A relationship with a coach is one of the most important aspects student-athletes should be focused on when considering different colleges to attend. Your coach should be supporting, understanding, approachable, and above all, a good fit. When going on official visits or having correspondence with different coaches, it is important to understand them in order for you to make the best decision for your future. We're here to help you with some of the top questions athletes should ask coaches and why they are important to you. 

1. What is the schedule like?

Arguably one of the hardest adjustments to the college athlete life is time management. In order to find out if you can handle the schedule your potential coach would expect, you need to see what a day in the life is like. Overnight official visits can help in this regard as it allows you to shadow an athlete who actually goes through it while asking them questions throughout. The daily schedule isn't the only point that's important, but what competition season looks like and if you could flourish in your athletic and academic career.

2. Do you allow mental health days?

Rest is key for any successful athlete, and this includes mental rest. You would be surprised how many athletes or coaches refuse to miss a practice for any reason but, in order for you to maintain your mental health and take care of yourself, sometimes those days off can be a huge help. Although we would all love to be 100% at every practice, you should understand where your coach stands and if that's something you would need to be successful at their school.

Related: How the NCAA Can Address Mental Health

3. What support do you get as an athlete?

Everybody needs help at some point and you should feel confident that your school and your program can offer you support in times of need. This includes anything that could help you academically, socially, athletically or mentally. Some examples of services to ask for, and their dedication to the student-athletes, are counseling services, career services, disability services, financial service, tutoring or writing centers, academic advisors, or even the team nutritionist. You should make sure that whatever athletic program offers you is what you need in order to succeed.

4. How would you support an injured player?

As fun as sports can be, nearly every athlete gets injured at some point or another. Even if you spend hours working on prevention methods and training carefully, an injury is more common than you think. What you should focus on when choosing the right program is how they will support you if you get injured. A hands-on coach is ideal, where they are able to stay in contact with you and your athletic trainer, or even doctors to ensure your recovery brings you back stronger than ever. You are competing for the school and they should be able to have your back if you get hurt training to represent them, so make sure you ask!

5. How do you motivate your players?

Every athlete's drive is different. Whether players get motivation from positive forces, or negative ones, effective motivation  really depends on the person and their coach. So ask yourself: What might  it be like to be under the coach that is recruiting you? Are they a coach that tells you how it is? Or do they show you how to calm down and trust your instincts? Whatever the case, it is important to understand how the coach manages the motivation of their athletes when it comes to competition.

Related: How to Stay Motivated During the Recruiting Process

6. How close are you with your athletes?

Obviously, we want to push you towards having a close relationship with your coach, making your teamwork undeniable and allowing for trust to be built. Even though you might not need a hands-on coaching style, they should be just as invested in your goals as you are. An easy way to measure how active and engaged a coach is, is to understand their closeness to their athletes.

7. How approachable are you to your athletes?

As much as you would want your college career to be perfect, every athlete has to deal with some troubling times. What can make those setbacks even harder is having to explain it all to your coach and why it would affect your performance. Whether you're giving them the good news or  bad news, coaches should be approachable and their athletes should be comfortable sharing anything they deem necessary to be successful.

8. Where will I fit in on this team?

With this question, you will be able to manage your expectations coming into your college career. By understanding the role you fill on the team you choose, you can feel comfortable in what is expected of you. Some people are on the roster to create more depth in different positions, and some are chosen to be the stars of their academic class. Whatever the case, it is important for you to understand the coach's ideal position for you.

Related: Dealing with Abusive College Coaches

9. What are your intentions for my future career?

To finish off this list of questions, you have to consider where you want to be in the future. Every athlete is dedicated to their success within their sport, no matter how they get there. Finding the right coach who shares that dream and understands their role in making it become a reality for you is essential to your success. You want to make sure the coach has a plan for you and will continue to work with you toward that goal instead of making it more difficult for you to get there.

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* Originally published on April 25, 2022, by Catherine Light