College Recruiting: Be Confident, Not Cocky, When Contacting Coaches
Is promoting yourself to college coaches tooting your own horn? Not in my opinion. How else will they find out about you and your skills?
Trying to get recruited may make you feel like you’re boasting about your abilities. But think of it this way: trying to get recruited is similar to what professionals do when they’re looking for a new job. They write résumés, create websites, send out emails and call employers. Their goal is to convince a potential employer why they’d be valuable to their company.
Getting recruited is like finding a job. If no one knows you’re looking, you won’t get hired. Sharing your accomplishments and talking about your abilities is not bragging—if you can back it up. You don’t want to be cocky, of course, but you do need to convince a college coach that you have what it takes to play for his team—both on and off the field.
In a NextLevelBallplayer.com article, writer David Franco asked Arizona State Coach Ken Knutson, “What advice would you give a high school player looking to play at ASU?” Coach Knutson replied, “Send letters and emails. That’s how coaches find out about [recruits].”
The key is to send out confident emails that demonstrate your strong points. Don’t include extravagant promises or arrogant statements. Simply state your strengths and why you’d be a great fit for the coach’s team. Let your actions (and stats) prove your words.
Below are cocky and confident examples from emails to a coach.
Cocky Example: “I will be the best player on your team, and I guarantee I will be a starter for you.”
Confident Example: “One of my strong points is constantly improving my game. I learn quickly and will do whatever it takes to be a strong contributor to your team.”
The recruiting process may feel like you’re constantly bragging about yourself, but remember, coaches want you to email them—just think about Coach Knutson’s advice. Being proactive and reaching out to coaches to let them know the type of player and person you are is not tooting your own horn—it’s how you get recruited!
Photo: windsorstar.com
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College Recruiting: Be Confident, Not Cocky, When Contacting Coaches
Is promoting yourself to college coaches tooting your own horn? Not in my opinion. How else will they find out about you and your skills?
Trying to get recruited may make you feel like you’re boasting about your abilities. But think of it this way: trying to get recruited is similar to what professionals do when they’re looking for a new job. They write résumés, create websites, send out emails and call employers. Their goal is to convince a potential employer why they’d be valuable to their company.
Getting recruited is like finding a job. If no one knows you’re looking, you won’t get hired. Sharing your accomplishments and talking about your abilities is not bragging—if you can back it up. You don’t want to be cocky, of course, but you do need to convince a college coach that you have what it takes to play for his team—both on and off the field.
In a NextLevelBallplayer.com article, writer David Franco asked Arizona State Coach Ken Knutson, “What advice would you give a high school player looking to play at ASU?” Coach Knutson replied, “Send letters and emails. That’s how coaches find out about [recruits].”
The key is to send out confident emails that demonstrate your strong points. Don’t include extravagant promises or arrogant statements. Simply state your strengths and why you’d be a great fit for the coach’s team. Let your actions (and stats) prove your words.
Below are cocky and confident examples from emails to a coach.
Cocky Example: “I will be the best player on your team, and I guarantee I will be a starter for you.”
Confident Example: “One of my strong points is constantly improving my game. I learn quickly and will do whatever it takes to be a strong contributor to your team.”
The recruiting process may feel like you’re constantly bragging about yourself, but remember, coaches want you to email them—just think about Coach Knutson’s advice. Being proactive and reaching out to coaches to let them know the type of player and person you are is not tooting your own horn—it’s how you get recruited!
Photo: windsorstar.com
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