Red Flags College Coaches Watch Out For That Stop Players From Getting Recruited

It’s no secret that college soccer programs have very high standards for new recruits. Sometimes, the best way to tell if your game is up to speed is knowing exactly what coaches aren’t looking for, or how they tell someone isn’t ready for college soccer.  

Before we go any further, it’s important to remember that being a bad student is an immediate red flag, no matter how talented you are. So, don’t forget college soccer isn’t an option without good grades.

With that out of the way, here are four major red flags for college soccer coaches:

1.  Lack of Athleticism

College soccer is incredibly physically demanding, so coaches will instantly notice players who are lacking in speed, agility, strength or stamina. Any aspiring college soccer player should be proficient in all four of these areas. However, different positions are expected to exhibit a higher level of a certain type of athleticism. For example, it’s more important for strikers to be explosive, whereas defenders need to show their strength at winning balls. 

Regardless of your position, coaches want to see players who react quickly and take action, as opposed to pausing to catch your breath and figuring out what to do next. 

2.  Predictable Ball-Handling 

College soccer players are expected to be two-footed. It allows you to react quickly when you receive the ball, and it makes your movements with the ball much harder to predict. The quickest way to raise your level of play is to practice on your weak foot enough that you don’t have a weak foot anymore. It will make you a quicker player and a bigger value to any college program.

3.  Lack of Teamwork 

While it is important to show your strengths and individual skills it must be done in the right manner. Trying to dribble 2 or 3 guys every time you get the ball is not the same as taking your opponent 1v1 when you have the space. 

In essence, make sure your individual skills are helping the team win and making your team and teammates better. If they’re only intended to make yourself look good, chances are they’re doing the opposite. 

4.  Negative Attitude  

Coaches favor players who put the team first. 

Let’s say you make an amazing pass to your teammate, but they miss it and the chance goes to waste. Yes, this is frustrating. But does getting visibly frustrated help the team, or prevent the same thing from happening again? 

What does help the team is positive body language and communication. If a player acts like they are better than everyone else on the field, a College Coach is not going to want them for their team. So, though it’s understandable to get frustrated at times, don’t show it. If your teammate misses a pass, commend them for making an effort.  

At Beyond Goals Mentoring, we know how intimidating it can be to try and get to college soccer. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping young athletes develop the mental tools to thrive in these make-or-break moments. 

So, if you want to ace your next try out, let’s set up a mentoring session today.