In-person guide

Coach conversation flow.

Use this when you're face to face with a college coach at a camp or on a visit. Keep it short, answer directly, then ask one question that moves your recruiting forward.

Camp day

Camps conversation

Who is this coach to you?

View

Before you go

The window: coaches stick around after the last drill. That's your shot. Talk to as many as you can, every conversation is a rep.
Know who'll be there (position coach, area recruiter, coordinator) and one specific thing about each program. Personal beats generic.
Start with schools you actually want and coaches you've already talked to or worked with. Then everybody else.
Know your numbers cold (height, weight, 40, GPA) and practice your opener out loud.

The intro

Open strong

“Hi Coach [last name], I'm [first + last name]. I'm a [grad year] [position] from [high school] in [city, state].”

Firm handshake, stand tall · Look him in the eye · Loud and clear, like you've said it a hundred times

Did he coach you today?

No

Lead with your fit

“Are you still recruiting my grad year and position, or is your board full?”

Yes

Lead with his read

“How did you think I did today?”
“What's the biggest thing you want to see me improve?”

Let him talk

Coach responds. Listen first, don't rush to fill silence. He's deciding what kind of kid you are, and the more he talks, the better it's going.

Does he ask you a question?

No

You go first.

Pick one from the question bank. Don't wait for him to carry the conversation.

Yes

Answer it directly, then ask one back.

Your scripted answers are in the common questions bank. Every one ends with a question back.

You ask

Questions to ask

Are you still recruiting my grad year and position, or is your board full?
Do you think I'm a possible scholarship player for you?
Who's your area recruiter for [my state]?
What's the biggest thing you want to see me improve?
What can I do to make recruiting me easier?

He asks

Common coach questions

Who's recruiting you?
Can you make it to our camp?
How's the team / season looking?
Have you talked with Coach [name]?
What are your numbers?

Never leave empty-handed

The close

“What should my next step be with you guys?”

Lock a defined next step: send film, come to their next camp, talk to the coordinator.

“Could I get your number so I can follow up?”

Direct contact. You own the follow-up.

Watch out: "Give us a follow and we'll keep our eyes on you" is a brush-off, not a next step. Push once for a real one. Even a soft answer tells you where you stand.

The win, in order: 1. a defined next step. 2. his direct contact. 3. your name + position + grad year stuck in his head. An honest evaluation is a bonus. Most coaches won't give one at camp.

Text or DM

Same-day follow-up

“Coach [name], great talking with you today at [camp]. I'm the [grad year] [position] from [high school]. [One specific thing from your conversation]. I'll send my film this week. Thanks for your time.”

Same day, short, references the actual conversation. That's how you stay remembered.

Before you go

The window: coaches stick around after the last drill. That's your shot. Talk to as many as you can, every conversation is a rep.
Know who'll be there (position coach, area recruiter, coordinator) and one specific thing about each program. Personal beats generic.
Start with schools you actually want and coaches you've already talked to or worked with. Then everybody else.
Know your numbers cold (height, weight, 40, GPA) and practice your opener out loud.

1
Open strong
You
“Hi Coach [last name], I'm [first + last name]. I'm a [grad year] [position] from [high school] in [city, state].”
- Firm handshake, stand tall
- Look him in the eye
- Loud and clear, like you've said it a hundred times
Why it works: Name, position, grad year. That's how coaches file players in their head, and it's how you get remembered.
2
Did he coach you today?
Yes
Lead with his read
“How did you think I did today?”
“What's the biggest thing you want to see me improve?”
No
Lead with your fit
“Are you still recruiting my grad year and position, or is your board full?”
3
Let him talk
Coach responds. Listen first, don't rush to fill silence. He's deciding what kind of kid you are, and the more he talks, the better it's going.
4
The fork
Does he ask you a question?
Yes
Answer it directly, then ask one back.
Your scripted answers are in the common questions bank. Every one ends with a question back.
No
You go first.
Pick one from the question bank. Don't wait for him to carry the conversation.
5
Common coach questions
What he asks and how you answer
Coach
“Who's recruiting you?”
If you have recruitment
“I've been talking with a couple schools, like Coach Johnson at ABC and Coach Jackson at XYZ. I'm trying to figure out who else I should be in front of, which is part of why I'm here. Are you guys recruiting my position in my class?”
If you're early / nobody yet
“I'm early in my process. I've been camping and getting in front of staffs like yours this summer. Am I the kind of player you'd recruit?”
Tip: Use real coach names, never make schools up. If you're early, own it. "Early in my process" sounds like a plan, not an apology.
Coach
“Can you make it to our camp?”
You
“I think I can make that work. Before I lock in my camp schedule, what's your read on me so far? Am I a scholarship-type player for you guys?”
Coach
“How's the team / season looking?”
How you answer: Keep it to three beats: last season in one line, what the team returns, one thing you're personally improving. Positive and specific, then ask a question back.
Coach
“Have you talked with Coach [name]?”
You
“Yes sir, a little bit. I wanted to introduce myself to you too. What are you guys looking for at my position?”
Coach
“What are your numbers?”
How you answer: Height, weight, 40, lifts, GPA. Instantly, no guessing.
Tip: Knowing your numbers cold shows you take recruiting seriously. GPA counts, academics keep doors open.
6
Questions to ask
- “Are you still recruiting my grad year and position, or is your board full?”
- “Do you think I'm a possible scholarship player for you?”
- “Who's your area recruiter for [my state]?”
- “What's the biggest thing you want to see me improve?”
- “What can I do to make recruiting me easier?”
7
The close
Never leave empty-handed
You
“What should my next step be with you guys?”
Lock a defined next step: send film, come to their next camp, talk to the coordinator.
You
“Could I get your number so I can follow up?”
Direct contact. You own the follow-up.
Then shake his hand, thank him by name, and walk away. Don't linger.
Watch out: "Give us a follow and we'll keep our eyes on you" is a brush-off, not a next step. Push once for a real one. Even a soft answer tells you where you stand.
The win, in order
1. 1A defined next step
2. 2His direct contact
3. 3Your name + position + grad year stuck in his head
An honest evaluation is a bonus. Most coaches won't give one at camp.
8
Same-day follow-up
Text or DM
You
“Coach [name], great talking with you today at [camp]. I'm the [grad year] [position] from [high school]. [One specific thing from your conversation]. I'll send my film this week. Thanks for your time.”
Tip: Same day, short, references the actual conversation. That's how you stay remembered.