Two coaches break down what recruits should watch for when a coach texts about camps, promises freshman playing time, or bad-mouths rivals. They label each move a red or green flag and explain what it actually means about how the program will treat you.
Are these red flags or green flags? Coach texts you, "We'd love to have you, but we need to see you at our camp first." This is a semi-green flag because texting is great.
However, if they say we need to see you at an ID camp, you need to measure its genuineness and how much you want to go to the school. I would tell you if they're texting you, go to the camp. If you're worried it's a money grab and you don't go to the camp, you're not going to get recruited. So go to the camp is better than not go, so I'm giving it a green flag.
Coach introduces you to 3 current players and lets you grab lunch with them alone.
Green flag! That means the coach believes that his team will speak well of him. When you go talk to those players, ask them what is the coach like as a human and see if you can talk to a starter. Because if the starter says the coach is a prick even though he's playing, then you know the coach is a prick. If, however, the player is on the bench and he says the coach is a prick, Well, he's not playing, so obviously he's not happy. On the same token, if the guy on the bench says, "Look, he's a great coach. I wish I played more, but he's a great guy." Green flag.
"You'll get playing time as a freshman, I promise," says the coach.
No promises! That is a red flag. Red flag. Do not ever— if a coach ever says to you that they promise you anything, do not listen to them.
Coach asks about your GPA, major interests, and career goals.
If he asks about your career goals, that means he's trying to figure out if he can help you beyond soccer. This is very much a green flag.
Last one: Coach badmouths other programs that you're considering.
Red flag! Most of these coaches all know each other, so if he says, well, that coach is this or this coach is that, then that's not an environment you want to be a part of. And this is so why it's so important that when you go through the process, you stop thinking about who likes you, but more importantly, who do you like? I know what you should be doing based off of your age. I want you to comment 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, 12th grade, 2nd grade, whatever grade you're in, in the comments below.
