For any lacrosse player headed to summer showcases this summer, there are a few critical essentials that need to be in your bag to ensure that you are playing at peak performance and looking your best in front of all those recruiting coaches.   1) Have A Backup Lacrosse Stick – a real backup lacrosse stick is actually a requirement at many colleges and high schools.  Any coach worth their salt, and even Paul Rabil in this video, will tell you that you will get scratched right off their list, no matter how good you are, just for being unprepared.  These coaches don’t have time for excuses and you don’t have time to reattach lacrosse heads, or borrow someone else’s backup lacrosse stick.  Don’t get caught here fellas.  Get a backup lacrosse stick, hit the wall and make sure your backup is ready to rock.   This is a relatively small investment in your future.     2) Cleats – Make sure you bring both turfs and grass cleats to all your games.  You never know the conditions you might be facing and there is no point in looking like a 4 year old on hockey skates, slipping and sliding all over the place.  Be prepared for multiple weather conditions on different surfaces.  Hey goalies, you may want to consider the new Nike Force Savage Elite TD cleats for those ultra sloppy creases.     3) Tape, Screws And A Mesh Kit - Always have these essentials, and make sure you have a screwdriver in your bag.  Even if you blow out a stick and have to go to your backup, an extra  lacrosse mesh kit can go a long way towards quickly repairing your whip.  Even if you don’t know how to restring your lacrosse head, chances are there is someone on your team that can dial up a half decent backup.   4) Socks, Jocks And Mouthguards - How many times do you end up looking for this stuff or wishing you had an extra pair or two of socks.  Get a few extras and keep them in your travel bag.  Keep some extra mouthguards in your lax bag.  Rolling up tape and shoving it on your teeth when is 94 degrees out because your mouthguard fell out of your helmet vent hole isn’t exactly fun - trust us, we’ve been there   So, those are the basics.  During Summer showcase lacrosse tournaments is a great time to try out all the lacrosse new releases that the manufacturers are pumping out after the playoffs.  There are some amazing new lacrosse heads that have been released, like the Surgeon 700, Stallion 700 and the Tactik .  Also, now is also the time to see if a carbon shaft would give you more power.  You can learn more from this video about the difference between composite and carbon fiber lacrosse shafts.  Most importantly, think of how hard you work and how much money and time your parents are spending. Be prepared with the small things and don’t be that guy that coaches think is unprepared.   To Learn More About Lacrosse and Receive Exclusive Deals, Enter Our Mailing List:   LAX.com offers a wide variety of men’s and women’s lacrosse cleats for every players ability. If you have any questions about what might be the right protection for you or your player, feel free to give our Pro’s a call at 855-255-5294. We will be able to tell you what we think is right based on your age, ability and position. Also, be sure to download the LAX.com FREE mobile app. We push our most amazing deals there and you will also gain access to the newest gear as soon as it hits the market. See you on the fields! The Lax.com Pro Staff 855.255.5294 questions@lax.com LAX.com Where Players Get Their Gear