How to Prepare for a College Coach Call!
A huge part of the recruiting process is engaging with college coaches and putting your best foot forward. KAA will put you in a position where coaches will have seen your highlight videos, know all about your sporting and academic successes, and be eager to have a conversation with you personally.
This is a great position to be in, as the coach will already be impressed with you as an athlete and student from the information we will have given them. The purpose of this call is to get to know you as a person. Will you fit in with their current team? Do you seem coachable? Does their program fit your wants and needs in a school?
This is a critical step in the process, and therefore takes some preparation to get right! This blog covers five simple steps to ensure you are prepared for these conversations, and make the most out of these opportunities.
It’s a Two-Way Conversation!
The first thing to understand is that this call is for both of you. Fifty percent of this call will be them getting to know you, and you need to use the other 50% to learn everything you need to know about the school, team, and coach.
Make sure you take in the information they share so you can assess whether this coach and their team are the right fit for you.
While they will be assessing whether they want you to be a part of their team, remember that you need to decide if this is a program that you want to be a part of as well!
Preparation
Since these calls will always be different from coach to coach, it can seem difficult to prepare. However, one thing you can do is make a list of questions you would like to ask.
There are no right or wrong questions to ask! These questions should be anything that you would like to know about the team, coach, or university. The main thing is that you have 5-10 questions written down that are important to you.
This will not only help you get the answers you need, but it will also show the coach that you are eager and organised.
Sell Yourself!
While it is not innately “Kiwi” to talk about what makes you great, this is something you will need to get comfortable with. Don’t shy away from the opportunity to talk about your past successes as an athlete and to highlight what makes you great! Mention your strengths and aspects of your personality that make you a good teammate—this will go a long way!
To balance this out, it is never a bad thing to also bring up a few weaknesses or goals you have for improvement. This will show the coach that you will make a strong addition to their roster while also showing that you have the potential to grow as an athlete.
Program-Specific Interest
The most important tip you can take away from this blog is to make it clear to the coach that you are interested in their program specifically. They don’t want an athlete who “wants to go to America on a sporting scholarship”; they want an athlete who “wants to join your program due to X, Y, and Z.”
Do your research and note down a few specific reasons this school appeals to you. Make it clear to the coach that their team is the one you want to join.
Be Yourself
The last tip we have for you is to be yourself! At the end of the day, if you sign with this coach’s team, you will be part of their program for up to four years. They will get to know you well, so there is no point in trying to be someone you’re not! Don’t overthink this conversation—be positive and show the coach who you are beyond just being an athlete.
As one of KAA’s athletes, we will put you in a position to have these awesome conversations with college coaches. We will take you through these tips and ensure you are fully prepared. Get in touch with us to talk about how to become one of our athletes and begin your recruiting journey now!
Remember—be yourself, stay engaged, and enjoy the opportunity!
