Preparing for CollegeVolleyball

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.

NCAA RulesJunior year� D1 - After September 1st, Coaches are allowed to

send additional information on their college programs.

� DII – June 15th Coaches can start sending recruiting material & make calls

� DIII & NAIA – Coaches can call and send printed material anytime

NCAA Rules

Senior year� 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 in-person 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 ItineraryFriday, 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 Check into University Plaza HotelSaturday, May 29, 2015

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