Each post in this thread should be extremely useful.
I would just like to give an additional to Backstop22 and emphasize this point being made:
"So have your son contact the coach and let him know he wants to visit and watch a practice. My 2017 even used the e-mail subject line with his name, position and then "Possible Campus Visit Dates Sept XX-XX." They got opened and responded to all of the time. While some may question why it is necessary to watch a practice, we found it hugely valuable for those schools out of area. My son crossed off a few candidates based on observations on the coaching interaction, discussions with players on the team about the coach, quality of play, competition at his position, and so on."