Professional Communication & Player Profile
Build a strong player profile, contact college coaches confidently, and present yourself as a prepared student athlete.
Help coaches get to know you
College coaches are evaluating more than soccer ability. Clear communication, strong academics, preparation, and maturity all help show who you are as a player and person.
What to include in your player profile
A strong player profile gives coaches the information they need without making them search for it. Keep it organized, current, and easy to share.
Basic information
Your name, graduation year, primary and secondary positions, dominant foot if relevant, and a professional email address.
Soccer details
Your Celtics team, league or competition level, jersey number, coach contact information, and upcoming game schedule.
Academic information
Your high school, current GPA, academic interests, intended major if known, and relevant academic honors.
Video and links
A short highlight video, available full match footage, and a link to your recruiting profile if you use one.
Keep it simple and safe
A one page soccer resume is usually enough. Avoid sharing your home address, unnecessary personal details, or sensitive documents publicly.
Your one page soccer resume
- Header: Full name, graduation year, position, email address, and phone number.
- Academics: High school, GPA, academic interests, and honors.
- Club soccer: Celtics team, league, jersey number, and coach contact.
- Additional experience: High school soccer, leadership roles, or relevant accomplishments.
- Video links: Highlight reel and full match footage.
- Upcoming events: Important showcases, tournaments, or games.
Suggested file name
FirstName_LastName_GradYear_FIRSTXI.pdf
How to email a college coach
The best recruiting emails are short, specific, and written by the player.
- Use a clear subject line with your position, graduation year, and name.
- Address the coach by name and double check the school.
- Introduce yourself and explain why that specific program interests you.
- Include your Celtics team, GPA, graduation year, and position.
- Share working links to your highlight video and player profile.
- Include your upcoming schedule when relevant.
- Thank the coach and make it easy to contact you.
Before you hit send
Proofread the message, check every link, and remove anything that sounds copied and pasted for another school.
Email examples you can personalize
First contact with a coach
Subject: [Position] | Class of [Year] | Celtics | [Your Name]
Hi Coach [Last Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I am a [position] in the class of [graduation year] at [high school]. I play for [Celtics team name] and currently have a [GPA] GPA.
I am interested in [College Name] because [mention a specific academic program, team quality, or reason the school appeals to you].
You can view my highlight video here:
Player profile: [profile link]
My next event is [event name, date, location, and jersey number]. I would appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your program.
Thank you for your time,
[Your Name]
[Graduation Year] | [Phone Number] | [Email Address]
Before a showcase or tournament
Subject: [Event Name] Schedule | [Your Name] | Class of [Year]
Hi Coach [Last Name],
I wanted to share my schedule for [event name] on [date] in [location]. I will be playing [position] for [Celtics team name] and wearing jersey #[number].
Game 1: [date, time, field]
Game 2: [date, time, field]
Game 3: [date, time, field]
I am interested in [College Name] because [one specific reason]. My highlight video is available here: .
Thank you for your consideration,
[Your Name]
[Graduation Year] | [Email Address]
Following up after an event
Subject: Following Up After [Event Name] | [Your Name]
Hi Coach [Last Name],
I am following up after [event name], where I played [position] for [Celtics team name] and wore jersey #[number].
I remain interested in [College Name] and would welcome the chance to learn more about your program. Here is my updated highlight video: .
Please let me know if there is any other information I can share.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
[Graduation Year] | [Phone Number]
Responding when a coach reaches out
Subject: Re: [College Name] Soccer | [Your Name]
Hi Coach [Last Name],
Thank you for reaching out. I appreciate your interest and would enjoy learning more about [College Name] and your soccer program.
I am available to connect on [days and times]. Please let me know what works best for you and whether there is anything I should prepare.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
[Graduation Year] | [Phone Number]
Important reminder
Players may introduce themselves before a coach is permitted to respond. Review the recruiting rules and calendar guide to understand communication restrictions.
Build an effective highlight video
- Aim for approximately three to five minutes, placing your two or three strongest clips within the first 60 seconds.
- Identify yourself clearly at the start of each clip.
- Use a wide enough camera angle for coaches to see your movement and decisions.
- Show a variety of actions relevant to your position, not only goals or dramatic moments.
- Include passing, defending, movement off the ball, transitions, and decision making when appropriate.
- Keep editing clean and avoid distracting graphics or music.
- Provide full match footage when available so coaches can see your overall performance.
- Check that video links work without requiring special access or passwords.
Track your recruiting communication
You do not need a complicated system. A simple spreadsheet can help you remember who you contacted, what you shared, and when to follow up.
| School | Coach | Last contact | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| [College Name] | [Coach Name] | [Date email sent] | Send showcase schedule |
| [College Name] | [Coach Name] | [Date of response] | Schedule a phone call |
| [College Name] | [Coach Name] | [Date of campus visit] | Send a thank you email |
Follow up with purpose
Reach out when you have a meaningful update, such as new video, an upcoming event, improved grades, or a recent visit. Be persistent without overwhelming the coach.
Social media and your digital presence
Coaches may look at public social media accounts to learn more about a player's character, interests, and judgment.
- Review your public profile and remove content that does not reflect your values.
- Use a clear name, graduation year, and soccer information if you maintain a recruiting focused account.
- Share accomplishments, team updates, academic achievements, or relevant game footage.
- Avoid posting private contact information, your home address, or sensitive personal details publicly.
- Be respectful in comments, group chats, and interactions with other players.
- Remember that professionalism applies online as well as in emails.
Recruiting platforms: Should you use one?
Recruiting platforms can help players build a profile, share video, research schools, and organize communication with college coaches. They can be useful tools, but they are not required to be recruited.
| Platform | What it offers | What families should know |
|---|---|---|
| NCSA | A free recruiting profile, college search tools, and access to a broad network of college coaches. Optional paid memberships offer additional recruiting features and support. | Start by reviewing what is available for free. Ask for clear pricing, contract terms, and a full explanation of any paid services before upgrading. |
| SportsRecruits | A free player profile, video and highlight tools, and school research features. Optional Pro accounts add tools such as coach messaging, activity tracking, and additional recruiting insights. | Check whether your club or high school already provides access. Compare free and paid features before deciding whether an upgrade is worthwhile. |
Questions to ask before paying
What does the service cost? Which features are free? What exactly does the paid membership include? Does your club already provide access? Can you achieve the same goals through direct outreach, a strong player profile, and free video tools?
Frequently asked questions
Should a parent write recruiting emails?
Families can help proofread, but the message should come from the player and reflect their own voice.
What if a coach does not respond?
The coach may be busy, evaluating other players, or restricted by recruiting rules. Continue developing and follow up when you have a meaningful update.
Do I need professional video editing?
No. Clear footage, thoughtful clip selection, and a working link matter more than expensive production.
Should I include SAT or ACT scores?
Include them if available and relevant to a particular school's admissions requirements. Testing policies vary by college.
Can I send the same email to every coach?
You can start with a template, but personalize each message so the coach understands why that specific school interests you.
Need feedback on your profile or outreach?
Ask your FIRST XI coach or director to review your player profile, video, or recruiting email before sending it.
Contact Patryk Kibler →