How do I get selected to play soccer in college?

A Good Match will create the Most Satisfying Experience.

It is important to know where you want to go, academically, athletically and socially. The college coach has a vision of what he/she is looking for, and the types of players needed to achieve that vision. Players also have their goals in choosing a program and a school, and those should incorporate academic goals. Typically, the best matches achieve most of the player’s and the program’s goals. If the soccer and the academics fit, you are at the right place.

Stay on the “White Board”.

Look at recruiting from the coach’s perspective. Generally, coaches progress through a cycle of recruiting. Imagine a dry-erase “White Board” in the coaches office. At the beginning of the process, the coach lists a pool of players that he/she is evaluating. Your job is to get listed, then stay on the White Board. Contact the schools of your choice, and put together a total package: good attitude, professional/effective communications, well-organized demeanor, top play on the field. Conduct an official visit, and demonstrate your sincere interest in attending the school if accepted. Set the stage so the coach ranks you at the top. Then your job is to demonstrate a consistent performance over time. Always keep your composure and try to find multiple opportunities for the coach to see you play. Once you are squarely in the pool, you need to progress up the White Board rankings. The coach will take the topprospects and rank them by number. The higher your rank, the better your chances are. Your job here is to put together a total package, and convince the coach that your participation will be a benefit to the program. While there is no one “right answer”, a few organizing ideas can help.

Know that Coaches are observing the Valleys as much as Peaks.

Obviously, the fastest way to fall out of the pool is with a poor performance. All of the players in the coach’s pool can play. The question is, can you play at a consistently high level faced with the pressure of the college season, the academic workload and a new lifestyle change. There is a big change from Club/High School play to college. In college, there are many more “must win” games. The coach needs to know that the player can “keep his/her cool” at all times and knows how to win a game even on a bad day. Composure and consistency are key. By considering the decision-making from the college coach’s perspective, you can take a big step to being number one on the white board.