Hi Families,
We wanted to take a moment to update you all on some recommendations and opportunities that our players can take advantage of with regard to the college recruiting process given the current situation. While the shelter at home situation presents some challenges to the traditional recruiting process, we are continuing to work with our partners, Scouting Zone, to help the players to maximize this time off the field. I will be working with the teams in the coming weeks and help them in their process.
Below are some items players can do immediately:
2020 Class: Reach out to schools, look at their rosters…Communicate with coaches and send highlight videos. Especially D2 & D3 schools still looking for players!
2021 Class: Narrow your college list. Communicate with coaches, create or edit highlight video, take virtual college tours, study for the SAT or ACT
2022 Class: Review your top 20 college list! Draft emails to college coaches. Start creating a highlight Video. Take virtual tours of colleges. Take SAT practice test
2023 Class: Start doing research on colleges and create a list!
Create a top 20 list
Take the first week to create your Top 20 College List based upon the criteria below. Create a pros and cons list as you uncover details about various colleges to build your list. This will be your target list you work off of for the next 4-weeks.
- Financial Aspects: Consider tuition – both in-state and out of state and the % of students receiving financial aid.
- Academic Aspects: Evaluate the SAT, ACT and GPA requirements. Be realistic when evaluating your grades. Academics & college experience should be put before soccer. What major are you interested in and does the school offer it? Can you academically get into this institution?
- Social Atmosphere: Super important! If you didn’t play soccer, would you still want to be at this college? Offer other interests you have such as greek life, clubs, or activities outside of soccer.
- Soccer Program: Is it a realistic match? Look at the current team, alumni, style of play, social media handles, coaching staff and current players’ youth playing bios to help determine if you can REALISTICALLY play there.
- Athletic Program: Take the time to research the entire athletic program. Other sports they offer. Facilities and support they provide athletes.
- Size of School: Public or Private? Large 4-Year? Small 4-Year? Big City or Small Town. Are you a small private, or big football team kind of person?
- Division: Make sure to consider ALL divisions (Div I, Div II, Div III, NAIA, Junior College) even those that may be outside of your initial thoughts; you will be surprised at the variety of opportunities out there.
- Geographical Location: Beach or Mountains? Do you like seasons or unchanging weather? Do you prefer a school close to home or are you looking for a brand new experience in a completely different place?
- Quality of Life: Evaluate the quality of life, scholastic intensity & then soccer.
Create A Highlight Video
Begin by gathering your game highlights over the past 10 months to compile them into a reel. Right now, since you are unable to play in front of college coaches, highlight video/clips have become an important part of the recruiting process. By sending coaches your “highlights” you are still staying in front of coaches.
Here are some things to consider when creating your highlight video…
- Keep it short (3-5 minutes): Highlight videos should be just that, your highlights. Not entire games, just clips showing your special moments. If they are kept within 3-5 min they will likely watch most of your video. If too lengthy, you will bore them and they will move on. The main intention of your highlight video is to pique an interest. It’s rare a player is offered a scholarship solely off of a video. However, your video gives the coach an idea if you are someone they want to continue tracking and see play live. Or remind them who you are after they have already seen you play.
- Intro to your video: A few must haves at the start: Name, Team, League/Level, Jersey #, Grad Year, & Your Email/Your Coach Email. Something to think about including… a quick 5-10 second intro of you speaking can show personality – and put a face to the player on the video. it’s nice to have a personal touch to help you stand out and give the coach a look at you, the person. This is definitely not a must have, but rather nice to add if it sees fitting to you. Also, DO NOT make it lengthy, if you do add a verbal intro- keep it to 5-10 seconds.
- Make it relevant to your position: It’s helpful to have “sections” in the video that are specific to you/your position. For example: if you are a forward you can have sections for:
- Goals
- Assists
- Movement off the ball
- Set Pieces
- Make YOURSELF Visible: Remember, the scout doesn’t know who you are. Add a circle, arrow, light, some indication as to which player they should be watching. Even if you indicate your jersey # at the start, they are not going to scan the field for your jersey # on each clip. Make it very obvious who you are on every clip.
- Music: If you are going to use music, make sure it is tasteful (and definitely without profanity!).
- Cost: There are many resources and options to help create a video. Many players create great videos themselves. If you are looking for a video company to help put your clips together feel free to reach out to us for recommendations (support@scoutingzone.com). Do not feel obligated to spend $1,000’s on this piece of the recruiting journey. Most importantly, you just need clear clips showing your highlights – not looking to win an Oscar.
Write Emails to College Coaches
The objective is to start connecting with college coaches that are on your Top 20 list. Remember, they are hunkered down too and welcome recruits reaching out to them. This “downtime” is a HUGE opportunity to make an impact. Think about it… right before a big tournament coaches receive hundreds of emails. Today, probably only receiving a few per day. You can make an impact and stand out more by emailing today (and they actually have the time to open all their emails now!).
- Email is personalized: When coaches receive an email from a recruit, they want to know that it is NOT a copy/paste to every coach across the country. There should be something personal to show genuine interest. Keep it brief, yet informative, authentic AND personal. Tell them why you are interested in attending their college and being a part of their team!
- Player should write the email (not the Parent: Coaches want to hear from you; not from your parents or via a database email system. Also, make sure your email address is professional (your name and grad year is the best if possible) (ex. NO: partygirl@hotmail.com YES: Aubrey.Jones2023@gmail.com)
- Include Your Upcoming Tournaments/Games: When things return to normal and we all get back on the field (yippee can’t wait!), you can include when/where you will be playing next and game details.
- Interested College Major: Many schools have very specialized majors so coaches will narrow their player search to those specific majors.
- GPA: Noting your GPA is always important… especially if it’s stellar! Most highly academic schools aren’t able to recruit a player lower than their school GPA standard (Ex: 3.6+). If you DO have a stellar GPA it can be advantageous to the soccer program because perhaps you would qualify for an academic scholarship instead of having to use soccer scholarship money.
- SZ Profile Link: Always include your SZ Player Profile weblink. This your “soccer resume” and will give coaches a quick glance at your total player profile, awards & accolades, academics and highlight video (you can include multiple videos in your SZ profile!!).
We are not sure when we will be back on the field but this is a great opportunity for our players to work on their college recruiting process. If you have any questions, please email:
GIRLS: ellis@ourcitysc.com | BOYS: sean@ourcitysc.com
Ellis Riley & Sean Gurley
City SC College Liaisons
