May College Recruiting Newsletter 2025

Welcome to the Kings Hammer May College Recruiting Newsletter! The club is excited to work with you to accomplish all of your player’s goals for this upcoming soccer year, on and off of the soccer field. Each month, we will be providing this resource to help you navigate the craziness that is the college recruiting process. We hope you find value in this newsletter and we are excited to assist in this exciting process for your family!

This month’s College Recruiting Newsletter will explore choosing the appropriate ID Camp and how players can improve their communication with college coaches!

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CHOOSING AN ID CAMP

When choosing which ID camps to attend, youth athletes should consider their individual goals, the reputation and quality of the camp, the coaches who will be attending, and the camp’s focus (skill development, exposure, etc.). Also, think about whether the camp aligns with their recruiting aspirations and if attending both days of a multi-day camp is feasible, as it can enhance interactions with coaches.

Factors to Consider

1. Athlete’s Goals and Priorities:

Skill Development vs. Exposure – Determine if the primary goal is to improve skills, gain college exposure, or both.
Recruiting Goals – If college recruiting is a priority, research camps attended by coaches from target schools.
Camp Focus – Some camps are more focused on skill development, while others emphasize showcasing skills in front of college coaches.

2. Camp Reputation and Quality:

Research and Reviews – Look for reviews from past participants and families to gauge the camp’s reputation and quality.
Coaching Staff – Ensure the coaches advertised are actually attending and that they align with your goals.
Camp Structure and Activities – Consider the type of drills, scrimmages, and tactical sessions offered.

3. Coach and Program Fit:

Coaching Staff – Make sure you have some interaction with the staff and a personal invitation from the program.
Program Culture – Consider the program’s culture and how it aligns with your personality and playing style.
Coach Interactions – Some camps offer more individual attention and feedback from college coaches, which can be valuable.

4. Scheduling and Logistics:

Calendar and Prioritization – Make a schedule and prioritize camps based on your goals and the coaches attending.
One-Day vs. Multi-Day Camps – If possible, attending both days of a multi-day camp can provide more interaction with coaches.
Cost and Travel – Consider the cost and travel logistics of attending multiple camps.

5. Additional Considerations:

Staff-to-Camper Ratio – Look for camps with a low staff-to-camper ratio to ensure individual attention.
Camp Environment – Consider the overall camp environment and whether it aligns with your learning style and preferences.
Showcase vs. ID Camps – Showcase games are shorter and may not offer the same level of coaching feedback as ID camps.

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF THE ID CAMP EXPERIENCE

Once the athlete, and family, choose a camp to attend they need to focus on how to get the most from their experience. Interactions with coaches are crucial for athletes looking to advance to higher levels of competition, such as college sports. Coaches use these camps to evaluate talent and identify potential recruits. At these camps, players should focus on showcasing their skills, being vocal and positive, and requesting feedback from coaches.

How To Approach interactions with Coaches at ID Camps

1. Preparation and Awareness:

Do Your Research – Before attending a camp, familiarize yourself with the coaches who will be present and their coaching philosophies.
Highlighting Skills – Prepare some highlights or a video showcasing your best plays to share with coaches, potentially a week before the camp according to Trace.

2. During the Camp:

Be Vocal and Positive – Engage in the drills and games enthusiastically, showing your determination and positive attitude.
Seek One-on-One Time – Make an effort to speak with coaches individually, ask for feedback, and express your interest in their program.
Train Hard and Play Hard – Showcase your abilities and strive for excellence in each practice and game.
Show Respect – Be respectful of coaches, staff, and fellow players, creating a positive environment.

3. After the Camp:

Follow Up – Send thank-you notes or emails to coaches expressing your appreciation for their time and asking for further information if needed

Personal Development: Building Essential Communication Skills

Contacting and building relationships with college coaches is a vital part of the recruiting process, but doing so in an effective or ineffective manner can make or break your opportunity to play at a given school. Impressions over the phone and in initial visits can go a long way in determining whether or not you will have a future at a given program, so being aware of how to be professional and an effective communicator is a crucial part of your personal development not only in your college search, but all other aspects of your life as well. Below are a few things to consider, as well as articles to read/dive in to the details a bit more.

Eye contact – in today’s day and age with technology, it is becoming less and less common to engage in important conversation face-to-face. When doing so, make sure you are comfortable giving direct eye contact to the person you are speaking to. Here’s why: https://brandastic.com/blog/why-eye-contact-is-important/
Active listening – you may come into specific conversations with an agenda, or things you want to make sure are discussed. This is completely fine, and shows that you are genuinely interested in making sure the conversations flows in a positive manner. While this is great, make sure you are actively listening to what the other person has to say and are able to adjust and navigate the conversation properly. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/coaching-others-use-active-listening-skills/
Be yourself! – Most importantly, don’t try to be someone you are not. By relaxing and being yourself, you will be able to have a natural, genuine conversation you are talking to. It is important to maintain a balance of professionalism, while being true to who you are.

Additional Resources

RECENT COLLEGE COMMITMENTS

Congratulations to the most recent Kings Hammer soccer players to make college commitment decisions! Remember to post your commitment to your Sports Recruits account, send a commitment photo to info@kingshammer.com, and include or tag your club’s local Kings Hammer page on any social media posts so that we can be recognize you for your achievements!