RECRUITING - THE STEPS TO TAKE
By Coach Getman - UAB

Your Junior year is when you need to be taking steps towards finding your place in College Soccer.  Waiting for your senior year can be a mistake.  This is because College Coaches are very busy in the fall.  From August to December, coaches are wrapped up in Preseason practice, then regular practice and 2 games per week.  Travel every other week with the team leaves very little time for recruiting travel.  Most coaches will watch local games, but very few will travel during the season to watch recruits play. So coaches will need to see you before the fall of your senior year.

If you want coaches to watch you play, there are several things you need to do. First, contact the schools you are interested in as early as possible.  Early Junior year is the best time to write or email coaches.  Let them know who you are and why you would be a good fit with their team.  Make sure to provide contact information for your current coaches and send a schedule of your upcoming games.  If you have a video of one of your games, make a copy and send it to the schools you are most serious about.  Highlight videos are great for Goalkeepers, but field players should send a full game.

Try to play where coaches can see you.  There are plenty of tournaments that attract college coaches.  Camps are also a good way to be seen.  Attend camps where the coaches you would like to be seen by,  are working.  You and they will get to know each other very well.  Training, eating, socializing, are all part of the camp experience.  After a week of being together in a competitive environment, you will both know if it is a good fit.

Most High School students tend to procrastinate.  Contacting coaches is a difficult thing to do. Find a way.  Write letters, send emails, just do it.  The sooner you make contact, the sooner the process can begin and the more likely you will end up at the school of your choice.