Recruiting Tips for Parents Just Starting the Process

First Impressions can linger, but can easily be overcome. I totally agree with getting the club coach involved. Especially if they already have open dialogue with that particular college coach. It will also give you a better idea of where your DD stands
Example. My DDs linemate at Surf Cup new the coach of her #1 was coming. She saw him before the game and flat out puckered our leading scorer and she flat out had the worst game of her career. No excuses, but the coach had done his diligence, our club coach routinely conversed, and that kid is now a team captain as a junior. Don’t give up on the dream. Coaches like to see kids fight through
 
Mystery Train said:
This question might be better as it's own thread, but there's lots of good advice here so ...

Curious to hear about anyone who had the experience of having college coaches (particularly targeted dream school) show up to your player's game for the first time, only to have said player or team lay an egg. Happened to the best player on our team this weekend in Vegas and she was pretty crushed afterwards. Usually the most dynamic player on the field, but just had one really rough day. Her mom said she'd had a fever when she woke up the morning of the game, but of course, she battled through. If you'd never seen her play, you might not have noticed, but all of us on our team knew she wasn't herself. Do you bring that up to the recruiting coach? Or does that just sound like making excuses? If that was my first exposure to the player, I'd probably just move along to the next prospect based on that performance. With so many good players out there, it feels sometimes like you might only get one shot to make your mark.
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if it's a top choice of her's, she should reach out and send a "Thank you" for coming to see her play. Let said coach know she was coming down with a "bug" and would like said coach to see her again in National Cup. This is also where a good highlight video comes into play....and sometimes, things just happen for a reason, maybe a better school comes along! :D
 
beachbum said:
Fairly opened ended question: Don't know what year your daughter is which is fairly important. The top tier players (national pool players)will be recruited and offered and verbally committed generally 8th grade through 10th grade. The rest will be recruited and offered from 10th grade to senior year with the bulk committing their junior year. So a lot depends on where your DD is currently.
If she is in the first tier, they will start making offers and at some point they will set a timeframe. That time frame will depend on what stage in the process that your are and they are. It will not be open ended as they need to move on to other recruits so they don't lose them. If she is in the second tier you should probably set a timeframe if they haven't already asked that question. Time frame needs to be realistic based on ability and offer expectations. That should help push the offers toward that time frame. Once one offer comes through that generally helps to push the others to make offers if they are truly interested. FYI, don't ever lie about offers as the coaches and clubs talk and will find out. Once and offer comes you can let the others know that she has an offer, be honest but not specific. Hopefully that helps some.
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Anyone have information about the April 26 NCAA meeting with new guidelines for recruitment? It is about to change from what we have been told.
 
push_up said:
.......the showcases are only scheduled to con (and make $$) koolaid drinking parents (like Mark) into believing the DA cares about college and their kid is being scouted for the national team, unicorns excluded.
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You are right, DA doesn't care but the college coaches sure do!
 
beachbum said:
https://www.ncaa.org/about/resource...rts-revised-recruiting-calendar?sf179424997=1
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From the article,

"The Student-Athlete Experience Committee has approached its early recruiting review in multiple phases: It has tackled official and unofficial visits during the 2017-18 legislative cycle. It will next review communication and offers of aid portions during the 2018-19 cycle. In a third phase, the committee will review tryouts, evaluations, camps and clinics, and contacts."

It is good that the NCAA is addressing the early recruiting issue. Too bad they will continue to ignore soccer specific changes that need to be made.
 
Why can't they consider sophomore year? Knowing what the situation is (options) prior to junior year is beneficial to the student-athlete. It's going to be hard on those who don't end up with offers if it happens this late, don't you think? It'd also require very quick decision making-- so not enough time to weigh the options.

Also just seems like it'd be a scramble on all ends to figure it our really fast, for the schools too. The top D1s would be fine. The others would really have to scramble after they figured out who was taken. Maybe a compromise would be in order?
 
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Dos Equis said:
Thanks for this. It is in line with what I heard from several coaches, with the expectation that the next meeting will result in all recruiting communication (answering schedules calls from players, or talking to them on campus) will also be prohibited prior to junior year, including making verbal offers before then.
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And another change to affect the 2002 age group. SMH!!!! I agree this needs to take place, but man...these kids in '02 age just can't catch a break. If you have an '02 not verbally committed, then I guess they are going to have to wait till Sept 1 to find out anything, because most of these kids are doing ID camps and building relationships with coaches and attending showcases in Phoenix and NJ, as well as hoping to make playoff dates, etc. I'm on the fence here. Could be good, could be bad. Overall, needs to happen, just not sure how it will all be implemented and what the issues that may or may not arise.
 
Real Deal said:
Why can't they consider sophomore year? Knowing what the situation is (options) prior to junior year is beneficial to the student-athlete. It's going to be hard on those who don't end up with offers if it happens this late, don't you think? It'd also require very quick decision making-- so not enough time to weigh the options.

Also just seems like it'd be a scramble on all ends to figure it our really fast, for the schools too. The top D1s would be fine. The others would really have to scramble after they figured out who was taken. Maybe a compromise would be in order?
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I think this gives you and the schools more time, not less, time. As far as time to weigh your options... I think if you are prepared enough you will probably already know the direction your kid is leaning.
 
Multi Sport said:
I think this gives you and the schools more time, not less, time. As far as time to weigh your options... I think if you are prepared enough you will probably already know the direction your kid is leaning.
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That's sort of the thought process we are thinking as of now. All the change just has been so frustrating for this age group. I hope we are right and it is more time. My DD is barely confident in the schools she has selected and has even entertained a few she wasn't thinking of. A lot changed from 14 to 16. A lot!
 
CopaMundial said:
That's sort of the thought process we are thinking as of now. All the change just has been so frustrating for this age group. I hope we are right and it is more time. My DD is barely confident in the schools she has selected and has even entertained a few she wasn't thinking of. A lot changed from 14 to 16. A lot!
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Didn't mean barely confident...meant VERY confident. The thought process of a freshman is vastly different than a Junior.
 
CopaMundial said:
That's sort of the thought process we are thinking as of now. All the change just has been so frustrating for this age group. I hope we are right and it is more time. My DD is barely confident in the schools she has selected and has even entertained a few she wasn't thinking of. A lot changed from 14 to 16. A lot!
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Their priorities change. Their bodies change. Their confidence changes. They mature.

Keep your minds and options open. It takes a very unique 14, or 15 year-old to understand the choice they are making prior to junior year. Yes, some are ready to decide, but the transfer rates and number of girls who stop playing women's soccer would suggest that too may are not.

Even under the current system, there are still spots junior year at most schools. There are even schools needing to fill spots senior year due to de-commits, academic performance issues, and transfers. That includes the power 5 conferences.

The proposed changes, in my opinion, are in the best interests of everyone.
 
Dos Equis said:
Their priorities change. Their bodies change. Their confidence changes. They mature.

Keep your minds and options open. It takes a very unique 14, or 15 year-old to understand the choice they are making prior to junior year. Yes, some are ready to decide, but the transfer rates and number of girls who stop playing women's soccer would suggest that too may are not.

Even under the current system, there are still spots junior year at most schools. There are even schools needing to fill spots senior year due to de-commits, academic performance issues, and transfers. That includes the power 5 conferences.

The proposed changes, in my opinion, are in the best interests of everyone.
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It's good to hear from those that have been there. My DD is entering her junior year. Feeling good about choices, but still nervous and wanting to visit a few more schools and areas. Never would she have thought of these things when she was 14. At 13-14, she thought UCLA and UNC were king. Now she hates suburban schools, not offense. LOL! But kids just start to know more of what they want in their college experience and what is comfortable and exciting. They think about their education and future. It's far more than the pitch and she knows that now. I think this is a good thing. You're right. It's good to slow this down a bit. We remain positive. We just want her to find the right home and have a great experience.
 
Dubs said:
She is a 2021. What you say makes sense. She seems to know what she wants, but we want her to do the due diligence part, in terms of getting exposed to other schools and that's really where my question is focused. How do we create the situation you described, as far as getting the offers to come during the same timeframe? When we go to showcases, do we need to do something specific with those other schools on her list to make sure they come see her? Ultimately she needs to see the campuses, meet with the coaches and then make an informed decision from there...assuming, of course, they are interested in recruitig her like the other school that's near the top of her list.
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CopaMundial said:
It's good to hear from those that have been there. My DD is entering her junior year. Feeling good about choices, but still nervous and wanting to visit a few more schools and areas. Never would she have thought of these things when she was 14. At 13-14, she thought UCLA and UNC were king. Now she hates suburban schools, not offense. LOL! But kids just start to know more of what they want in their college experience and what is comfortable and exciting. They think about their education and future. It's far more than the pitch and she knows that now. I think this is a good thing. You're right. It's good to slow this down a bit. We remain positive. We just want her to find the right home and have a great experience.
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Some concern about the amount of time players will have to make their decision and visit schools that make offers. Yes they can visit schools before junior year and decide which academic institutions will be a good fit but won't be able to talk to coaches to understand their program. Schools will be under pressure to get answers as well. Another change, it seems the 02, 03 players have been hit pretty hard.
 
CopaMundial said:
That's sort of the thought process we are thinking as of now. All the change just has been so frustrating for this age group. I hope we are right and it is more time. My DD is barely confident in the schools she has selected and has even entertained a few she wasn't thinking of. A lot changed from 14 to 16. A lot!
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Does your daughter know what she wants to major in yet? If she does then she is ahead of the game and she can really focus in on what schools fit her the best.
 
Lambchop said:
Some concern about the amount of time players will have to make their decision and visit schools that make offers. Yes they can visit schools before junior year and decide which academic institutions will be a good fit but won't be able to talk to coaches to understand their program. Schools will be under pressure to get answers as well. Another change, it seems the 02, 03 players have been hit pretty hard.
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My daughter learned more about the coach and program by talking with the players and since there are no, at least at this time, restrictions on talking to players that will probably be an avenue to explore.
 
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