Tips and Guidance

We offer invaluable advice on how to conduct oneself both on and off the field to increase one's chances of being scouted by college coaches. From creating an attractive athletic profile to honing one's skills and staying on top of academic requirements, Sports Tips and Guidance covers all aspects of the recruitment process. With this guide, student-athletes can confidently approach recruitment season knowing they have the knowledge and tools to succeed.

Tips

Basketball

Play with confidence: Basketball is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. To be an effective player, you need to be confident in your abilities.

Basketball

Play with confidence: Basketball is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. To be an effective player, you need to be confident in your abilities.

Basketball

Take care of your body: Rest well, eat healthily, and stay hydrated to keep your mind and body in top condition. Basketball can be physically taxing, and taking care of yourself is essential to your long-term success on the court.

Football

Work on your mental game: Football is a mentally challenging sport that requires focus, discipline, and resilience. Practice visualization, positive self-talk, and mental toughness to sharpen your mental game.

Basketball

Master your vertical jump: A strong vertical jump can make you a force on both offense and defense. Practice your vertical jump by doing plyometric exercises and practicing jumping drills.

Basketball

Dominate the fundamentals: Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, you must make sure that your fundamentals are in place. From shooting to dribbling, passing to footwork, developing your basic skills is crucial to your game.

Football

Be a team player: Football is a team sport, and success depends on the collective effort of the team. Be supportive, communicate effectively, and work together towards a common goal.

Football

Learn multiple positions: Learning different positions will make you a more versatile player, increase your value to the team, and give you a better understanding of the game.

Basketball

Practice good sportsmanship: Basketball is a team sport, and it's important to always put the team first. Be respectful towards your teammates, opponents, and officials, and avoid unsportsmanlike conduct that can hurt your team's reputation and lead to penalties.

Basketball

Develop your court vision: A great player sees the game as a whole, not just their little corner of it. Practice your court vision by maintaining awareness of where your teammates and defenders are at all times.

Football

Work on explosiveness: Football requires quick bursts of energy and power. Practice explosive drills like sprinting, jumping, and agility exercises to improve your explosiveness on the field.

Football

Develop studying habits: Being a football player requires discipline and dedication not just on the field, but also in the classroom. Develop good study habits, manage your time effectively, and maintain good grades to stay eligible to play.

Email and DM Templates

Football

Season Film

Subject

Dear Coach [Name], I hope this message finds you well. As a football player who has great respect for your team and program, I wanted to reach out and share my season highlights with you. This past season, I played [position] for [team/league]. I am proud to say that I consistently performed at a high level, demonstrating my skills and commitment to the sport. Some of my notable achievements include: - [List specific accomplishments, such as touchdowns scored, tackles made, yards gained, etc.] - [List any awards or recognitions you received, if applicable] [Insert link to game film] I am confident that my performance on the field this season demonstrates my dedication to football as well as my potential as a valuable asset to your team. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your program and answer any questions you may have regarding my experience or future aspirations. Thank you for considering my message, and I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, [Your Name]

Football

Unofficial Visit Request

Subject

Dear [Coach’s Name], I hope this email finds you in good health and spirits. My name is [Your Name], and I am a aspiring football player in [city, state]. I am writing to you today because I am extremely interested in playing for your football program at [college name], and I would like to arrange an unofficial visit to your campus. I have researched extensively about your program, and I am impressed with the standard of excellence that your team upholds. I believe that your coaching style and the team’s strategy are perfectly aligned with my skill set, and I am committed to working hard to contribute to the team’s success. I would love the opportunity to come to campus and meet with you and your coaching staff personally. During my visit, I would also like to tour the facilities and see the dorms. I am available on [date or dates] and would be grateful if you could arrange for someone to show me around on those days. As an aspiring athlete, I am excited to see what [college name] has to offer. I am confident that seeing the campus in person will further solidify my interest in the school as a top choice for pursuing both my academic and athletic goals. I look forward to hearing back from you. Please do let me know if there is any further information needed from me or any other arrangements that need to be made. Thank you for taking the time to read my email, and I hope to meet with you soon. Best regards, [Your Name]

Football

Game Film

Subject

Dear Coach [Name], I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and share my game film with you. I am a [position] at [high school name], and I am very interested in playing football at the collegiate level. I believe my game film showcases my skills and abilities on the field. If you have a moment, I would greatly appreciate it if you could take a look at my highlight reel. I have included a link to the video below: [Insert link to game film] I am confident that my skills and abilities would be a great asset to your program. I have a strong work ethic, am a team player, and am dedicated to becoming the best athlete and student I can be. Thank you for taking the time to consider me as a potential recruit. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, [Your Name]

Basketball

Unofficial Visit Request

Subject

Subject: Unofficial Visit Request - [Player Name] Dear Coach [Coach Name], My name is [Your Name], and I am writing to request an unofficial visit to your college for [Player Name], who is interested in playing for your basketball program. As a coach, I respect your busy schedule and understand that your time is valuable. Therefore, I will keep this email brief and to the point. [Player Name] is a accomplished high school basketball player from [City, State], who has shown great potential and dedication to the game. [He/She] has been a valuable member of [his/her] high school basketball team for the last few years, and [has/hasn't] had a chance to play for [his/her] AAU team, [Team Name], over the summer due to the pandemic. We are interested in visiting your campus to learn more about your basketball program and the opportunities available for [Player Name]. Our visit will include meeting with you and your coaching staff, touring the campus, and watching a practice session of your team. We hope this visit will help [Player Name] gain a broader understanding of your program and what you expect from your athletes. We understand that it may not be possible to meet with you on the day of our visit due to your busy schedule. If that is the case, we would be happy to meet with one of your assistant coaches or staff members. We are flexible in terms of dates, but would prefer a visit during [month] when [Player Name] has no school or basketball commitments. Please let me know if this request is feasible and if there is any other information you need from us. We appreciate your time and consideration of our request and look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Phone Number] [Your EmailAddress]