FC42 College Soccer Recruiting What does it take to play college - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
FC42 College Soccer Recruiting What does it take to play college soccer? S peed is the primary distinguishing factor between levels of play Technical Tactical Physical Psychological Do you know the level?
S peed is the primary distinguishing factor between levels of play
Technical
Tactical
Physical
Psychological
Do you know the level? Have you watched the college game?
Are you willing to sacrifice?
Are you willing to do what it takes to get there?
S elf Evaluation: are you improving your weaknesses?
Being a student athlete is a full time j ob.
Balance of soccer, academics, and social life.
Are you able to balance it now?
The time commitment is different for each program.
Probability Chart
Student Athletes Men’s Soccer High S chool S tudent Athletes 410,982 High S chool S enior S tudent Athletes 117,423 NCAA S tudent Athletes 23,365 NCAA Freshman Roster Positions 6,676 NCAA S enior S tudent Athletes 5,192 NCAA S tudent Athletes Drafted 101 Percent High School to NCAA 5.7% Percent NCAA to Professional 1.9% Percent High S chool to Professional 0.09%
Poor academic performance will limit opportunity
Many schools will not even be able to recruit a poor performer and others will choose not to take the risk.
Often work habits (or lack of) in the classroom can carry over to the soccer field
The average cost of a four year degree (2018) is $112,000
The average rate of the yearly increase in tuition is 8-10%
37%
throughout their collegiate years
Transfer S tudent: may cost more money.
Transfer S tudent: may lost academic credits
Transfer S tudent: much harder to get back onto a collegiate roster
Transfer S tudent: may not graduate within four/ five years.
Facts Above = Plan your soccer and academic future in depth. Do your research. There are no shortcuts!
“ It’s not a four-year decision.
It’s a forty-year decision.”
If you tear your ACL on the first day of pre-
season and never get a chance to play, is this a school you would still attend?
Decide on a school for the whole school, not just soccer.
College is about many experiences, soccer being
great fit academically and athletically for all the things that are most important to you.
Y
S chool’s Focus
Maj ors Offered
S chool’s Ranking
Big-name S chool
Admission S tandards
Enrollment
Tuition (In S tate v. Out of S tate)
Typical Class S ize
S tudent/ Faculty Ratio
Grad S tudents Instructors
Tutoring S ervices
Military
Private or Public
Religious Affiliation
Ethnic Diversity
Coed or S ingle S ex
Distance from home and family
Campus Atmosphere
Weather
S chool Location (rural/ city/ suburban)
Conservative or Liberal
Cultural Environment
Fraternity/ S
Recreational Activities
Division (I,II,III, NAIA, JC)
Player Turnover
Coaching S taff
Competitive S chedule
Training S chedule
Coaches Contacts to the Next Level
Immediate Playing Contribution
S cholarship Money and Distribution
S taff Time Commitment
Facilities
Travel
S trength of Team
YOUR FIRST CONSIDERATION MUST BE ACADEMIC
Identify up to 30 colleges that meet your individual needs NOW CONSIDER THE SOCCER PROGRAM
Identify 7-10 schools that meet your academic and athletic requirements CONTACT SCHOOLS
Cover Letter
Resume
Phone Call
Campus Visit VISIT THE SCHOOL AND ATTEND ID CAMPS
S ell and promote yourself
Email coaches and visit campuses Y
your future
Get on a coaches’ radars and do the leg work to know what types of schools interest
Personal Section: name, address, phone number, date of birth, height, weight, etc.
Academic Section: high school name, address and phone number; grade point average and/ or class rank and standardized test information (S AT , PS AT , ACT).
Athletic Section: list of all soccer teams (high school, club, etc), positions played, coaches names and team
Reference Section: names of 3 or 4 people who can accurately gauge the player’s character and ability. References’ addresses, email, and phone numbers are
A personal letter is most effective.
The letter should explain your expectations in terms of education, the soccer program, financial need, and scholarship requirements.
Be sure to request literature about the college, and specifically, the soccer program.
Make it as easy as possible for the coach (time, location, j ersey #, etc.)
Make sure your grammar and spelling is correct!
Have a proper email address. Be professional.
Monday, May 3, 2018 John Coach Head Men’ s S
University City, S tate Dear Coach: My name is John S mith and I am writing to you to express my interest in attending Duke University and playing for your program. Currently, I am a j unior at Everett High S chool and will graduate in 2014. I currently have a GPA of 3.5 and 1800 S
accomplishments. My club team is the FC42 BOYS U17 Team. My personal highlights include Elite Player Development, I will be attending the upcoming S howcase on May 2-4. Enclosed with this letter is a current schedule of the tournaments and showcase events my team will be participating in, my academic/ soccer resumes, a copy of my transcripts, and my ACT/ S AT results. I hope you will be attending some of these events and might have the time to evaluate my soccer abilities in a showcase game. If you could send me a soccer media guide and soccer camp brochure, it would be much appreciated. I will follow up this letter with a telephone call within the next two weeks in hopes that I will have an opportunity to talk with you in reference to opportunities that may exist in the future. Thank you for your time and consideration. S incerely, John S mith
The single key variable that separates a single student- athlete from all of the other solicitation letters received by the college coach is a regular follow up.
The maj ority of letters received by college coaches are form letter mailed to numerous programs –A specific letter followed by a telephone call indicates a sincere interest in a given program.
Direct conversation allows the coach and athlete to assess personalities and interest levels.
It is an effective way to express interest in the program and to ask questions (Do not ask questions that are readily available from other sources!!)
Know the NCAA Rules and Regulations!
Have a specific reason for calling: update on schedule, key games, etc.
If you get the coach on the phone make sure to be courteous and very straightforward.
Make sure that you have your FACTS and INFORMATION as well as any QUESTIONS that you have.
ALWAYS make sure to ask at least two or three questions. Y
questions can show how much research and effort you have put into this call. Don’ t ask questions that are readily available
DO NOT call a coach back without having done some research
Make sure to know whom you are calling. Make sure you know which coach is responsible for what (2nd Asst Coach and GK coach is different than the 2nd Asst Coach and S trength Coach). Know their names.
S ee example scripts in the college packet.
The best way to get a feel for the campus
Take an initial visit in your freshman/ sophomore year
Plan a second visit in your j unior/ senior year
Official vs. Unofficial Visit
Tour the campus
Meet the coaching staff
Meet players
Ask questions!
Ask the same questions of different people
Once you have narrowed down your list of schools, attend their id camp.
Opportunity to meet the staff and work first hand with them.
Most college coaches now are asking there recruits to attend their camp.
Pre College Showcase
Four Weeks Out: E-mail updated resume and tournament information
Three Weeks Out: Call college coaches to make sure they received resume and that they will be at the showcase
Two Weeks Out: E-mail colleges with tournament schedule
One Week Out: Call college coaches to confirm that they will be at the showcase and can come watch you play Post College Showcase
One Day After: E-mail college coaches thanking them for coming to watch you play.
Within One Week After: Call college coaches to thank them personally and to get their feedback on how you played
College coaches do not randomly select games to attend.
Not playing well will turn a coach off - this is not the case.
Not playing a lot of minutes will turn a coach off – this is not the case.
Coaches watch pre-game warm ups and post game reactions.
College coaches are not concerned about the result.
Not all college coaches register in advance.
Focus on your performance – not the coaches on the sideline.
Preparation for a showcase begins long before an event.
They are watching and listening.
How you respond to adversity?
What type of character you have?
Body language matters.
Are you a leader?
As your coach, we almost always get called from the college coaches about what type of person you are. In fact, it is an extremely rare occasion when we are not contacted. The college coaches ask us about your character and your attitude. They want to know who you are inside. They are asking because of two reasons:
Attitude is enormous in sports. The character and make-up of the team is vital and each and every one of the team members collectively creates the environment through their attitude.
The second reason they are calling us is because… .we know your inner fiber! We watch every day how you react to the day-to-day grind of the game. We observe your behavior during the good times and the bad.
Let me ask you, what do you want me, as your coach, to say about you? Would you be embarrassed? Would you be proud? Attention, you are being watched, better yet, evaluated!
DO help guide your child through the college search process.
DON’T do all the work for them.
DO encourage your child to call college coaches.
DON’T do all the talking for your child.
When speaking to college coaches, DON’T go on and on about how good your son / daughter is and all of the schools that have been recruiting him / her.
DON’T exaggerate about any offers or interest from other schools if
It's a package deal. If any parents(s) seem really difficult or could pose a problem in the future the recruiting process could stop immediately
Do your research!
Know the rules!
D1 v. D2, D3, NAIA, etc.
http:/ / www.ncaa.org/ student- athletes/ future/ recruiting
Know the NCAA academic requirements (core classes)
Know the NCAA S AT/ GP A minimums
Register with NCAA Clearinghouse in Junior Y ear http:/ / www.ncaa.org/ student-athletes/ future
S tart NOW!
Academics are VERY important.
Evaluate your academic weaknesses and work on improvement.
S tudy! S tudy! S tudy!
Get a GREAT start on your GPA.
Read the NCAA publication: Guide for t he College-Bound S t udent At hlet e.
Read the NCAA publication: NCAA Init ial-Eligibilit y Clearinghouse.
Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss a solid academic curriculum.
Identity core courses at your high school: GPA based on these.
Take “ academic” electives: languages/ mathematics/ sciences.
Involve yourself in extracurricular activities: clubs/ honor society/ church group.
Consider ACT and S AT/ PS AT study materials and/ or tutoring services.
Realize that coaches do very little scouting of high school games.
Be a member of a strong team and a very strong club.
Coaches rely on what they see and hear at quality club team tournaments.
Consider attending a college’ s soccer summer camp or ID camp.
Evaluate your soccer weaknesses and work on improvement.
Practice on your own —fundamentals and ball skills.
S tart NOW!
S tudy! S tudy! S tudy!
Improve your GPA.
Create an account with NCAA - https:/ / web3.ncaa.org/ ecwr3/
Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss your academic curriculum.
Concentrate on the core courses: GPA based on these classes.
Take “ academic” electives: languages/ mathematics/ sciences.
Involve yourself in extracurricular activities: clubs/ honor society/ church group.
Take the PS AT: Experience taking tests.
Consider ACT and S AT study materials and/ or tutoring services.
Identify schools that interest you.
Assess your abilities (academic and soccer): find schools that “ FIT” your needs.
Develop your college “ wish-list” : 10-15 schools.
Do NOT place too much emphasis on athletic scholarships.
Prepare a cover letter.
Realize that coaches do very little scouting of high school games.
Be a member of a strong team and a very strong club.
Coaches rely on what they see and hear at quality club team tournaments.
Consider attending a school’ s summer soccer camp.
Practice on your own: fundamentals and ball skills.
Get moving!
S tudy! S tudy! S tudy! Your GPA is VERY important!
Read the NCAA publication: Guide for t he College-Bound S t udent At hlet e.
Read the NCAA publication: NCAA Init ial-Eligibilit y Clearinghouse.
Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss your academic curriculum.
Concentrate on the core courses: GPA based on these classes.
Take “ academic” electives: languages/ mathematics/ sciences.
Involve yourself in extracurricular activities: clubs/ honor society/ church group.
Get Learning Disabilities documented.
Take the S AT and ACT
Become familiar with the Financial Aid and S cholarship process.
S tart choosing schools: finalize your “ wish-list” .
Know your abilities and choose schools that “ FIT” your needs.
Make “ unofficial” visits.
Realize that coaches do very little scouting of high school games.
BE S EEN -- WITH YOUR PEERS: this is the year to travel – tournaments.
Coaches rely on what they see and hear at quality club team tournaments
BE S EEN: Consider attending a school’ s summer camp.
BE S EEN: Videos.
S EE: Watch college soccer games. S ee what it’ s like at the next level.
Compete: PRACTICE and PLAY with teams at the next level.
Practice on your own: fundamentals and ball skills.
Improve your GPA. Grades! Grades! Grades!
NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse: Are you registered? Is it in order?
NCAA Clearinghouse – 1.877.262.1492
NCAA – 317.917.6222
Complete your core course requirement.
Take the S AT and ACT again: S cores will improve.
S EE: Watch college soccer games. S ee what it’ s like at the next level.
BE S EEN: Travel with your club team. It’ s not too late!
Make “ unofficial” visits.
Make “ official” visits.
Ask questions.
Become familiar with the “ S cholarship” process.
Become familiar with the Financial Aid process (FAFS A)
Be prepared to complete the Financial Aid forms.
Continue to practice.
Continue to play at the highest level available to you.
Know your Academic and S
Do not place too much emphasis on athletic scholarships.
Does the school “ fit” your needs?
Will you be happy there? Without S
Without the academic/ social environment?
Finalize your school “ wish list."
Get a calendar! Plan!
Every player should approach the recruiting process individually. Don't be overwhelmed, influenced, or pressured by what goes on with other players. Ultimately, what is most important is make the best decision for you and your family.”
Take care of your academics/invest time and energy into putting your best foot forward in the classroom. Although it may seem apparent, the better you do in school the more choices you’ ll have in colleges. The worst feeling in the world is having schools take you off their list j ust because you don’ t fit their academic profile.
Get an HONEST evaluation from you club coach of the level of play that you should be pursuing.
Ask tough questions and be direct on what you are looking for in a university and soccer program.
Keep an open line of communication with schools you are interested in… build a relationship with the coaching staff!
DON’T be unprofessional at training, games, travel, etc. This may be the only interaction coaches may have with you to make a decision on the type of person you are.
Get on the campus and see a game and make sure the playing style suits you.
Include all relevant information when sending schedules out (location of game, time of game, your team name and your opponent's team name, age group you will be playing in, position you will be playing, your j ersey number, etc) so that they can have no problem finding you.
Finally, figure out what makes you tick. S
biggest stretch for them they can (challenge wise) they will be ok playing in a top notch program and sitting the bench. S
right away. KNOW yourself – you may be able to go to a school not as “ top tier” and yet be able to impact, be a captain, be a leader/ conference player/ all American/ etc. vs. not traveling or seeing much of the field and having a less impact role.
The coaches want to hear from you, not mom and dad. YOU, the player, own this. It is your
coach think you are serious?
National Collegiate Athletic Association
http:/ / www.ncaa.org/ National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
http:/ / www.naia.org/ NCAA Eligibility Center
https:/ / web3.ncaa.org/ ecwr3/ NAIA Eligibility Center
http:/ / www.playnaia.org/ College Board
http:/ / www.collegeboard.org/
Opportunities exist for those that seize them!
Be proactive!
Y
Do your research!
Plan, Plan, and Plan with detail!
Be persistent!
Work to improve your game on your own.
Attend college camps!
Attend games!
Are you really willing to do what it takes, or do you j ust like the idea of playing college soccer?
Do you attend team trainings?
Are you training on your own?
Are you taking advantage of the tutor program?
Are your grades in line?
Have you watched D1 teams play?
Are you being proactive about the recruiting process?
It’s always down to you and the choices you make. Actions speak!
Are you willing to sacrifice?