Simpson Scouting

From five years ago. And, recruiting really doesn't change. You and your families are the newbies trying to figure it out.

5 Years Ago
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Four ‘Cool’ Lessons in College Recruiting
“What we got here is failure to communicate.”
Remember that a famous line from an old, old movie, Cool Hand Luke, starring Paul Newman. The person who said it, Strother Martin, was a famous character actor back who delivered the line to perfection.

That line also relates to college recruiting. Breakdowns in the recruiting process often can be traced back to poor communications between coaches and prospects. You must manage that and recognize that silence is often a telltale communication.

Families are often confused after college coaches make initial contact via email, phone call, or text and are never heard from again. Stuck without any clue what to do, families can and do flounder around.
But, it does not have to be that way. Families can get assistance when needed if they run into tough recruiting situations. Those who try to do it alone, just don't know what they don't know and often find themselves, well, floundering.

Here are four key lessons every family should learn about recruiting:

Lesson 1: You are not the only fish in the sea. Coaches are constantly on the lookout for prospects that fit their needs. The first ones who meet their needs and show a keen interest in their program and school go to the top of their recruiting boards. That kid, or those few kids, is the coach’s priority. If you aren’t on that list, you will know it because the coach is not paying much, if any, attention to you.

Lesson 2: Coaches are not perfect. Although generally held up to high standards by nearly everyone at the high school, club, and travel levels, all college coaches are not perfectly organized, have lots of scholarship money to offer recruits or time to stay connected to every prospect they reach out to initially. They are fishing in a very big pond, and when they get a strike from a big one, they hang in there until they land her or lose her. That can leave other prospects wanting, but not getting, regular or timely communications without any explanation.

Lesson 3: You have to work at it. You may be one of the top dogs on your team or in your town, but don’t expect coaches to fall to their knees in praise. There are plenty of others out there like you. For a recruiting process to work effectively, prospects and parents must do their parts, including initiating contact and staying in touch until a coach tells you that he or she will not be making you an offer. Let’s call it being persistent but not annoying. There is a line in the sand and you have to sense where it is with coaches. Regardless, communication is not a one-way deal in recruiting. You have to communicate, too.

Lesson 4: Tell the truth. Recruiting gives no one license to lie, including prospects and their parents. Commit early only if you have every intention of living up to your word and attending that university. If you are going on an unofficial visit, show up on time. When a coach tells you to expect a call at a certain time and you agree, be ready five minutes ahead of time and give the coach a half hour to call after the agreed-to time. Being honest and standing by your word during the process will open far more doors and get you far more offers than if you’re not.

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Old video from 2019 that still cracks me up. Ease up out there.

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FYI - shot 7 videos in three hours a couple Sundays ago.

Having done hundreds of these since '14 I kind of have it down by now.

You all need a vid and some advice on how-to during the shoot can help. We realize that $150 is still another expense in the softball bucket but honestly, the girls need it completed, and most never get around to it.

Bottom line, DM me if you need to discuss your girl or their team's video. Good quality, night or day, yes we can shoot under the lights too AND we can zoom all the way to get close-ups in CF from the plate.

Since everyone out there seems to know how to be recruited these days I'm just going to throw in this. Video is sorely missing and you know who you are.

If you're a coach who believes in helping players then shoot it yourself, then edit, be responsible for the quality and the ensuing scrutiny.

Chase an opportunity (coach) with a good video.

Schedule it with us and get it back in two weeks. Learn from it or gain opportunity from it. BTW, she needs to see herself! It's a great motivator!

Let me know. - Jim 540-878-5334

*FYI - YOU DO NOT HAVE TO JOIN OUR PAGE TO HAVE A VIDEO COMPLETED* You'll receive a youtube link when it's completed and can add it, send it anything you need to do with it.

VideoTrak Link: https://simpsonscouting.com/videotrak/