Preparing for College Volleyball

Preparing for College Volleyball

Myths Because I play for a club means that I will get recruited There is not enough time with going to school and being able to play volleyball and keep my grades up. I m not good enough to play I get a college brochure in the mail so I m being recruited Because you hear from the coaching staff means that you are being recruited.

Things to think about when selecting a College You need to understand the time commitment and sacrifices involved with each Tier. You should look at different levels of college games to help determine where you might you fit in. D1, D2, D3, NAIA What feels right to you (not what you think your friends and/or parents want) What is the school history? (win, lose, middle of the pack, do they graduate players, transfer of players).

What is important to you Academics Do they fit your needs Distance from home circle your area on a map Type of program (competitive, social, scholarships) Type of coach (teacher, screamer, intense, laid back, stress academics, etc.) Opportunity for playing time (sit & learn or chance to play right away?)

Sell Yourself #1 Goal is to get the attention of the coaches Initial letters. (Get the head coaches name correct) Include the following: Grade Position & Number Club Other sports Vertical jump, height Playing schedule Grade point Coaching references

Initial Letters

Sell Yourself Reply to All requests Keep your options open until you have made a decision. Check out the program (people you know, former players, media guides, and internet) If you are traveling for a tournament schedule a visit on the way. Don t burn bridges make sure that you keep your options open

Sell Yourself Attend a camp of the college that you are looking at. Pro s This allows the player to get a feel for the campus and allows an opportunity to be seen. You can wait until you are committed to a college program Con s You are only being seen by one coach. Expense to attend multiple camps Go with your high school team camp

Sell Yourself Profile, Video, Game Film Put together a profile sheet which is basically your resume Whit4thprofile.pdf Skills video 5 minute skills video Check out the links to players on our website for examples Kristen Paulus.mpg Game Film 10 Minute segment unedited

Sell Yourself Always remember that even though one school may not be interested in you, there is one out there that is.

When to Start Begin as early as your Freshman year so coaches can follow your progress. Its never too early to start It s also never too late to start

Physical Measurements Know where you fit and what college coaches are looking for at each level of play The following are some examples of DI, DII, DIII physical measurements that they look for. Note: This does not eliminate anyone. It is just a realistic view

DI Physical Measurements Setter Height 5 9-6 1 Approach Jump 9 6 Outside Hitter Height 5 11 6 2 Approach Jump 9 8 Middle Blocker Height 6 0 6 4 Approach Jump 10 Right-side Hitter Height 5 11-6 2 Approach Jump 9 8 Libero/Defense Height 5 5 6

DII Physical Measurements Setter Height 5 8-6 0 Approach Jump 9 4 Outside Hitter Height 5 10 6 0 Approach Jump 9 6 Middle Blocker Height 5 11 6 3 Approach Jump 9 8 Right-side Hitter Height 5 11-6 2 Approach Jump 9 8 Libero/Defense Height 5 5 5 10

DIII Physical Measurements Setter Height 5 7-5 10 Approach Jump 9 2 Outside Hitter Height 5 8 5 10 Approach Jump 9 4 Middle Blocker Height 5 10 6 2 Approach Jump 9 6 Right-side Hitter Height 5 8 5 10 Approach Jump 9 4 Libero/Defense Height 5 0 5 8

What College Coaches are Looking For Attitude or personality On and off the court Needs based on # of spots open and positions available. Size, jump, speed, court smarts, experience, heart, raw physical talent. The high school athlete s interest in their college program.

NCAA Rules Freshman & Sophomore year Coaches are only allowed to send you camp brochures, NCAA Educational Information and Questionnaires. A coach can also accept phone calls from you as long as they are at your expense but remember that if you leave a message on an answering service the coach is NOT allowed to call you back. They also cannot email you. Communication at this age is through the club coach or high school coach.

Junior year NCAA Rules D1 - After September 1 st, Coaches are allowed to send additional information on their college programs. DII June 15 th Coaches can start sending recruiting material & make calls DIII & NAIA Coaches can call and send printed material anytime

Senior year NCAA Rules Coaches can make telephone calls and send written correspondence as per the rules of your junior year. Phone calls unlimited after signing.

NCAA Rules Unofficial visits- Athlete pays their way to campuses (unlimited) Official visits- Division I schools can pay your transportation, food & lodging to visit their campus. Five allowed per player. Contact Period During this time, a college coach may have in-person contact with you or your parent on or off the college campus. Dead Period Coaches may not have any inperson contact with athlete or parent.

NCAA Eligibility Center The NCAA Eligibility Center ensures that student athletes are prepared to meet the academic rigors of college. You will not be eligible to play college sports or get an athletic scholarship from an NCAA school without registering and being cleared by the NCAA Eligibility Center Website: www.elegibilitycenter.org Cost $75-$80 Don t register until official visit

NCAA Eligibility Center Reference material will be posted on our website

Available Scholarships NCAA Division I (12) Volleyball scholarships Division II (8) Volleyball Scholarships Note: DII can be creative with scholarships Division III - Academic Scholarships only NAIA (12) Volleyball Scholarships (mostly private schools) NJCAA Division I & II (Junior College) (14) Volleyball Scholarships

College Visits and what to prepare for

Campus Visit Questions - Athletic What does a full scholarship entail? Is my daughter guaranteed a four-year scholarship? Is there any kind of fund raising required? When does the team practice? Where does the team practice? Do they have to share the practice facility with another team?

Campus Visit Questions - Athletic Where are matches played? What is the average attendance? Describe the athletic facilities available for volleyball players (Ex: gym, weight room, team room) What trainers, doctors, medical facilities are available? How does the team travel?

Campus Visit Questions - Athletic To what extent are the community and media involved in supporting the University and the student athlete? Does the team go overseas to train? What is the off-season schedule? Do all team members travel?

Campus Visit Questions - Academics What is the current team s GPA? Does an athletes GPA effect their playing time? What is the graduation rate of the volleyball program? What is the quality of the educational experience the institution can offer? What is the job placement rate?

Campus Visit Questions - Academics Can the curriculum accommodate potential changes in my daughter s academic major? How many areas of study does the institution have to choose from? How many classes are generally missed due to volleyball? What happens when an athlete has to miss classes or tests due to volleyball?

Campus Visit Questions - Academics Is summer school required? Does the athletic department provide an academic services program that will ensure that my daughter will have every opportunity to succeed academically? How closely are grades and classes monitored? Do they have access to computers, study rooms, library, etc? Are tutors available? Is fifth year aid available?

Campus Visit Expectations Tour & Spending time with the team Sample Visit Itinerary Friday, May 28, 2015 5:00 PM Arrive on campus meet Coaching Staff. 5:05 P.M. Tour student center, locker room & watch highlight film 6:00 P.M. Dinner with Coaching Staff in the Alumni Lounge TBA Saturday, May 29, 2015 Check into University Plaza Hotel 9:00 A.M Breakfast at University Hotel with Coaching Staff 9:30 A.M. Campus tour 11:00 A.M. Meeting with Coaching Staff

Campus Visit Be Prepared What do I do if I receive an offer? Accept Kindly put off - give your reasons Need more time Have additional visits scheduled Remember to stay in touch with the coach or staff. One of the top issues is poor communication.

Information Resources NCAA - National Collegiate Athletic Association: Publishes Information for College-Bound Student Athletes and Parents. Contains eligibility rules, guidelines, and suggestions. (www.ncaa.org) NAIA - National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics: (www.naia.org) or (www.playnaia.org) NJCAA - National Junior College Athletic Association: (www.njcaa.org) College Directories: Publishes the National Directory of Collegiate Athletics. (www.collegiatedirectories.com) NCSA College Recruiting services (www.nscasports.org)

Recruiting Realities Cost $29.95 https://www.recruitingrealities.com/book/

Final Thought Do your homework and learn all you can to help you prepare for this big decision.

Questions