No matter where you are in the college soccer recruiting process (as a student-athlete or a parent helping one), there are a handful of easy, tangible things that you can do to set yourself up for success.
I want to start with the hardest part, getting real with yourself as a player, but more importantly as a person. This is the most challenging because you are still learning so much about who you are and what you want, so thinking ahead about what kind of college you would like to go to may seem daunting!
You can start by asking yourself some questions:
- Does the thought of not playing soccer after your senior year of high school make you sad or relieved?
- If you were to decide to play, get to college, and then sit on the bench for your first season or two, would you be able to handle that, or do you want to play for a program where you will contribute on the field right away?
- Are you obsessed with training? Are you always doing extra work and using the Techne app in your free time - or do you prefer to do other things and train only when you have to? (there is no right answer!!)
- Are you someone who would like to live close to home, or you wouldn’t mind living a couple hours’ drive, or even a flight away?
- Ask your club coach for honest feedback on what level in college she/he thinks you can play and succeed at (be ready for an honest answer!)
- What are your grades like? Would you want playing soccer to help you get into a school where you might not necessarily get in on your own.”
These are only a few questions that you can ask yourself, or even answer with a trusted parent/guardian, so you can start the conversation about what you think you want!
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Writer: Kim DeCesare (van Bennekom)
This article is written by Kim DeCesare (van Bennekom) - a former DI college and professional player, as well as DI and DIII coach. Kim founded KVB Soccer Consulting, which helps high school athletes navigate the college soccer recruiting process. Using her experience as a former player, coach, and ID camp admin, Kim helps athletes all over the country get excited and feel confident about the process - reducing the stress of everyone involved.
“This time in one's young career can already have a lot of uncertainty. My goal through KVB Soccer is to help student-athletes not only find their right college soccer fit, but also simplify a messy and potentially stressful process. Players should be focusing on training and having fun, and working with me allows them to do that.”
If you would like to reach out to Kim for a free introduction call, or sign-up for KVB Soccer emails, please fill out the contact form on her website: kvbsoccer.com.
