Recruiting Tips for Parents Just Starting the Process
- Thread starter MakeAPlay
- Start date
Back in my DD u11 days, I used to dream of my baby goat cracking the top 150. After winning the natty, I thought for sure she would be voted in by the coaches. Nope, never. You need to pay $59 and then load up soccer stats and info. The first year of the GDA, some of the articles were written weird and too flattering imo. I know my dd got left out so I was jaded with jealousy, so any thoughts or insight from my vantage point would be tainted. Articles, awards, Camp invites from leagues, and this and that and championships. YNT List is how you crack the top 25 and get your name in front of the top D1 coaches in the country. Not sure how it will work in the future but that old way was hard and not perfect. I see girls on their that quit already or are about to. It's nice to have your kids on there and the top 25 is legit I believe. You have to pay to see the top 150 i believe...
dk_b
GOLD
My kid's experience with TDS's "Rankings" does not really match a lot of what is being discussed as "the way it works". And while schools like to use TDS rankings for their PR, I don't think the coaches use it in their recruiting - I think they use things like id2 and YNT camps (those "lists" are more important) and then the old fashioned "seeing players play". Some of this may be different in this new era (my kid was recruited under the old rules) but it is hard to know given how this "new era" has been so impacted by far fewer games, showcases, etc. What I can say is that I know plenty of kids who were not Top 150 (either at all or prior to making a verbal commitment) who earned substantial (up to full ride) scholarships. What seemed to matter more was being on an elite team and/or playing for a coach whose opinion carries weight with college coaches.
TDS is certainly not that end all be all for anything and the rakings can be dubious. However, if indeed your kid is identified and ranked, it's use can be advantageous. It's another "proof point" or at least thing to point to that the player can call out while communicating with college coaches. To that end, it's a good place to post accolades/articles. Profiles are free so if your DD doesn't already have one set up, probably a good idea to do it. Like DK says, there are plenty of players that aren't even on TDS that get schollys. It's just another potential marketing resource for your kid.
Simisoccerfan
PREMIER
TDS rankings are a bit of a joke along with their college recruiting class rankings that are based on the player rankings. First if your player is not called to the National Team, they need a coach or club that cares about TDS and is willing to advocate to them. You can get ranked if you play in a TDS event and you happen to have a scout evaluation done. One star and two star ratings mean they have not seen you or your club is not actively advocating. After the first 15 or 20 kids it is impossible to get it right. We all know players that have had a high rating and they are not even one of the better players on their club team.
Personally, I would advise any kid trying to get recruited to never mention their ranking to a coach. Coaches don't care about this crap. They care about the quality of the team you are on, putting their eyes on your to see how good you are, and what their specific needs are at the time. Better yet, find a team with a coach who has college connections and is willing to talk to college coaches about your kid.
Personally, I would advise any kid trying to get recruited to never mention their ranking to a coach. Coaches don't care about this crap. They care about the quality of the team you are on, putting their eyes on your to see how good you are, and what their specific needs are at the time. Better yet, find a team with a coach who has college connections and is willing to talk to college coaches about your kid.
Agreed. I hope I didn't come across like I'm putting stock in TDS. It is really as I explained.. just a marketing point of reference. You are also correct in stating the quality of the team you're on, the coach you play for and their connections, etc... are paramount.
dk_b
GOLD
I cannot stress this last sentence enough. Part of coaching "college potential" players at the club level during their recruiting years is marketing your players to college coaches. College coaches don't want to hear from parents and while they do want the players to drive the conversation once it gets started, an engaged club coach/advocate is ENORMOUS. I have seen first hand what happens when you have coaches who are responsive to college coaches and are advocates for players and what happens when club coaches don't do jack s*it to respond to calls or to assist w/a player's "list". It is not in the coach's interest for his or her player to be placed above the player's ability but it absolutely is part of the job to find the right level and then advocate for the player (D1, D2, D3, NAIA, community college). When I think of coaches who shirk that responsibility I get PISSED b/c there are kids whom I have known since U-littles who are good players and could play in college (not P5 and maybe not D1 but somewhere) who never got a sniff b/c they did not understand the process (they thought it was a "if you play in a 'college showcase', you will be seen" and that will be that, no matter the level, the colleges attending, etc.) and the coach did very little to educate them on their role and on the coach's role.
Short story: I was always the guy working the sideline for my kid's team - I put together the brochure, talked with the coaches, pointed out the younger ones (who were a HS class behind most of the kids) and the ones who were uncommitted, etc. I did it for the years after my kid committed b/c I really enjoyed it and I was able to get to know the coaches (they didn't always know my name but they knew I was my kid's dad and it was fun to talk to them about the team, about their team, about my own kid (of course) w/o the "pressure" of recruiting). I offer that by way of background b/c there was one guy from one of the SoCal clubs who was just so awesome about talking to the coaches, He was a marvel. My daughter's team matched with that club pretty much every year she played - starting at Surf Cup, two years in EGSL NorCal-SoCal showcases (when ECNL started at U14 so these were U12 and U13 events) and then every year in an ECNL showcase, so I got to watch him a lot (though not in those early years b/c we weren't doing the sideline thing). The contrast with me - just some dad who enjoyed the process, felt OK with chatting, etc. v a real "soccer guy" who knew the players and the college coaches, who had a track record individually and whose club had a big footprint - was so big. But he wasn't a dick about it - he was great. I'm not going to name him or the club (though it looks like he's no longer part of that club - not sure how long ago he would have left) b/c most of you SoCal people have more info about all the coaches and this is very much a surface-based observation (for all I know he was a monster even if he treated me well when we'd see each other in the airport). But I thought to myself, "THAT's how you do it if you are the DOC or technical director or just a coach of a team that is not playing but whose sister team is". You make the time. You do your job.
@Simisoccerfan's last sentence probably provides me with this one piece of unsolicited advice: if your kid's coach is NOT doing the legwork, find a new coach who will (it includes being able to listen when the coach gives an honest assessment of the right level).
DK, thanks for sharing. I had such an opposite experience with all that you shared, I had to go scream outside in the hills where I hike. I thinks it's best for me to just let all this go by the waste side. Interesting how this went down in the old days. I pissed the wrong person(s) off now that I understand what one parent was doing on my behalf. They talk to coach, "hey, here's the scope on so and so. Nightmare dad, dd is this and that, move on.....lol. You seem too nice of a dad to pull that sh*t and I wish I had you down here a few years ago in my dd corner and helping me get what I wanted for my dd. I was so confused when she was in 8th grade and all this pressure to email and put GPA as 8th grader on brochure. I totally understand how all this went down now. How old was the youngest that committed DK?
NorCal
SILVER ELITE
When the class of 2022 top 150 class list came out I did show my daughter. She was happy to be on there but she didn’t agree on the list for both her position (GK) or other positions. But I don’t think there’s ever a list or ranking that’s accurate. We literally haven’t talked about the list since that day. She’s also had 2-3 college coach contacts a week since June 15th and TDS ranking has come up a grand totally of 0 times in those conversations. Just to give you guys some perspective, at least from our experience.
dk_b
GOLD
The youngest from her team? Or the youngest overall? I can’t answer the 2d question and as for the first - the first to commit waited until after she turned 15 but her first offers were at 14. I can’t remember the final #s - especially because this last year had a split year and only half a season due to covid but I think by the end of their Jr year they had 12 or 13 D1s and 1 D2 but 1 of the committed players ended up signing an NLI in a different sport (I should know the #s but it’s now been a while since I looked at the list)
14 is the right age DK. Top top goat got recruited in the old rules as 7th and 8th graders. 8th graders had to be able to ball and have big time GPA and SAT potential. I like the coach K approach. I'm sure the recruit is also seeing if he wants to ball with Coach K. It's got to be a fit for the two Eagles. I understand how the old system work and all that. You had to help out. The recruiting was a phone date. Maybe ID camp before and a quick hi and then the bday phone call. Your one of the good one's and I wish you and your dd great success in college
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I want to give a 5 Star Coach Review shout out to the great Tad Bobak. He get's my JW Award for 2020. He taught the girls how to live life first and my dd was blessed to be taught by him for two great years. Thank you Tad
outside!
DA
He is also the guy that will cold call players from an opposing team to try to recruit them in the middle of the season (and replace his current players). He does this all the time. I believe coaches, players and parents should honor their commitments for a season. The only reason a player should leave a team mid-season are if the coach is abusive or the player moves. Asking a player to switch teams in the middle of the season puts pressure on them to not honor their prior commitments. Not cool.I want to give a 5 Star Coach Review shout out to the great Tad Bobak. He get's my JW Award for 2020. He taught the girls how to live life first and my dd was blessed to be taught by him for two great years. Thank you Tad
That is 100% true. That's how you keep winning. Drop the bottom 20% every year. He's super up front about that as well. He will not drop a player during the season or add a player during the season unless they moved into town. That was my two year experience. Tad played it super fair. I will look for my one year deal we signed with the great Tad. You also saw him and the Gaffer looking at next years potential recruits at other games. I would try and be his friend after games and I'm like, "where you going coach ((call me Tad please he would say)), I'm watching Slammers vs Legends. He had his note cards out too. Now my dd is not the recruited anymore. She has to earn her spot and wont find out until after the season. I told my dd that Tad is watching so and so, so you better work your ass off or your DD is getting cut.....lol. My dd loved that challenge. Some girls, no, they want promises of development and leave it up to the club and coach to make them great. Tad never promised more then one year Outside. Is he supposed to promise them a rose garden for 7 years? No promises except one and done or try and not get cut.
outside!
DA
I referred ONLY to the season. I am not sure where you got seven years. He asked players on DD's team to come to his practice in the middle of the season (after a very competitive game between the two teams). I have heard that he is very honest. He told one parent of a prospective recruit "Our parents are crazy". I have known some very cool parents from his teams. They say the same thing. He is more focused on recruiting than anything else. His teams are a great way to get noticed by college coaches, but there are definitely downsides. If you see a team that does not have as many highly rated players tie or beat his team on a regular basis, you have found a coach that teaches a better game.
I found it. Amazing to read back and see how fair this was. Tad made the decisions. No promises of nothing. He honored his word. No one ever joined his team mid season or borrowed to win a tournament. and i think we only had 16. My dd was approached by Goat FC recruiters and he he said, "yes" for her to play. Legends asked to borrow her for a tournament and he said, "Yes." The only time my dd and the great AT got to play together. She was guesting as well. One two punch. My dd got a killer goal in the finals but we lost. Then, Doc Spooner called for her to join his team during Surf Thanksgiving. Tad again said, "Yes." Tad never wanted to keep a goat from playing a game. he always told me to look at other car dealerships. Tad never brought a player to our team like others. He said that caused too much bad blood and he doesnt feel he is being loyal to his one year commitment he made to the parents and players. The age change was coming so that's why I wansn;t loyal to him. The other three clubs brought my dd in mid season to "win her over" and I look back and wish we never did that. I saw the look on parents faces whose kids got benched because my dd came in and stole the show, so to speak. That was wrong on my part and I see that now. You dont make friends doing that.
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The only reason a player should leave a team mid-season is if it is their best interest to do so. Kids are not the personal property or indentured servants of a youth soccer club or the parents of her teammates. If a kid finds better opportunity, be happy for them.
Wow, thanks. I feet better now....lol
Yah...screw teaching your kids about commitment. Unless there is a problem (that doesn’t include not winning), you finish what you start.
oh canada
GOLD
Except that the clubs have it set up now where players and families are at a disadvantage....they ask for commitments months prior to the current season ending. December tryouts with State Cup in March or for the older kids March/April tryouts (sometimes earlier) with season ending June/July. Clubs deliberately set it up that way for early $$ collection. Many other states run tryouts at the right time. Blues, Legends, Surf and the few other big clubs schedule their tryouts earlier each year and the other clubs have no choice but to follow.