Recruiting - What To Ask - College Links

Your Meeting with a College Soccer Coach

When you enter your senior year in high school, you may have a chance to speak with a college coach who calls, stops by, or sees you during a visit to the coach's college or university. When the coach takes time to talk to you and to introduce the school, program, and playing opportunity, you have the chance to ask questions that will help you make your decision, and, at the same time, help you and the coach decide if the school and playing opportunity is a good match for your interests and for the team needs. If it turns out that there is a good match, your having asked these questions will help the coach feel confident that you are serious about the opportunity.

About the College

1. Is this a four year or two year school?

2. Is the school public or private? Church affiliated?

3. Where is the school located?

4. Is this in the country, a small town, or in an urban area?

5. What is the campus like?

6. How large is the school, what is the undergraduate enrollment?

7. What are the strongest degree programs offered, and which are the best academic departments?

8. What degree programs are popular with current soccer players?

9. Do most students live on campus or in off-campus apartments?

10. What is the student housing like?

11. Do the members of the soccer team room together?

12. What transportation is possible from my home to the campus?

13. What is the academic calendar - quarters, semesters, trimesters?

14. What computing resources and library services are available to students?

15. What do you do to help players with their school work? Is tutoring provided?

1. In what division does the school play? (NAIA, I, II, III, NJCAA)

2. In what conference is the team?

3. What important non-conference teams are scheduled?

4. Can you provide a schedule for next fall?

5. What was the team's conference and overall record this year?

6. How many players will there be on the roster next year?

7. How many will travel with the team?

8. What training happens between seasons?

9. What is the pre-season schedule?

10. What is the practice schedule after school starts?

11. Including meetings, training, travel, and matches, how much time is required?

12. What facilities and staff are available to take care of injuries and rehab?

13. What is the style of play you want to see?

14. What are your goals for the team?

About the Coach's Needs for the Soccer Team

1. How many seniors are graduating?

2. Are there red shirt players returning?

3. Where would I play in the team?

4. How much playing time should I expect as a freshman?

5. How many other players are playing that position?

6. Are your recruiting other players for that position? Have you committed to any?

How to Go Forward

1. Where am I on your board now?

2. Have you seen me play?

3. Which tournaments will you be attending? (appropriate before January)

4. Do you have our team's schedule for this fall? (appropriate in the Fall)

5. Have you talked with my coaches?

6. Do you have a copy of my playing resume and references?

7. What's the next step? What should I do ? Do you see me as a serious possibility?

After this last question, let silence work for you. Listen carefully and let the coach explain fully.

Recruiting - What To Ask - College Links