Do you get a second chance at tryouts?
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Anonymous
| DS is a defender on a 10U AAA rec team and is one of the better defenders on his team. He tried out for a travel team last year and didn’t make the cut. He tried out again recently (same team) and the first day nerves got the better of him and he looked terrible out there. It was hard to watch. At one point during the tryout Coaches told him to switch to middle and attack since he didn’t have a long pole like the other defenders. He finished the tryout but on the way home he was really down about playing out of his comfort zone at a tryout and he cried (rare for him). I bought him a long pole tonight and he used the bounce back in the store until it closed and then he was in the backyard with it catching and passing righty and lefty with his Dad until it was too dark to see the ball. My question is does he bring the long pole to the second day of tryouts or is that too risky since he hasn’t practiced catching or passing on the run with it yet or using it in a scrimmage? Also how do I know if the coach meant dude you need a long pole or dude you suck at defense so let’s see if middie is your thing? If you aren’t good tryout day one what happens on tryout day two? Have they already written you off at that point or do you still have a chance to prove yourself? |
Anonymous
|
I would play with whatever he’s most comfortable with, which is probably not the long pole. Good coaches are looking for athletes at that age group, it’s ok if your son wasn’t super polished, chances are what you are seeing/noticing is very different then how the coaches are evaluating. They’ll assign players to their best fit position after tryouts, and if it’s long pole defenseman they’ll have that conversation with you and he’ll have plenty of time to get the hang of it after tryouts if he makes the team.
It may not hurt to shoot the coach an email or talking with him to explain your sons situation, that he’s interested in defense and has potential but hasn’t had a chance to try a long pole yet but is all for it. |
Anonymous
| 10u playing long pole hope you cut it down so it’s easier to handle. Most kids at this age make a mistake of playing with a full size long pole. |
Anonymous
| Cut stick down, no taller than kids height with helmet |
Anonymous
|
Definitely cut the long pole down, as suggested above. Two other suggestions - 1) don't limit yourself to just the one club, search out other options; 2) not making the team at 10U should not be taken as any meaningful indicator of long term success. I know more than one kid who was cut from U9 or U11 (the age groups back then) club tryouts and is now a strong D1 lacrosse player. Moreover, the rosters for most 3rd to 5th grade club teams will change dramatically over the next five years. Spots will be available for kids who work hard and want to play. Good luck!
P.S. - Bring short stick and long stick to tryout. Explain to coaches that the long stick is new, but he really loves defense and wants to give it a try. At least that way, they will be more inclined to look for potential, and you'll have the shortie as a back up if it doesn't go well. |
Anonymous
| Most clubs have tryouts in August. May/June is not the ideal time to join a club IMHO as the teams just finished HOCO league probably harder to make a club in June. Wait until August, do a few camps this summer and try out for multiple clubs. |
Anonymous
| Stay away from any club doing tryouts now. They are desperate yo fill spots for the summer. |
Anonymous
Yes! Just be aware that summer tourneys start in about 2 weeks and wrap up by mid-July so teams have already been formed and training for months - doesn’t hurt to ask which positions they are looking to fill and expectations for developing your player, playing time, and ask to team parents - have they lost players and why? |
Anonymous
| What teams hold tryouts after spring? Most are after the summer. |
Anonymous
That could work in the OP's kid's favor if they are desperate to recruit another defender. |
Anonymous
madlax has tryouts this week for new and current players, Cavs for 2028-29s? |
Anonymous
I would find it very hard to believe that any kids would be "cut" by Madlax as they have DMV teams and Capital teams. They usually beg kids to join the DMV team. |
Anonymous
Somewhat disagree with this. It appears like so many bad trends in local youth lacrosse that club recruiting is now a full year process. Some of the clubs doing early summer/late spring tryouts are simply trying to get a jump on the August tryouts and get kids committed before the main August tryouts and competition with all of the clubs. It is true some of it may be because a club needs kids but there are also opportunities to join well established teams and clubs. Only a couple of years ago August was the main time for team formation but we have seen at top and mid tier teams change in the fall, spring and summer now. To be honest the whole thing is getting a bit ridiculous and in no way in the best interest of the kids. If your child is new to the club scene, wants to give club lacrosse a try and the fees are not an issue I would recommend doing a few club team tryouts no matter the season. It will give you a feel for the club, kids, parents, etc. and provide experience for your child in a "tryout" setting. End of the day the more field time your child has with club coaches (tryouts, clinics, etc.) the better. As much as I hate to say it as it feeds the machine clinics are a good way to get noticed and provide some connection once it comes to "trying out". All of the advice about the long pole is pretty solid, definitely cut it down or play with a short stick. Defense is more about footwork and body position as opposed to having a longer reach. Too long a stick at a young age can create some bad habits. |
Anonymous
You're right. The OP probably has a kid trying out for Madlax. OP - do you really want your son playing for this owner let alone giving him your money? It's far from an isolated incident. https://deadspin.com/hey-ungrateful-quitter-emails-from-an-angry-lacrosse-660703941 That's said, Madlax has these periodic tryouts to sucker new kids to give them their money. Almost all of the kids will be accepted and nearly all of them will play for their B team. |
Anonymous
| What about Next Level? |