Expert Responses
We received three expert responses from Youth Coach Advisory Group members
Danielle Fagan, Hazen Sewell, and Lula Bauer.
Allowing your child to drive the process is a great way to manage the pressure. This is her journey and her decision, so it is best to avoid the comparison trap and to get caught up in what everyone else is doing. It doesn’t hurt to learn about other players’ process and what they’re doing as it can help with sharing information and resources; however, each person is different with varying interests so what works for one person doesn’t always work for another.
If it is a high-level club, then the club, coaching staff, and club directors should also be great resources for you and your daughter. Many clubs will have information sessions for parents and players to help guide them through the recruiting process. Also, I recommend my players and their parents use the resources provided by Renee Lopez as she is a recruiting expert and has written an excellent book that has information from 65 college recruiters across all sports and levels. (Note: I don’t get kickbacks or commissions for recommending her or her book.)
Overall, as a 9th grader it’s not too early for your daughter to start making a list of schools or types of schools that interest her (area of the country, school size, public vs. private, distance from home, areas of study/majors, etc.) The recruiting timeline will vary by school and level so it’s helpful to know what her interests are and what schools may be interested in her given her level of play. If she has the tools, the emotional support of her parents and all the information to create a plan and execute it along the way, it will help her navigate the process and alleviate the pressure she may encounter.
Find Danielle’s response useful?
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