If you want to play a college sport then getting recognized by prospective college coaches is key. Even if you have the talent to jump right into the starting lineup, a coach might not know how good you are, and if they don't, you won't get recruited by the college of your choice. You will also want to make sure you're getting noticed for the right reasons – the last thing you want is a negative reputation holding you back. Here are a few things you can do to get recognized. Four quick tips on getting recognized by a college coach.
Make a highlight video showing off your talents.
Coaches want to see you in action, but if you live on the west coast and are looking to go to a school in the Northeast, that may not be feasible. A short 5-minute highlight video showcasing your talent goes a long way. If you're a tennis player, hit some serves, volleys, and groundstroke's; if you're a soccer player, take a few penalty kicks and show off your ball dribbling skills; if you're a basketball player take a few shots, layups, etc. These videos are very quick and easy to make; I can't stress how much they can help you during your recruiting process. A great resource is hudl.com
Go to college recruiting showcases.
A great way to get on a coach's radar is to go to a showcase. If you are interested in a particular school, then reach out to a coach or coaches to let them know you will be at that showcase. This way, the coach or coaches will look out for you. This is an excellent way to network with coaches; it is recommended that you start this right away.
Showcases also push you to enhance your athletic development and skills, being that you will be competing against the best in the country.
You will also gain a new perspective on what your abilities are because you will be performing with the top player. College coaches are not known for “sugar-coating,” so this is a great time to learn the truth about what they are looking for.
Do an interview with your local or high school newspaper.
Small local newspapers are willing to publish an interview with a high school athlete. Being interviewed in a newspaper, if nothing else, will make you stand out. If a coach Google's your name and sees the interview, your stock increases tremendously. This is something you can add to your resume.
Grades are critical!
Academic eligibility should be at the top of your list when it comes to the recruiting process. Believe it or not, some of the best athletes have had to forfeit their ability to compete in college; they did not work hard on their grades. They took things for granted, and because of this, they lost their academically eligible.
Start thinking about your academic eligibility when you are going into your freshman year of high school. Stay on track with your core courses and work hard to maintain the GPA, SAT/ACT scores that the schools are looking for. The ones that you want to compete for. All guidelines are different for schools, so be diligent with your research.
Again, you will have to meet school's GPA, ACT/SAT guidelines, so research is critical.
* Originally published on January 9, 2016, by Keirsten Sires
