How to reduce the stress of the sports recruiting process

The very first thing to consider will be the athlete. Do they think they want to play the sport in college? If so, do they want to play at an elite D-1 level, D-2, D-3. Within each Division is an elite version of that sport. Maybe they want to play club sports. Maybe be a walk on at a school they won't get recruited to? If the answers you find here suggest action, then get started right away. If your child is not prepared to decide on that just yet, but shows talent that may be recruit-able you have decisions to make. Do we put together video on his or her behalf? Do we wait? Remember the stress you feel will be much higher on the athlete. they have their expectations to live up to. They have yours, their coaches, team mates, friends...its on their mind. They have school pressure, grades, tests, prom dates, and a concern of letting anyone and everyone down.

Once you have navigated, discussed, managed and understand these things you need to decide when to start.

Some say start the process at the end of your JR year. In reality, that makes sense because NCAA rules dictate they cant directly contact you before that. However; we know kids verbally committing in their sports as a rising Sophomore. That happens when coaches see you. They see you at showcases, at games and in videos. A coach goes to a showcase looking for talent at all levels. Some look at a Sophomore to have in mind for when he is "recruitable". Coaches know who they have and when they will be leaving their program. Don't assume because your a Sophomore they wont care... How does this remove stress? It doesn't. But it helps you decide when to start.

What does reduce the stress is the preparation. Shoot the games. Shoot the showcase events. Shoot some skills and drill practices. Pitching technique, setting, spiking, 40 yard dash at the combine... get it done early. Keep it current. Get an idea of what level you are playing at. Be prepared to deal with the results. Adjust your focus on the schools and programs that will most likely fit your ability. If you focus on D-1A but you are at a D-2 level, then you need to apply your efforts and time on that division or you need to find out what it means to compete for a D-1A spot. As you improve and receive feedback that suggests you should re adjust your focus again, do it.

Understand how far you are willing to travel for school (from home). What does it mean to you and your family? Understand what the schools offer academically and rule out those that don't offer the majors you are interested in. Be honest with yourself. Is it likely you will go pro? When you graduate what will you specialize in? A great scholarship for sports is fantastic and you should be proud! But make sure you are looking at schools that fit you. What will you do when you leave school?

When you have answered these questions and have formulated a plan the rest is much easier. You wont get wrapped up in the minutia of all the offers that don't fit your plan. When the coaches can start calling you will have a list of those you want to talk to. Keep files, in one form or another, for each school. Manage the conversations with your family and the recruiters so you are all on the same page.

Being recruited is like looking for a job. Except this job requires video, talent, skills and ability that can show through in a 3-5 minutes.

Develop a plan now. If your child is a freshman and is being looked at by the varsity coaches then you need to be recording successes now.

One of our clients has been viewed 70 plus times as a Sophomore and has been indirectly and legally contacted by 3 schools and is being watched by a dozen others. Many hours of playing, practicing and developing a highlight video made it happen. Desire, growth and improvement will be recorded and shared accordingly.

Be planful, be realistic, be organized and start early.

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