A soccer coach breaks down how middle and high school players get recruited by Division I programs: start in 8th or 9th grade, make a one-minute highlight video, compliment coaches on their games in the fall, and visit college matches in person, including smaller schools. Showing up at less-known programs makes a stronger impression than only chasing big names.
Have you ever wondered how to get recruited by a Division I school? Don't worry, I won't gatekeep. If you want to get recruited by a Division I school, you must start in 8th, 9th grade. Yes, there are exceptions to that, but if you don't start thinking about this process, you will get left behind. What should you be doing if you're in 8th and 9th grade? Here are the 3 steps you need to do right away. Number 1, obviously you know how to have a video. It only needs to be a minute long to begin with, but you want to send that out. Number 2, if it's during the fall season, compliment their games, watch some of their games, and give them something genuine to say, not about you. Just compliment how well they've done. Number 3, go to their games. At that age, if you're going to their games, it will make a huge difference. And if you're only going to Notre Dame, UCLA, Stanford games, then you're really limiting your options. You can definitely dream for those schools, you should definitely attempt those schools, but if you go to a Cal Lutheran game or you go to a High Point game, those coaches will be like, "Wow, you must really like us," and that goes a long way for them. If you want to play college soccer, comment "call" and we can schedule a call with you and your parents to hopefully help you.
