Demonstrate These 12 Qualities for College Coaches
Athleticism: First and foremost, you must have the skills to play in college, but you must also possess and exhibit…
Coaches want well-rounded individuals.
Solid academics: You must prove that you can thrive in an academic setting. The NCAA no longer allows high school student-athletes to become eligible as college freshmen, nor skate through college, by passing insignificant courses. In DI, and soon in DII, you must have passed 16 core courses in high school to academically qualify to play sports as an incoming freshman. Once in, then by the conclusion of your second year of college, you must have successfully completed 40% of the coursework necessary toward your degree, 60% at the conclusion of your third year and 80% by the end of your fourth year. This is no cake walk. If you are not prepared for the academic focus required by the NCAA, in high school or college, you will not survive.
Good character: You must have consistently demonstrated in high school that you can be a positive representative of the college once you arrive. In high school, joining clubs, participating in community volunteer projects, holding down a part time job — these are ways to exhibit good character. As important is having written letters of recommendation from community leaders.
Productive work ethic: You must have a strong work ethic and prove it through documentation and references. Recording your workouts and practices with details of what you accomplished is an excellent way to prove that you have put in the hours athletically. Confidently discussing your academic habits is another. And, again, getting written letters of recommendation from your coaches, teachers and community leaders also impresses college coaches.
Team orientation: You must be willing to do what is best for the team. Many freshmen college athletes find it hard to get playing time or to break into the top group of athletes on the team. That’s natural because older teammates have earned their place over time while you are, well, a rookie. As a freshman, you are starting over from scratch. Having come from being one of the stars of your high school team makes it difficult, mentally, to stand in the background. So, many coaches ask freshmen to take on unfamiliar roles at first to gain confidence. A team player does this without question or complaint. Knowing this and telling a coach that you can bide your time for the team until your opportunity presents itself is a huge plus to any college coach.
A top-notch prospect is driven to succeed.
Hustle: You must exhibit an understanding of the impact which hustle has on all aspects of competition. Whether during practice, in pre-game, in starting or substitute positions, and during the off-season, hustle is the intangible which influences the outcomes of games and the mentality of opponents more than any other single aspect of athletics. If you ”get it,” you can have an immediate impact on a college team. But, you must have consistently shown this in high school and club sports. Part of what others, especially your coaches, need to be saying about you is their admiration for the effort you have always given.
Game intelligence: You must have actively demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of the game in high school and club/travel sports. Thinking, not just doing. Learning, not just playing. Anticipating, not just reacting. These are the mental aspects of the game which coaches at the next level cherish. Developing a reputation for being a smart athlete is critically important to college coaches who need recruits to be ready to play as first year players.
Maturity: You must be capable of making mature decisions when you are with and away from the coach and team. Far too many good high school athletes have a sense of entitlement. That is, they think that they are entitled to do things which other students or less skilled athletes are not allowed to do. So, instead of thinking through the consequences without being responsible to their team, school, family or themselves, they push the issue to see if they will be punished. The very, very lucky, get away with it. Most, however, get caught and permanently damage their reputations and future opportunities. Bad decisions in high school can be life changing moments.
- Demonstrating desirable traits is essential.
Competitiveness: You must want to be a winner. Most college coaches highest priority is not to win games, but to keep their jobs. Winning is certainly a big part of accomplishing that objective, but having highly competitive teams is always at the forefront of any coach’s thinking when offer scholarships to high school prospects. Seeing your competitive drive during the recruiting phase is something coaches really want and need to see. You can demonstrate this by going through pre-game drills with focus and intensity, by being mentally locked into the challenge ahead when others are being overconfident or nonchalant, and by encouraging other players to do their best throughout the game, win or lose.
Creativity: You must be able to invent ways to succeed, that is, to make plays which turn losses into wins. College coaches love to see prospects take chances, but smart ones. Taking the extra base, firing a backhand down the line, making a pass fit through a small space, saving a ball that others wouldn’t go for — these are things coaches want to see prospects going for. But, there is a difference between being smart and careless. Know the difference.
Honesty: You must be truthful with your coach and team. One of the most complimentary things any teammate, coach or parent can say about a prospect is that he or she is honest. No one likes a liar. No one wants to associate with a liar. And, no coach wants to reruit a liar.
Ambition: You must have a genuine desire to be a champion. When talking to college coaches it is vitally important ask questions about how the program is going to win championships while you are at the school and how the coach sees you contributing to that goal. Prove that you will be an impact player by telling the coach that you want to be a part of something special, not just another member of a college team. Learn how to confidently talk about being a champion.
