Recruiting Tips for Parents Just Starting the Process

[CopaMundial]

Does your daughter know what she wants to major in yet? If she does then she is ahead of the game and she can really focus in on what schools fit her the best.

Yes. Very much knows what she wants to major in and what schools have the better programs for her major, which also tells her what cities are best as well. But if you had asked her this a year or two ago, she would have had NO idea. She was completely torn and all over the board. Like I said, a lot happened from 13/14 to 16, and I'm sure more maturity from now to 18.

 

[CopaMundial]

My daughter learned more about the coach and program by talking with the players and since there are no, at least at this time, restrictions on talking to players that will probably be an avenue to explore.

My DD is headed back east this month, and will have time with some players at a college that she is interested in. I'm sure the players will have general talk and stuff, but is there any specific questions that you might suggest she ask? Anything that maybe most prospective players don't think to ask, but should?

 

[Multi Sport]

Yes. Very much knows what she wants to major in and what schools have the better programs for her major, which also tells her what cities are best as well. But if you had asked her this a year or two ago, she would have had NO idea. She was completely torn and all over the board. Like I said, a lot happened from 13/14 to 16, and I'm sure more maturity from now to 18.

I think girls in general get their act together sooner then boys. My 15 year old is still undecided but thinks he wants to be an architect of some sort. He will probably follow in his brothers footsteps but when he heard what his broher had to go through (sleep deprivation, no social life) he wasn't too happy. I laughed and reminded him that it would be harder for him because he wants to play soccer as well.

 

[Multi Sport]

My DD is headed back east this month, and will have time with some players at a college that she is interested in. I'm sure the players will have general talk and stuff, but is there any specific questions that you might suggest she ask? Anything that maybe most prospective players don't think to ask, but should?

The one thing my daughter learned real quick was the coach liked to train early in the morning before school started. So if your daughter is not a morning person she might be bummed to be getting up at 5 AM every morning.

I would recommend your daughter talk to as many different players as she can. A bench player might say the coach has his favorites and never gives them a chance while a starter will tell her that if you bust your butt in practice the coach will play you.

Does the coach play underclassmen? Most schools have a reserve team that play other reserve teams so ask about that.

 

[beachbum]

What are the odds of the actually passing? Does anyone know? Are college coaches for or against this?

When my daughter was going through this process and we did campus visits, I asked almost every coach a couple of general questions. Let me preface that i did not like my daughter having the pressure of deciding to commit her freshman year in high school(not many 8th and 9th graders have a grasp on this stuff). It was very flattering and ego boasting for her that she was being recruited that early, but once the offers started coming the pressure mounted throughout the year. We knew at some point they would put a time limits on her offers. Question one, what do you think about recruiting girls in 8th and 9th grade. Most if not all did not like it but it is what they had to do to keep up. They didn't like it because the girls were not physically or emotionally mature and still changing. One coach said they miss on about half the girls at that younger age. He did say that the national team players have a higher success rate. Question 2. This is off the recruiting topic a little bit but the question was, what do you think of the Development Academy that is coming in? Not one that i spoke to(small sample size) was in favor of this as of last year. They knew that the federation didn't really care about the college recruitment process. So aside from the fact that the federation doesn't cater to the college recruiting process, they now having two competing leagues, which would make their job more difficult. They all said they would handle it, but didn't seem happy about it.
So in summary from what i have heard: it will pass, and most college coaches are for it.

 

[Dubs]

So, with the assumption that this does pass end of April, do coaches curb the current recruiting practices before that? How does this affect girls that are being actively recruited now?

 

[MakeAPlay]

And another change to affect the 2002 age group. SMH!!!! I agree this needs to take place, but man...these kids in '02 age just can't catch a break. If you have an '02 not verbally committed, then I guess they are going to have to wait till Sept 1 to find out anything, because most of these kids are doing ID camps and building relationships with coaches and attending showcases in Phoenix and NJ, as well as hoping to make playoff dates, etc. I'm on the fence here. Could be good, could be bad. Overall, needs to happen, just not sure how it will all be implemented and what the issues that may or may not arise.

I wouldn't be concerned. The NCAA only makes changes when they are threatened with legal action, a public outcry or when the commissioners of the Power 5 conferences come calling.... These rules don't benefit the Power 5 conference schools (although they do benefit the athletes) so they won't get approved.

 

[MakeAPlay]

That's sort of the thought process we are thinking as of now. All the change just has been so frustrating for this age group. I hope we are right and it is more time. My DD is barely confident in the schools she has selected and has even entertained a few she wasn't thinking of. A lot changed from 14 to 16. A lot!

And a lot more will change from 16 to 18.

 

[MakeAPlay]

Their priorities change. Their bodies change. Their confidence changes. They mature.

Keep your minds and options open. It takes a very unique 14, or 15 year-old to understand the choice they are making prior to junior year. Yes, some are ready to decide, but the transfer rates and number of girls who stop playing women's soccer would suggest that too may are not.

Even under the current system, there are still spots junior year at most schools. There are even schools needing to fill spots senior year due to de-commits, academic performance issues, and transfers. That includes the power 5 conferences.

The proposed changes, in my opinion, are in the best interests of everyone.

I agree that the changes are good for all involved (if they are adopted). However, most of the top Power 5 schools don't have money senior year and many don't have it past early junior year. For example, my kid's team already has 1o or 11 players committed for 2020 (the class that will be replacing her class which are sophomores) and they aren't a notoriously early recruiting school.

 

[MakeAPlay]

When my daughter was going through this process and we did campus visits, I asked almost every coach a couple of general questions. Let me preface that i did not like my daughter having the pressure of deciding to commit her freshman year in high school(not many 8th and 9th graders have a grasp on this stuff). It was very flattering and ego boasting for her that she was being recruited that early, but once the offers started coming the pressure mounted throughout the year. We knew at some point they would put a time limits on her offers. Question one, what do you think about recruiting girls in 8th and 9th grade. Most if not all did not like it but it is what they had to do to keep up. They didn't like it because the girls were not physically or emotionally mature and still changing. One coach said they miss on about half the girls at that younger age. He did say that the national team players have a higher success rate. Question 2. This is off the recruiting topic a little bit but the question was, what do you think of the Development Academy that is coming in? Not one that i spoke to(small sample size) was in favor of this as of last year. They knew that the federation didn't really care about the college recruitment process. So aside from the fact that the federation doesn't cater to the college recruiting process, they now having two competing leagues, which would make their job more difficult. They all said they would handle it, but didn't seem happy about it.
So in summary from what i have heard: it will pass, and most college coaches are for it.

Being a YNT player doesn't predict success at more than a 60% or so rate. And success is relative. IMHO the eye test is best. Players that have a high work rate, technical skill and some athletic ability are going to do well the majority of the time.

 

[Sheriff Joe]

And a lot more will change from 16 to 18.

Bad to good or bad to worse? It seems my 02 went from really fast to really slow from u12 to u16, she is heading back to being fast again.

 

[MakeAPlay]

Bad to good or bad to worse? It seems my 02 went from really fast to really slow from u12 to u16, she is heading back to being fast again.

It is a fickle thing. Girls can lose speed due to awkwardness and then regain it once they get used to their body again. It is really hard to tell. An open line of communication with your player and a healthy push never hurts. Good luck to you and your player sir.

 

[beachbum]

So, with the assumption that this does pass end of April, do coaches curb the current recruiting practices before that? How does this affect girls that are being actively recruited now?

I talked to 2 D1 coaches(one power 5, one not) in the last week and they are trying to get 03's and 04's in for visits and committed before/if this gets approved, again small sample size

 

[Dos Equis]

I agree that the changes are good for all involved (if they are adopted). However, most of the top Power 5 schools don't have money senior year and many don't have it past early junior year. For example, my kid's team already has 1o or 11 players committed for 2020 (the class that will be replacing her class which are sophomores) and they aren't a notoriously early recruiting school.

It is a great list of committed players, and that list of girls is responsible for a significant amount of the stress that the '02 and '03 players in Socal are experiencing right now. It would be interesting to take a screen shot of their Top Drawer 2020 list (it is up to 12 now) and compare it to the the UCLA signing day press release come February 2020.

I am genuinely uncertain how to evaluate whether the proposed rules are or are not in the interest of the Power 5 conferences. I know one active P5 coach who believes it will pass, and another outside the P5, but successful in recent years, who shared that belief. I tend to look to other sports that recently implemented similar changes for guidance (Men's and Women's Lacrosse). This FAQ also answers some questions about the impact on current recruits.

 

[Sheriff Joe]

It is a fickle thing. Girls can lose speed due to awkwardness and then regain it once they get used to their body again. It is really hard to tell. An open line of communication with your player and a healthy push never hurts. Good luck to you and your player sir.

Thank you, the push is on.

 

[MakeAPlay]

It is a great list of committed players, and that list of girls is responsible for a significant amount of the stress that the '02 and '03 players in Socal are experiencing right now. It would be interesting to take a screen shot of their Top Drawer 2020 list (it is up to 12 now) and compare it to the the UCLA signing day press release come February 2020.

I am genuinely uncertain how to evaluate whether the proposed rules are or are not in the interest of the Power 5 conferences. I know one active P5 coach who believes it will pass, and another outside the P5, but successful in recent years, who shared that belief. I tend to look to other sports that recently implemented similar changes for guidance (Men's and Women's Lacrosse). This FAQ also answers some questions about the impact on current recruits.

I haven't seen them lose a commitment after it was announced yet (even Pugh showed up for a semester). I don't know enough about the 2020 class to make any sort of judgement but I will say that it is Josh's last class and he has yet to disappoint me. Thanks for the info and I also hope that the legislation passes for the good of the future young female athletes.

 

[Dubs]

Has anyone heard anything more on the recruiting rules change? I heard that unofficial visits can be taken as of first week Sophomore year... Any truth to this?

 

[SOCCERMINION]

So will the NCAA rule changes really make changes for the better?. What do you think?
1) No more ID camp visits by players 8-11th? ( I think parents will still be sign them up for the "Development" camps the college provides ages 8-11, the coaches will be able to see them play just not Officially be able to approach and have a "Recruiting Conversation" )
2) No more unofficial Visits by players 8-11th? ( I think these visits will just now be academic visits and current collage players will now be the escorts to talking to the visitors, again no official "Recruiting Conversation" )
3) No more verbal commits before Sept 1 Junior year ( Unofficially , but aren't Verbal commits unofficial anyway)
4) No more Collage Scouting at the 8-11 grade ( Ughm, year right)
5) No more Free Game tickets before Sept 1 ( That will do it , that the one change that is going to make a big difference.)
Don't get me wrong I'm all for change here, I just believe there should be more than what they proposed to really impact change in the system that is already geared for commits at 9th grade. Our "Kids" don't need that pressure and should have a lot more time to figure it all out for themselves.

“The more restrictive we can make the environment on the institutional side, the more beneficial the experience we offer student-athletes,” ~NCAA

 

[espola]

When my daughter was going through this process and we did campus visits, I asked almost every coach a couple of general questions. Let me preface that i did not like my daughter having the pressure of deciding to commit her freshman year in high school(not many 8th and 9th graders have a grasp on this stuff). It was very flattering and ego boasting for her that she was being recruited that early, but once the offers started coming the pressure mounted throughout the year. We knew at some point they would put a time limits on her offers. Question one, what do you think about recruiting girls in 8th and 9th grade. Most if not all did not like it but it is what they had to do to keep up. They didn't like it because the girls were not physically or emotionally mature and still changing. One coach said they miss on about half the girls at that younger age. He did say that the national team players have a higher success rate. Question 2. This is off the recruiting topic a little bit but the question was, what do you think of the Development Academy that is coming in? Not one that i spoke to(small sample size) was in favor of this as of last year. They knew that the federation didn't really care about the college recruitment process. So aside from the fact that the federation doesn't cater to the college recruiting process, they now having two competing leagues, which would make their job more difficult. They all said they would handle it, but didn't seem happy about it.
So in summary from what i have heard: it will pass, and most college coaches are for it.

Making offers to 8th and 9th graders is a violation of NCAA rules.

 

[beachbum]

Making offers to 8th and 9th graders is a violation of NCAA rules.

So your saying verbal offers and commitments don't happen when girls are in 8th and 9th grade?