Reaching out to a coach can seem pretty intimidating because you might not know what to say, how to address them, where to find their information, etc. Well, I'm here to help since I went through the same process. 

Make the First Move

Let's start with the basics: do not be afraid to reach out to a coach! Chances are you are not the only one and it's a great way to get your foot in the door. Finding a coach's email is pretty simple too! Just go to their university's website and check out  their athletics page. If you open up the roster and scroll all the way down there will be the coach's photo, bio, and contact information. It's that simple.

Related: Example Email to College Coaches

Write a Draft

Now that you have some coaches' email addresses, it's time to draft up a basic email. And be respectful–start your email with a greeting like “Dear Coach [insert last name].” You then want to include where you go to school, what position you play or event you compete in, and a little information about your academics may even be helpful. Just give them a bit of an introduction to who you are. You don't want to overload the coach with information and it's honestly best to keep it pretty quick considering they live busy lives. 

Get Excited!

Then you want to express your interest in their program. What specifically about that program interests you and how do you think you would fit in? This shows the coach you have done your research and have assessed how you can contribute. 

Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits

Be Inviting

Next, I would suggest including your competition  schedule for the season and any tournaments you may be playing in. It's also important here to include your jersey number so they know who to look for. This is a great way to increase the odds of being  scouted in real-time, as you never know if the coach is in the area and decides to stop in. You can also add in any game footage you have as that can be helpful for coaches to get a glimpse of how you are as a player. It can also spark their interest and make them more inclined to reply or want to see you play in person. 

Don't Forget Email Etiquette!

Finally, you want an eye-catching subject line. Basic subject lines such as “recruit” may blend in with the hundreds of emails they receive a day. Try to think of something eye-catching. For example, if you are a 6'4 linebacker use that in your subject or add a graduation year. You want to stand out from the start so the subject line should include something a bit unique to you. 

Contacting coaches might seem scary, but it's also fairly simple. Overall, try to keep your point of contact with a coach sincere and to the point. Be respectful and don't be afraid to let your personality shine through. Then, let your skills do the rest of the talking. 

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* Originally published on July 8, 2022, by Casey Chizmazia