In no particular order, TAKKLE has compiled a list of what not to do during the recruiting process to maximize your chances of being recruited and getting an athletic scholarship.
1. Do NOT assume that just college coaches will find you.
One of the biggest mistakes an athlete can make is thinking that just because you are a phenomenal athlete with tons of press, awards and honors, that coaches will find you. Sometimes this does happen, as the case with "blue chip" athlete Bryce Harper. However, the vast majority of athletes looking to get recruited are not on coaches' radar yet. You need to seek out coaches, not wait for coaches to find you.
2. Do NOT be passive in the recruiting process.
Too often, athletes sit back and let their high school coaches, parents, or even college coaches take control of the process. In the end, athletes who do this wind up at a school where their high school coach or parents wanted them to go, or where they fit as an athlete, but not as a student. In the end, only you can decide which school is right for you athletically, socially, fiscally and academically...and letting other people steer might drive you toward a school which isn't the best choice for you.
3. Do NOT not brag to coaches.
Athletes who have a long list of awards, accomplisments, press, publicity and honors relating to their sport are highly coveted by college coaches. As an athlete, the content on your athlete profile, or athletic resume, can make or break your college career. Do not hesitate to include every significant accomplishment on your resume. Most importantly, don't be afraid to brag a little -- tastefully, of course -- to college coaches. When speaking to them on the phone, or in person, mention recent awards you have recieved and press you've been mentioned in. Athletes who are afraid to showcase their skills will be outshined by athletes who aren't afraid to do so.
4. Do NOT break the recruitment rules.
This seems like a pretty common-sense "no-no," but you'd be suprised at how many athletes (and coaches) break the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or the NCAA's, rules during the recruiting period. For a full list of recruiting rules, visit the NCAA's website. If you break the rules your athletic eligibility could be severed, which means you could be suspended from playing sports at college for a period of time. Make sure you know the rules going into the recruitment process and make sure you follow them.
5. Do NOT not promote yourself.
Promoting yourself to college coaches is the single most important thing an athlete can do in order to get recruited. TAKKLE suggests promoting yourself through:
- Hire a Recruiting Service -- they can cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000, but the best services are well worth your money and can almost guarantee you will get a spot on a college team.
- Participate in AAU, Showcases, Sports Camp, Clubs and Combines -- college coaches these events specifically to recruit, so showing off your talents here can make a great impression on coaches.
- Fill out Questionnaires -- when colleges send you questionnaires, it means you are on their primary recruiting list, so make sure to fill them out and return them promptly so you don't get checked off their list.
- Invite Coaches to Games -- coaches want to see you in action, interacting with your teammates, and not just on highlight, skills and game videos, so invite them to your high school games and show off your skills!
- Create a Recruiting Profile on TAKKLE -- an online recruiting profile on TAKKLE is the best way to promote yourself, and to give college coaches an easy way to learn about you and follow your athletic progress. Register for a free TAKKLE account, fill out your RecruitMe sheet and create a profile today to share with coaches.
- Keep Your Other Websites PG-Rated -- almost everyone today ahs a facebook, myspace or personal profile page. Coaches look at those pages and will be turned off to you if you have inappropriate, illegal or provocative pictures or content. Turn your settings on private and keep everything clean.
- Send Coaches Videos -- send coaches your highlight, skills and game videos so they can see your athletic talents. Make sure the videos are high quality, and that you are identified via arrows or shpot-shadowing before every play.
- Build up Your Awards, Honors and Media Coverage Section on Your Resume -- for the awards and honors which you can be nominated for, or which you can nominate yourself for, do so! You want to make your awards and honors section of your athletic resume as colorful as possible. One great way to do this is to nominate yourself for Sports Illustrated Video Faces in the Crowd on TAKKLE. Another way is to ask your coaches to submit your statistics to the local press.
- Get Excellent Recommendations and References -- recommendations are very important to include in your application because they give the coach the perspective of a trusted voice, preferably your current coaches, other coaches who have seen you play, your trainer, alumnus, teachers, or influential family friends.
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