THE COLLEGE SOCCER RECRUITING GUIDE
A Complete Parent & Athlete Playbook
GRADE-BY-GRADE TIMELINE
📅 FRESHMAN YEAR (9th Grade)
FOUNDATION PHASE — Build skills, don't worry about recruiting yet
| When | Action | Responsibility |
|---|
| Fall | Focus on school team & club play | Athlete |
| Fall | Start tracking grades (GPA matters!) | Parent |
| Winter | Research recruiting basics | Parent |
| Spring | Identify playing strengths & position | Coach |
| Summer | Attend local camps for development | Athlete |
↓
📅 SOPHOMORE YEAR (10th Grade)
PREPARATION PHASE — Get visible, create assets, start researching
| When | Action | Responsibility |
|---|
| Fall | Create game film (2-3 full games) | Parent |
| Fall | Register with NCAA Eligibility Center | Parent |
| Winter | Build initial school research list | Athlete |
| Spring | Create highlight video (2-3 min) | Athlete |
| Spring | Take PSAT | Athlete |
| Summer | Attend 1-2 college ID camps | Athlete |
↓
📅 JUNIOR YEAR (11th Grade)
OUTREACH PHASE — Active communication, visits, identify real interest
| When | Action | Responsibility |
|---|
| Sep | Send first wave of coach emails | Athlete |
| Oct | Update film from fall season | Athlete |
| Nov | Take SAT/ACT (first attempt) | Athlete |
| Dec | Narrow school list to 15-25 | Athlete |
| Jan-Feb | Follow up with coaches, schedule visits | Both |
| Mar-May | Campus visits, showcases, SAT/ACT retake | Athlete |
| Summer | College camp circuit (key recruiting period) | Athlete |
↓
📅 SENIOR YEAR (12th Grade)
DECISION PHASE — Make the right choice, sign, celebrate
| When | Action | Responsibility |
|---|
| Sep-Oct | Official visits, narrow to 2-3 choices | Both |
| Nov | Early Decision apps, verbal commitment if ready | Athlete |
| Nov/Dec | NLI early signing period | Both |
| Jan-Mar | Regular Decision apps, final visits | Athlete |
| Apr | NLI regular signing period | Both |
| May | Final decision & commitment | Athlete |
PARENT VS ATHLETE RESPONSIBILITIES
| Task | Athlete | Parent | Both |
|---|
| COMMUNICATION |
| Email coaches | ✓ | | |
| Talk to coaches on phone/visits | ✓ | | |
| Ask coaches about interest level | ✓ | | |
| RESEARCH |
| Research schools & programs | ✓ | | |
| Research costs & financial aid | | ✓ | |
| LOGISTICS |
| Schedule visits | | ✓ | |
| Book travel & hotels | | ✓ | |
| NCAA registration | | ✓ | |
| Track deadlines | | ✓ | |
| FILM & PROFILE |
| Create highlight video | ✓ | | |
| Update online profiles | ✓ | | |
| Arrange filming of games | | ✓ | |
| DECISION MAKING |
| Choose which schools to contact | ✓ | | |
| Evaluate offers | | | ✓ |
| Make final commitment decision | ✓ | | |
| Review financial package | | | ✓ |
| ACADEMIC |
| Maintain grades | ✓ | | |
| Study for SAT/ACT | ✓ | | |
| Register for tests | | ✓ | |
🚫 PARENTS: NEVER DO THIS
- Email coaches for your athlete
- Speak for your athlete on visits
- Negotiate with coaches
- Compare your child to others
- Chase coaches on social media
- Overhype your athlete's ability
- Make the final decision for them
✅ PARENTS: ALWAYS DO THIS
- Handle logistics & scheduling
- Research financial options
- Ask questions on visits
- Keep records & deadlines
- Provide emotional support
- Be honest about level
- Let athlete fail & learn
THE GOLDEN RULE — At every stage, ask ONE question:
"Are we ready for the next step — or are we skipping steps?"
☑️
Interactive Checklist
View this guide online to click and track your progress. Sign in to save across devices!
| Task | Responsibility | ✓ |
|---|
| Full-game film (2-3 games, not just highlights) | Athlete | ☐ |
| Knows true position and realistic level | Athlete + Coach | ☐ |
| GPA on track (3.0+ minimum for most programs) | Athlete | ☐ |
| Registered with NCAA Eligibility Center | Parent | ☐ |
| Social media is clean and professional | Athlete | ☐ |
| Basic player profile created | Athlete | ☐ |
| Highlight video (2-3 min) | Athlete | ☐ |
🚫 Don't Do Yet
Mass email coaches • Pay for recruiting services • Attend expensive showcases • Stress about offers
✅ Ready for Stage 2 When:
Film is watchable • Grades won't disqualify you • You can honestly answer "What level can I play at?"
| Task | Responsibility | ✓ |
|---|
| Research schools that match athletically | Athlete | ☐ |
| Verify academic admission requirements | Parent | ☐ |
| Create realistic school list (15-25 schools) | Athlete | ☐ |
| Categorize: Reach / Target / Safety | Both | ☐ |
| Initial emails to coaches (athlete sends) | Athlete | ☐ |
| Complete NCAA/NAIA eligibility registration | Parent | ☐ |
| Attend 2-3 targeted ID camps | Athlete | ☐ |
| Update film seasonally | Athlete | ☐ |
🎯 The Right School List:
4-6 Reach (dream programs) • 8-12 Target (realistic fit) • 4-6 Safety (likely admission)
| Task | Responsibility | ✓ |
|---|
| Track coach communication frequency | Athlete | ☐ |
| Schedule unofficial visits | Both | ☐ |
| Ask coach directly: "Where do I stand?" | Athlete | ☐ |
| Understand roster needs and competition | Athlete | ☐ |
| Get scholarship/aid details in writing | Parent | ☐ |
| Meet with academic advisor on visit | Athlete | ☐ |
| Compare offers side-by-side | Both | ☐ |
| Take SAT/ACT (meet minimums) | Athlete | ☐ |
✅ Signs of REAL Interest
- Coach asks about your visit plans
- Coach explains your potential role
- Coach discusses specific scholarship $
- Coach contacts you regularly
- Coach invites you to official visit
🚩 Signs of POLITE Interest (Not Real)
- "We'll keep watching you"
- "Stay in touch"
- Generic responses only
- No discussion of roster fit
- Only talks to parent
| Task | Responsibility | ✓ |
|---|
| Roster spot is clearly defined | Athlete | ☐ |
| Financial aid package confirmed | Parent | ☐ |
| Academic major/path is available | Athlete | ☐ |
| Visited campus (ideally multiple times) | Athlete | ☐ |
| Met with current players | Athlete | ☐ |
| Understand redshirt possibility | Athlete | ☐ |
| NLI signed (if applicable) | Both | ☐ |
| Application submitted & accepted | Athlete | ☐ |
💡 Questions Before Committing:
1. Can I realistically compete for playing time? 2. Can I afford this for 4 years? 3. Would I attend this school without soccer? 4. Do I fit the team culture? 5. What happens if I get injured?
THE BEST COMMITMENT:
The one the athlete can STAY at — not just SIGN at.
Johan Juniors Soccer