The Biggest Misconceptions when getting Recruited
After deciding to play athletics in college it can be overwhelming trying to navigate where to start. For many high school students the recruiting process can feel intimidating and confusing. One of the biggest misconceptions about recruiting is that if you are good enough the coaches will find you. In some cases this is true but in most cases the athletes need to be proactive and reach out first. Emailing coaches is the best way to connect however it isn’t as simple as it may sound. Emails to coaches need to be professional but show who you are as an athlete and a person. The simple details matter when reaching out to coaches and can even show who you are as a person. To be successful in the recruiting process, you must stand out to coaches not only through your athletic skills but also through your personality. As I was going through the recruitment process and navigating how to email coaches I got lots of advice from my family and high school coaches, that many athletes may need to also hear to be successful in emailing coaches and to avoid making big mistakes.
The biggest mistakes when emailing coaches for the first time
Mistake 1: Not emailing the correct coach
Teams have multiple people on their coaching staff and oftentimes they have a specific coach in charge of recruiting. It’s important that prospective players ensure they email the correct coach as your email could go un-noticed if you email the incorrect coach. To make sure you email the correct coach you can go on to the schools athletic website and search up the recruiting coordinator for the sport you are looking into. Some programs even have recruiting questionnaires you can fill out and the coordinator will reach out once reviewing the questionnaire.
Mistake 2: Using generic recruiting email templates and sending to multiple coaches.
Coaches receive tons of emails almost every day, and they can easily tell when you use the same template to send to multiple college coaches. When you use an email template, you show a lack of effort and make it seem like you aren’t truly interested in the school. It is always a good idea to change up each email you send. You can simply tell them why you are interested in their program or mention how they performed in a recent competition. Taking an extra five minutes to personalize each email shows genuine interest, and a good work ethic which is what college coaches want to see right away. The personalization of each email can also force an athlete to research the athletic program. This leads me into the next mistake high school athletes make when emailing coaches for the first time.
Mistake 3: Failing to research the school or athletic program
It is easy to get caught up in emailing coaches and forget to look into the program itself. However it is important to do a bit of research on the athletic program before you email coaches. Before reaching out, look into the website, roster, schedule, or recent results. Look at the athletes on the current roster and what year they are. This can help you decide if you realistically fit with that program. Try to follow the team on social media if they have one. Following a few of the current players on social media can help you understand the team’s culture and values. Finally take a look at what the school has to offer academically. Are there any programs that spark your interest or internships you would find interesting? When you include specific details in your email like mentioning recent wins or how one of their academic programs really stands out it shows effort and true interest. Remember coaches are not just recruiting you for athletics they are also recruiting you to represent the college or university.
Mistake 4: Not showing confidence in yourself
When emailing coaches you need to show confidence in yourself. Many athletes list their stats and achievements and forget to explain why they would be a good fit for the program. Coaches can look up your stats and find the awards you have won online. What they cant research is who you are a person. Tell them who you are beyond the stat sheet. What do you love most about your sport? What motivates you to keep going after a tough practice or game? If you play a team sport what kind of leadership role do you take on? Are you the vocal leader who energizes the team or are you a silent leader who leads by example. When you connect your personal strengths to their program, you help your email stand out. It clearly shows why you would be a good fit for the program. It is okay to hype yourself up in the first email, it shows confidence in your abilities and that you are eager to play at the next level.
Mistake 5: Not attaching a highlight reel.
This mistake may seem silly but happens quite often. Athletes craft the perfect email to coaches then forget to add in their highlight reel. You need to make sure you have a highlight reel link attached to your email. Some coaches may see there is no link and not even read the rest of your email. These highlight videos don’t have to be long; they can be 3-5 minutes of your best plays. Your highlights should emphasize your skills, athleticism and decision making. Make sure your footage is up to date no older than a year old and show your current level of development. It was always easiest for me to make a highlight reel after every high school season than after every club season. Quality also matters. Coaches should be able to easily find you in each clip. Many athletes now add simple effects like a circle or arrow showing where the athlete is, making it easier for the coach to identify you. Small details like this highlight professionalism and make a coach’s job easier.
Stand Out by Being Intentional
At the end of the day the process of emailing many coaches a different email can be time consuming, and mass emailing a bunch of coaches at once may seem like the right option. But being proactive and intentional with how you email each coach is how you avoid errors.The time you take to personalize every email shows through to coaches and reflects your dedication, hardwork and eagerness to play your sport. A good first email can lead you to phone calls with coaches, official and unofficial visits and a possible position on their team. For more resources on emailing college coaches check out the NSCA website. They provide youtube videos and articles regarding all steps of the recruiting process!