My HS junior lacrosse son got injured first game of his junior year. he was already getting looks from coaches. Now he has no tape. HS lacrosse coach is a part timer and word is he is not terribly interested in helping move the needle - “not in hsi job description.” My son he doesn’t want to sound like, “poor me.”
How does he compose emails to coaches – in JUNE of his junior year?
Does he play club lacrosse? Perhaps that coach can advocate for him.
Is there any tape within the last year?
You may have to look at club and summer program opportunities for tapes. Also scrounge up what you have from last year. I’m sorry to say it’s possible that this is a big set back. My brother’s niece lost out as a result of an ill timed injury. Though she ended up playing at her college, she wasn’t given a scholarship even though that possibility was brought up. Scholarships do tend to go to first year recruits.
College lacrosse coaches often recruit from Summer Travel Select teams. Make sure your kid is on one.
If he played varsity his sophomore year, or played club, there may be some film available, if not from the school then from other parents. Put out an SOS. My daughter’s film was entirely from another parent (his daughter was featured prominently in most of the shots).
He needs to be on a summer club team/tournament team with coaches with connections. Most club coaches know a lot of coaches (asst coaches) from their college teams or guys they played with. My brother is a youth league owner and coach, and he knows EVERYONE. Summer camps are also a good way to get exposure. When coaches go to summer tournaments they are usually watching the rising juniors play, not seniors, so he’d need to contact coaches and let them know where and when he’ll be playing.
He may want to look at a few of the newer programs like Utah if he’s looking at D1, or at some of the D2 programs in Pennsylvania or the Carolinas.
Our school has a huge varsity team and the coach mostly plays the senior players. Many of our juniors end up with little to no film. It’s not ideal, but when S met with college coaches, a few said that was not uncommon. As far as increasing your son’s visibility, summer club teams are a good (but sometimes expensive) option. Other options are summer and fall showcases (typically the day before a major club tournament) and college-specific prospect camps. I’d be more worried about the coach not willing to go to bat for your son. Is there a previous coach (JV, youth, club) who can speak to his abilities and work ethic?
Hopefully your son has returned to form after the injury.
Your question was how to compose emails, and your son should do it in the same way that he would if he were not injured. If a question about stats is raised, then your son can explain the injury.
Video of playing time is a great tool for recruiting. Remember, however, it really is second best. Coaches would much rather see a player live. So, consider focusing on attending a number of college lax camps and lax showcases this summer. Maybe that is the best way to get traction with coaches at this point in time.
If that means zigzagging across the country, and you aren’t up for it, another option is having a skills video made by a professional. If he is on a summer team, it could be done after a practice. Or, if you are somewhat subtle about it, you could make a video from his play at lax camps he attends in the summer.