For many volleyball players and parents, the college volleyball recruiting process seems like a mystical thing out there in the universe that’s untouchable and unknown.
I often get asked these questions:
- “What is the recruiting process?”
- “How does it work?”
- “When should a player start the recruiting process?”
It’s important to understand the answers to these questions, here they are:
First, the college volleyball recruiting process is just that – a “process.” It includes steps that players and coaches take to move from initial communication to a verbal commitment. During a player’s senior year, signing a National Letter of Intent or accepting an invitation or admittance into the school solidifies their roster spot.
Second, the recruiting process works through steps that make up the process as a whole. To make these steps clearer for you, I have outlined them below based on my experience as the parent of a D1 college player and as a recruiting advisor.
Third, it’s best to start the process as a freshman or sophomore … at the latest. This sets you up for a smoother, less stressful journey to a verbal commitment, which you’ll make as a junior or early in your senior year.
Here are the 10 STEPS to take in your college volleyball RECRUITING PROCESS:
Step 1: Create your college volleyball TARGET LIST (20-40 schools).
Step 2: Create your HIGHLIGHT VIDEO (2-3 minutes).
Step 3: Send INTRO EMAILS to your target list. Include your highlight video link and ask this question: “Do you need a [your position] in [your grad year]?”
Step 4: It depends on the RESPONSE OR NON-RESPONSE from the coaches at each school. From this point on, each school on your target list is in it’s own mini-recruiting process within the process. Meaning, each school on your list moves thru the recruiting process on it’s own timeline depending on their response or non-response to your Intro Email. How quickly things move forward is different for each school on your list!
- Step 4-A: If a school responds: “No. Done recruiting your class, don’t need your position in your grad year, we’ve narrowed down our list of recruits, etc.,” then move it to what I call your Secondary List.
- Step 4-B: If a school responds “Yes, we need your position and we like your video, etc.,” respond within 24 hours and move to Step 5!
- Step 4-C: NON-RESPONSE. If the coaches from a school do not answer your email, send a Check-In Email every 2 weeks. After getting no response 5 times (arbitrary number I like), move the school to your Secondary List and don’t contact anymore, unless you want to give it a few more emails, up to you! The coach may later respond apologetically with a “Yes,” then you can go to Step 5.
Step 5: Work to set up a PHONE CALL with the college coach. (Provide days and times when you are available.)
Step 6: They WATCH YOU PLAY LIVE at a tournament.
Step 7: ASSESSMENT and COMMUNICATION CONTINUES. (You have to be proactive and keep this going.)
- Step 7-A: Send emails thanking coaches for phone calls. Set up phone calls to get feedback after they watch you play live. Ask where you are on their list/interest level. Ask about their timing for making a decision and if they have another offer out. If it’s all good, go to Step 8.
- Step 7-B: Tactfully, find out the offer on the table (walk-on, full or partial scholarship, etc.). If this works for your family, go to Step 8.
- Step 7-C: At this point, if they take another player or decide to go in another direction, move to the Secondary List. Note: Always send thank you emails for their time and wish them the best.
Step 8: Work to set up an UNOFFICIAL CAMPUS VISIT. Meet the coaches and players, watch practice and see the weight room, tour the campus, etc. It can become an OFFICIAL VISIT (where the school pays the players expenses) if the coaches invite you, normally this comes from the coach depending on the situation.
Step 9: COMMUNICATION CONTINUES WITH STRONG INTEREST between you and the coaches.
- Step 9-A: Talk to the current players by phone or message through Instagram. Ask questions and get to know them. Why do they like playing volleyball there? Why do they like that school?
- Step 9-B: Assess the status and what needs to happen for you to receive an offer. For example, they may need to watch you play live again or you may need to see the campus on a visit or tour.
- Step 9-C: Complete the tasks or steps in Step 9-B as soon as possible.
Step 10: OFFER TO BE A STUDENT-ATHLETE at their school. This comes after the coach verbally offers you a roster spot (over the phone or in person on a visit) and possibly some type of scholarship (whatever was on the table in Step 7-B) and you agree to let them know in a given amount of time after you discuss with your family! When and if you have multiple offers, it’s about timelines and which is the best for you. Discuss with your family…the pros and cons. Choose the best option where you would attend the school if you were NOT an athlete AND you connect with the coaching staff and feel that you could thrive in the culture they are creating. Accept the offer that you choose with excitement for the future to become the best volleyball player and student you can be!
In addition to these 10 steps of the recruiting process, I have created a College Volleyball Recruiting Checklist specific to the recruiting classes, Freshmen/Sophomores and Juniors/Seniors. It’s a PDF download with recruiting tips also! Take a look! Keep emailing, keep working…You got this!