Recruiting timeline

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May 15, 2016
926
18
I know I have seem plenty of this information here and there, some of it from people on DFP, but I don't recall seeing it all in one place. I came up a webpage that organizes the timeline, but I do not know if this is accurate. Does this make sense?


** Steps to College: A Quick Overview of the Recruiting Timeline **

8th Grade
* Research & start a list of colleges you're interested in. Aim to begin writing college coaches freshman year of HS.
* Work on study and time management skills, important to get good grades beginning Freshman year of HS.
* Character matters, make good choices … every day. Learn to be very careful of what you put on social media.
* Play at the highest level of club team you can. Ask your coach what you need to do athletically to compete well at the HS level.

Freshman year HS
* Continue your research & compile an initial list of 20 to 30 schools you're interested in. Rank schools based on the attributes that are most important to you
*Begin writing coaches of schools you're interested in, get on their radar and get your name out there!
* Play at the highest level of club/HS team you can. Ask your coaches where you need improvement and set goals.
* Look for College camps and clinics to attend.
* Good grades are critical ALL 4 years of HS - hit the ground running freshman year!
* Consider working with a personal trainer to improve speed, strength and overall athleticism.

Sophomore year HS

* Register with NCAA & NAIA eligibility Centers, complete recruiting questionnaires for all schools on your list.
* Begin compiling highlight & game videos, consider setting up a channel within YouTube
* Continue to research and update your list and write coaches & schools. Send videos and/or links to videos.
* Consider working with a speech coach to develop and improve communications skills - make a good first impression when you talk to coaches.
* Begin making phone calls to coaches, let them know your game / meet / match schedule - stay on their radars!
* Take SAT / ACT practice tests and/or test prep courses, keep your grades up!
* Pick a good attitude and show it. Recognize that nothing is owed to you just because you're a good athlete

Junior year HS
* Continue to research schools but narrow your list to 10 to 15 schools.
* Keep in contact with coaches often , let them know of your continued interest and also if you're no longer interested.
* Continue to send videos & grades to schools you are interested in. Be your own advocate & keep your name out there!
* Ask coaches where you stand on their recruiting list and their timeline.
* Take SAT/ACT Tests
* Look to attend Showcase games and tournaments and let coaches know your schedule.
* Continue to play at the highest level of club/HS team you can. Get feedback on where you can improve skills.
* Make unofficial visits to schools you're interested in.
* Take AP courses, challenge yourself academically!

Senior year HS
* Narrow your list to 3 to 5 schools, stay in contact with coaches on a weekly basis.
* Ask coaches for the timeline they will make offers.
* Quickly & politely let schools know if you're no longer interested
* Contact players on your short list of schools, get their direct feedback on the school and program.
* Take official visits to schools on your short list, meet coaches and players.
* Complete FAFSA form, get college applications in early and apply to all schools on your short list.
* Keep your grades up - avoid Senior Slump!
* Character is key, make good choices every day. Who are you when no one is looking?
* Post nothing on social media you may later regret. Don't let a 100 character tweet cost you a $100,000 scholarship!.
* Receive, consider and respond to all written offers from schools
* Make the decision ... make sure it's your decision!
 
Nov 27, 2012
197
18
The problem with these kind of timeline or guide is, recruiting process for everyone is not the same. It's a process and it will be different for different families. If your kid is throwing 65 MPH or hitting bombs as a 12 YO, colleges will run to you, but if she is not a stud but a decent player like most of the players, you will have to do all the leg work.
 
May 15, 2016
926
18
The problem with these kind of timeline or guide is, recruiting process for everyone is not the same. It's a process and it will be different for different families. If your kid is throwing 65 MPH or hitting bombs as a 12 YO, colleges will run to you, but if she is not a stud but a decent player like most of the players, you will have to do all the leg work.

DD is a solid player, but far from a stud.
 
Jun 11, 2012
741
63
For my DD is went kind of like this:
Freshman year- email some random coaches but didn't put a lot of though into it
Sophomore year- actually look to see if certain colleges had the major she wanted and were in an area she would want to be in. Emailed just those colleges.
Junior year-kept emailing those colleges, went to a few open houses and narrowed it down further and went to a few of their camps, really connected with one of the schools so after the first showcase she emailed that coach that they were top of her list. The coach replied that she was top of their list too and started working to set up a fall overnight. Coach basically said she had a spot if she wanted it. D3 school, in a preferred location, 5 year masters program for her major, loves the coach, would be happy there if for some reason she couldn't play.
Senior year-went on overnight, still loved it, met the team, verbally committed and only applied to that school, Application fee was waived, got early decision, honors program and a good amount of academic money,
I know I had it easy because she's had a good idea what she wants to major in since around 5th grade and has been pretty set about location for a few years also so it was easy to narrow down the number. For some reason there isn't a single D2 school in her preferred location with her major and she's never has an interest in playing D1. The chosen school is statistically top 2 in their conference and most seasons a very solid team. Her thought process when narrowing it down was "I want a school that has a good program for my major, a location I love and a team that I can make an impact on not a team where I'll just be another number and maybe not play a lot"
 

Top_Notch

Screwball
Dec 18, 2014
512
63
Are these guidelines based on the new recruiting rules?

Also, the head of my daughter's org mandates the players take the ACT/SAT as Freshman. He stated the school will resist, give reasons why they shouldn't, etc. ad infinitum. His retort is that the TB president insists.
 
May 15, 2016
926
18
'22, and she is not in front of coaches yet. We will be looking for clinics this winter to begin attending.
 
May 15, 2016
926
18
For my DD is went kind of like this:
Freshman year- email some random coaches but didn't put a lot of though into it
Sophomore year- actually look to see if certain colleges had the major she wanted and were in an area she would want to be in. Emailed just those colleges.
Junior year-kept emailing those colleges, went to a few open houses and narrowed it down further and went to a few of their camps, really connected with one of the schools so after the first showcase she emailed that coach that they were top of her list. The coach replied that she was top of their list too and started working to set up a fall overnight. Coach basically said she had a spot if she wanted it. D3 school, in a preferred location, 5 year masters program for her major, loves the coach, would be happy there if for some reason she couldn't play.
Senior year-went on overnight, still loved it, met the team, verbally committed and only applied to that school, Application fee was waived, got early decision, honors program and a good amount of academic money,
I know I had it easy because she's had a good idea what she wants to major in since around 5th grade and has been pretty set about location for a few years also so it was easy to narrow down the number. For some reason there isn't a single D2 school in her preferred location with her major and she's never has an interest in playing D1. The chosen school is statistically top 2 in their conference and most seasons a very solid team. Her thought process when narrowing it down was "I want a school that has a good program for my major, a location I love and a team that I can make an impact on not a team where I'll just be another number and maybe not play a lot"

This is a excellent game plan, especially for the Freshman and Sophomore years.
 
Nov 27, 2012
197
18
'22, and she is not in front of coaches yet. We will be looking for clinics this winter to begin attending.

Fall and winter clinics are the best. Less number of kids, weather is great and your kid can get good one on one time with the coach. Good thing for your daughter is she has couple years to develop and the coaches can watch her grow. Good luck in this journey.
 

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