Best position for a talented youth lacrosse player to play?

[Anonymous]

So the best high school running back in the country has decided he won't play running back anymore and will switch to linebacker, because in the NFL running backs don't get paid as much as QB sacking linebackers.

It got me thinking, if a youth lacrosse player is a good athlete and a good lacrosse player, looking way down the road from a college recruiting standpoint, what's the best position for them to learn and to play?

[Anonymous]

Seriously? It’s pretty obvious. Middie. You learn both offense and defense so have versatility. Also speed is crucial. That said it’s not really comparable since there is no real money in lax unless you are Paul Rabill or Taylor Cummings and have huge lucrative deals.

[Anonymous]

From a recruiting stand point, FOGO takes the cake, then Goalie. Every other position is a dime a dozen and even IF you're really GOOD....the competition you're up against is absolutely fierce.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From a recruiting stand point, FOGO takes the cake, then Goalie. Every other position is a dime a dozen and even IF you're really GOOD....the competition you're up against is absolutely fierce.

No fogo in girls lax.

[Anonymous]

My tall, fast middie DD had a lot of recruiting attention and will go to a great school, but . . . even the average goalies from her club were recruited.

[Anonymous]

FOGOs and goalies always in demand but fewer slots available. IMO, this recruiting season for boys by looking at social media postings, attack, middies and some D were first to get recruited along with goalies/Fogos, defense and LSMs in that order. Mostly these are the top 100 players. Now they are working down to 2nd tier for D1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My tall, fast middie DD had a lot of recruiting attention and will go to a great school, but . . . even the average goalies from her club were recruited.

You may have just explained a lot to me. My DD plays goalie and sometimes she's on fire and blocks really well, and sometimes she's lucky to block 50% of the shots. She's getting more consistent, but I've been surprised that she's never had a problem making a club team. Other kids were getting more consistently good at 12, 13, and I was concerned my DD's irregular stats would be an issue, but so far they haven't been.

[Anonymous]

Seems like the little kids all train for middie but then the coach puts them where he/she wants.

[Anonymous]

Kid’s size will play a role. The only chance a shorter than average girl has a chance to play in college is attack. Most coaches prefer to have tall girls on defense, but height seems always to be an advantage with coaches.

[Anonymous]

Have him play ALL the positions. Encourage him to play whatever position is most fun for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My tall, fast middie DD had a lot of recruiting attention and will go to a great school, but . . . even the average goalies from her club were recruited.

You may have just explained a lot to me. My DD plays goalie and sometimes she's on fire and blocks really well, and sometimes she's lucky to block 50% of the shots.

Really good lacrosse goalies can stop 50% of the shots, or maybe a little more. If she can stop 50% then she's good, not lucky.

https://www.ncaa.com/stats/lacrosse-women/d1/current/individual/242

[Anonymous]

The skills sets are not interchangeable. Most good goalies and FOGOs I know did not have the athleticism to be anything else, the best defenseman are big kids who are athletic but don’t have the stick skills of the offensive players.

[Anonymous]

Also, a lot of times, the position that fits best for kids changes over time. My kid started out at attack because he was a good athlete with strong stick skills. Eventually he moved to pole when it became clear he was an average dodger in tight spaces, but was going to be big, strong, and tenacious defender.

In general, the game will sort them into the proper niches where they can be successful. My experience is that it's only relatively few kids that truly have a choice to make. Typically these are big, fast, and strong kids that can really play anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The skills sets are not interchangeable. Most good goalies and FOGOs I know did not have the athleticism to be anything else, the best defenseman are big kids who are athletic but don’t have the stick skills of the offensive players.

First you do not know anything about the game of lacrosse. It is clear by this post! Scott Rogers and Tevor Baptise?? One of the best athletes I played with was a goalie. We did not have Fogos back then but today they are also typically very quick and strong. Wrestlers make great fogos. For every 5'8" goalie there is a 5'8' AA at attack. I did not play either position but if a player is good they are good. Also there is really not such thing as just a great athlete in today's game. That is the most overrated comment. At the high level all kids are athletes. Some really built or fast kids sometimes just can't play. I will take a gamer with great IQ any day of the week. Respect the sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The skills sets are not interchangeable. Most good goalies and FOGOs I know did not have the athleticism to be anything else, the best defenseman are big kids who are athletic but don’t have the stick skills of the offensive players.

First you do not know anything about the game of lacrosse. It is clear by this post! Scott Rogers and Tevor Baptise?? One of the best athletes I played with was a goalie. We did not have Fogos back then but today they are also typically very quick and strong. Wrestlers make great fogos. For every 5'8" goalie there is a 5'8' AA at attack. I did not play either position but if a player is good they are good. Also there is really not such thing as just a great athlete in today's game. That is the most overrated comment. At the high level all kids are athletes. Some really built or fast kids sometimes just can't play. I will take a gamer with great IQ any day of the week. Respect the sport.

+1