Recruiting Myths
Recruiting
Audience:
Coaches, Parents, Players
Topics:
Age Group
14u, 16u, 18u
Last Updated
Sep 12, 2025
Think you can wait until high school to get recruited? Think again. Get the straight talk on recruiting myths, from winning tournaments to social media, in a no-nonsense, first-hand guide.
Q: My coach will do it all for me—they have all the contacts.
A: Wish it were that easy, right? Here’s the harsh truth: the player benefiting the most should be putting in the most effort. Travel coaches can help in some capacities, like giving advice or sending reminders—but they generally cannot get you a camp invite or push college mail your way without the coach already being interested. Your future? That’s on you.
Q: My stats will speak for themselves. I don’t need to reach out to coaches.
A: If you’re relying on osmosis… good luck. College coaches don’t magically track stats across every league. Sending emails, sharing your profile, or connecting via social media is like leaving breadcrumbs—they won’t chase you down unless you make it easy. Stats are important, but only if someone sees them.
Q: I don’t need to start thinking about recruiting until I’m a junior.
A: Junior year is when panic sets in for most players who haven’t started earlier. But if you want to maximize opportunities, starting early (freshman or even middle school for elite talent) makes life less stressful and gives you more options. Think of junior year as the sprint, not the starting line.
Q: I don’t need to start thinking about recruiting until I’m a junior.
A: Junior year is when panic sets in for most players who haven’t started earlier. But if you want to maximize opportunities, starting early (freshman or even middle school for elite talent) makes life less stressful and gives you more options. Think of junior year as the sprint, not the starting line.
Q: Social media is enough—I don’t need a player profile.
A: Nope. Social media is your recruiting stage; a player profile is your resume. Coaches want a structured, central hub with stats, videos, academic info, and contact info—not a feed full of memes and reposts.
Q: Only D1 schools matter.
A: Sure, dreaming big is fun—but mid-major D1, D2, NAIA, or junior college can be the perfect fit academically and athletically. Focus on a target list of schools that fit you, not just logos you saw on Instagram.
Q: College coaches care about my team more than me.
A: Nope. Coaches care about the individual player. They don’t care if your team won the state championship—unless it showcases your ability. Stand out personally; the team results are just icing on the cake.
Q: Recruiting is all about luck.
A: Luck helps, but it’s preparation meeting opportunity. Maintaining profiles, social media presence, highlight videos, and proactive outreach drastically increases your chances. If you’re waiting for luck, you’re leaving your future to chance.