Talking to coaches at showcase

The old adage of not to speak unless spoken to applies to showcase events. If you are engaged by a recruiter or scout, then of course be prepared to be fully engaged.

BK35,

HeadFirst staff will review at the beginning of the camp when recruits can and can't approach coaches. There is time for introductions. I'd keep introductions polite & simple (no stats), and listen to what the coach tells you about his program.

I think your son should try in introduce himself to any coaches of colleges that he contacted before the event. Not all coaches will see everybody. As long as they are not on the field coaching a game I think it is ok to speak with them. Also he should thank the any of the coaches who are coaching his games. They may have some valuable feedback they would share.

The one thing as far as "stats" go was that several coaches looked on their sheets they have on all the attendees and checked GPA and test scores.

My one other piece of advice would be that your son is the who talks to the coach. I only spoke with one coach when we were at Headfirst last year. That was only because my son and I were walking to the car together and he stopped us. I thought it was not place to speak with coaches. But that was just me.

Directly from the FAQ's on the Headfirst site:


When is a good time for our son to talk to a college coach?

One of the unique parts of the way that Headfirst runs our Honor Roll Camps is the interaction that each camper can have with the college coaches at the camp. Many of the college coaches are on the fields coaching and evaluating. Those that are working the camp will do so wearing their uniform and will be accessible to the players. It is important, however, that campers are respectful of the college coaches when they are clearly evaluating and concentrating on their on-field recruiting. The best time for a camper to approach a college coach is in the dugout or around the facility between games. It is far more effective if the players (rather than parents) introduce themselves to a coach if they are potentially interested in their school. Campers should feel free to ask the college coaches questions about their school and program.

Should we (parents) talk to the college coaches?

It is okay for parents to join a conversation with their son a college coach. However, it is important that the camper is the one showing the initiative in the conversation. It is, ultimately, the student-athlete’s college experience and the college coaches are always looking for mature student-athletes who can ask their own questions and speak to a college coach themselves about their interests.

At the appropriate time, you walk right up to the coach, look him in the eye, hold at your hand, and say "Hello Coach Smith, my name is Joe Player and I am a RHP from Oshkosh Wisconsin. I'm interested in your program at Mightbe U and I would love to learn more about your school and your team" Coach will take it from there. Be sure to ask him to watch your next showcase game. Be ready with your 60 time and SAT scores but don't offer them until asked. Be confident, after the first one it gets easy. Too easy, actually. I've seen kids miss there turn to go out in the field and coaches often are scrambling to get to their fields on time. My son will be working these camps for HF and one of his jobs is to make sure that coaches and kids are having their meetings, and that those meetings are at the appropriate times. You will love the experience! The kids grow up right in front of you and the coaches love the interaction. HF staff will make sure that kids and coaches are interacting.

Thanks for the tips.

Hopefully my son will have alot of fun there.