pg.0

MagicCollegeBoundAdvisoryPanel

CALIFORNIAMAGICSOCCERCLUBPOBox420OrindaCA

MagicCollegeBoundHandbook

May2017

pg.1

TableofContents

ABOUTMAGICCOLLEGEADVISORY........................................................................................................................2

WheretoBegin?......................................................................................................................................................3

MagicMap:.............................................................................................................................................................4

SportsDivisionsExplained.......................................................................................................................................6

SampleProfile.........................................................................................................................................................7

CreatingaHighlightVideo.......................................................................................................................................8

MagicCollegeBoundE-mailDo’sandDon’ts.......................................................................................................10

SAMPLELETTER#1................................................................................................................................................12

SAMPLELETTER#2................................................................................................................................................13

SAMPLELETTER#3................................................................................................................................................14

QuestionstoAskCoaches.....................................................................................................................................15

QuestionsCoachesMayAskYou!.........................................................................................................................16

ConsiderWhetheraCollegeSoccerProgramisRightforYou..............................................................................17

pg.2

ABOUTMAGICCOLLEGEADVISORY

TheCollegeAdvisoryisdedicatedtoprovidingresourcestoassistMagicPlayerswhowouldliketo

considercollegesoccerasanoption.Ourobjectiveistoprovideadvice,toolsandresourcesthatwill

provideMagicplayerswitheverychanceofsuccess.Ultimatelyhowever,theresponsibilitylieswith

eachMagicPlayer.Recruitingisatwowaystreetandtakingtheinitiativetomarketyourselftocollege

coachesiscritical.

Gettingrecruitedgenerallyinvolvesfirstbeingofferedapotentialspotonarosterandthenpossible

funding-eitherathleticoracademicscholarship.Onedoesnotnecessarilycomewiththeother.

Coacheslookatacademicsuccessinhighschooljustasmuchasathleticskill.Ifthetalenttoplayat

thecollegelevel,tacticalawareness,determination,dedicationandpassionareequallyimportantto

coaches.Collegelevelathleticsrequiresahugetimecommitment,including-classroomhours,team

traininghours,fitnesstrainingtime,travelingtime,gametime.MagicPlayersshouldrecognizeand

preparethemselvesforthesecommitmentswhileembarkingontherecruitingjourney.Coacheslook

fordedicationandstrongcharacter.

Althoughplayingsoccermaybehelpfultogainingadmittancetoagoodacademicschool,athletesstill

needtohavethegradesandtestscoresthatwillalignthemwiththeschool’sgeneralacademic

admittancerequirements.Acollegecoach’ssupport,however,canassisttheadmittanceprocess.

Keepinmind,thebetteryourgradesandthelesssupportacoachwillhavetoprovidethemore

attractiveyoubecometothecoachandtheadmissionsoffice.Consistencyinyourgrades,evenifnot

straightA’s,helpstodemonstratesdependabilityandcommitment.

Berealisticaboutyouracademicandsoccerqualifications.KeepinmindthattherearemanyD2,D3

andNAIAsoccerprogramsthataremoredemandingthansomeD1schoolsandofferexcellent

academicprograms.Considerwhetheraschoolistherightschoolevenwithoutsoccer.

Unfortunately,itisafactoflifethatsoccerhasahighdropoutrate,transferrateandinjuryrate.Ask

yourselfwhetheryouwouldbehappyattheschoolevenifyouwerenotplayingsoccer.

pg.3

WheretoBegin?

1.GetfamiliarwiththeMagicRoadMap.Itoutlinesarecruitingjourneythattakesplaceovermultipleyears.OurtimelinestartsattheeighthgradelevelandcontinuesFreshman,Sophomore,JuniorandSeniorYear.(SeePage4)

2.FamiliarizeyourselfwithDivisionI,DivisionII,DivisionIIIandNAIAplay.(SeePage6)

3.Prepareyoursoccerresume.Remembertokeepitupdatedasyoubuildyoursuccesses.Developyourhighlightsvideo.(Seepage7forresumeandpage8forhighlightvideotips)

4.Communicatewithcollegecoachestohelpmarketyourself.Coachesreceivethousandsofemailsduringtherecruitingseason.Ifyouarereallyinterestedinaparticularschool,morecommunicationisbetterthanless.GetfamiliarwiththeNCAAandNAIArulesregardingcoachcommunications.Thelinksareintheresourcestabonthispage.

EmailDo’sandDon’ts(seepages10and11)

Sampleletterforintroduction(seepage12,13and14)

5.Considerthequestionsyouwanttoaskcollegecoachesandwhatquestionsyoushouldbepreparedtoanswer.(seePage15and16)

6.Considerwhetheracollegesoccerprogramisrightforyou.(page17)

7.Reviewthelistofsoccerprogramsa2zcolleges–www.a2zcolleges.com.Identifyschoolsthatmeetyourownpersonalgoals.

8.Takeintoaccountlocation,enrollmentsize,academicprogramsoffered,admissionrequirementsetc.Takenoteofheadcoachesandrecruitingcoachescontactinfo.

pg.4

MagicMap:

Importantnotesforanyage:

1.Don’tbeafraidtocontactcoachestoletthemknowyourinteresttheirprogram.Ifyoudon’tletthemknowtheymayneverknow.Beproactive.Morecontactisbetterifreallyinterestedinaschool.

2.Alwayssendanindividualemailorwrittencorrespondenceandincludeallthecoachesintheprogram.Neversendagroupemailorcorrespondencetocoachesatseveralcolleges.

3.Followyourfavoriteprograms.Contactthecoachwhentheteamachievesasuccess.Congratulatethemonawinoranawardtheyreceive.

4.Learnaboutthecoachesandrecruitingcoachesinyourtop25schools.Compiletheircontactinfosoyoucaneasilycontactthemwhenopportunityknocks(theyhaveabigwin,greatplay,awardetc.

5.Coacheswilllookatyouracademics,skill,levelofplay,position(s),character&integrity.

8thgrade

¨ Startthinkingaboutyourowngoalsfordeterminingwhatrolesoccerwillplayinyourowneducational/careerpath.

¨ Attendprofessionalgamesandcollegegamestogetafeelforthelifestyleofplayers.¨ Talktoyourcoach,parentsorschoolcounselorsabouttherelevance/importanceofgradestohelpyou

identifyyouracademicpathforhighschool.¨ Considerkeepingasoccerjournaltocapturehighlights&momentswithmeaningforyou.You’llenjoyitandit

maycomeinhandydowntheroadwhencompletingcollegeapplications.

Freshmen

¨ Preparelistofapproximately25collegesthatinterestyouandidentifythosewithsoccerprogramsatdifferentlevels.

¨ Attendatleast1CollegeIDCamp.¨ Startpreparingyour‘SoccerResume’.¨ Keepclosewatchonyouracademicstobesureyouareawareofandontrackwithregardtocourse

selectionandmeetinggraderequirementsofyourtopcollegechoices.¨ Watchcollegesoccergamesandattendwhenpossible.

pg.5

Sophomores

¨ Revisitandreviseyourlistofcollegesbasedonyouracademicprogressandinterest.¨ KeepResumeupdated–youmayhaveinformationoutonrecruitingwebsitesorvariousschoolsites.¨ SendResumeandcoverletterstoyourtop25coachesorrecruitingcoaches.¨ Startmakingunofficialvisitstocolleges.Easterandsummer!¨ Attend1-2CollegeIDCamps.¨ Emailyoursoccertournamentschedulemonthlytoyourtop15-20choices.¨ ConsiderSAT/ACTpreparation.¨ Reconsiderclassesandgradesthatcounttowardscollege.¨ Gotowatchcollegespringsoccergamesandemailthecoachandexpresswhatyoulikedaboutthegame.

(Don’tbeafraidtoemailthecoaches.)¨ Followyourselectedcollegesoccerprogramsonlineandsharepraisewiththecoachespeciallywhengame

attendanceisimpossible.¨ Startconsideringifarecruitingvideoisrightforyou.¨ Towardtheendoftheyearacquireapplicationmaterialandbrochuresfromcolleges.Getfamiliarwiththe

applicationprocessandessays.

Juniors

¨ Sameasabove–revisitandreviseyourlistofcolleges.Berealisticaboutyouracademicprogressandsoccerabilities.

¨ Emailyoursoccertournamentschedulemonthly.¨ Startcreatingarecruitingvideoifyouhavedeterminedyouwantone.¨ TakeyourPSATearlyinthejunioryear!¨ ApplytoNCAAClearinghouseattheendofyourjunioryear.¨ Writesampleessaysforcollegeapplications–thatjournalmaycomeinhandy!¨ Watch/followsoccergamesandemailthecoachafterwards!

Seniors

¨ Getapplicationdeadlinesandbeginapplications¨ FilefortheFederalStudentAidassoonaspossibleafterJanuary1st:www.fafsa.ed.gov¨ SomecollegesrequireadecisionbyMay1st.

pg.6

SportsDivisionsExplained

Every year students applying for a sports scholarship ask one question: Which association is better?

The NCAA (The National Collegiate Athletic Association) and NAIA (The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) have a few key differences setting them apart. Which association is better for you depends on your goals as a student athlete.

NCAA

The NCAA was formed in 1906 and is a larger association representing bigger schools and universities. NCAA schools are organized into three divisions, D1, D2, and D3.

Division 1 schools are typically the largest universities, and compete in a minimum of 14 sports for both males and females. These schools often have world-class facilities, attract the top athletes in the country, and receive the most media attention.

Division 2 schools are smaller than D1 schools, and student athletes usually finance their education with a combination of athletic and educational scholarships.

Division 3 schools are the smallest of the NCAA institutions. D3 schools are not allowed to offer athletic scholarships.

NAIA

The NAIA was established in 1937 and is a smaller association. It is made up of smaller 4-year colleges throughout the United States, and competitive levels are comparable to NCAA D2 schools.

There are equally talented players in the NAIA and NCAA D2 schools, and both have excellent opportunities for education and athletic achievement.

(Student-Scholarships,n.d.)

pg.7

SampleProfile

Sally Smith 2017 CM/FWD ADDRESS: Wilder 1, Orinda CA 94444 HOME PHONE: 925 999 9999 CELL PHONE: 925 999 9999 EMAIL: firstname_lastname@gmail.com Objective I am a 2017 Graduate of High School, Lafayette, California. My goal is to represent an institution with a reputation for excellence in academics and athletics. I firmly believe that your program and institution provides this environment.

Upcoming Tournaments US Club Soccer National Cup: March 13-15th, 2014. Cal Magic (#15) vs East 13th March, 2pm kick-off field 8 Cal Magic (#15) vs West 14th March, 9am kick-off, field 7 Cal Magic (#15) vs North 15th March, 11am kick-off, field 2

Soccer Experience (as CM or FWD and willing to play other positions for the team) Magic 99G #99 Colors: Blue, White and Gold HIGH SCHOOL #15 (CAPTAIN) Colors: Black, gold and white

Education 2017 Graduate of High School, Main Street, Lafayette, Ca. GPA: 3.86 (All college prep and advanced placement courses) SAT: Spring 2015 ACT: Spring 2015

References First Name, Last Name (Director of Coaching, CMSC) 925-999 9999 email@.com mailto:haris@calmagicsc.com First Name, Last Name (Head Coach, CMSC ‘99) 925-999 9999 email@.com First Name, Last Name (Head Coach, ABCD ’99) 415-999 9999 email@.com mailto:mastersb@bobcast.net

pg.8

CreatingaHighlightVideoWHYISVIDEOHELPFULFORCOLLEGERECRUITING?

Videohaschangedhowthecollegerecruitingprocessworkstoday.Manycollegecoachesarenowrequiringplayerstosendthemgameorhighlightvideo.Collegecoachesdonothavethetime,budget,norrecruitingdaysavailablebasedonNCAAlimitationstopersonallyevaluatemanyplayers.Thisiswhyvideotapingyourskillssacriticalpartoftherecruitingprocess.Yourgoalistoguaranteearecruitingevaluationfromtargetcollegecoachesandmaximizeyourcollegerecruitingandathleticscholarshipopportunitieswhilesavingtimeandmoneybynothavingtotraveltoeachcollegetogetevaluated.

HowtoCreateanOutstandingHighlightVideo.TIPS:

1. First,youwillneedacameratogetstartedmakingyourvideo.ItissuggestedthatyouuseaHDcamcorderwithagoodtripodforstability.Havinggoodqualitypicturethatcanbeshowninhigh-definitioncansetyouapartfromtherestandmakesiteasyforthecoachtoviewyourvideo.Anotherkeycomponentwithrecordingyourownvideoistogetavideocamerawherefilesareshotstraighttoachiporharddrive.Thiswillsimplifyyourprocessbecauseyoucancomehome,anddirectlyloaditontoyourcomputerwhereitcanbereviewedandburnedtodisk.Ifyoudon’thaveaHDcameradon’tpanic–doyourbestwithwhatyouhaveorborrowone.Thebetterthetripodtheeasieritwillbetovideotape.

2. Propervideoangels.Lookatsomesamplesoccervideosonlineandtakenoteofthedifferentangles.Whentapingfieldsportslikesoccer,thegoalistogetaselevatedashighasyoupossiblycannearthemid-fieldline.

Ifyou’renotabletoshootfromanelevatedangleandareatgroundlevel,makesurethatthepersonfilmingisfocusedtightenoughonyoubutwideenoughtoshowthesequenceofplayshappeningelsewhereonthefield.Itisimportantthatthecoachisabletotellwhoyouare.

3. PayattentionthattheTripodislevelandzoom.Itcanbeanissuewhenfilminginthestands.Anotherkeycomponentinfilminggamevideoistotryandmakesureyouzoomasyoufollowtheplay.Youwanttomakesuretheplayerispositionedonthefarleftorfarrightofthecameraframingsothatyou’reabletoseetherestoftheopenfieldinfrontoftheplayer.Inotherwords,theplayerisinthebacksideoftheframeandyou’releadingittowardwheretherestoftheplayersareandwherethenextplay’sgoingtodevelop.Ifaplayerisisolatedonavideothecoachviewingithasnoideaofwhatelseishappeningonthefieldandtheywillnotbeabletounderstandtheflowofthegame.

4. Keepitrelativelyshort.A5-7minuterecruitingvideoisprobablylongenoughtoconveyyourskills.Rememberyoudonothavemuchtime.Inthreetofiveminutesyourhighlightvideoneedstoshowacoachyourallaroundability.

pg.9

5. Startwithabang.Putyourbesthighlightsfirst.Ideallyfirst30secondsofthevideoneedstocaptureacoach’sattentionsothattheywillreviewtherestofthevideoandknowiftheyareinterestedinyou.Theymaywanttorequestafullgamevideo.Coachesmaynothavetimetowatchtheentirehighlightvideosomakesuretheyseeyouatyourbest.Firstimpressionsareimportant.

6. Postyourvideoonlineoremailitwithyourresume.Don’tjustexpecttobeseenonYouTube.Beproactiveandsenditelectronicallywithyourresumetoyourtargetschools.TherearealsorecruitingsiteslikeNCSA,thatguaranteeyourvideowillbeseenbycollegecoaches.Feesoftenapplyandyouneedtodetermineifthatyourbestcourse.

7. Knowwhatcoachesarelookingfor.Coacheswouldliketoseeallaspectsofyourgame,somakesureyouinclude:Passing,dribbling,finishing,volleying,heading,co-ordination,etc.Filmyourgamesandtrainingdrills,coachesliketoseeyourightintheaction.

8. Showawiderangeofskills.Useclipsthatshowyou’reawell-roundedathlete.Don’tjusthavehighlightsofyouscoring.Alsoincludeclipsofyoudribblingintransition,throughballs,playingtoughdefense,orestablishinggoodfieldposition.

9. Videoqualityisimportant.Trytomakesureyourhighlightsareclearandthatyouareeasytosee.Usearrowsifnecessarytoshowwhereyouareintheplayifnecessary.

10. Simplicitycangoalongway.Startthevideowithashortintrowithyourpicture,name,jerseynumber,club,schoolandcontactinformation&coachescontactinfo,butdon’tgettoofancy.There’snoneedforcrazybackgroundmusicorniftygraphicsbecauseitcanactuallybedistracting.

HowtoCollectClipsandVideo.Beforetheseasonstarts,askyourcoachifhe/shetakesvideo.Youcanasktheparentsofteammatesforanyvideothatthey’veshotbutbeawarethattheyareusuallyfocusingontheirownchildandmostlikelynotyouatyourbest.Viewfootagepurchasedforatournament.Haveyourparentsorfriendsdoyourvideotaping.Hireaprofessionaltocreateoneforyou.Collectvideoclipsfromthroughouttheseasonandeditouteverythingexceptforyourbesthighlights.

pg.10

MagicCollegeBoundE-mailDo’sandDon’ts

ItisaMagicobjectivetohelpplayersconstructcollegerecruitinge-mailsandcorrespondencethatarepersonnelandoriginal.Weprovideexamplee-mailsthatincludenecessaryinformationthatacoachmayneedtoassessaplayer,however,playersshouldmakeeveryefforttomakethecommunicationtheirownsotheirpersonalitycomesthroughandattractstheattentionofthecoach.Thee-mail/lettersshouldbebalancedwithprofessionalism,sincerityandpersonalenthusiasmforthatcollege.ItisimportantforyoutoeducateyourselfonrulesforcommunicationontheNCAA&NAIAwebsites.(NCAAcoachesmaynotreplytoyourmultiplecommunicationsuntilyourjunioryear.)DO

Ø Spellthecoachesname(s)correctly.Ø Includeallothercoaches.Theheadcoachisoftennottherecruitingcoachand/ortheyrelyon

inputfromallcoaches.Ø Includethenameofthecollegeandreasonwhyyouareinterestedintheschool.Themore

specificandpersonalyourreasonsare,thebettertheimpressionyouwillmake.Ø Provideyourcontactinformation.

o Name,highschool,GPA,SAT,ACTscores.o Position(s),cluborhighschoolteam.o Clubreferenceswithphonenumbersandemailaddresses.o Accomplishments,ODP,sportsawards,etc.

Ø Includeyourupcomingscheduleofgamesoverthenextmonthortwo,ifany.(Theymayfollowitorattend.)

Ø Ifapplicable,addabriefstatementincludinganynon-socceraccomplishmentsthat

demonstrateyourlevelofcommitmenttoschool,family,sports,externalorganizationsetc.Ø Ifpossible,workinanypositiveexperiencewiththeschoolorteamthathasmadean

impressiononyou.Yourindividualexperiencespersonalizethecommunicationandaddsincerityvaluethatisuniqueandattractsattention.

Ø Closewithasincere,confidentstatement,yournameandemailaddress.Remember,they

needyou,aprospectivestudentathletetomaketheircollegesoccerprogramsuccessful.Ø Payattentiontospellcheck!Proofreadyourcommunicationsandbeawareofautocorrect

(emailorletter).

pg.11

DON’T

Ø Youshouldbewritingyourowne-mails,notyourparents.Coacheswanttohearfromyouand

cantellifyouarenottheonewriting.Theyfeelifyouarenotwillingtotaketimeto

communicatewiththemthenyouarenotseriousorreallyinterested.

Ø Coacheswanttofeellikeyouareeagertoattendtheircollegeandsoccerprogram.Ifyour

communicationtothemsoundslikea“blanket”letterthatissenttoalotofdifferentcoaches,

youshouldnotexpectittobefavoredoverothereagerathlete’scorrespondence.

Ø Don’tmakeexcuses,providefacts.IfyourGPAoragradeisnotwhatyouwouldlikeittobe,

indicatewhatyouaredoingtobetterthesituation.Takeownershipanddemonstrate

commitment.

Ø Initialcommunicationsshouldnotincludediscussionsoffinancialassistance.Thereisatime

forthatdiscussionbutnotuntilyouaresureyouwanttoattendaschoolandthecoachis

prettyinterestedinyou.

Ø Ifyouarealteringaletterthatwaspreviouslysenttoadifferentschool,youbettermakesure

youreaditforeverylittledetail.Itissimplynotgoodtoincludeinformationthatpertainstoa

differentschoolprogram.

Ø Trytolimityouraccomplishmentstovitalandmorecurrentinformation.Itisnotfavorablefor

acoachtoreadhowmanygoalsyouscoredinyouryoungeryears.

pg.12

SAMPLELETTER#1DATECoach’sNameAddressCity,State,ZipDearCoachName,(sendindividualemails–avoidgroupemails)ComingfromLafayette,Iwaspleasedtonoticefromyourwebsitethatyourplayer,TenayaDaviswontheCCAA'sHalCharnofskyMemorialAward,honoringbothheracademicandathleticachievements.Mynameis_________________andIamlookingtorepresentaninstitutionwithareputationforexcellenceinacademicsandathletics.Currently,Irepresent____________(clubteam)asa_________________(position).Iameagertolearnmoreaboutthegameunderyourtutelage,andwouldbemostgratefulifyoucouldwatchmeplayatthefollowingevent:(Listnext2tournamentsorbiggameshere).Icurrentlyattend_______________HighSchoolandhaveaGPAof___.Furthermore,Iamenrolledin(puthigherlevelclassesandacademicachievementshere,bebriefandtothepoint).Iwouldbedelightedifyoucouldsendmeadditionalinformationinthemailaboutyourprogram.Additionally,anysuggestionsregardinghowImightbestprepareforadmittancewouldbegratefullyreceived.IunderstandthatNCAArulespreventyoufromreplyingtomyemail.However,IwouldbemostgratefulifyoucouldreplytoourMagicCollegeAdvisorandDirectorofCoachingatharis@calmagicsc.comormyclubcoach:_______@calmagicsc.com.Lookforwardtohearingfromyou,Sincerely,Athlete’sName

pg.13

SAMPLELETTER#2DATECoach’sNameAddressCity,State,ZipDearCoachName,(sendindividualemails–avoidgroupemails)Iwouldliketointroducemyself.IamcurrentlyajunioratAnyHighSchoolinAnyCity,AnyTown,USA.IhaveplayedcompetitiveclubsoccersevenyearsandhighschoolforfouryearsstartingasaRB,CMandLF.Iam5'7"tallandweigh130pounds.IhavebeenselectedAll-ConferenceforthepasttwoyearsandAll-Statethisyear.IwasalsoselectedfortheNorthAllStarTeamthisyear.Mycoach’snameisFirstLast.Hiscontactinformationisincludedontheattachedinformationpage.Hehasindicatedtomethathewouldwelcomeyourcallsandiswillingtodiscussmyabilitieswithyou.Emailisareliablewaytoreachhim,aswell.Icurrentlyranksecondinmyclassof80students.Mycumulativegradepointaverageisa3.8ona4.0scale.IhavetakentheACTandreceivedacompositescoreof26.IplantoretakeitinOctoberofmysenioryear.Iaminterestedinpursuingadegreeinsportsmedicinewhileincollege,andwouldalsoliketocontinueplayingsocceratthecollegelevel.Ihavefollowedyourteamandhavehadtheprivilegeofattendingtwogames.Itismydreamtoplayforagreatcollegeteamlikeyours!Ihaveincludedaskillstapeandagametapeforyoutoreview.Myjerseynumberis#000intheBlue-Whiteuniforms.Ihavealsoincludedascheduleofour2015-2016soccerseason.PleaseletmeknowifthereisadditionalinformationthateitherIormycoachmayprovide.IunderstandthatNCAArulespreventyoufromreplyingtomyemail.However,IwouldbemostgratefulifyoucouldreplytoourMagicCollegeAdvisorandDirectorofCoachingatharis@calmagicsc.comormyclubcoach:_______@calmagicsc.com.Thankyouinadvanceforyourtimeandconsideration.Ilookforwardtohearingfromyou.Sincerely,

Athlete’sName

pg.14

SAMPLELETTER#3

DATECoach’sNameAddressCity,State,Zip

DearCoachName,(sendindividualemails–avoidgroupemails)

Mynameis__________andI'majunioratWestValleyHighSchoolinLafayette,Ca.IaminterestedinattendingABCUniversitybecauseofyourfinebusinessmanagementprogramaswellasyoursoccerprogram.

Currently,IplayforFCUnitedUnder-16teamoutofOrinda,Ca.Myclubcoach'snameisFirstLast.Hise-mailis:FirstLast@calmagicsc.comandhecanbereachedat:925-555-5555.

OurteamwillbeplayinginSanDiego,CAattheSanDiegoCollegeShowcaseonNov25-27,andwillalsobeinLasVegas,NV,onMarch21-22ndforLasVegasCollegeShowcase.Icanprovideyouwithourgameschedulewhenthatinformationcomesavailable.

IhaveattachedmysoccerresumelistingmyGPA(3.2)andmyotheracademicandathleticaccomplishments.Myhomephonenumberis:925-666-5555andmycellnumberis:925-777-5555.

IunderstandthatNCAArulespreventyoufromreplyingtomyemail.However,IwouldbemostgratefulifyoucouldreplytoourMagicCollegeAdvisorandDirectorofCoachingatharis@calmagicsc.comormyclubcoach:_______@calmagicsc.com.

Myemailis:name@.com

Bestofluckinyourcurrentseason.

Sincerely,

PlayerName

pg.15

QuestionstoAskCoaches

1. Whatisyourstyleofplay?

2. Whatisyourpreferredsquadsize?

3. Whatpositionsareyoulookingtofillforyear200x?

4. Whatattributesdoyoulookforinaplayer?

5. Canyoudescribeatypicaldayofaplayerinseason&outofseason?

6. Canyoudescribethetypicalyearofaplayer?

7. Howmanyplayersaregraduatingin200x?Arethereanygraduatingplayersinmyposition?

8. Howdoplayerscompeteforplayingtimeinyourprogram?

9. Doyouhaveapreferredformation?

10. Isittypicalforafreshmantostart?

11. Whatarethebestwaystogetevaluatedbyyourstaff?

12. WhataresomeoftheprominentMajorsatyourschool?

13. Doplayerstendtoroomtogether?

14. Howwouldyoudescribethechemistryoftheteam?

15. WhatistheaverageGPAoftheplayersontheteam?

16. DidmostoftheJuniorsandSeniorsstartasFreshmeninthisprogram?

17. Whatacademicsupportdotheathletes/soccerplayershaveaccesstoo?

18. Istherea“makeup”processforclassesortestsmissedbecauseofthecompetitionschedule?

19. Willyoubeinmyareaoratanupcomingtournamenttoseemeplay?

20. Whattournamentswillyouberecruitingatthisyear?

21. Iftheyhaveseenyouplay-whatareasofmygamedoyouthinkIneedtoimproveon?

(Theymayflipthequestionbacktoyou–beprepared.)

22. Whatpositiondoyouseemeplayingat?

23. Whatdoyouseeasmystrengths?

24. WhatareasdoyouthinkIcouldimproveon?

25. Howwouldyourplayersdescribeyou?

pg.16

QuestionsCoachesMayAskYou!

1. Whatareyouracademicandathleticgoals?

2. Haveyouseenusplay?

3. Haveyouseenmanycollegegames?

4. Whyareyouinterestedinourschool?

5. Whydoyouwanttoplayforme?

6. Howmuchdoyouknowaboutourteam?

7. Doyouthinkyouhavetheskillsandabilitytoplayforourteam?Explain?

8. Whatpositiondoyoupreferplaying?

9. WhatareyourgradesandGPA?

10. Doyouknowwhatyouwanttomajorin?

11. HaveyoutakentheSATorACT?Whatareyourscores?

12. DidyouparticipateinODP?Howdidyoudo?

13. Whatotherschoolsareyoulookingat?

14. Wheredowerankonyourlist?

15. HowdidyoudoinStateCup?

16. Whatotherschoolsarerecruitingyou?

17. Howwasyourhighschoolseason?

18. Whatwouldyouconsiderareyourstrengthsasaplayer?

19. Wheredoyouthinkyouneedimprovement?

20. Whodoyoucurrentlyplayfor?

21. Howwasyourclub/highschoolexperience?

pg.17

ConsiderWhetheraCollegeSoccerProgramisRightforYouBerealisticaboutyouracademicandsoccerskillandqualifications.Findingtherightschoolforyouisreallyimportantforyourindividualhappinessandsuccessasanacademicandasaplayer.Yourownobjectivesmaychangeovertimeandcollegeisatleast4years.Takethetimetofindtherightfitwithorwithoutsoccer.

• Talkwithyourclubcoachtoseeiftheyhaveanopiniononspecificschoolsyouareinterestedin.Theymayreachoutandgethonestfeedbackaboutyoufromacollegecoach.Askforcandidhelp.

• ConsideranIDCampatyourtoprealisticschools.Takeadvantageoftheteamplayersworkingthecamp.Talkwiththemandengagethemwheneverpossible.Theymostlikelyprovidefeedbackonyouandyoucangetafeelforwhattheyarelike.Afterthecampaskthecoachforfeedback.Ifhe/shedoesnotreplyitmaybeagoodindicatorastotheirinterestinyouorshowalackofcommitmentontheirpart.Neitherisagoodsign.

• Whenmeetingwithacoachkeepinmindthatthisisyourtime!Youaretryingtoimpressacoach.Keepinmind,however,thathe/sheismostlikelytryingtoimpressyou-isthistherealcoachorsomewhatofanact.

• Playersareanexcellentsourceofinformationbutmaybereluctanttoprovidecandidinformationabouttheirexistingcoach.Findingex-playersandformerplayerscanbeveryusefulbutit’sonlyapiece.

• Turnoveroffreshmanandsophomoresmaybeindicativeofacoachdifficulttogetalongwith.Itisworthinquiringaboutturnoverandwhy.

• Watchthegameswhenpossible.Watchthecoachandhis/herstyleofinstruction.Hangaroundthebustoobserveandgetafeelfortheteamattitudeandcoachesinteractionwiththem.

• Otherathletes(non-soccerplayers)mayhaveagoodsenseofthecoach’sreputationoffthefieldandcanbegoodsources.

• Whatisthecoach’slongevityinpastcoachingjobs?Lotsofmovementmayindicatenon-positiverepresentationfrompastschools.

• Teammatescanalsocausestress.Bepreparedtoasksomeprobingquestionsandwatchtheteammates

interact.