Email Templates
Checklist:
A strong subject line that clearly states your identity and the email's goal. Include your name, graduation year, position, high school or club, and ALWAYS AN EMAIL SUBJECT. In the email, you'll go into further information on this subject.
Talk to each coach. Stay clear of generic greetings such as "To Whom It May Concern." (And DO NOT accidentally copy and paste the wrong Coaches or College name)
Show your interest! When expressing your interest in a program, always be clear.
Add academic or athletic accomplishments. This is crucial in Intro emails to grab attention.
Give a video. A staff member who is interested in your skill set may get interested right away.
Proper grammar. Always proofread your spelling and punctuation! Before sending the message, ask a parent or adult to review it.
Example Template: Introductory Email
SUBJECT: NAME | GRAD YEAR | POSITION | Interested in SCHOOL NAME
Dear Coach (COACH LAST NAME),
My name is (YOUR FULL NAME). I am a (GRAD YEAR) (POSITION) currently playing club for (CLUB AND TEAM NAME) out of (CITY, STATE). I also attend (HIGH SCHOOL) and last season (INSERT SHORT ACCOLADE).
I am beginning to look at college options and I am very interested in (COLLEGE NAME). It (REASON ONE - EXAMPLE: "is close to home") and (REASON TWO - EXAMPLE: "has a great biology program"), and plays at a very competitive level of (SPORT). Therefore, I wanted to make sure that I introduce myself and give you my athletic and academic background.
Please click on the link below to access all of my information including contact information, club info, (SPORT) awards, event schedule, and academic information. You can contact my club coach, (CLUB COACH NAME) at (insert coach's email here).
(IF APPLICABLE) Also, I have recently uploaded my (INSERT YEAR) highlight reel, which you can access via the link below. I would appreciate any feedback on the video and if you think I can be a fit for your team.
I really hope I have the opportunity to play in front of you sometime soon. Please let me know if there is anything I can do on my end these next few months! I believe I have what it takes to be a part of the (SCHOOL MASCOT), and contribute to their future success!
Sincerely,
(YOUR FULL NAME)
(YOUR PHONE NUMBER)
SUBJECT: (YOUR FULL NAME) | (YOUR GRAD YEAR) | (YOUR POSITION) | (NAME OF THE UPCOMING EVENT)
Dear Coach (COACH LAST NAME),
I hope all has been well at (INSERT SCHOOL)!
I wanted to quickly reach out and in preparation for the (INSERT TOURNAMENT) this upcoming weekend, (INSERT DATE) at (INSERT LOCATION). I hope you have the opportunity to evaluate me this weekend and would greatly appreciate any feedback on my play or what I should be doing to become a (INSERT MASCOT)!
Below is my information for the tournament:
Club:
Team:
Jersey Color:
Jersey Number:
Club Coach Contact: (INSERT YOUR COACH'S NAME) - (INSERT YOUR COACH's EMAIL)
Schedule:
DATE, TIME- CLUB TEAM NAME vs. XYZ - Field or Court #2
DATE, TIME - CLUB TEAM NAME vs. XYZ - Field or Court #1
DATE, TIME - CLUB TEAM NAME vs. XYZ - Field or Court #2
You can watch my updated highlight reel via the link below. There, you will also be able to learn more about me as a player and as a student. You can also contact my club coach at any time. I look forward to playing in front of your staff this weekend!
Safe travels to (INSERT CITY OF THE EVENT)
Best,
(YOUR FULL NAME)
(YOUR PHONE NUMBER)
Example Template: Before an Event
Highlight Videos
One of the most vital resources in recruiting is a well-made highlight video. Given that coaches watch hundreds of films, yours must be clear and professionally created to stand out.
1. Formatting and Video Quality
Resolution: Ensure your video is at least 1080p HD for clear visuals.
Aspect Ratio: Standard 16:9 widescreen format is best for easy viewing.
File Type: Use common formats like MP4 or MOV to ensure compatibility across devices.
Editing Software: Use tools like iMovie, Adobe Premiere, Hudl
2. Keep It Short and Engaging
Ideal Length: 3-5 minutes maximum. Coaches don’t have time to watch long videos.
Get to the Action Quickly: Put your best plays in the first 30 seconds—coaches decide fast if they want to keep watching.
Avoid Slow Motion & Excessive Effects: Keep it natural—coaches want real gameplay, not fancy editing.
Example Video Thumbnail #1:
Example Video Thumbnail #2:
3. Organizing Your Clips for Maximum Impact
Start With a Title Slide: Include your name, position, height, weight, GPA, school, graduation year, contact info, and coach’s contact info.
Show Your Best Plays First: Don’t build up to your best play—start strong!
Group Similar Plays Together: For example, if you’re a basketball player, show shooting highlights together, followed by assists, defense, and fast breaks.
4. Where to Upload and Share Your Video
Upload to YouTube or Hudl: These platforms are the most commonly used by coaches.
Use a Clear, Searchable Title: Example – "John Doe 2025 WR Football Highlight Reel | 6'2, 190 lbs | Guilford High".
Add Descriptions and Contact Info: Include your email, phone number, and coach’s contact information in the video description.
Send Directly to Coaches: Include the link in your introductory emails to college coaches and post on your social media profiles.
Along with your highlight, you may want to also have full gameplay. Some Coaches don’t just want highlights, they need to see how you perform in real-game situations. Choose a strong game where you played well throughout (not just a game where you had a few highlight moments).
In #2: In order to offer the coaches a preview of what they might expect, she included a few accomplishments from the years prior.
Social Media
The Rights and Wrongs of Social Media
Do’s – Build a Strong & Positive Online Brand
✔ Keep Profiles Public – Coaches need to see your content, so keep your accounts open.
✔ Post Your Highlights & Achievements – Share game clips, training videos, and awards to showcase your skills.
✔ Engage With Coaches & Programs – Follow and interact with college teams, coaches, and athletes.
✔ Share Positive Content – Post about your hard work, leadership, and dedication to your sport.
✔ Support Your Teammates – Retweet, like, and comment on teammates’ success and team wins.
✔ Use a Professional Username – Keep your handle clean and easy to find (ex: @YOURNAME2025WR).
✔ Monitor Tags & Mentions – Make sure your name isn’t linked to any inappropriate content.
✔ Be Authentic – Show your personality, but keep it respectful and professional.
Don’ts – Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Recruiting Chances
🚫 No Offensive Language or Slang – Avoid profanity, racial slurs, or negative comments.
🚫 Avoid Posting Partying or Alcohol-Related Content – Even if you’re not involved, being in the picture matters.
🚫 Don’t Engage in Negative Rants – Avoid criticizing coaches, teammates, referees, or opponents.
🚫 No Trash Talking or Overconfidence – Stay humble; coaches look for team players, not egos.
🚫 Don’t Overshare Personal Information – Keep phone numbers, addresses, and private messages secure.
🚫 Avoid Political & Controversial Topics – Be mindful of what you post—recruitment should be your focus.
🚫 Don’t Let Others Tag You in Bad Content – If someone tags you in an inappropriate post, remove it ASAP.
🚫 No Inconsistent or Fake Persona – Be yourself, but ensure it aligns with your goals as a student-athlete.
