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Six Common Recruiting Mistakes Athletes Should Avoid

Earning an athletic scholarship is not an exact science. Therefore, there are common mistakes that are made by many prospective athletes. Avoid these pitfalls and you will increase your chances of earning an athletic scholarship to the school of your dreams.s_rowe_rc

1) Taking the recruiting process for granted
One of the most common pitfalls is taking the process for granted because you think that schools are going to aggressively recruit you. Many athletes receive letters from schools, but that doesn’t mean that they are recruiting you. You need to follow up with these coaches and express a mutual interest. Only a select few athletes actually get personal visits from coaches. It is simply too expensive and time consuming for coaches in most sports. Don’t take anything for granted and market yourself aggressively.

2) Underestimating your chances of getting an athletic scholarship
You don’t need to be the best athlete on your team or in your league in order to earn an athletic scholarship. Of course, you need to be skilled at your sport, but not necessarily the star. Many athletes don’t even attempt to get a scholarship, despite thousands of scholarships being at their fingertips. Talk to your coach to assess your chances and get some advice on how to proceed with the recruiting process. Register with beRecruited, and get your name out there to hundreds of prospective coaches in your sport.

3) Making poor decisions off the field
You can severely damage your chances of earning an athletic scholarship by getting trouble with the law and abusing drugs and alcohol. Although everybody makes mistakes when they are young, these decisions reflect your true character to a prospective school. If you don’t exercise discipline and good decision-making off the field, you probably aren’t going to on the field. Drugs and alcohol also dramatically affect the body’s recovery time and double the chances of injury.

4) Letting your grades slip
As any coach will tell you, schools are looking for a complete package in their recruits. Of course they want excellent athletes, but they also desire recruits that perform in the classroom. Do not assume that your athletic prowess trumps your academics. Do your best in the classroom until you graduate.

5) Getting bad advice
You will find that everyone has advice for you during your recruiting process. Some of it will be good advice, but not all of it. Consider your sources carefully, and be sure to evaluate their expertise before following their advice.

6) Over/under reliance on your coach
Your coach is one of your biggest assets in the college recruiting process. Often times, coaches have connections that can help you in your search. Experienced coaches are also good judges of talent and may be able to give you an idea of your level of competition. Don’t forget to use them as a resource. However, don’t assume that they know everything, or that they will do anything for you. You need to ask for their help, and you will need to follow up with them. Remember that they have a lot going on in their lives besides you. Few coaches will aggressively market you to colleges. Consider your coach as being a crucial part of your recruiting process, but not your only resource.
 

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