When coaches are evaluating young athletes when scouting for new recruits, they are of course looking at their sporting ability and their fit within the team. But, there are also some hidden factors that coaches look out for when recruiting student athletes...
How recruits communicate with their parents and siblings.
Often, it is the nuances that get noticed. A recruit that cares about and respects his family is more likely to care about and respect his teammates and coaches.
Who will be their support system?
A good support system is essential to anyone’s success, but especially a young athlete. Coaches feel it is important to know who will be a recruit’s sounding board when hurdles arise or they have to make decisions. They are not looking for recruits to have someone telling them what to do, but someone for them to have a conversation with about how they are going to do it.
What is the parent’s focus?
Naturally, parents might hope that their child goes pro should they have a successful college career, but it can be a huge red flag for recruiters if a parent’s main goal is for their child to get to the next level.
How involved are parents in their child’s sports career?
For recruiters, it is easy to spot a parent who is too involved in their child’s sports career. Coaches want parents to ask questions and be invested in their child’s sport, but more importantly, they want to hear the child talk. Once they’re on the campus, and the team, the coach won’t be talking to their parent or mentor every day, but to the child themselves. Therefore, it is imperative that they can speak for themselves.
A parent whose child is never wrong.
This is something that raises a huge red flag for recruiters. If what happens to a child is always someone else’s fault, they will be unable to process constructive criticism and therefore, will be un-coachable. Coaches are looking for recruits who have been taught to properly process criticism, rather than been shielded from ever hearing it. Recruiters believe it is important for recruits to be able to take on board both positive and negative feedback from others.
