What Are You Looking For?

At a recent college coaches panel discussion, a high school player posed the following question: When you go out recruiting, what are you looking for in a player?

You might expect an answer to the effect of, "Someone who scores a bazillion goals," or, "A player who is really fit." The college coaches on the panel, however, gave answers that were actually very different. The three attributes they described were: (1) Taking ownership, (2) Making good decisions, and (3) Playing with passion. The coaches were by no means discounting the importance of individual ability. But there's more to it than being a good player. They're looking for good players who also demonstrate these three qualities. But what do these qualities actually entail?

1. Taking Ownership. College coaches are looking for leaders. Not just players wearing captains' arm bands, but players who take responsibility for their teams' success. How do you respond if your team is down 1-0 in the 80th minute of the state cup final?

2. Making Good Decisions. Coaches are looking for good citizens. They want players who will strengthen the character of the college team. Coaches don't want players who weaken team chemistry by being selfish or arrogant.

3. Playing with Passion. Play because you love to play. Don't play because your parents make you or your friends pressure you. College coaches want players who enjoy playing, because those players are inevitably more productive.

Posted 1/7/06 by Avi Stopper , selfRecruiting.com

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