#51 Five Steps to Developing the Ideal Recruit

You've got to know what you want. This is central to acting on your intentions. When you know what you want, you realize that all there is left then is time management. You'll manage your time to achieve your goals because you clearly know what you're trying to achieve in your life.  --Patch Adams

When I was 15, I wanted to play college basketball or baseball more than anything in the whole-wide world.  I grew up in a small town, and I could count on one hand all of the people from my hometown who went to college and played college sports.  Most of those did not finish their careers or dropped out of college altogether.

My problem was that I had a dream but no plan on how to accomplish it.  In today's blog, I am giving you the 5 steps I wish I would have understood and followed in regard to developing myself into an ideal college recruit.  I hope it gives you some motivation to change your plan and get started affecting the rest of your life.

STEP 1:  MANAGING/MAXIMIZING YOUR TIME

• Create a simple routine  
• Start small/build as your confidence grows
• STICK TO IT! 

• Make your ACADEMICS your #1 priority
• No grades = No admission = No scholarship 

• Multi-task 
• Can you become a better student-athlete anywhere/any time?

• Set nightly goals for the next day
• Set goals you know you can accomplish/Post them!

STEP 2:  MAXIMIZE YOUR ATHLETICISM

• Strength and Conditioning  
• No matter your sport, your lung capacity AND physical strength are priorities

• Don’t speculate you know how to get better
• Make sure you know what your coaches expect from you

• Keep it simple
• Develop your skills daily.  Start small and build as your confidence grows

• Befriend the best athlete/hardest worker you know
• Challenge them daily to push you and compete with you

• Take care of your body
• Eliminate soda and processed sugar from your diet 
• 5 small meals/per day and LOTS and LOTS of water
• Fruits and vegetables are your friends!

STEP 3:  BUILD YOUR SUPPORT TEAM

• Make sure your teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, friends and family know your goals; know that you are committed to going to college 

• Ask for help and advice from those who are older and more experienced.
• Go search for answers to your questions that will give you immediate direction

• Ask this question to your Varsity Head Coach  TOMORROW
• I want to be a varsity starter and all-conference performer.  What do I need to do to be that person in your program?
• Could you do the same with your teachers?

STEP 4:  ENHANCE YOUR REPUTATION

• Show up early/Stay late

• Ask lots of questions.  i.e. How do I…? or What should I…?

• Never leave a doubt who the hardest working person on the team is…EVERY SINGLE DAY!

• Be your team’s most vocal cheerleader

• Watch your verbals and non-verbals – You never know who is watching.

• Demonstrate your drive and determination in all that you do

• ALWAYS put your team ahead of your personal needs/goals

• Keep the “knuckleheads” out of your life!

Step 5:  GET COACHES TO BUY INTO YOU

• See Steps 1-4 

• Make recruiting YOU simple
• Complete an on-line profile (1-Stop Shop) [www.ncsasports.org]
• Get a third party evaluation, so you know your reality
• Compete often…so they can see you perform live often
• Be persistent – email/call coaches
• Invite them to learn about you and watch you perform

• Don’t give up because they did NOT respond the first time

For most of you, your commitment to being the best YOU is what is holding you back.  For some of you, what you want is in great competition versus what you are willing to do and how hard you are willing to work.  Playing college sports is hard.  The problem is that no matter how hard you work, you simply may not have the genes or athleticism to make it at the next level.  However, if you want it and you are willing to put the time into making yourself into the best YOU you can be, the sky is the limit.

If you have any questions about any of this information or would like to discuss your recruitment strategy, you can reach me through any of my information below!

 

Go make your dreams come true!!!

Coach Matt Rogers

Phone:  (312) 610-6045

Email:  coachrogers12@gmail.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ncsa.rogers

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/madcoachdiary
Linkedin:  www.linkedin.com/in/rogersmatt16  

Matt Rogers is an 18-year high school and college coach veteran.  He has led two teams to the NCAA National Tournament and one team to a High School State Championship. His teams hold numerous school and one NCAA record. He has mentored and coached players at every level while serving as an athletics administrator at the high school and NCAA levels for 9 years. He has helped numerous players continue their careers at the professional level. He currently is the Head National Scout for NCSA Athletic Recruiting where he has helped hundreds of young men and women from around the world achieve their dreams of playing at the college level.  Coach presently lives in the Denver, CO area with his wife of 17 years and his two children. 

To request Coach Rogers to speak at your school or event, you can reach him through any of his contact information above.