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Get Scouted Scouting CareersBy: Gil Barkey
An interesting theme has been developing the last couple months speaking with college soccer programs about the recruiting of high school players. This theme was brought to light when one of my players noticed that a college coach was registered to be at a tournament in California AND Illinois for the same weekend. So which tournament was the coach ACTUALLY going to attend? (Hint, he lives in Illinois).
Coaches may register themselves for multiple tournaments in hopes of obtaining tournament rosters with contact information or in hopes of receiving emails from players interested in their college program prior to a tournament. In doing so, coaches are able to add these players to their soccer recruit database and invite them to camps without even attending the tournament. In some cases, coaches will ask an alumni or friend to attend the tournament for them to save on costs.
A coach or assistant coach is only able to travel to a select number of tournaments to watch players that are “high” on their priority list. The budget does not allow for them to attend many tournaments, especially out of their region.
The moral of the story is twofold. First, make sure to let college coaches know your specific game schedule for any tournaments. Even if a certain college coach is not present at the tournament, he/she may be in contact with other college coaches who are in attendance. Like many sports, the soccer coach network is tight, and soccer coaches will often share opinions of players with each other. I just had a player go to an official visit in California based on the opinion of a local college coach in Colorado. This situation happens more often than you might think.
Secondly, be aware that certain communications are considered only the “introduction level” of recruiting. Such communications include: getting a camp invite, a questionnaire link, or tournament follow-up email. At this level, you are barely farther than you were before the tournament. The coach may or may not have ACTUALLY seen you play. If the coach did see you play and was interested in pursuing the recruiting process, it should warrant direct communication (such as a phone call or personal text) to you or your coach, depending on your graduation year.
As junior or senior soccer players you should be receiving phone calls, text messages, twitter messages, or direct instagram messages if you are truly being recruited. After initial contacts are made, personal email exchanges are then common and very important.
Do not underestimate the power of a highlight video and game footage. Before you engage with a college coach by phone or email, you need to have video prepared. The coach will ask you about your video footage right after he/she asks about your GPA and ACT/SAT scores. It is important to be prepared for the initial phone call with the college coach. The worst thing you can do is to be stammering for answers when a coach asks to send your film or you can’t talk about yourself confidently. I personally go over coach phone calls with athletes beforehand because making a good first impression is so important to get to the “comparison” and “offer” stages of the recruiting process.
Most soccer players cannot rely on their coaches to get them through the recruiting process. I just talked to a senior soccer player last week who told me his coach was calling a school in California for him. It was hard for me to break to him that I knew that particular college program was done recruiting for his class. The coach may have had great intentions, but most coaches do NOT have enough time to help players with college recruiting.
Keep in mind that most coaches get anywhere from 400-1200 emails per week. If you as a player want to stand out in the crowd and the white noise that college coaches are inundated with, you need a professional. This professional should be someone you trust, has your best interests in mind, has seen you play, knows your strengths and weaknesses, and knows every in and out of the recruiting process.
Gil Barkey is the Soccer Director for NSR for the Western U.S. He along with Rob Miller, head up Soccer for the entire U.S. with Rob handling the Eastern U.S. National Scouting Report has additional scouts in your area to evaluate you. Go HERE to get your FREE Soccer evaluation.
Gil Barkey
Director, Western U.S. College Soccer Scouting
National Scouting Report
303.913.9073
gbarkey@nsr-inc.com
Rob Miller
Director, Eastern U.S. College Soccer Scouting
National Scouting Report
864.933.0511
robmiller@nsr-inc.com
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.