What We Do for You
📝 We prepare you for the conversations so that you leave the best possible impression
🎯 As part of the ALL AMERICAN package, a communication training including a test conversation is included. Please take advantage of this before your first conversation with coaches.
Communication with college coaches is an important step in the application process, especially for athletes who want to study and continue their sport at American universities. How you interact with a coach can have a significant impact on your chances of being accepted onto the team. In this guide, you will find valuable tips and strategies to make a positive impression during your initial contact and subsequent conversations.
After Smarthlete has contacted the coach, it is possible that he will contact you directly by email or even by phone to learn more about you. It is important that you respond promptly. A common mistake made by international athletes is to leave emails or requests unanswered or to respond only after several days. This leaves an unreliable impression.
Basic rules for contacting:
Response time: Always respond to an email or message within 24 hours. A quick response shows professionalism and interest.
Tone and style: Emails should always be polite, well-structured, and free of errors. Use a formal greeting and thank the coach for their interest.
Use the right email address: Use the email address we recommended to keep the communication centralized and have all messages in view.
Tip:
Create a professional signature block at the end of your emails with your contact details, a link to your recruiting profile, and possibly a picture. This creates an organized and professional impression.
Asking Questions and Showing Interest
Whether the first conversation takes place by email, phone, or Zoom, you should always be well prepared. Inform yourself about the university, the team, and the coach himself. Here are some points you should research in advance:
Team Performance: What placings has the team achieved in recent seasons?
Academic Programs: What fields of study does the university offer? Are there areas that particularly interest you?
Campus Life: Are there clubs, events, or offerings that particularly appeal to you at the university?
Training Structure: What coaching philosophy does the coach pursue? Are there specific focal points in the training?
Coaches want to get to know you as a person and find out why you want to study at their university. Prepare yourself for the following questions:
About your athletic career:
"Why do you want to pursue college sports?"
"What position do you like to play the most and why?"
"What does your typical training day look like?"
"How do you feel about additional individual training?"
About your academic goals:
"Why did you choose this field of study?"
"Why would this particular university appeal to you?"
"What are your academic goals during your studies?"
"How do you plan to balance sports and studies?"
About your personality:
"What role do you play on a team?"
"How do you deal with defeats?"
"What motivates you to improve?"
Asking the right questions not only shows that you are well-informed, but also that you have a genuine interest in the program and the university. It's best to divide your questions into academic, athletic, and campus-related categories.
A. Academic Questions
"What academic support services are available for athletes?"
"How many hours per week should an athlete calculate for their studies?"
"Are there any special professors who work with athletes?"
"How does the university support students in choosing their courses?"
B. Athletic Questions
"What does the typical training plan look like during the season and outside the season?"
"Are there additional training opportunities, such as individual training sessions or weight room sessions?"
"What expectations do you have of the players in terms of self-discipline and commitment?"
"What training and competition facilities are available to the team?"
"What is the structure of the coaching team?"
C. Campus Life Questions
"What support is available for new international students?"
"What does the daily life of athletes look like outside of training?"
"Are there mentoring programs for new athletes?"
"How strong are the connections within the team and what activities do the players undertake outside of sports?"
Tip:
Be open, authentic, and ask questions that truly match your interests. Avoid asking questions that you could easily find online on the university's website, such as the general field of study or simple statistics.
Be professional and positive: Always respond with a positive attitude and focus on how you can contribute to the team.
Show interest and commitment: Emphasize that you are ready to work hard and develop.
Be respectful and patient: Coaches often have a full schedule, so it's important to be respectful of their time and not become impatient if responses take a little longer.
Express appreciation: Always thank the coach for their time and the opportunity to speak with them.
Note:
Avoid asking only questions about scholarships or giving the impression that financial support is more important to you than the quality of the team or the academic opportunities. These conversations are important, but should only be had once the coach's interest is secured.
The impression you leave in the first conversations with the coach is crucial. However, some behaviors can quickly come across as unprofessional and jeopardize your chances:
Going into the conversation unprepared: Coaches quickly notice if you have not taken the time to familiarize yourself with the university and the team.
Sending too many emails: Keep the communication concise and goal-oriented. Don't overload the coach with long emails.
Inappropriate language or behavior: Always express yourself respectfully and politely, both in your emails and in direct conversations.
Poor availability: If you do not respond promptly to emails or calls, you quickly create the impression of being unreliable. Coaches are looking for athletes who can take responsibility both on and off the playing field.
Early conversations about scholarships: Avoid bringing up financial questions or the topic of scholarships in the first conversations. Such conversations often come across as if the financial support is more important to you than the team and the university. Smarthlete will take care of the negotiations for you so that you can fully focus on making a good impression.
Successful communication with coaches requires preparation, professionalism, and genuine interest. Take advantage of every contact opportunity to show why you will be an asset to the team and the university. With the right questions and a proactive communication style, you will make a positive impression and increase your chances of becoming an important part of the team.
If you need support in preparing for the conversation or have questions about communicating with coaches, the Smarthlete team will be happy to assist you!