing everything, but it is more about attending the right events for you. Try to attend events where the schools you are interested will be attending, or the staff that is running the event will enhance your lacrosse experience. Ask questions and do research before signing up. It takes a little extra time, but it will be worth it. This all starts with having honest conversations with your parents, coaches, and support system to seek guidance on what schools you should be targeting. Once you get clear here, you can target some events that will be good for you. It is also important to understand the structure of the event and how many players will be there. If you are one of 80+ defenders, it may be harder to standout. Not saying that you should avoid the event because of that, but just understand that ought to be a consideration for your decision.

On the Field: How to Stand Out

• Be a great teammate – let your effort inspire others
• Have urgency on the field – beat the whistle off the end line!
• Be the loudest player on the field
• Ask questions and show coachability
• Have great body language – whether celebrating or bringing it in after a goal Tough GB’s
• Fundamental approaches and breakdowns (low hips, chest up, stick in front: more skewers, less slaps)
• Maintain defensive posture throughout a possession
• Head on a swivel
• Cover the best player on the opposing team

What to Focus On

To best illustrate these concepts, I have put together a defender’s guide to getting recruited: overrated / underrated list. Please enjoy and let me know what you think!

Overrated: Takeaway Checks

It looks great to take the ball away, but if you go seeking these opportunities too frequently you may be exposed. Coaches would rather see a defender consistently break down and drive hips away from the goal than see a player get 2 CT’s but beat 3-4 times. Coaches want a guy they can rely on. Move your feet, put your stick in front, use your hands and play great position. Once you do this, less risky checking opportunities may present themselves. Trust that great fundamental defense is attractive to coaches.

Quote from Division I Defensive Coordinator: “Takeaways are great, but they need to be realistic in my opinion -- like seeing a kid hit a can opener or pest gloves on the permitter is a lot more reliable than seeing a prayer check in a scoring zone. Also, I hate seeing kids get beat topside because they are chasing stick (good way to create a bad first impression).”

Side note: if you are an athletic LSM whose game is built around wreaking havoc in the middle of the field, you should still play to your strengths. This is meant to illustrate not everyone needs to be a takeaway guy. There are very few guys that succeed at this at higher levels.

Underrated: Short Slides & Free Doubles

So if we don’t want to risk our position by chasing stick, how can I put the ball on the deck and make plays? Jumping picks, short slides, and free doubles are a great method of playmaking in a team defensive setting. This shows coaches that you can play team defense and anticipate opportunities to put pressure on opposing offenses. If you are adjacent or on the crease when a dodger is rolling back and forth, look for your opportunity to double. When teams set picks inside the “paint”, look for opportunities to jump and put pressure on the opposition. The tighter an opposing offense gets to the cage, the more these examples present themselves.

Overrated: Leaking Out in Transition

If you have the opportunity to push transition, you 100% should – just watch this example of UMD getting up and out here . Show off the fact that you have good stickwork and can make great decisions with the ball. If nobody picks you up by 12 yards let it rip. However, for most guys it is not all about you getting transition or scoring the goal at the expense of your team defense. Lock up the crease and get the tough GB before you float to midfield.

Quote from Division I Defensive Coordinator:“Transition one is so interesting especially with this class IMO. I am seeing a lot of guys who are good off the ground and in transition which is intriguing, but I still need to see them cover. To me, transition skills is more of a cherry on the top, gbs and stick skills are a must.”

Underrated: Tough GB’s

Coaches want a tough player who is more substance than flash. If you are consistently coming out of scrums with tough groundballs this is going to catch the eye of many coaches. Many games are won on the ground, and a coach wants a player that is willing to make the tough players.

Overrated: One Man Clear

Find the open guy and move it on. If you’re ever trying to split double and triple teams, you likely have an open teammate. Play with your head up and try to find them. There are times when you need to be an athlete and leg It out. If you do ever get caught in the middle of the field with pressure on you, don’t stop your feet.

Underrated: Crease Collapse & 2 Slides

There is nothing better than a well-timed 2 slide in a rotation or crease collapse. Focus on flowing with the ball and anticipating ball movement. Defenders that only focus on covering the ball will miss great opportunities to cause turnovers off forced feeds to the crease or on quick throw backs. Stay low and active and keep your head on a swivel.

Quote from Division I Defensive Coordinator:“Guys who are good sliders and good collapsers as off ball defenders to me shows some IQ and being engaged on defense, which I normally find myself taking notes about. (How kids slide is also interesting, guys who will breakdown and take body vs guys who chase stick inside stick chasers normally get the word SOFT next to their name)."

Appropriately Rated: Covering the Top Offensive Player

If coaches are coming to watch a top offensive recruit, and that player has a tough game, the first thing coaches are going to wonder is who was guarding that player. You do not need to go strip the player 3 times (although if the opportunity presents itself take advantage), but if you can constantly frustrate a highly touted attackmen coaches will notice. This is not always possible but seek out these opportunities when you get a shot. Maybe you can rotate onto that player for a half of the game if multiple guys want to cover him. But remember, even when on the match-up, you still want to add value to the whole defensive unit by communicating and working to help off the ball.

Underrated: Carry Yourself Professionally – Character Matters

Be considerate of you are behaving both on and off the field. Coaches love to get a feel for the character of a player they are recruiting. This can be something as simple as cleaning up your trash off the sideline or a coach overhearing a conversation with a friend. Always do your best to put forward the best version of yourself at all times. That’s not to say you should lose your personality – absolutely be who you are – but just ensure that you are being respectful to the game and those around you. Showboating and taunting will not put you in good favor. However, celebrating with your teammates after a you make a big play or picking up a teammate after a mistake can go a long way.

I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful! Remember to enjoy this entire process at is a special time – not many people have the opportunity to get recruited to play the sport they love in college.

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