Tips When Contacting Coaches

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Tips When Contacting Coaches

Proactively communicate with coaches!
  • Send an introductory email or direct message via social media platforms; including assistants and recruiting coordinators (the more, the better!)
  • Avoid mass / generic emails!
  • Coaches get hundreds of emails – make yours count!
  • Spell and grammar check!
  • All communication should be from the athlete! Parents can help, but coaches can tell a parent v athlete prepared email.
  • Follow up with a call to the coach (be mindful of recruiting guidelines)
  • Respond to all correspondence from coaches!
Continue to follow up with coaches by:
  • Sending updated stats (any big single game or career milestones)
  • Sending new highlight video
  • Inviting to watch you compete (include season schedule, pool schedule, etc)
  • Congratulating them on a recent win or other big program updates
Using Social Media:
  • Be visible! Utilize all platforms to increase chances of getting noticed.
  • Use your resources! Tag your school, club, trainer etc. on related posts.
  • Be active! Engage with your top schools’ social media accounts, including the coaches.
  • Share good content! Focus on material that implies you are coachable, dedicated to your sport and academics and helping others.
  • Update your accounts to public and allow DMs!
Profile is important!
  • Photo of you in uniform
  • Use real name to make you easily searchable
  • Include high school, class year, club team, position, height and GPA
  • Set your current location
  • Link your Hudl page to your profile
  • Have a pinned post (season highlights, tournament schedule, etc)

Sample Email to College Coaches

**Keep it concise, 100 words or less, elevator pitch**

Subject: 2028 6'1 Pin Hitter 10'5 Vertical

Dear Coach XXX,

My name is XXX, and I’m excited to express my interest in playing volleyball at XXX. I’m a tenacious, versatile pin hitter with experience as an outside hitter and middle blocker on my high school and club teams. My club team won gold at Junior Nationals last year, and I’m eager to contribute another.

Academically, I have a 4.7 GPA and a 1200 SAT score, with plans to retake the SAT aiming for 1450. I’m passionate about pursuing a business degree at XXX, having fallen in love with the campus and community during my visit.

I’d love to connect and discuss further!

Best regards,

XXX (Full Name)

Phone Number

Email

Hudl Link:

Calling or In Person Communication with College Coaches

**Be mindful of the recruiting calendar & contact periods**

What to Ask on a Phone Call or In-Person Visit with College Coaches

The earlier you start the relationship and communication with a coach, the more time you will have to make the best decision possible.

Ask meaningful questions that matter to you and that a coach can genuinely answer. Avoid wasting time on easily accessible information, like “How many students attend your school?”—details you can find online or in brochures. Instead, use this opportunity to build a real connection with the coach and assess whether the school is the right fit for you academically, athletically, and socially.

Feel free to ask coaches about themselves and get to know the person as well as the coach.

Academics
Academics are the most important part of the process. Here are some questions to get you thinking about what you could ask a college coach:

  • What are the admission requirements for an athlete?
  • Can the application fee be waived for athletes?
  • What are some of the most popular majors for athletes on your team?
  • Will my specific major interfere with the athletic schedule?
  • Do your players graduate in four years?
  • Does your team have a full-time academic advisor?

Athletics and Recruiting

  • What is your recruiting timeline? Have you offered scholarships to others in my class? Have any other athletes in my class accepted the offers?
  • How many players will you be recruiting at my position?
  • Where will you be recruiting this season?
  • What does the training program consist of at your school?
  • Is there a good time to for me visit your school?

Scholarship
Unless a coach brings up the subject, a prospect should never ask if he or she will receive a scholarship during an initial conversation. But you can still gauge scholarship possibilities at that school:

  • How many scholarships do you have available for my class?
  • What types of academic scholarships are available? What about other sorts of grants and aid?
  • Would an athlete need to apply before a scholarship is offered?
  • What would happen if an athlete with a scholarship offer got injured?

Social and Cultural Fit

  • What is the relationship like between players on the team? How much time do they spend together off the court?
  • What is the housing situation like? Do teammates typically live together?
  • Do student-athletes stay on campus during the summer?
  • Is it possible to work part-time in addition to playing a sport and studying?
  • What are your core values as a coach, and how do you incorporate them into your program?

Finish by asking the coach:

  • "When would be a good time for us to speak again?" or "Is there anything else I can provide to help you further evaluate me?"