What Do College Lacrosse Coaches Recruit?
This is such a complex question.
When most coaches get asked, their quick response is:
“I recruit athletes.”
I used to say the same thing.
As college coaches, we sometimes think we’re better teachers than we actually are. We convince ourselves that we can teach stick skills and lacrosse IQ, but we can’t teach size, strength, and speed. So naturally, we lean toward the big, strong, fast kid.
And sometimes that works.
There are times when you get a high-level athlete who’s newer to the sport and they quickly pick up the skills and concepts. Meanwhile, it’s much harder to make a player significantly bigger, stronger, or faster during team practices.
Most coaches also have a mental image of the extremely skilled, high-IQ player who struggles to impact the game because they get physically dominated. That fear influences decisions more than people realize.
But that’s only part of the equation.
Multi-Sport Athletes
Many college coaches love recruiting multi-sport athletes and I understand why. Playing multiple sports:
? Develops broader movement patterns
? Improves coordination and spatial awareness
? Builds competitive instincts
? Exposes athletes to different coaching styles
Athletes who’ve grown up in different sports environments tend to adapt faster. They’ve been coached in multiple ways. They’ve learned how to compete in different settings. That matters.
Two Traits That Matter More Than People Think
1. COACHABILITY
Are you coachable?
Can you listen to instruction and genuinely try to apply it?
It doesn’t have to be perfect right away. Coaches understand that growth takes time. But they want to see effort in applying feedback.
Are you open?
Or are you stuck in your own habits?
Players who can adjust quickly move up depth charts faster than players who can’t.
2. TOUGHNESS
This shows up everywhere in lacrosse.
Offensive players who dodge to the middle knowing they’ll take a hit
Attackmen who ride hard and dive for endline balls
Players who run through ground balls
Defensemen who close out through stick heads on shots
Close defenders who are willing to play physical around the paint
Goalies who stay big in cage and move through shots.
Coaches are constantly asking:
“Does this player do the hard things?”
Toughness isn’t just physical, it’s mental. Can you handle mistakes? Can you stay confident after a turnover? Can you keep competing when you’re down?
Do You Know How to Win?
Some coaches actively recruit “winners.”
Have you been in competitive environments?
Do you understand the work required to win?
Have you seen what preparation looks like at a high level?
Winning isn’t just about rings. It’s about habits:
? Competing in drills
? Showing up consistently
? Handling adversity
? Staying composed under pressure
Players who’ve grown up around high standards tend to raise the level of a locker room.
Character Matters More Than You Think
College coaches spend significant time making sure they’re bringing in the right person, not just the right player.
They talk to your club coaches and high school coaches, and they’ll also try to learn a lot about you simply by asking you questions directly.
They’re paying attention to how you answer.
What matters to you?
How do you talk about your teammates?
How do you respond when you are challenged?
They’re trying to answer one big question:
“Will this player elevate our culture?”
Some coaches even ask themselves:
“Could this player be a captain someday?”
If you have 40+ players who all have captain-level traits, you’re probably building something strong.
You Need Something That Stands Out
Most college coaches are looking for at least one defining skill.
? Are you an elite shooter?
? Do you have exceptional vision?
? Are you dominant off the ground?
? Are you an elite on-ball defender?
Coaches are constantly thinking:
“How does this player fit in our system?”
“Where can I see him playing for us?”
If they can’t answer that clearly, recruiting becomes harder.
Positional Flexibility Is a Huge Advantage
One of the most underrated traits: versatility.
Not just positionally, but functionally.
? Can you dodge from different areas of the field?
? Can you initiate from up top and from the wing?
? If you’re an offensive middie, could you also defend if needed?
? Are you capable of playing wing on faceoffs?
? If you’re a defender, are you comfortable guarding above the cage and below it?
College coaches value players who aren’t one-dimensional.
When you get to campus, there will likely be someone ahead of you at your “natural” position. The players who find the field early are often the ones who can fill multiple roles within the system.
If you can only succeed in one narrow spot on the field, your path gets tighter.
If you can impact the game in several areas, your opportunities expand.
Versatility keeps you valuable, especially early in your career.
So What Do Coaches Really Recruit?
It varies from coach to coach and program to program. But in my experience, the players who consistently separate themselves:
? Are coachable
? Do the tough things
? Compete relentlessly
? Support their teammates
? Have at least one standout skill
? Bring great energy
? Understand how to win
At any event, your job isn’t to be perfect. Your job is to:
- Be a great teammate (support your teammates and celebrate with your teammates)
? Listen and adjust to coaching
?Attempt to make the tough plays
? Find out what the team needs for you to win and do your best at it
College coaches are gathering information constantly. Every rep, every huddle, every interaction tells them something.
Make sure what you’re showing is what you want them to see.
CHRISTIAN KLIPSTEIN | FORMER DIVISION I COACH | ST. JOHNS UNIVERSITY