Calling coaches can be one of the most intimidating aspects of a student-athlete’s recruiting process, but it can also be one of the most important. If you are interested in a college/university it is vital that you be in contact with the coach. A coach is never going to invite a prospect to be part of their team if they don’t know the student-athlete and have a sense of their character.
The only real way to build a relationship with a coach is to communicate with them. It is difficult to get to know someone through email and for all that coach knows it could be a parent writing to them, not the student-athlete. It is okay to have initial contact with a coach through email, as long as you progress towards phone calls.
Coaches want to speak with you on the phone so they can get to know you. If you are late in the recruiting process, the more important phone calls become because they will get your questions answered quicker and the rapport will build more rapidly. Remember that you can call a coach at any time, but coaches have strict rules placed upon them by the NCAA depending on what year in high school you are.
Before you call a coach, you must prepare. In order to be adequately prepared for a call with a coach, there are a couple things you must do. First, you need to research the school you plan to call. You should learn some background information on the school and program so you will be comfortable talking with the coach and answering their questions. Second, you should write down a list of questions that you plan to ask the coach. These are some good questions to ask:
· Does your school offer the major I’m interested in?
· What is your graduation rate?
· What is the average class size?
· Are you looking for my position in (your graduation year)?
· When do you want your (your graduation year) class completed by?
· Where do I stand on your list of recruits?
· If I attend your school will I compete as a freshman?
· What is a typical day like for a student-athlete on your team?
· Is there anything else you need from me?
As a rule ask only two to four questions per conversation. Coaches are extremely busy people and if the interest level is mutual, you will have plenty of future conversations to get all of your questions answered. Lastly, you are going to want to have at least a couple of practice phone calls. A good way to practice is to role play with a teammate, family member or coach. This will give you a chance to ask the questions you intend to ask a coach and will get you used to how the conversation should go.
Always remember to be enthusiastic when speaking with the coach so they will want to have future conversations with you and believe you when you say you are interested in their school. The most important thing to remember is that they are just like any other adult. Try not to put them too high up on a pedestal because that will make you more nervous. They are a coach, just like the countless coaches you have had in the past. They are aware that it is difficult for a high school student to pick up the phone and call them and they will respect you more for it. Prepare yourself as best you can and just be yourself!
NCSA
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