volleyball recruiting: considerations. first things first i believe… every player in this room can...
TRANSCRIPT
Volleyball Recruiting:Considerations
First Things First
I believe…Every player in this room can play in
college if that is what they want to do!
Important
College sports recruiting is a really BIG business
Your daughter can play in college with or without using a recruiting service
Our family chose the DIY approach to college recruiting
DIY Recruiting
It just takes time and commitment (you and your daughter) It does work
Freshman & Sophomore yearsCollect data on colleges, start talking
Junior year– coach calls & invites Unofficial visit offers
Senior YearOfficial visit, offer(s), & signing
Recruiting Websites
Captain U My favorite – monthly fee
allows you to see who looked at profile
Very easy to use and set-up Be Recruited (NCSA)
One-time fee Lots of looks and easy to set-
up and use
Hudl
Rich Kern Yearly subscription fee This is a volleyball only site – it
has everything on it University Athlete
Great tracking tool for schools All USAV national VB
tournaments you attended are listed here
Coaches use this at tournaments
Others?
The Clearinghouse
Both NCAA & NAIA have a clearinghouse that each student must clear before they can play in college
DO NOT spend money on this until you have decided what school you’re going to attend
Video & Pictures
Take lots of pictures, but be selective of what you post Take unedited game video
If you own a iPad, edit video using iMovie (Free) Make a highlight video (3-5 minutes max)
Post it to your website and invite coaches to look at it Set up a FREE YouTube account
You can edit and label video using YouTube Using YouTube, you can track activity on each video
Talk to your Daughter
Important Conversations School size: DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, NJCAA
Be realistic Where do they want to go to college?
Dream school versus what can you afford to attend Geographic limitations (e.g. Texas, Southwest, anywhere in
US) What is your anticipated major?
Next Steps
Develop a list of schools you are interested in Do they offer your major Do they offer volleyball
Look at their VB roster and read up on the coach E-mail the coach
Make the email personalized so they want to read itKeep emails shortAlways give them a link to your recruiting website
Coach Interactions
Follow-up with a coach promptly, don’t be afraid to contact them should they be slow to respond
Monitor your recruiting websites daily / weekly If you get a coach look – email them and thank them If this college is on your list – ask to learn more about their
program Call the coach to learn more
Set up a visit
College Visits
Unofficial visits occur up until your Senior year Most coaches love unofficial visits as they don’t pay for anything Take advantage of invitations to visit campus to learn more about
the school, the program, & the coach. This is key On any visit, bring a notebook and have your questions written out
and be able to take notes EVERY coach we met with, loved this!!!
Offers
Offers may come in many forms Written (letter, email) Verbal
You don’t have to say yes or no immediately Be honest with the coach and most will be honest with you
In the end…
Make the right choice on your college…. You will be there for 4 or more years If it does not feel good on your visit(s), then…
Talk with each other (parents & daughter) why it didn’t feel right It is totally OK to say NO to an offer Sometimes saying no is hard, but it is always the right answer
Be Patient
Offers to visit and play will come They often begin in your junior year You may even get unsolicited offers from coaches you never met
or made contact with Signing & committing is in your Senior year
Important – Remember that college volleyball season overlaps with your high school season
Prepare for NO
Don’t worry if a coach is not interested in you They will often be recruiting for a certain position you don’t
play
They may show interest in you later Player(s) leaving Injuries Other reasons Coach change
Make this fun!
This is a lot of work – won’t lie to y’all
The best part is getting a coach to become interested in you
Enjoy the college visits and learn from each one
Make them fun… Plan visits around vacations, spring break, etc…
Parents
You will feel like you are doing all the work It is often true
Talk with your daughters – often – even when they don’t want to On visits, step back and let your daughter shine In meetings with a coach(s), sit behind them and be quiet
Let your daughter talk Parents that control the meeting is a TURN OFF to coaches
Ladies
Playing college volleyball is a big commitment of time and work on your part
You must be involved in Contacting coaches
Email, letters, text messages, & phone calls Develop a list of questions – often your HS / Club coaches will help
you - bring them with you to every meeting and phone call Take notes
Talk with your parents
