One the most important factors in the recruiting process is finding the right coach. A coach is more than someone who gives you an athletic scholarship; he or she serves as a mentor and as a motivator. No matter how skilled you may be, a good coach should be able to teach you new skills while perfecting your existing ones. The process of finding the right coach involves asking the right questions and evaluating the most critical aspects of your prospective coach’s philosophy, communication style, and personality.

The following is a list of some questions that will help you decide whether a coach is a good fit for you. While you listen to his or her answers, try to determine how comfortable you are with them and their personality. If you choose this school, you will most likely have a close relationship with this person for four years- choose wisely!

• What is a typical day in the life of one of your players?
• How can you and your school help me balance my academics with my athletics?
• What is your graduation rate?
• What are the characteristics of a good program in your mind?
• What characteristics to you value in your players?
• How would you describe your personality both during games and during practice?
• Where do you see me fitting in with the team?
• How is playing time determined?
• Have you ever had any NCAA rules infractions?

Undoubtedly, choosing the right coach also requires a great deal of soul searching for you, the athlete. In order for you to evaluate the answers to these questions, you need to have a good understanding of your own personality and what motivates you. Do you respond better to discipline and structure, or do you respond better to someone who is more sensitive and nurturing? If you have an open personality, will you feel comfortable sharing your feelings with the coach? Can you handle being criticized in front of your teammates? Once you determine your compatibility with a prospective coach, you will have a better understanding of whether a particular program might be a good match

Choosing the right coach is just one of many important factors in choosing your school. Don’t let the coach be the sole determining factor in your school choice. You are going to college to get an education. You need to ensure that you are going to a school that meets your academic, social, and athletics needs. Consider the coach as being just one piece of the puzzle.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 at 8:52 pm and is filed under Athletes, General Advice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.