Choosing the Right Lacrosse Showcase

Over the past few years, competition for spots in top camps and showcases has increased, pushing registration earlier and making the pool of options so large, that many parents and recruits alike find themselves at a loss for which camp or showcase to choose.

Most players — likely including your son or daughter — will not play Division I lacrosse after high school. It’s detrimental to a player and their parents to focus on just the top recruiting events with all DI coaches, only to not be pursued by them. Many people are under the impression that only the most well-known and elite showcases will be worth checking out. But the truth is that you don’t necessarily need to get into an elite camp to play Division II, Division III, or club lacrosse. Many recruits find their match in the place they least expect it.

Here are five questions to consider as a family when choosing a camp or showcase for your prospect.

1. Have you received honest feedback from a travel or high school coach about your child’s ability?
   Your camp selection should be based on a realistic evaluation from your coaches. They have experience with players who have gone on to play college lacrosse and know the events those players attended to get noticed. They should also know about the types of programs that will be in attendance to better fit your recruitment trajectory.
2. Do attending coaches and their institutions match your academic ability, region, and level of play?
   Conduct an assessment of your skill level, considering the advice from your coaches. Research camp and showcase websites, talk to players who previously attended the camp, and email camp directors to get this information up front.
3. Is there an instructional component to this event — or is it just games?
   Most showcases will just “roll the balls out” for players to compete in games, but some also offer educational sessions run by current college coaches, whether they’re on or off the field. Every recruit needs to continue to develop his or her skills or knowledge of the recruiting process and a college coach can provide instruction or guidance you might not otherwise get from a high school coach.
4. Do you need recommendations from travel and/or high school coaches?
   Most camps require a recommendation form filled out by a coach. This is an important part of finding a spot in a camp or showcase, and it can be time-consuming. Contact your coach early so you are not left in the dust.
5. Does the event have your best interests in mind?
   Many showcases are about making money. They recruit a ton of coaches from colleges all over the map without paying attention to their customer base. Look for showcases that are tailored to your region, skill level, and have a good player to coach ratio to allow yourself maximum exposure to colleges you actually might consider attending if you were not playing lacrosse.

It’s every kid’s dream to be the top dog recruit at a NCAA DI program, but the stark reality is that your chances are very, very slim. There are so many colleges out there that can offer a great education while giving you a worthwhile lacrosse experience, even though you may not be signing autographs at the end of your games. Your job is to find the college that is a best fit for you as a person, student, and athlete. A good way to get there is to start with showcases that are right for you.

Happy hunting.