Recruiting Tip: Surviving a season with little to no playing time.
The college recruiting process is filled with emotional ups and downs! It can be difficult to maintain a positive attitude when there is a scholarship potentially worth over $250,000 on the line. As a parent, it’s normal to feel frustrated and scared that your child will not be recruited. However, what I am about to tell you should bring some relief. YOUR STUDENT ATHLETE CAN ABSOLUTELY BE RECRUITED WITH LITTLE TO NO PLAYING TIME!!!
There is a strategy when it comes to the college recruiting process, beginning with your attitude. If your daughter wants to play volleyball in college, she absolutely can achieve that goal. There are over 1,500 college volleyball programs in the United States, so relax. If she is not being recruited, it’s not because she isn’t good enough. You have got to be proactive in sharing videos, calling coaches, and emailing continuous updates. Families with student athletes who do not receive a lot of playing time, typically cringe when I say video. They ask, “if my daughter isn’t playing, how am I supposed to get video?” Easy, she has practice 2-4 times per week. Take your camera to practice! You can create highlight reels of your athlete performing wash drills and scrimmaging. This will show a college coach your commitment, work ethic, and progress throughout the season. Many college coaches will even come watch practice.
Two years ago, I worked with a student athlete who barely saw the court as a junior. She would go in for a point, sometimes a few points, but overall she sat the bench. No matter how far her team was ahead in a match, the coach rarely substituted. It was so hard for her entire family. They were spending thousands of dollars on private lessons, club dues, and jump training at a facility. The athlete involved always had a positive attitude toward her team. She was the girl on the bench cheering her head off, challenging every player for their spot at practice, and took every warm up seriously. This was her way of contributing. By the end of the season, this athlete had 3 division 1 scholarship offers! Remember, she rarely played! However, she kept college coaches up to date with her progress, and my team filmed her practices continually to show her growth throughout the season.
College coaches want a student athlete who is a team player. They are looking for an athlete who works hard on and off the court. If you are on the sidelines, you need to pay attention so if your coach calls you to sub in for one of your teammates, you jump on the court ready to go. The last thing you want to do is get called to sub in and begin asking your teammates where you are supposed to be on the court. It makes you look bad. Don’t cross your arms on the sidelines and sulk either! As a college volleyball recruiting expert, I consult with many college coaches on developing their programs. I tell coaches if they are looking to eliminate prospects, watch them when they are off the court. You’ll be able to tell real quick what kind of athlete you are recruiting. Body language is everything! If you think this is something you need to work on, film the bench while the team is playing and you can call attention to the athletes who have negative body language.
Not everyone is going to play. There are 6 spots on the court at all times. Your student athlete needs to work very hard, and even talk to the coach about ways to improve and earn court time. DO NOT COMPLAIN! Complaining to your coach will only give him/her a bad taste in their mouth. Communicate about your feelings and commitment to improving. Parents need to be supportive to their athletes. It’s tough to cope, but you need to realize that there is definitely a home for your athlete to play in college if they are driven and motivated to play.
Does your athlete want to play at the next level? Give me a call at 888-354-0052, or drop me an email at kara@myrecruitingsolutions.com . I will gladly provide you with a free consultation, and help you navigate through this process successfully. Surviving a season with little to no playing time is tough, but it will challenge your athlete to become mentally prepared to play at the next level. Keep a positive attitude and don’t give up!
