Meeting a coach can be a bit nerve-racking and there are many tips to use when talking to a coach such as being yourself and being respectful. With that said, one of the most important tips is to ask questions because your curiosity shows that you did some research and that you are truly interested in the program.
Asking the right questions is important when it comes to the recruiting process. Here are five questions to ask a coach when you are on your visit or having a phone call as a soccer recruit.
1. Playing Style
If this is one of your first conversations with the coach, asking about the playing style is very useful because you get to know how they play and whether that fits your playing style. If the playing style described doesn't fit the way you play, it might be a hint to keep your options open. That way you can see if a different school might be a better fit.
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2. Opportunities
Asking about opportunities for freshmen coming into the program is a great way to make a solid impression and the answer can help you know where you'll stand on your potential future team. No coach is going to tell you there are no opportunities for freshmen to play. However, some coaches will be more honest than others and say that they use freshman year usually as a developmental year or that they give freshmen just as much opportunity as anyone else. If playing right away is a key factor for you, that can influence your decision.
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3. Players in Your Positions
Asking about players in your position isn't a bad idea either. You should already do your research on this topic, but asking the question might give you inside information. If the coach starts talking about how there are few players in that position, it might hint that you will be competing for the spot right away. The coach will likely also talk about the recruiting class coming in and the positions being looked at which will give you information about if there are other players being heavily looked at in your position or not.
4. Events Outside of Soccer
Asking the coach about events outside of soccer can give you a clue about the team's culture. It will give you a decent indication of whether the team is really close or not. With that said, if you are on a visit, it is definitely good to ask a player or two that question as well to get a better idea.
5. The Future
No one wants to commit to a coach just to see them leave. Asking the coach if they intend to stay for at least the next 4 years is a good question and should influence your decision a decent bit. A coach will rarely say that they intend to leave, however, reading between the lines to see if the coach truly does intend to stay based on enthusiasm and future plans is a good idea.
There are loads of tips for speaking to a coach during the recruiting process and asking questions is one of the most important parts of the conversation–so make sure you are prepared! Use these five questions as a start as a soccer recruit or as a guideline if you play a different sport.
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* Originally published on December 28, 2022, by Scott Abramson
