Last fall I replied briefly to a laxdad whose HS All-American Pole son had taken a DI scholly and was promptly converted to SSDM upon arrival on campus.
Shuttling on and off the field so the goal scorers didn’t have to play D. Being targeted by every Offense because of your shortie. It’s tough to have fun when your role is to get beat….less.
As a father, I completely got his point. As an aged-out laxer who played before LSM’s were even a thing, I never met a middie who relished playing D.
However, at least 2 big, fast, strong, supremely athletic SSDM’s are as essential to a winning squad as a brick wall keeper and an all-conquering FOGO. They’re not like special teams players on a football team.
Roughly 70% of goals scored in 6v6 lax involve beating a shortie. Imagine 2 shorties who allow NO goals. Every opponent would have to re-jigger their offense completely to get points or try to win with 30% (roughly) the goal production. This math is all purely hypothetical, of course, but it underlines the importance of making the weakest link in your defense as strong as possible.
So if you (or your kid) gets tapped to join the SSDM squad, recognize that the toughest, least glorious role on the field is also the most important way to contribute unless you’re a brilliant Keeper, FOGO, or Alpha Attackman. Your coach is recognizing your athleticism, and betting that you have the intestinal fortitude to spend your game as a mark.