Attending recruiting events is a pivotal part of a student-athlete’s recruiting process. Events allow college coaches to evaluate student-athletes in a live setting. Coaches often look beyond flashy plays and evaluate intangibles like coachability and the student-athlete’s body language.
As parents or guardians, we want our student-athletes to feel supported on and off the field. Yet, we also want our student-athletes to show their autonomy and personal drive to coaches in the recruiting process. There are several ways to support your process. student-athlete during a busy event season that help set your child up for success in the recruiting process.
Preparing for and Attending Recruiting Events
Effective communication with college coaches is critical before attending any event. Coaches want to hear directly from the student-athletes about their interest in the school. Getting messages ahead of an event from the athletes allows coaches to create a list of student-athletes they would like to evaluate further.
Your student-athlete should email coaches 8-10 days before an event to inform them of their attendance and provide any identifying information the coach may need to evaluate them. Here is a great template to help get them started. Parents/guardians can assist by helping proofread these messages and setting reminders to ensure timely communication.
After an event, your student-athlete should send thank-you messages to coaches who evaluated them. Parents/guardians can support by reviewing and refining these messages and ensuring they are sent promptly.
One very important thing is to make sure the email is coming from the athlete. Coaches want to see genuine interest in their program. Often, we have seen coaches discard emails written by parents as the first point of contact because it may indicate to the coach that the interest is coming from the parent, not the athlete.
Maintaining Sideline Awareness at Recruiting Events
College coaches attend recruiting events to evaluate student-athletes, but they also observe parents and guardians. Remember, when coaches recruit prospective student-athletes, they also recruit their families. The etiquette you show on the sideline at events shows coaches what to expect on the sidelines of their games. At these events, maintain a positive and supportive demeanor on the sidelines.
Avoid coaching your athlete from the sideline, arguing with officials, or engaging in potentially harmful behavior such as gossiping with other spectators. Coaches may view such actions as red flags. It is common practice for coaches to stop evaluating student-athletes if a parent or guardian exhibits rude or disruptive behavior at an event. They not only see this as a warning sign of the student-athlete’s behavior on a team, but they also avoid this culture to represent their school on the sidelines at games in the future.
Be mindful of your surroundings, and always present your best self. Even if you don’t see a college logo, you do not know who is at an event to recruit or evaluate and who is not. If you notice a college coach nearby, respect their focus and avoid approaching them, as they are there to evaluate the student-athletes.
Capturing Film at Recruiting Events
Game footage is a key tool college coaches use to evaluate student-athletes. To ensure your student-athlete has quality film, try to record as much as possible during recruiting events or high school games. An expensive camera isn’t required—using a phone and a tripod also works. Film the competition from an elevated angle to capture the entire play, allowing coaches to see exactly what is happening. If you have a chance to write down key moments of the game, it can be easier to review this footage afterward and find good clips to highlight.
If you cannot film yourself, encourage your student-athlete to contact teammates, their school, or even opposing players to obtain footage.
Managing Emotions and Supporting Your Athlete
Recruiting events can be stressful for student-athletes, and it’s important to pay attention to their emotional well-being. Instead of adding pressure, be their biggest cheerleader. Your calm and supportive presence can help them manage any feelings of stress or burnout they might be experiencing.
You can help them start their day positively by encouraging healthy habits. Make sure they get a good night’s sleep, have a healthy breakfast, and keep some snacks handy for energy. Don’t underestimate the power of a great playlist, either—playing some uplifting music in the car can help lighten the mood and get them pumped up.
It’s also essential to help your child feel comfortable talking about their feelings. Encourage them to share their emotions with you but also remind them that it’s okay to reach out to coaches, teammates, or friends. Having a support network can make a huge difference. Knowing others are willing to listen can provide additional comfort, whether they feel excitement, nerves, or frustration. Your support, combined with the encouragement of those around them, will help them navigate their emotions and feel more at ease as they head into their event.
Conclusion
Your role as a parent or guardian is invaluable in the recruiting process. By helping with preparation, maintaining a positive presence at events, and assisting with post-event communication and film, you can significantly support your student-athlete’s journey.
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