For both men and women, soccer is a very popular sport in high school and college. Many kids desire to play at a high level once they start college and participate for both their high school and club teams. But just a small number of high school athletes go on to play collegiately, and even fewer are formally recruited—less than 2%!
There is no guarantee that you will be selected to play soccer at your desired school; in most cases, getting recruited involves both good and luck. There are ways to make sure you have the “good” portion locked up, but we can’t assist you with the luck. See our comprehensive tips for increasing your chances of getting recruited in soccer below.
Read more about College soccer scholarships and recruitment by visiting our website and if you have any questions related to this topic, connect with us.
A Comprehensive Guide to Soccer Hiring
Strong academic credentials, a history of playing on high school and/or club teams, exceptional physical stamina and strength, talent and technique, and teamwork are the qualities that every college coach looks for in a soccer recruit. But they are only the fundamentals to get things started. To significantly improve your odds, remember this advice:
Participate in club soccer. High school soccer players that just play for their school team are rarely recruited because of how tough the college soccer recruiting process is. Instead, you should play for a competitive club team to gain the exposure and experience needed to become a successful college soccer recruit. Not doing so will probably hurt your prospects, but doing so will need more practice, lengthy travel, and fiercely contested competitions.
Get started early. By the ninth grade, if not earlier, the great majority of collegiate soccer coaches hope to begin assessing prospective recruits. Therefore, if you’re a committed soccer player, you should start discussing with your parents and coach early in high school if you want to follow the recruitment route. But if you’re in your junior year already, there’s still time! You may still start contacting coaches and presenting your case.
Be dedicated. It takes a great deal of effort, commitment, and preparation to be a student athlete in a sport as popular and demanding as soccer. College coaches will be very interested in learning more about your character as a player, teammate, and student as soon as you begin talking to them. They will be looking to you to demonstrate that you can excel in both demanding academic courses and fiercely competitive soccer.
Consult your coach. Ultimately, it is more difficult to determine whether you have the potential to be recruited at any given school because soccer is a team sport and there are no exact quantitative rankings accessible. Because of this, it’s important that you discuss your skills and recruiting prospects openly with your existing coach. He or she will be the most knowledgeable about how to compete for a position at the colleges of your choosing.
Continue to get good marks. Last but not least, it’s critical that you continue to perform well academically at school during the hiring process. Although it is important to have the abilities and disposition to impress coaches, your prospects of being recruited for soccer are very low if they are unable to convince the admissions office that you are a good academic student.
How to Increase Your Prospects of Getting Hired
Here are some of the most crucial steps you can take to increase your chances of playing for your ideal school if you want to pursue soccer recruiting.
Go to collegiate football camps
The NCAA organizes collegiate soccer camps at universities all around the country each summer. Excellent high school soccer players may use these areas to train, learn about playing soccer in college, network with other players from throughout the nation, and speak with coaches from different institutions. You don’t want to pass up these crucial chances to hone your abilities and impress trainers.
You may anticipate learning firsthand how college coaches manage their practices and improve the abilities and fitness of their soccer players at a collegiate playing soccer camp. Be prepared for exercises, strength training, and other skill development. You’ll leave with improved strategies, more skill, and a greater knowledge of what collegiate soccer is all about. Later, when you contact the coaches at the institutions that most interest you, the knowledge you gain will be helpful.
Go to the Correct Tournaments
Although it’s a good idea to attend camps and clinics, coaches, particularly D1 coaches, like to assess prospective recruits in club competitions because they can observe how well a player collaborates with their team. The top tournaments are a great way to start the recruitment process because they often draw a lot of college soccer coaches. Therefore, find out if a club attends the appropriate events before joining their squad.
Study up when you’re really invited to a few of these events! Last year, who went? Is there anyone at the schools you’re enthusiastic about? If so, let them know you would like to connect during the tournament by sending them an email in advance. It will be crucial to make the most of these events in order to showcase your skills and establish connections with the appropriate coaches.
Conduct Research
Anyone applying to college finds it challenging to put out a college list, and for student athletes, the factors increase. Finding a school that fits you both academically and personally is important, but you also need to think about whether you will be a good recruit given the team’s competitiveness and your own skills.
That means it’s time to look at universities once you’ve discussed your potential as a recruit with your coach and have a solid idea of your overall competitiveness! Along with choosing between D1 and D3, be sure to research the soccer team’s level of competition and how well your background prepares you to join it.
Create a Positive First Impression
Once you’ve identified a few institutions where you’re truly interested in joining the team, get in touch with the coaches at those schools to introduce yourself and let them know you’re interested.
Make an excellent first impression since, as they say, you only have one opportunity! Be prepared with your GPA, team record, and other important details if you call. Be courteous and succinct when emailing, and provide a transcript and athletic CV. Be careful to express sincere interest in the school and the team. You want them to know that they are your first option.
Lastly, make sure to complete any recruitment forms or questionnaires that are available on the school’s website, which are nearly always there! Coaches may have essential inquiries on your experiences, goals, performance, and other physical statistics.
Make the Correct Inquiries
You will need to maintain communication with coaches once you have established one. As the season progresses, keep checking in with the coaches. Provide academic updates, new team results, and a video showcasing your abilities. Coaches are more likely to contact you directly if they are given permission to do so if you build this foundation with them.
Make sure you ask the appropriate questions while speaking with coaches. Consider each discussion you have with a coach to be a mini-interview. In addition to making a good impression, you should use the chance to find out more about the school and demonstrate your genuine interest by posing inquiries that demonstrate your familiarity with both the soccer team and the institution.
Concluding remarks
In the end, there isn’t a single approach to get recruited for soccer. Colleges, high schools, club teams, and players all have different experiences. Above all, remaining engaged and proactive is the greatest way to increase your chances of being recruited. Avoid waiting for instructors to get in touch with you! Make the effort to communicate with others and show your excitement and interest in the schools of your choice.