1. YOU CAN STILL BE SEEN

Now is the time for students to take all of the videos, clips, and still shots they've amassed and break them down into a highlight reel. They should be sure to include both close shots and full field examples of play. It’s not just about the athlete's personal skills—it's also about how they see a field and how they interact with teammates. 

Athletes should identify the key skills coaches are looking for in their position and respective sport. They should set up an area where they can show off those skills and start filming. Given the current circumstances, that might be in a garage, at the local park, or in a personal pool. The bottom line: get creative and show off! 

One important note: At this stage, game film will likely be more than a season old. That's okay—it's all you have for now, and coaches will understand this. Everyone is in the same boat.

2. COACH OUTREACH MATTERS

Of course, athletes need to do something with those highlights and film. Here are some things to keep in mind.

• To start, they can use the power of social media, creating an athletics account for themselves and tagging coaches or athletic programs in their posts.
• They should also be proactively filling out athletic questionnaires on college athletics websites. Some will give a chance to link game film, some will simply want statistics. But no matter what they ask for, now is the time to brag. 
• If they can get a coach's email address, they can craft an introduction email about themselves, their academics, and their sport (and, of course, always include links to their highlights). 
• They might even consider creating a profile on a reputable site like NCSA or other more sport-specific recruitment websites.

Meanwhile, students should monitor social media accounts along with email and voicemail. Coaches will be reaching out during the contact periods to introduce themselves—and athletes do not want to miss an opportunity. Early in the recruitment process, the biggest mistake students make is not responding or, worse, saying no to a coach just because it might not be the dream school the student had pictured.  Athletes should keep options open by responding with a kind email recognizing the coach's interest. There's always time for research and reflection before making any decisions.

3. KEEP WORKING

This will likely feel like an overwhelming time: general COVID anxiety, school, and now recruitment. But there are some things students are 100% in control of, and that’s where they should focus. In school, student athletes should stay involved, ask for help when they need it, and keep their grades up. In sports: practice. Sure, athletes might not be allowed to practice with others yet, but they can run drills on their own.  They may not be able to compete, but they can watch game film in the meantime. And if they're lucky enough to be able to compete: enjoy it. Athletes are doing what they love, and whether or not it takes them to the college level, we want them to take a moment to appreciate the experience they're having.

As always, if you have specific questions, we encourage you to reach out so we can talk through the nuanced college athletic recruitment process. In the meantime, feel free to refer to the NCAA's 2020-21 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.