As a committed volleyball player, athletic recruitment has been on my radar for 4 years. Here are the most valuable tips for playing post-secondary volleyball that I have ever come across. Please note that these tips apply to any sport, not just volleyball.
#1 Do Research
Schools across North America have almost limitless variety. All of the information you seek is online, just a Google search away. And, if there is any info you cannot find, coaches are typically happy to chat over text, email, or phone. Some questions to answer while researching may be: How many players of my current position are on the team? When do they graduate? What is the level of gameplay at this school? Where do I rank among the current players? Do I have any connections with current/past athletes or coaches that I can use to my advantage?
#2 You’re not just there to play
Post-secondary is an invaluable part of your life. Don’t throw away this experience just to play your sport. Ensure you consider campus location, campus size, faculty to student ratio, and whether or not the school offers the academic path that you are looking for. Remember, your athletic career, no matter how successful, will likely not last long financially, so having a good education is crucial to earning a living after playing sports.
#3 Clean up your digital footprint
If coaches do not know you personally, they will be doing some research of their own. They will Google your name and look you up on social media. The last thing you want is to be rejected because of an offensive post you made 2 years ago that you barely remember.
#4 Plan ahead
Start the recruitment process as early as you can. Begin doing research. Gather video clips. Reach out to coaches or schools directly. Take your sport to the highest level you can. Put in extra hours. The earlier the better, 100%.
#5 Be selfish and honest
This is the next 4-5 years of your life. Be as selfish as possible when considering your options. Ask yourself, what do I really want? Similarly, be as realistic as you can. The recruitment process is a time to put your ego aside and see where you truly fit.
That’s all! Remember, this process is undeniably difficult, so try your best to be patient and to persevere. Good luck!
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