Subscribe to the NCSA BlogTop 10 Ways to Get a Call From a College Coach
May 16th, 2008 - byby Chris Krause, NCSA Founder and President
Getting a call from a college coach: That’s the goal for most college athletes, especially those of you who are finishing up your Junior year and looking at getting the attention of a college coach before time (and opportunities) run out. I know that was my goal when I was in high school as an up-and-coming linebacker dreaming of playing at the next level.
Fortunately, I achieved my goal. I had a great career playing football at Vanderbilt, and the advice I’m going to pass on to you is from a guy who has been through the recruiting battles that you and your family are going through right now.
I’m going to give it to you straight today, and tell you how to start getting phone calls from college coaches in the coming months. Pick a few of these and try them (I strongly suggest our #1 secret, by the way) and start getting pro-active in your efforts to attract the attention of as many college coaches as possible:
#10 Fill Out a School’s Online Recruiting Form. For many coaches, that is the way the recruiting process starts, along with getting information sent to them directly by NCSA. Many times, coaches who get an athlete that submits a form online through the program’s website will call the athlete immediately, or at least send them information about the program.
#9 Return a Recruiting Questionnaire. You know those recruiting questionnaires that often come along with a letter from a coach? It’s critical that you fill it out and send it back. Most coaches will not contact you if you don’t take that first step and return the questionnaire.
#8 Go to a Summer Camp. Most college coaches hold summer training camps for prospective athletes. Try to get to a
couple of camps this summer (or at least one) and make a point of expressing your interest in going to the school with one of the coaches that works with you there. Camps, which give you a personal face-to-face meeting opportunity with a coach, are a great way to spark conversations with a coach.
#7 Be Interested. What should you do when a coach contacts you from a school you’ve never heard of before? Be interested. What should you do when you get something in the mail from a coach you’ve never talked to before? Be interested. Not replying to a coach is a great way never to play college sports. Remember, the time to say no to a college is at the end of the process, not at the beginning.
#6 Ask Your Coach to Tell You Who They Know. Your high school or club coach probably has names and contact numbers of college coaches that they’ve talked to before. Ask him or her for those contacts, and give them a call to inquire about possibilities.
#5 E-mail a Coach. Tell them you are interested, and ask them what the best way to go about getting recruiting to their school is. E-mail, for many coaches, may be the best way to strike up a conversation with a college coach. At NCSA, we’ve developed really good back-and-forth e-mail communication with thousands of college coaches, so we know it works.
#4 Look for Out-of-State Programs. Sometimes, college coaches notice out of area athletes and reply to them right away. For many schools, getting out of state players is rare so the fact that you are expressing interest in their program might spark their interest.
#3 Keep a Coach Updated. Don’t just send one letter or e-mail. Don’t just place one phone call to their office. Keep in regular contact with coaches that you have an interest in. Give them an ongoing reason to keep in touch with you and keep abreast of your progress.
#2 Show Them What You’ve Got! Sending a highlight DVD, or posting your video online through a trusted recruited source, is something that can get a coach’s attention. Give them a look at you right away. Then, after you know they’ve had a chance to watch the video, send a follow-up e-mail and ask them if you would be a good fit for their program.
And the #1 way to get a call from a college coach is…
Register as a NCSA Student-Athlete. For athletes that want to be proactive, there’s simply no better way to do it. We actually do all of the things we just talked about on your behalf, saving you the time and potential mistakes in how you present yourself to college coaches. I founded the NCSA organization years ago because I saw that athletes needed help going through the process…help that I wish I had received when I was in your shoes.
This summer, you can get a jump on your competition when it comes to getting noticed by college coaches. Summer is a time when many coaches “reload” their recruiting files with new prospects. Shouldn’t you make sure that you are one of the athletes that they find out about?
May 17th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
i want to play college ball and show case myself
May 17th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
i am looking for a tennis coach who is interesting in helping me
May 18th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Is there a site that i can go to to find out where the football camps are taking place. If you can direct me to the right place.
Thank you
May 19th, 2008 at 9:03 am
I have printed this out and will give to so parents that don’t know what to do? I wish I had known these things when our son was going into HS. We would have spent our money much more wisely. Sure glad we are with NCSA now.
Thank you.
May 19th, 2008 at 10:43 am
I’m looking to be recruited by a college scout or coach to play college baseball.
May 19th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
i want to play college football and be able to show what i got,and are there any camps i can go to over the summer to show off my talent to coaches
May 19th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I’m going to be a senior next year on high school, I’m really passionated for soccer, and talented to i been playing varsity sins i was a freshmen, so i wish to continue playing this sport that i really love, so if there is any one out their that can help me continue playing soccer please do so.
Thank You!
May 19th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Im goin to be a senior next year and want to start getting mor contact from recruiter’s, how can I get their email address so I can let them know that Im interested in their schools.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:51 am
I’m rwaly interested in playing college basketball. i’m looking to be recruited by a college basketball coach.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Looking for a Tennis Coach to Scout a USTA 4.5 rated player.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
really looking forward to playing college basketball not just to play but to get better & to learn new things thats going to help me in life.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I know that I have the potential and dedication to play on the next level
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I am looking to be recruited by a college scout or coach to play college basketball.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I am a kid who is 16 and is turning 17 and i’m one of them kids who wish they could go to the pro’s. I am going to start playing foot ball for Big IKE in Houston,Tx. and I’ma show every body what kina skill do I have because I really didn’t play my best for Nimitz.. Check me out next season.
May 24th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
my name is michael and i want any coach that want and football player that will put in hard wrk for the love of the game i want to go to colleges and play football and if im playing good enough for pro hopefully i can become an pro football player i live in Pelham Georgia im really decated to football in for tha love of the game in i promise u will like what you see
May 24th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
im looking for the best opportunities to play in college while getting my degree in school but i need help finding ways to came i contact with colleges coaches thank you
May 25th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
HI im Henry im 16 years old and wants to become pro soccer player im glad i got a passion for soccer i love the game .i played since the second grade and played Varsity soccer for school since the 6th grade in middle school and now playin 2 years goin on third playin varsity soccer and won 7th and 8th grade champs and winning Valley champs my Freshman year ! i hope u guys get back at me thanx! my cell 541 306 0935!
May 31st, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Hi : Im Shay and I a multiple sport Student Athlete . Im a newly promoted senior from Lebanon High School in Lebanon,Tn about 20 min from Nashville.Im a 2yr starter in Basketball district Tournament Champions and a 3yr starter on our 2yr district Champions Volleyball Team were I play the setter and I received honorable mention in our district tournament as well. Im looking for the best opportunity to play basketball or volleyball in college and receive a couple degrees . I truley think the more you learn then the more you earn. So if you guys would help get my name and my school name out there please give me a call at 615 587 -3217 Go Blue DEVILS ! GO BIG BLUE ! THANKS (revjahuddleston@hotmail.com)
June 13th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
i would like to advance my soccer skills, is there a coach that would help me achive that?
August 8th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
do you know any information about this in other languages?
September 9th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
i am lookin for a coach to help take my basketbakll game to the next level