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Social Distance, Not Socially Distant


Society as we know it has changed, what was once normal is not anymore.  We are in unchartered territories, we are doing our best to stay safe but we also need to feel connected.  And if you are a high school student-athlete who hopes to continue your academic and athletic career at the next level you must be wondering how to navigate through the process as we are confined to our homes.  As you are practicing social distancing remember to not be socially distant. 

 The NCAA Suspends In-Person Recruiting through May 31: 
In response to the coronavirus, the NCAA has suspended all in-person recruiting though May 31. Schools have also been asked to suspend all campus visits. This time period will be treated similarly to a dead period, during which time phone calls and digital communication are still permitted.  The NCAA will re-evaluate at that time to decide whether or not to it needs to extend the dead period.

 What is a Dead Period
During a dead period a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents, and may not watch student-athletes compete or visit their high schools. Coaches may write and telephone student-athletes or their parents during a dead period.

 What is permitted
  • Email correspondence
  • Phone Calls
  • Text Messaging
  • Social Media DM's
  • Video Conferencing (Zoom, GoToMeeting, Hangouts, etc)
If you didn't read my last article go back now. But let's talk specifics.  What ever plan or strategy, timeline you had is probably out the window so now is the time to adjust, and that goes for the college coaches as well.  Both sides are trying to figure out this whole process will work despite not being able to do two crucial pieces of the recruiting process, evaluation and visitation.

Here are some tips to help you navigate through the process during the coronavirus crisis.
  • Connect with Coaches - within the recruiting rules (2021's; DI/DII and all other classes DIII)  try and have a conversation with coaches either by phone, video chat, or even a social media DM where you can have a actual conversation with a coach.  The goal is to discover what your status is with the coach so if you know you should continue the process or go in a different direction.
  • Email College Coaches - If you are a Freshman or Sophomore continue emailing college coaches to express interest in their program.  Send them video clips, game highlights, training session workouts.
  • Fill out Recruiting Questionnaire's -  Go to the programs website and fill out the programs questionnaire so you can get in the coaches database and hopefully get on their radar.
  • Connect with Players -   with social media having such a huge presence in our society you have a direct link to every program in the world, the players.  They know the ins and outs of their program and typically they will be honest about their experience.  Visit a program website and check out the roster and see if you follow some of their players on social media and shoot them a DM and tell them who you are.
  • Research colleges - Use the tools and resources at your disposal to find everything you can about a school or university you are interested in.  
    • Visit schools website - Virtual Campus Tours 
    • Social Media - Watch videos, check out content the school and program is putting out there
    • 3rd Party Sites
      • www.lrt-sports.com - Check out ratings of thousands of college coaches
      • youvisit.com - Virtual Tours
      • campustours.com - Tours, Videos, etc
      • virtually-anywhere.com - tours, videos, etc
  • Work on your game - It may be difficult to work on different aspects of your craft, but control what you can control.  Go out for a run,  hop on a bike, do an erg piece to work on that endurance.  Take 1000 shots, work on those ball skills.  Watch, study, and read about performing the best you possibly can in your sport. 
Now is not the time to quarantine yourself from the recruiting process.  Your goals are still right in front of you, but the path you set out for yourself requires a slight detour.  Follow the detour signs until it is time to get back on the main road.   Take the initiative, Be Proactive, and be Creative as you grab the attention of college coaches.  











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