Speed, stick, and IQ — know your level.
Women's lacrosse recruiting values speed, stick skill, and lacrosse IQ — plus the draw for midfielders. Understand where your profile fits so you target the right programs.
Women's lacrosse measurables emphasize speed (30-yard dash, shuttle), stick skills, and position-specific evaluation such as draw controls for centers and footwork for defenders. Ranges below are general on-track recruit guides. Coaches weigh club/varsity film and competition level heavily.
What athletic fit looks like at each level
Women's Lacrosse recruiting spans five competitive tiers. Here's what coaches are generally looking for at each.
Power 4 / High-Major D1
Elite speed, stick skill, and high-level club production. High-major rosters feature players who can transition end-to-end and play both ways with elite fundamentals.
Mid-Major D1
Strong athletes with proven stick work and IQ. Mid-major programs value dodging, off-ball play, and defense that can cover and clear.
Low D1 / High D2
Real athletes and skilled players who fit a system. Strong D2 and lower-D1 programs offer clear development paths and immediate roles.
D3 / NAIA
Highly competitive with strong academics (D3) or athletic aid (NAIA). Skill, IQ, and culture fit can outweigh pure measurables.
Junior College
A smaller footprint but a real two-year development and academic stepping stone toward four-year programs.
Key benchmarks & where they fit
Typical recruited-athlete ranges by level. These are general guides to orient your research — not hard cutoffs. Coaches evaluate the whole athlete, not a single number.
| Metric | Power 4 | Mid-Major | Low D1 / High D2 | D3 / NAIA | JUCO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
30-yard dash seconds · lower is better Hand-timed from a standing start in cleats. | 4–4.2 | 4.1–4.3 | 4.2–4.4 | 4.3–4.55 | 4.3–4.55 |
5-10-5 shuttle seconds · lower is better Lateral agility and change of direction. | 4.3–4.5 | 4.4–4.6 | 4.5–4.7 | 4.6–4.85 | 4.6–4.85 |
Vertical jump inches Standing vertical. | 24–30 | 22–28 | 20–26 | 18–24 | 18–24 |
Shot speed mph Radar-timed for offensive players. | 70–84 | 66–80 | 62–76 | 58–72 | 58–72 |
Ranges reflect typical on-track recruits, not current college starters. Use them to identify which levels to research — then back up your numbers with film, competition results, and direct coach contact.
Position-specific evaluation points
What coaches are watching for at each spot in Women's Lacrosse.
Attack
Finisher and dodger. Coaches evaluate dodging, finishing, and off-ball play.
- Dodging and the ability to draw slides and feed
- Finishing in tight and time-and-room shooting
- Off-ball movement within a set offense
- Stick protection under defensive pressure
Midfield / Center
Two-way engine and draw specialist. Speed and draw control are key.
- Speed in the open field and transition
- Draw control ability — the draw dictates possession
- Two-way commitment — attack and defend
- Draw-to-transition and settling the offense
Defense
Cover and clear. Footwork and the ability to defend in space matter most.
- Footwork and ability to cover a dodger 1v1 in space
- Stick checks and clean defensive positioning
- Ground balls and clearing under pressure
- Communication and the ability to slide and recover
Goalie
Save and clear. Reflexes, positioning, and clears are all weighted.
- Save percentage against high-level shooting
- Positioning, angles, and reading shooters
- Clearing — the first outlet and transition start
- Command of the defensive communication
Numbers open the conversation — these close the deal
In Women's Lacrosse, coaches evaluate the whole profile. Here's what they weigh alongside your measurables and stats.
Skill & Lacrosse IQ
Athleticism
Character & Recruitment
Women's Lacrosse recruiting timeline
A simple roadmap from freshman year through senior year.
Freshman
Play elite club; build stick skills and athleticism. Academics matter from day one.
Sophomore
Attend prospect days and camps. Build a target list; start sending competitive club film.
Junior
Core recruiting year — most D1 offers begin. Sept 1 opens D1 contact rules. Compete at major tournaments.
Senior
D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO continue recruiting. Prioritize fit, role, and academics.
Ready to research with intention?
Build your athlete profile, benchmark honestly, and target the schools where your athletic fit is real.