Recruiting Tips for Parents Just Starting the Process

[outside!]

https://www.ncaa.org/about/resource...rts-revised-recruiting-calendar?sf179424997=1

From the article,

"The Student-Athlete Experience Committee has approached its early recruiting review in multiple phases: It has tackled official and unofficial visits during the 2017-18 legislative cycle. It will next review communication and offers of aid portions during the 2018-19 cycle. In a third phase, the committee will review tryouts, evaluations, camps and clinics, and contacts."

It is good that the NCAA is addressing the early recruiting issue. Too bad they will continue to ignore soccer specific changes that need to be made.

 

[Real Deal]

Why can't they consider sophomore year? Knowing what the situation is (options) prior to junior year is beneficial to the student-athlete. It's going to be hard on those who don't end up with offers if it happens this late, don't you think? It'd also require very quick decision making-- so not enough time to weigh the options.

Also just seems like it'd be a scramble on all ends to figure it our really fast, for the schools too. The top D1s would be fine. The others would really have to scramble after they figured out who was taken. Maybe a compromise would be in order?

 

[Dos Equis]

https://www.ncaa.org/about/resource...rts-revised-recruiting-calendar?sf179424997=1

Thanks for this. It is in line with what I heard from several coaches, with the expectation that the next meeting will result in all recruiting communication (answering schedules calls from players, or talking to them on campus) will also be prohibited prior to junior year, including making verbal offers before then.

 

[Dubs]

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

 

[CopaMundial]

Thanks for this. It is in line with what I heard from several coaches, with the expectation that the next meeting will result in all recruiting communication (answering schedules calls from players, or talking to them on campus) will also be prohibited prior to junior year, including making verbal offers before then.

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.

 

[Multi Sport]

Why can't they consider sophomore year? Knowing what the situation is (options) prior to junior year is beneficial to the student-athlete. It's going to be hard on those who don't end up with offers if it happens this late, don't you think? It'd also require very quick decision making-- so not enough time to weigh the options.

Also just seems like it'd be a scramble on all ends to figure it our really fast, for the schools too. The top D1s would be fine. The others would really have to scramble after they figured out who was taken. Maybe a compromise would be in order?

I think this gives you and the schools more time, not less, time. As far as time to weigh your options... I think if you are prepared enough you will probably already know the direction your kid is leaning.

 

[CopaMundial]

I think this gives you and the schools more time, not less, time. As far as time to weigh your options... I think if you are prepared enough you will probably already know the direction your kid is leaning.

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!

 

[CopaMundial]

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!

Didn't mean barely confident...meant VERY confident. The thought process of a freshman is vastly different than a Junior.

 

[Dos Equis]

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!

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.

 

[CopaMundial]

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.

It's good to hear from those that have been there. My DD is entering her junior year. Feeling good about choices, but still nervous and wanting to visit a few more schools and areas. Never would she have thought of these things when she was 14. At 13-14, she thought UCLA and UNC were king. Now she hates suburban schools, not offense. LOL! But kids just start to know more of what they want in their college experience and what is comfortable and exciting. They think about their education and future. It's far more than the pitch and she knows that now. I think this is a good thing. You're right. It's good to slow this down a bit. We remain positive. We just want her to find the right home and have a great experience.

 

[Lambchop]

She is a 2021. What you say makes sense. She seems to know what she wants, but we want her to do the due diligence part, in terms of getting exposed to other schools and that's really where my question is focused. How do we create the situation you described, as far as getting the offers to come during the same timeframe? When we go to showcases, do we need to do something specific with those other schools on her list to make sure they come see her? Ultimately she needs to see the campuses, meet with the coaches and then make an informed decision from there...assuming, of course, they are interested in recruitig her like the other school that's near the top of her list.

It's good to hear from those that have been there. My DD is entering her junior year. Feeling good about choices, but still nervous and wanting to visit a few more schools and areas. Never would she have thought of these things when she was 14. At 13-14, she thought UCLA and UNC were king. Now she hates suburban schools, not offense. LOL! But kids just start to know more of what they want in their college experience and what is comfortable and exciting. They think about their education and future. It's far more than the pitch and she knows that now. I think this is a good thing. You're right. It's good to slow this down a bit. We remain positive. We just want her to find the right home and have a great experience.

Some concern about the amount of time players will have to make their decision and visit schools that make offers. Yes they can visit schools before junior year and decide which academic institutions will be a good fit but won't be able to talk to coaches to understand their program. Schools will be under pressure to get answers as well. Another change, it seems the 02, 03 players have been hit pretty hard.

 

[Multi Sport]

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!

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.

 

[Multi Sport]

Some concern about the amount of time players will have to make their decision and visit schools that make offers. Yes they can visit schools before junior year and decide which academic institutions will be a good fit but won't be able to talk to coaches to understand their program. Schools will be under pressure to get answers as well. Another change, it seems the 02, 03 players have been hit pretty hard.

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.

 

[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.