Recruiting in the Spring – communication rules

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Recruiting timelines and communication rules can appear confusing. But with a little planning and research, athletes can use them to their benefit. For example, during the Spring it is very important to be aware of  the contact communication periods within your sport as well as the communication regulations that accompany them. This information is easy to located within the NCAA and NAIA regulations pages on their respective websites. This information can also be accessed in the Prepstar recruiting profile.

It is also important to note the communication rules. While many divisions (D1, D2, D3, etc) have similar, communication rules, in actuality, there are some glaring differences. The difference range from permissible emails, phone calls or visits. For example, D2 coaches in comparison to DI coaches, have much more leniency with communications. It is helpful to learn the differences.

Contact periods for all colleges run along similar timeline however. For example, FBS schools (those that go to bowl games) have similar contact periods than FCS or D2 colleges. But, D3 colleges have nominal timeline communication.

Now, for athletes looking to take advantage of Spring recruiting opportunities, the key to is to be proactive! Please keep in mind that at any time throughout the year, athletes are permitted to contact coaches. This means that to communicate with college coach outside of designated contact periods the student-athlete has to be the one to initiate contact. Additionally, this rule also applies to underclassmen (Freshman and Sophomores). So again, no matter what time of year and no matter the contact period, college coaches are permitted to talk with prospects as long as the prospect makes the first move to contact them. For this reason, I always suggest asking the coach to schedule a few minutes of his/her time for a quick call to talk about their program and recruiting process. 

The NCAA posts, “The rules define who may be involved in the recruiting process, when recruiting may occur and the conditions under which recruiting may be conducted. Recruiting rules seek, as much as possible, to control intrusions into the lives of student-athletes.”
However, the statement makes no mention of prohibiting student initiated communicating with college coaches!

Clearly, it would it would be an advantage to use this rule to your benefit. I highly recommend that student-athletes take the initiative to reach out to coaches with emails, texts and voicemails. Never wait around for coaches to call you! Instead, be proactive and make it a priority to contact them. 

To wrap up, it is an understatement to say that recruiting is anything but a year round process. There is no downtime. College coaches are always recruiting. They are always on alert, looking for that student-athlete who can impact their program. So make sure to use the early part of the year to your advantage.

The Guide to Writing Great Recruiting Emails

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What is the key to writing recruiting emails that actually catch the attention of a college coaches? How do other athletes do it? And what information should be included when writing an email to a college coach?

First, I think we can all agree that email is a very effective way to get the attention of a college coach. Sure, other methods, like Twitter, are great for sending small bits of information, .But the email allows the athlete to share key recruiting information. Anyone can send a tweet, like a tweet or retweet a tweet. But only a few can draft a compose a well worded recruiting email.

Information that should be included in a recruiting email needs to separates you from other athletes who are also competing for the coaches attention. What is communicated needs to be information that helps you stand out, not blend in.

To guide athletes with the right information, I recently published an ebook specifically for athletes wanting to be different from the crowd. My book teaches athletes how to write great recruiting emails and also explains what type of email should be written for every recruiting situation. This book contains formatted fill in the blank templates for camps, showcases, games and other requirements. It also contains real examples of effective email used by high school athletes who successfully used the templates to help get on the radar and eventually earn a college roster spot!

Readers, I want to help you reach your recruiting goals. So, go get your copy today and get the confidence you need to write great recruiting emails.

Ebook website: http://coachmikewoosley.com/shop/

Tips to choose the right Camps, Showcases, and Combines

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College camps, showcases, combines and now the ever present “Junior Days” are a necessary part of the recruiting process. Many offer the opportunity to compete against some of the top high school talent. Additionally, the experience at these events can be very valuable in the development of a young athlete. However, choosing the right event to attend can be a challenge.

For starters, relying solely on college showcases, camps and combines as the primary avenue to get recruited not a very sound strategy. Often the enormous number of camp attendees is not favorable for your exposure. In this case, too many athletes equals too few reps. Too few reps means not enough opportunity to showcase your talent. Also, typically college coaches already have developed recruiting lists of athletes they plan to watch at the camp so be cautions of camps expecting several hundred athletes. Additionally, before registering, athletes need to certain that the head coach or position coach will actually be at the event. Simple put, if the college coach wont’ be at the event, then it is impossible for him/her to see you compete, which means, there is a pretty good chance you will go unnoticed. It also means you wasted a lot of money for zero exposure.

If the college coach wont’ be at the event, then it is impossible for him/her to see you compete, which means, there is a pretty good chance you will go unnoticed. Photo by Jeffrey F Lin on Unsplash

Instead, heres a winning recruiting strategy for using camps, combines and showcases. First, do some research to make sure college coaches form the schools you feel are realistically a good fit. Once you decide on a event, make sure you are prepared for the event. Next, utilize good interactive communication before the event. This is a good opportunity to provide coaches with your recruiting profile along with any video highlights you may have. (PrepStar athletes can do this in a few clicks- message me if you need to know how). Finally, before the event, prepare a few questions to ask about the college or the athletic program.

Getting lots of camp invites? Have questions about which are legit? Need help?  Contact me to set up a time to talk (get free advise!) or use the comment section below.

High Performing Athletes- 6 common characteristics

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At the start of the new year, I began as series focused on 6 major characteristics of high performing athletes. Often, I am asked about the what it takes for an athlete to reach a a high performance level beyond natural ability. So, after making a long list, researching top athletes, and persistent review I came up with 6 common characteristics. Obviously, these six characteristics is not an exhaustive list, however, I am certain that some form of these characteristics are prevalent in the life, mind and practices of anyone that is considered to be a high performing athletes. 

Any athlete who desires to perform at the highest level must exercise a extra-ordinary amount of disciple. (Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash)


The summary of the 6 characteristics are:

  1.  High performing athletes are able to clarify the vision and path to reach their goals. 
  2. High performance athletes measure results repeatedly.  They do this to discover areas of progress as well as weaknesses.
  3. High-performing athletes take full responsibility. They take complete ownership of their actions, their plans, and their purpose.
  4. High performing athletes possess “want to”. They willfully want to practice and put in the extra reps. This characteristic is often partnered with words like passion, desire, drive and determination. 
  5. High performing athletes take care of their body, mind and spirit. They plan and execute good self care habits and have the discipline to maintain those habits. 
  6. High performing athletes seek out great coaching. They intentionally look for and listen to coaches who  can help them  break through to the next level. 

Now that you are aware of these six characteristics, the next question to consider is what is the common denominator ties them together?  In my opinion that denominator is discipline. Any athlete who desires to perform at the highest level must exercise a extra-ordinary amount of disciple. Almost to a level that seems obsessive when compared to those around him/her. High performing athletes know that to make their goals into reality uncompromising discipline is a must.  

High Performance Athletes Common Characteristics: Great coaching

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This week I round out the major characteristics of high performing athletes (HPAs). The characteristic outlined this week is focused on great coaching. All high performing athletes willingly seek great coaching because of the insatiable drive to improve. 

In the mind of an elite high performing athlete they must find ways to get better!  Inside their mind there is a constant drive to improve. For them, the ceiling is glass, it can be broken. Even if at the top of their game, HPA’s are certain that more coaching will give them what they need to break through another next level. High performing athletes seek out coaches because the drive to improve is great than arrogance that they’re already at the top of their game. 

Coaching chalkboard

For example, in the book Relentless Tim Grover illuminates the unyielding pursuit of excellence by some of the NBA’s past and present superstars. In other professional sports such as baseball, even the game’s greatest hitters are known to take regular hitting lessons.  In fact, if you do some research you will surely find that top athletes of every professional sport seek out great coaches. 

Here are three reasons to seek a great coach: 
1. Great coaches know first hand what is necessary for an athlete to become great. 

2.Great coaches see the things players cannot see. Therefore can help you make positive improvements.

3. Great coaches also understand what it takes for you to achieve at your highest level. So great coaches motivate you to achieve greatness. They comprehend your vision and therefore will push you past the point of self-induced limitations.

Firmly, I believe that great coaches make great players. In contrast, great players don’t make great coaches. Don’t believe me, think about how many coaches fail even though their team is stacked with great players? So if you are willing to get coaching, don’t just go out and find any so-called coach, I encourage you to seek out a great coach. 

High performance athletes Common characteristics- Self Care

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This week I continue to outline major characteristics of high performing athletes (HPAs). The characteristic outlined this week deals with performance off the field of play. Quite possibly, this characteristic is most neglected and taken for granted. However with complete certainly this characteristic greatly impacts performance. 

The characteristic this week is that high performing athletes take seriously self-care of  their body and mind. HPA’s understand that what takes place outside of the game effects how they perform during the game. To avoid this, HPA’s are particular about self-care. High performers are meticulous to eat clean, monitor nutrition, get adequate rest, and practice daily physical and mental maintenance. 


Because high performing athletes are so obsessed with reaching their highest potential they create and execute good health habits. Relentlessly, high performance athletes strictly maintain those habits to the point where it seems obsessive. 

HPAs do this for one simple reason. They understand the connection between how you feel adn how you think effects how you perform.

So here are a few suggestions of self care, performance enhances habits.  

  1. Adequate sleep – Keep a consistent bedtime and waking time every day. 
  2. Eat clean – Healthy foods equal healthy body and high performance. Plan ahead, meal prep if you have to assure that in healthy foods are always available.
  3. Mind preparation– Daily practices to strengthen mental approach with practices like inspirational content, reading, prayer, stoicism or  meditate. 
  4. Use supplements– Athletes need to replenish vitamins and nutrients that become deficient during physical activity. See your health care professional for recommended supplements.
  5. Daily exercise and stretching –  Keep you body in top shape with daily stretching and exercise routines. 

Making these 5 practices part of your daily regime will improve your performance on and off field. DM me if you want to know my self care practices or to get recommendation to help you perform at your highest potential.

HIGH PERFORMING ATHLETES: COMMON CHARACTERISTICS- “HAVE TO”

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This week I continue to outline major characteristics of high performing athletes (HPAs). For this week, the  characteristics  is one of those easily identifiable traits. It’s one that is so obvious that it makes other athletes (and often their parents) envious. I would further go on to say that this characteristic is one that can be learned. Its is like a match struck and put to a fire, smoldering then suddenly bursting into flame. 

This week I want to outline a characteristic in high performing athletes that is best described as “want to”. This characteristic is often partnered with words like passion, desire, drive and determination.  HPAs with this characteristic understand that “want to” means willing desire. It’s as if the putting in the work is a privilege and the pain of pushing the limits is actually enjoyable. In contrast, to “want to” is “have to”.  Athletes who “have to” require an amount of compromise and external motivation to put in the work. 

Photo by Ruben Leija on Unsplash

High performing athletes with “want to” are uncompromising. They put in the time for work outs. The do it because they love it, not because coach says to, or because their parents say so.  Instead, HPA’s with “want to”  put in the work because of the passion for the game. Further, they love to compete against others and against their personal personal records.    HPAs with “want to”  don’t have to be dragged out of bed. And they don’t have to rely on motivational hype to get started. No, instead they are self-motivated and self-driven. 

HPA’s with “want to” passion also realize that the externals of the game matter. The externals of the game make a difference so they put in the work in the gym, in training, in practice, outside of practice and in the film room. In their free time, they study the game to improve their sport IQ. With a critical eye, HPAs study themselves looking to evaluate and critique personal preparation, practice and performance. They also pay attention to what they eat, how they sleep, and who they hang out with.  Because HPAs with “want to “ recognizes that all of these things impact passion and performance. 

But as mentioned earlier, the “want to” characteristic can be learn. It is not exclusive only for a small group. No, with encouragement, confidence and focus new habits and routines can be develop that change “have to” athletes into “want to” high performing athletes.

High Performing Athletes: common characteristics- Responsibility

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What does it take to be at the top of your game? Have you ever wondered what is the daily regime for those capable of performing at high level consistently. To kick off 2020 I want to outline some of the characteristics  of high performing athletes (HPAs). After all, the name of this blog has the words Elite Athletes, and assuming most of the audience are athletes, why not share helpful tips for elite athletes seeking strategies to improve. 

Photo by Freddie Collins on Unsplash


This week, the topic is responsibility. In a culture where blame is the game, people who take personal responsibility for their actions are rare. Sadly, its easier to blame someone else than to own up to our own mistakes. But this is not how HPA’s work. 


Instead, high-performing athletes take full responsibility. They would never let someone take the blame. HPAs take complete ownership of their actions, their plans and their purpose. High performing athletes want the ball in their hand when the clock is ticking down.  


So, HPAs assume full responsibly by being fully accountable. It means that no matter what the outcome, the only person to blame is yourself.  In no situation will excuses be acceptable! High performing athletes do not sit around hoping to rise to success on the back of someone else. No, high performing athletes understand that in every situation they are both 100% responsible and 100% accountable. 

High Performing Athletes: common characteristics

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Helping athletes perform at the highest level possible is what Elite Athletes Recruiting is all about.  So, to kick off  2020 I will be sharing about several common characteristics that I have found in high performing athletes (HPA).


This year I want to help my readers to perform at the highest level possible in 2020. 
Last week, I outlined how high performing athletes (HPA) are able to clarify the vision and path to reach their goals. 

This week I want to impress a second common characteristic. High performance athletes measure results repeatedly.  They do this to discover areas of progress as well as weaknesses. Because, results can only become obvious over a period of time it is necessary to make it a priority to measure results. 

For most of us progressing towards our goals takes time. Days, months, years. Rarely, does success happen overnight. Thats why it is important to measure or track progress. The danger of not keep measurements is discouragement. Unless you are paying close attention, incremental progress can be easily overlooked. Likewise, neglecting to measure results can lead to plateaus where not progress is being made whatsoever. 

In a tangible way, this is the reason why stats are so important in sports. It is also the reason why score is kept in athletic competitions.  Stats and scores highlight who wins and who loses.

So to avoid stagnation, high performance athletes measure the results of both successes and failure so that they can form new strategies to help them reach new levels of achievement.
What areas of your athletic performance, business, or physical health have you set goals for in 2020?  How do you intent to measure measure progress to assure that you reach those goal

What makes a high Performing athlete?

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Soon 2020 will be here. In fact from the writing of this blog the new year is less than two weeks away.  So, as the New Year approaches its time to start thinking about how to perform at your highest level in 2020? 


When I was in high school there were dudes who were stellar athletes. Many of them were so athletic and naturally gifted well above their peers. But even though they were outstanding athlete, in the end they  never accomplish much. When their career ended they never went anywhere. Simply put, they were just gamers. Guys who just showed up, played well, but often failed to perform consistently at a high level. 


Helping athletes  perform at the highest level possible is what Elite Athletes Recruiting is all about.  So, heading into 2020 I will be sharing about several common characteristics that I have found in high performing athletes (HPA).


The first characteristic I have found of high performing athletes is clarity in the vision.  HPA’s with clarity of vision have a unique way to see themselves winning. HPA’s can take a goal, clearly envision it, then reverse engineer that goal to make a comprehensive plan of action clearly marking out the path to make their vision reality.  


But, clarity of vision isn’t just about winning, it is also about confidence. HPA’s with clarity of vision have a level of confidences about them that often gets mistaken for arrogance. Today, this is often labeled as “swag”. But swag isn’t what makes HPA’s confident. No, HPA’s know confidence as a result of knowing how many thousand physical and mental reps have already been invested.
Performing a high level implies that their is a level to attain.  HPA look have a clear vision and confidence in that vision so that they know what steps to take to get started. In all my years of coaching I have never known an athletes who is born great. But I have known athletes who have become great because they had  a clear of vision, understood what they wanted to achieve and were confident they that could get there.