One of the biggest stressors for recruits may not be performing in games in front of college coaches, but rather, the questions college coaches may ask them. Most recruits have experienced few job interviews at this age. Thus, they oftentimes lack the experience necessary to fully and adequately answer a coach's questions in a way that highlights their best attributes. Given this, it is beneficial to a recruit if he or she knows ahead of time some questions to prepare for. Expecting these questions to arise, the recruit can prepare answers so that their responses appear polished when speaking to college coaches. Recently, College Sports Scholarships reached out to a Division I assistant men's basketball coach and a Division II assistant football coach to learn some of the top questions they ask recruits.
Who is helping you in the decision making process?
Both coaches noted that one of the first questions they ask recruits is who is going to help them make their college selection decision. For the coaches, this question is based in part upon strategy and determining how they are going to recruit the potential student-athlete. "Is their decision maker a family member, a coach or somebody else? I need to know who is going to be influential in helping them make their decision, so that I can begin to build a fence around the recruit and know who I will be contacting during the recruitment process," a Division I men's basketball coach said.
With respect to this, the coach noted that it is best that a recruit limit those involved in his or her decision making process to the most integral person. Unless a recruit is a high-level talent, coaches generally do not enjoy having to jump through layers of people to secure a recruit. Thus, recruits should be clear upfront as to who besides them is going to influence their college decision. "Every kid has to be told that it's ok to make this decision. We need to know who we are going to build relationships with to help make sure they choose us. We want to make sure that when a recruit makes a decision, everyone around him feels good about that decision," a Division I assistant basketball coach said.
What are you looking for in a college?
The next question recruits can expect to face is one asking what they are looking for in the next level of their playing career. This question can have several elements to it. For instance, how much playing time does the recruit expect? Are the recruit's wants and needs regarding playing time realistic? What kind of playing atmosphere does the recruit desire and how does the school's location and fan base provide that atmosphere? Finally, what is the recruit seeking in terms of academics? Does the school have the programs necessary to help the recruit reach his or her full potential after graduation? "A recruit needs to be open and honest in answering these questions. This is the best way for both parties to determine whether or not the recruit is a good fit for the school," a Division I assistant basketball coach said.
What questions do you have for the coach?
Finally, a third question recruits can expect to hear from coaches is "what questions do you have for us?" "So much of recruiting is evaluation and analysis being completed by coaches, with coaches also asking kids questions. However, it's important that a recruit get answers to all of the questions he or she has about the process, program and school. This is one of the biggest decisions a youngster faces, and so it's important that their decision is informed. A decision can only be informed if a recruit and his parents get answers to all of their pressing questions," said a Division II football coach. Before meeting with a coach, a recruit should sit down with his parents or other individuals who will be helping him make his college decision to write out a list of top questions to ask the coach. Given that the recruit will have a limited amount of time with the coach, these questions should be prioritized in terms of importance to the recruit's college decision. When asking the coach the questions, the recruit should seek to clarify any looming unknowns.
Overall, thorough and frequent communication is key in the recruiting process. The easiest way to accomplish solid communication is through asking questions. This goes for coaches and recruits. So, be prepared to ask and answer! Do you have more questions? Ask them in the comments below.
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