Collegiate recruiting is very foreign to the general population. They aren't sure which steps to take first or which to take next. There are some basic steps of the recruiting process that every athlete needs to know to be successful. The 5 steps below outline the necessary moves to build a relationship with a coach and achieve the goal of playing collegiate volleyball.
B-egin to receive information from colleges. As an underclassmen you are allowed to receive three things; admissions packets, camp brochures, and questionnaires. These are the first sign that a coach may be interested. It's a great way for them to get you to take a look at their school and started thinking about what it might be like to be a collegiate athlete with the program. Returning admissions packets will likely put you on a mailing list to continually receive information about the college. A camp brochure may be an early lead for the coach to see you play in person at a camp. A questionnaire may be the first direct contact you have with a coach. These are a great start.
A-sk Questions: Coaches are waiting for you to fill this information out and return it! That is how you can show interest in them! You should take the next step and email the coach from this point. Most communication is passed via email during the recruiting process. This is where you start to begin asking questions, requesting more information about the program, and offering video.
S-end Information: To be recruited, the coach must be able to evaluate your ability for their program. Always offer the coach your club schedule, video, and more information about yourself. It gives them a chance to see you in person and rank you among their other recruits. You won't be added to a recruiting list unless the coach has watched you play! Unedited game tape is the best secondary option. Be sure that you follow-up for an evaluation after sending video or noticing a coach at your match.
I-nquire about the program: At this step, phone calls become very important. You will be able to find out much more about the school and program by talking to the coach over the phone. Email is great for a while, but be proactive and call the coach. It will show initiative on your part. Always ask a lot of questions. Find out where you are on the recruiting list. Find out if it's a good fit. This is your future; you have every right to inquire about it!
C-lose the Deal: The most vital part of the recruiting process is visiting the institution. You aren't likely to receive an offer until you have made a college visit. Making sure that you are a good fit socially is an enormous part of the process. Don't wait until you are a senior to visit a college. Unofficial visits taken before senior year are a great way to move the process along. Once you have visited several colleges and have your offers in writing, choose the best one for you.
Always consider where you are in the process with each coach and work towards moving the recruiting process to the next step! This is your future; you should take charge of it! Whether you are a top D1 recruit or just want the opportunity to play in college, these steps are necessary to ensure you are maximizing your recruiting potential.
