This is the first post in a series for those in high school, middle school, and elementary school who wish to compete athletically at the highest scholastic level. This post is also for parents who want to learn more about the different methods/shortcuts your son or daughter can learn to have an edge on the competition and can find a way onto a college team in any sport they desire.
Tip #1: Grades
It's pretty simple, how you do in the classroom is huge. Plus, getting your parents off of your back also feels good, it gives them one less thing to bring up when you get in trouble. I started this series with grades because it is the most important aspect, especially your freshman and sophomore years in high school where it really counts.
Why your freshman and sophomore years? Think about it, these are going to be your easiest years in the classroom. You want to REALLY attack these two years and boost your GPA. It seems as though high schoolers nowadays are too focused into their social lives than anything else and then want to bust their butts their junior and senior years where classes are much harder and you also feel pressure with your last days being an athlete on the field. I stress boosting your GPA early on because, if you are a talented athlete in your respective sport and colleges start to evaluate you, the first thing they want to know is "How are your grades?". Due to how hard you worked, this question means nothing to you because it is something you will not have to worry about, and something the coaches will not worry about. Then they can finally talk about your place in their program and tell you about the school. But if you answer that coach with a "errr uuuhhh, its uhhhhh, 2 something". Red flag goes up, and that coach is now asking how you are going to get those grades up, there will be ZERO talk about the program, all focus will be on grades.
Pending on your sport, coaches usually are allowed to call you the summer of your Sophomore/Junior year. If you follow my advice and really attack your first two years in school, you will not have an issue with this.
A coach cannot and will not put all of his time and effort into an iffy situation that might turn around and become good. You think a majority of coaches will risk their job for a kid who has shown inconsistency in the classroom? Maybe before, but not anymore due to new NCAA APR rules.
To put this into perspective, if this rule was established a few years ago, the national champion UConn basketball team would not have qualified for the NCAA tournament because their APR was too low. Saying this, how do you think coaches earn bonuses? Making the tournament, advancing in the tournament. Guess who doesn't get bonuses if their APR is too low? Coaches. Guess who recruits smarter players now? Coaches. Guess who recruits trustworthy players with a better academic record? Coaches. Guess who gets fired if they can't succeed in the post season? Coaches. Guess who doesn't find another job in this field because of the track record of being a program killer? Coaches. Guess who's not going to get a chance if you treat high school like a playground and not a way to a better future? You.
When it comes to recruiting, coaches first look at what you do well, then try to knitpick at every little negative thing they can to see exactly who you are. Like your parents, you'll be better off taking care of your business that you can control. You can't always control being sacked, shot blocked, missed penalty kick, but you can control your effort in the classroom. Coaches LOVE... I repeat, LOVE when their players are low maintenance. So all they have to worry about is what goes on at practice and games. Stay ahead of the game, stay ahead of competition. Grades can be a deal breaker when coaches choose between recruits. Which side will you be on?
Excuse the spelling errors, I wrote this somewhat quickly.
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