Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by Anonymous
Just wondering if I could get some feedback from people in the recruiting process. Are these “showcases” a waste of time for 9th graders (2024). Thanks

Pre Covid it was not a waste of time. I don’t think anyone is sure of what is happening now. Like anything else there are good showcases and not so good. The best are Maverik Showtime, Blackcard, Philly Showcase and elite 100. Also a must is the regional tryouts which is not good unless the player making the top 50 player game which will attract all coaches. Under armor tryout good too even if kid does not make the team. Also target schools Direct. Some of these you need an invite and they fill a year in advance. Hope this helps.
Showcases are a waste of time for freshman even before Covid. Under normal circumstances, players begin to ramp things up in the fall of sophomore year by doing 1-2 showcases and a couple prospects days for his top schools. Unfortunately, Fall is very condensed with a few prospect day showcases through September and October. November is pretty much dedicated to team tournaments. Spring of sophomore year is about reaching out or following up on your initial emails expressing interest in the school by sending video (if not already sent) and grades through mid-year of sophomore year. Things really heat up after Memorial Day of sophomore year and are on fire through the summer. The hope is there is some interest on September 1 but, even if your top schools do not contact you, recruiting is very active through fall of junior year. By December, if your top choices in D1 don't express interest, you can pivot to some excellent D3 programs. It is not to say you take D1 off the radar but academics should trump anything. There are a ton of really good lacrosse at the D3 level. With Covid, push everything out about six months or more.

The earlier a kid gets on coaches radar the better. College coaches will contact club directors during freshman and sophomore years for info and to show interest. Everyone has different experience of when they first get contacted. Those that are contacted earlier have great success. Don’t wait until it is too late.

Thanks for all the info. My next question. For a showcase say for 2025 and 2024, are the coaches just showing up to get paid? Or are they really looking for kids to keep their eye on? Thanks

It depends on the showcases and coaches. I can tell you for sure Maverick Showtime, NXT Philly Showcase, Elite 100, Black Card, and Long Island regional top 40 game the coaches are watching and want players from those events. Less so for elite 100 but but that one anyone could get into. It is tough getting in the others. The better the talent the more they are watching. Kids should be writing emails to all college coaches they’re interested in attending their schools and give their club schedule and a video. When going to a showcase kid should email all coaches of Schools the kid is interested and telling them the kid will be there. There are many showcases that talent is so bad the coaches will not watch but will attend. So be careful which showcases you pay for your kid to attend.