Anytime! The sooner you start the process the greater the chance of you getting what you want.
Best time of the day to connect with a coach is during the day while they are in the office. Not every coach is full-time and many have other jobs or responsibilities they are required to do while at the school.
Best time of the year - anytime other than in-season! During the competitive season, the coaches are the busiest with priority on their current team. This doesn't mean you can't follow along to their progress and comment on social media, send emails to the coach congratulating them on successes.
If you do send some questions or updates on yourself during the season and don't receive a response - don't sweat it. However, be sure to send the complete files such as video updates. It's time consuming for the coach to respond back to your email that suggests the following: " Hi, Coach. Would you like me to send you my updated video?" - SEND IT and then follow up with an open question such as: " Hi Coach, I recently sent you my latest video, did you like when....."
**This type of question prompts the coach to respond - and thus, starts to develop a relationship.
👁Tip: while you may consider a larger list of schools you can see yourself at - be wary of contacting multiple schools in the same conference/region at the same time. The sport world is small, and coaches talk. If a coach suspects that you are broadcasting a large contact list of schools - coaches may start to wonder if your fishing and not certain what you really want and thus question if you are really interested in their program and perhaps should focus their limited time on someone else.
Your first impression is important - make your first contact count!
You will want to introduce yourself and give enough information to make the coach curious. Your subject line should want the coach to open up the email.
The email should be concise and engaging to have the coach read to the end of the email and click on the links provided.
👁Tip: Cover the big three: 1.Who you are 2.Athletics 3.Academics
Format your initial letter into 4 distinct paragraphs:
👁Tip: It is ok to write one form letter, but make sure each time you send it out you have personalized it and add specifics that relate to the school and team you are sending it too.
❌ DO NOT bring up scholarships in your initial communication with coaches. Your goal should be to communicate what you can provide to their program, get them interested enough to initiate further conversations. They will offer you a scholarship based on your skill and experience if and when they are ready to take that step – but don’t presume you will get offered a scholarship – and never, NEVER lead with this in your initial contact.
Your initial contact letter should come from YOUR email address, and not from mom and dad. If you don't have an email - Google GMAIL offers free signup and is well received across all platforms.
YOU need to spend time to compose this letter NOT your mom or dad, coaches want to develop a relationship with you, as you will be the one on their team.
📣 REMINDER: PLAN TO SEND A FOLLOW UP EMAIL WITHIN 7-10 DAYS OF SENDING THE INITIAL CONTACT.
Whether or not you have heard a response (and especially if you have not) you will need to follow up to make sure the coach has read your email, and seen your resume. In the follow up send your resume link again, let them know you are excited to share your highlight video with them, and ask them a couple questions about their program or school. These open ended questions will encourage and prompt a response from the coach to initiate the correspondence and START to build a relationship.
Here is a sample to critique of an initial contact sent to a head coach:
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Good evening coach XXXXX,
My name is Avery XXXXX and I play for XXXXXX in Saskatoon Saskatchewan. I am currently in grade 11 at XXXX Collegiate, graduating class of 2021. I am interested in XXXXXXX University.
My soccer team is coming to the showcase in Edmonton this weekend (March 13-15). I would like to invite you to watch my games and see me play. My game times are Friday March 13that 2:30pm, Saturday March 14that 7:00am and finally Sunday March 15that 7:00am. All games will be at Foote Field, I will be wearing jersey number 18.
I am a 5’8 center back who enjoys playing simple and resets the field when the game gets chaotic.
I would be happy to share my athletic resume along with my highlight video at your requet. If you have any questions or would like to know anything more about me and who I am I would love to set up a phone call with you, my phone number is (306) 341-XXXX.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Avery XXXXX.
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The letter you compose should be short and direct. The letter is a way to request information and introduce you to the coach as a prospective student-athlete. Here are some things to include:
Date
Coach’s Name University Name Address
City, State, Zip
Dear Coach _____,
Sample Letter 1
My name is Helen Smith and I am currently a senior at All Star High School in Lexington, Kentucky.
I am also the starting forward on my high school team and have led them in goals scored for the past three years. My team won the state championship in 2007 and was the runner-up in 2008. We are currently ranked third in the state. I was named honuorable mention all-state in 2005, second team in 2006 and 2007.
I play for the LFC U-17 Premier Girls Team. I have played at the premier level since U-13. My team won the Kentucky State Championship for the past three years. In 2007, we advanced to the semifinals at the Midwest Regional. I also play forward for my select team. My coach Zartoshty, said he would be glad to speak with you on my behalf.
I have spent time doing research on what colleges would be a good match for me academically and athletically. I am interested in majoring in psychology with a minor in English. I am very interested in your College and your program and would appreciate receiving information from you.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Helen Smith
(Include your mailing address)
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Date
Coach’s Name University Name Address
City, State, Zip
Dear Coach _____,
Sample Letter 2
May I take a moment of your time to introduce myself? My name is Helen Smith and I am currently a senior at All Star High School in Lexington, Kentucky.
During the last few weeks, I have spent time with my counselor doing research on which colleges would be a good match for me both academically and athletically. I am very interested in your college and would appreciate receiving information about your school, and the soccer program.
I have played varsity soccer for All Star High School since the 9th grade. I have been the starting left forward for the past three years and have played in every game. I was the second leading scorer my freshman year and the leading scorer the past two years. Over the past three years I have scored 42 goals. My high school plays a very strong schedule and has contended for the Kentucky state championship the past three years. My coach, Joan Jett, would be happy to talk with you or provide you with a game film. My number is 3.
I play for the U-17 Premier Girls Team. Our team has won the Kentucky State Championship three times. I also play forward on my club team but have some experience in the mid-field. We will be playing at the Cincinnati Cup in December and my club number is 3. My coach, Zartoshty, would be happy to talk with you.
Academically, I am a strong student with an A average and have no trouble balancing school and athletics.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing back from you. Sincerely,
Helen Smith
123 Anywhere Lane Lexington, KY 40503
