Calling a College Coach
As a high school student-athlete, talking with a college coach can be very intimidating. The pressure of needing to sound perfect over the phone and make a great impression can make anyone nervous.
However, I assure you, there is NO REASON TO BE NERVOUS! The call is about something you understand very well, yourself and volleyball. These calls are to help coaches understand more about you and how you will fit into their program.
So, how do you prepare for a phone call with a coach?
Basically, coaches are going to ask you where you are in the recruiting process, would you consider coming to their school, and more about your volleyball background and upcoming events.
Before calling college coaches, get yourself in a comfortable state with no distractions. Rehearse your introduction as well as some answers to possible questions they may ask. This will help you become more confident when speaking with a coach.
Questions you need to be prepared for them asking:
Could you see yourself at their school? What are you planning on studying? What other schools are you looking/talking with?
It is important to be honest with college coaches about who else you are talking to as they will be honest with you about your role on the team.
Another thing that is a good idea to prepare for is to ask questions yourself. A coach will probably talk to you about all the perks of their school, past successes, incoming recruits that you would play with, and their amenities like cool places they get to travel. Pretty much any way they can sell their school to entice you to come! At the end of their questioning and discussing their school, they will often ask you if you have any questions. This is a great opportunity to set yourself apart from other recruits by asking questions to show a coach you are interested and invested in the process. It also helps to do a bit of research on the school’s volleyball program before calling.
Some questions to ask:
- Where do you see me fitting into your program?
- Are there any commitments for my graduating class?
- How many players, current and incoming, share my position?
- Are there any tournaments or camps you would recommend me to attend?
- Are there any upcoming games I can come watch?
This article gives some more example questions to ask: https://www.athleticscholarships.net/2011/11/17/calling-college-coach.htm
So now that you know what to expect when calling a college coach, when is the right time to call a college coach?
This will depend on you and your situation. Per NCAA recruiting rules, Division I coaches cannot call you before September 1st of your junior year, Division II coaches cannot call you before June 15th going into your junior year, Division III and NAIA coaches can call you at any time. Despite all the restrictions and rules that NCAA DI and DII coaches have, you can call them at any time and they can answer! As long as you are the one initiating contact before these dates, it is completely legal.
When calling a college coach, be sure to either email them beforehand so they are prepared, or call at a convenient time. College coaches are very busy, so it is important to be conscientious and not call them during irregular hours. If they don’t answer, leave a voicemail and try again the next day.
This article lays out an example of an introduction to a phone call and helpful tips to make a lasting impression: http://www.ncsasports.org/athletic-scholarships/athlete-recruiting-checklist/calling-college-coaches
Recruiting can be a confusing and nerve-wracking business, but there are plenty of ways to show your best self through preparation and research.