Tag: Coach Mike

28,000 Views and Three Lessons Learned Along the Way

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This month, Elite Athletes Recruiting surpassed 28,000 total blog views. While the number itself is exciting, what matters most is that thousands of student-athletes, parents, and coaches have found information that helped them make better decisions during the recruiting journey.

As I reflected on this milestone, three lessons stood out.

1. Success Takes Time

The first lesson is simple: success rarely happens overnight.

I’ve been writing recruiting articles for several years. Some posts gained traction quickly, while others sat quietly for months—or even years—before readers discovered them. Consistent effort, even when results aren’t immediate, compounds over time.

Whether you’re pursuing a college roster spot, building a business, or developing a blog, the principle is the same: keep showing up. The athletes who succeed are often the ones who stay committed long after others quit.

2. Sometimes Unexpected Things Turn Out for the Best

The most-viewed article on the site is “NAIA Transfer Rules: How the Transfer Release Aids Student-Athletes,“ with more than 5,600 views.

When I wrote that article, I never expected it to become the most-read post on the website. I simply wanted to explain a rule change that could benefit student-athletes.

The lesson? You never know which opportunity, relationship, game, or decision will create the biggest impact. Many times, the things we don’t plan for become the most meaningful. Stay open to opportunities and trust the process.

3. The Best Content Solves Real Problems

Looking at the most-read articles, a pattern emerges. Our readers aren’t searching for motivation alone—they’re searching for answers.

Topics such as transfer rules, eligibility requirements, scholarship opportunities, recruiting timelines, and athlete development consistently attract the most attention because they solve real challenges facing student-athletes and families.

The lesson is valuable both in sports and in life: if you want to make a difference, focus on serving others. Find a problem, provide value, and help people move forward.

Thank you to everyone who has read, shared, and supported Elite Athletes Recruiting over the years. The goal has never been to chase views—it has always been to help student-athletes maximize their opportunities.

Here’s to the next 28,000 views and, more importantly, to helping more athletes achieve their goals. ~ Coach Mike

Summer Discipline: Train Your Mind

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Mental toughness is built long before game day.

The athletes who succeed under pressure are usually the athletes who prepared consistently when nobody was watching. Summer is an opportunity to sharpen focus, confidence, and discipline.

Train your mind by:

  • Setting daily goals
  • Keeping promises to yourself
  • Limiting distractions
  • Reading or learning about your sport
  • Watching film and studying the game
  • Surrounding yourself with motivated people

Confidence is earned through preparation.

Strengthen Your Spirit

High performers also protect their spirit and character. They stay grounded, grateful, and purpose-driven.

Your attitude matters.
Your energy matters.
Your leadership matters.

The way you carry yourself during the offseason says a lot about the type of teammate and competitor you will become.

Use the summer to build habits that strengthen your character:

  • Show gratitude
  • Encourage teammates
  • Stay humble
  • Be accountable
  • Spend time with people who push you higher

Discipline Creates Freedom

Many athletes think discipline limits freedom. The truth is the opposite.

Discipline creates opportunities.
Discipline creates confidence.
Discipline creates consistency.
Discipline creates results.

The athletes who stay disciplined during the summer often enter the season more prepared, more confident, and more resilient than everyone else.

When the season starts, it is too late to wish you had worked harder.

The Best Athletes Win the Small Decisions

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Summer Discipline Builds Season Success

Success is rarely built from one giant moment. It comes from stacking small decisions every single day.

Choosing to train when you do not feel like it.
Choosing to eat foods that fuel performance.
Choosing sleep instead of staying up all night gaming.
Choosing recovery instead of laziness.
Choosing to protect your mindset from negativity and distractions.

These decisions may seem small in the moment, but over an entire summer they create massive separation.

By August, disciplined athletes look different.
They move differently.
They think differently.
They compete differently.

Take Care of Your Body

Your body is your foundation as an athlete. If you neglect it, performance eventually suffers.

Summer is the perfect time to:

  • Build strength and power
  • Improve speed and conditioning
  • Focus on mobility and injury prevention
  • Establish better nutrition habits
  • Prioritize sleep and recovery

High performers understand recovery is not weakness — it is preparation. Proper hydration, sleep, stretching, mobility work, and nutrition are part of training, not separate from it.

Summer Discipline: The Season That Separates Good Athletes From Great Ones

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For high school student-athletes, summer can become one of two things:

A season of growth… or a season of excuses.

There are no school bells. No teachers checking attendance. No mandatory team workouts every day. No structured routine forcing accountability. Summer gives athletes freedom — and freedom reveals discipline.

The athletes who continue to improve during the summer are usually the same athletes who eventually separate themselves during the season. Why? Because high performers understand something many athletes miss:

Discipline is not something you turn on when coaches are watching. It is a lifestyle.

High performers take care of their body, mind, and spirit. They plan and execute good self-care habits and have the discipline to maintain those habits even when nobody is checking on them.

That is what makes them different.

Your Competition Is Training

While some athletes are sleeping until noon, skipping workouts, eating poorly, and spending hours scrolling social media, others are building habits that will change their future.

Someone is getting stronger.
Someone is improving their speed.
Someone is studying film.
Someone is recovering properly.
Someone is becoming mentally tougher.

The reality is simple: college coaches recruit athletes who are dependable, disciplined, and consistent. Talent matters, but discipline often determines who reaches their potential.

Summer is where discipline gets tested.

Development Still Wins in the New Recruiting Landscape

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Why the “5-in-5” NCAA Proposal Could Create More Opportunity for High School Athletes

One of the biggest positives of the proposed “5-in-5” eligibility model is that it places value back on development, readiness, and long-term fit.

As recruiting continues to evolve, student-athletes who consistently improve their skills, strength, speed, athleticism, and game IQ throughout high school will continue to separate themselves from the competition. Coaches will always look for athletes who are prepared to contribute, can adapt to college athletics, and will fit the culture of their program.

The new 5-in-5 structure also helps create a more level and predictable recruiting landscape. With clearer timelines and age limits, college programs will have greater roster clarity and fewer long-term logjams created by extended eligibility years. That stability can actually benefit high school recruits.

Another important reality that often gets overlooked is what’s happening at the Division II and Division III levels. While the transfer portal has dramatically impacted college athletics, a high percentage of athletes who enter the portal never find a new school or program fit. As a result, many step away from college athletics altogether, which ultimately creates openings on rosters for incoming high school athletes.

That means opportunities continue to emerge for recruits who stay prepared and continue developing.

The student-athletes who will benefit most from this changing landscape are the ones who stay focused on growth instead of fear. Recruiting has never simply been about hype or rankings—it has always been about finding athletes who are ready, coachable, competitive, and capable of helping a program succeed.

For recruits and their parents, the message remains the same: control what you can control. Develop your game, build strong academics, communicate professionally, and continue improving. Programs at every level are still searching for athletes who are ready for the opportunity when it comes.

Be Intentional: What You Post Matters in Recruiting

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In today’s recruiting landscape, building a strong social media presence isn’t about going viral or chasing followers—it’s about being intentional. Every post, comment, and interaction contributes to how college coaches perceive you. Your profile is more than just content; it’s a reflection of your character, discipline, and decision-making.

A well-managed social media presence builds trust. When coaches visit your profile, they are looking for consistency between the athlete they see on film and the person you present online. Posting highlights, training clips, and game moments is important, but it should be balanced with content that shows who you are beyond the field. Coaches want to recruit individuals they can trust—players who represent their program with integrity.

Athletes should view social media as a window into their lives, not just their performance. Sharing moments that highlight your work ethic, academic commitment, leadership, and positive relationships can make a lasting impression. These details help coaches see the full picture of who you are as a student-athlete.

Just as important is understanding that careless posting can hurt your opportunities. Negative language, inappropriate content, or poor decisions online can raise immediate red flags. In many cases, athletes are evaluated—or eliminated—before a coach ever reaches out.

The bottom line is simple: post content that helps your recruiting, not hurts it. Be intentional, be authentic, and use your platform to show coaches exactly why you belong at the next level.

Beyond the Drills: The Communication Strategy Most Athletes Miss

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But preparing for a camp goes beyond physical readiness. If your goal is to be recruited, you also need to prepare from a communication and recruiting strategy standpoint.

In our previous articles, we focused on physical preparation for college camps—making sure you arrive in shape, familiar with the drills, and mentally ready to compete. But preparing for a camp goes beyond physical readiness. If your goal is to be recruited, you also need to prepare from a communication and recruiting strategy standpoint. The athletes who get noticed are often the ones who make themselves known before the camp even begins.

One smart step is to try to schedule a phone call with the coach who initially contacted you or with the program’s recruiting coordinator. A short conversation can help you learn more about the program while also putting your name on their radar before the event. If a phone call isn’t possible, communication through email or other recruiting channels can still help establish that connection.

About two weeks before the camp, send an email to the position coach introducing yourself and letting them know you will be attending the event. In that message, include key information such as your name, graduation year, position, high school, and a link to your recruiting profile and highlight video. This simple step helps the coaching staff know who you are and increases the chances that they will look for you during the camp.

Social media can also be a useful communication tool. Sending a short direct message to the program’s account or the position coach—sharing the same information you sent in your email—can reinforce your interest and make sure your message is seen. The goal of these communications is simple: you want to be on the list of athletes coaches plan to evaluate during the camp.

Preparation should also include what you do after the event. Once the camp is over, take a few minutes to write down the names of the coaches you met or spoke with. If you attended a camp that included multiple schools, make sure you note the coach’s name and the college they represent. This will help you stay organized when following up later.

Within two or three days after the camp, reach out to any coaches you interacted with. Sending a follow-up email or direct message shows appreciation and genuine interest in their program. It’s helpful to have a draft message prepared in advance so you can send it quickly after the event. In your message, thank the coach for the opportunity to attend the camp and briefly mention something you learned or enjoyed about the experience. This reinforces the positive impression you made during the event.

College camps can be valuable opportunities, but the athletes who maximize them are the ones who combine strong performance with strong communication. By reaching out before the camp, engaging confidently during the event, and following up afterward, you give yourself a much better chance of staying on a coach’s radar long after the camp ends.

Tips to Help Student-Athletes Prepare for College Camps

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After you’ve done the research and selected the right college camp, showcase, or combine, the next step is preparation. Too many athletes invest time and money to attend these events but arrive unprepared to perform at their best. Remember, a camp is an opportunity to compete, be evaluated, and make an impression. Once you decide on an event, it’s important to make sure you are fully prepared.

First, make sure you are in good physical condition before attending the camp. Camps are not the place to knock the rust off. College coaches expect athletes to show up ready to compete at a high level from the first drill to the final rep. If you arrive out of shape or unprepared, it can limit your performance and reduce the impact you make during the event.

Another important step is practicing the drills that will be used at the camp. Most camps list the drills and testing formats in their camp information or promotional materials. Review those details ahead of time and practice them. When you’ve rehearsed the drills, you’ll feel more confident and perform more efficiently when it’s time to compete.

Preparation should also include what you will say if you have the opportunity to speak with a college coach. Camps can be busy environments, but sometimes there are moments for brief conversations. Be ready to introduce yourself clearly, express interest in the program, and communicate professionally. A short, confident introduction can leave a strong impression.

Student-athletes should also be prepared to discuss their academic information. Coaches often ask about academics early in the recruiting process, so know your current GPA, your cumulative GPA, and your ACT or SAT scores if you have taken those exams. Being able to answer these questions quickly shows maturity and preparation.

Finally, do not overlook the importance of rest. Get a good night’s sleep the night before the camp so you arrive fresh, focused, and ready to perform. Fatigue can affect both physical performance and mental focus, so proper rest is a simple but important advantage.

College camps provide valuable opportunities for exposure and development, but preparation makes the difference. When athletes arrive in shape, familiar with the drills, ready to communicate, and mentally prepared, they give themselves the best chance to stand out and make the most of the experience.

Elite Athletes Recruiting: Where to Find the Right College Camp Information

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Parents and athletes often feel overwhelmed looking for camps, but with a clear approach, locating accurate and timely camp details becomes much easier.

In our previous article, we discussed how to strategically choose the right college camps, showcases, and combines. Once you understand the importance of being selective, the next logical question becomes: Where do you actually find reliable camp information? Parents and athletes often feel overwhelmed during this stage, but with a clear approach, locating accurate and timely camp details becomes much easier.

One of the most common questions families ask is when colleges announce their camp dates. Many college programs begin posting camp information between February and April. Some schools release dates even earlier, while others finalize details closer to summer. Because timelines vary, it is important to start checking early and monitor updates consistently rather than waiting until the last minute.

The best place to begin your search is always the official college team website for your specific sport. This is the most direct and reliable source. In many cases, programs post camp details on their athletic website before they begin actively marketing the event through email or social media. Getting into the habit of routinely checking the team site gives you an advantage and allows you to plan ahead.

Once you are on the team website, camp information is typically found in a few common locations. Look along the top navigation banner for a tab labeled “Camps,” “Recruits,” or sometimes “More+.” Some programs place camp links within the recruiting section, while others list them under additional resources. If you cannot find it immediately, scroll to the bottom footer of the site, as many schools place camp links there as well.

Yes, you can also search for camp information online using general search engines. However, keep in mind that this method often produces a broad range of results, including outdated camp pages from previous years. While online searches can be helpful, you will need to carefully verify that the information is current and connected to the official program website.

As we emphasized in the previous article, choosing the right camp is about being strategic. Finding the correct information early allows families to evaluate options through the lens of convenience, cost-effectiveness, and competitive fit. When parents and athletes stay proactive, organized, and intentional in their search process, they position themselves to make smarter recruiting decisions instead of rushed ones.

In recruiting, preparation is leverage. The earlier you gather accurate camp information, the more confidently you can build a plan that aligns with your athlete’s goals.

Smart Strategy for Choosing College Recruiting Camps, Showcases and Combines

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College camps, showcases, combines, and now the ever-present “Junior Days” have become a major part of the recruiting landscape. These events can provide valuable development, high-level competition, and opportunities to get in front of college programs. However, not all events are created equal, and attending the wrong ones can cost you significant time, money, and opportunity. If you want to use camps strategically, you must approach them with a clear plan.

When evaluating recruiting events, I encourage families to use what I call the Three C’s: convenient, cost-effective, and competitive. First, choose events that realistically fit your schedule and recruiting calendar. Traveling across the country every weekend is not a strategy — it’s burnout. Be intentional about where you invest your time. Second, evaluate cost versus real opportunity. Exposure matters, but overspending does not equal better recruiting. Often, a smaller, targeted camp with genuine coach interaction delivers more value than a massive, expensive showcase. Third, compete where your ability level matches the field. If the competition is too low, you will not be challenged. If it is too high, you risk getting lost in the crowd. The right competitive setting maximizes meaningful reps and true evaluation.

One of the biggest mistakes athletes make is relying on camps as their primary recruiting strategy. Camps should support your recruiting plan, not replace it. Many large showcases host hundreds of athletes. When that happens, there are simply too many players and too few repetitions. Limited reps mean limited opportunities to demonstrate your abilities. In many cases, college coaches already have recruiting lists prepared before the camp even begins. They know who they plan to watch closely. If you show up unannounced and unprepared, your exposure may be minimal.

Before registering for any event, confirm that the head coach or your position coach will actually be present. If the coach you are trying to impress will not attend, they cannot evaluate you, build a relationship with you, or move you forward in their recruiting process. That often means you have spent a significant amount of money for little to no exposure. Never assume a coach will be there — verify it.

The smartest way to use camps, combines, and showcases is through preparation and communication. Start by researching schools that are a realistic athletic and academic fit. Target events where coaches from those programs will be in attendance. Next, communicate before the event. Do not show up as a stranger. Email coaches to introduce yourself, share your recruiting profile, include your highlight video, confirm your registration, and provide your jersey number and position. This simple step dramatically increases the likelihood that a coach will intentionally evaluate you.

Finally, prepare for the event as if it were a game. Arrive in peak condition, understand your strengths, warm up properly, compete with confidence, and demonstrate coachability. Before the event, prepare thoughtful questions about the academic program, team culture, development philosophy, and recruiting timeline. Coaches notice athletes who show maturity and genuine interest in their program.

Camps are a tool in the recruiting process, not a shortcut. Strategic camp selection saves time, money, energy, and frustration. More importantly, it positions you as a serious recruit rather than just another name on a registration list. Recruiting is not about attending the most events. It is about attending the right events with preparation, communication, and purpose.