Successful recruiting starts with clarity about who you're looking for. Create a detailed profile for each position that includes minimum athletic benchmarks, academic requirements, and behavioral characteristics.

1. Don't just focus on current needs, project your roster three years out. Which positions will lose multiple starters? Where are you thin on depth? This forward-looking analysis prevents recruiting for immediate needs at the expense of long-term program building.

2. Geographic strategy matters more than many realize. Start by identifying your primary recruiting zone - typically within 3-4 hours of campus - where you'll have natural advantages through easier unofficial visits, existing high school coach relationships, and alumni networks.

Build your core roster from this area, then expand strategically to secondary zones for difference-makers who justify the additional investment.

Great recruiting starts with great sourcing:

‍High school and club coaches remain your most valuable source, these relationships take time to develop but pay dividends for years. 

‍Recruiting camps provide concentrated evaluation opportunities, but focus on events that attract your target demographic. 

‍Social media has become essential for discovery, with recruits constantly posting highlights. Follow relevant hashtags and set up alerts for prospects in your target areas. Often, great coaches DM for contact information and then continue the dialogue over phone calls and messaging. 

Develop a consistent evaluation framework. Many successful programs use a 1-5 scale across athletic ability, academics, character, and positional fit. Track prospects across multiple viewings, not just single performances. Involve multiple staff members in evaluation to get diverse perspectives and prevent costly mistakes

.Character evaluation is more difficult but arguably more important for long-term program success. Ask high school coaches specific behavioral questions: "Tell me about a time this athlete faced significant adversity, how did they respond?"

Generic recruiting messages are worse than no communication. The messages that break through are personal and specific (and ideally from your own phone number): reference particular performances, connect their goals to your program, and share relevant team news that shows you're paying attention.

Communication frequency depends on where prospects are in your recruiting funnel. Early-stage prospects need monthly touchpoints. Mid-stage prospects benefit from bi-weekly contact with deeper conversations about your system and culture. Late-stage prospects require weekly or even daily contact during critical decision windows.

‍Recruiting Tip: Platforms like WinWon enable coaches to send personalized messages at scale from their own phone numbers, maintaining authentic relationships while managing hundreds of prospects efficiently. The ability to automate personalization saves hours while maintaining quality communication.

Different recruits prefer different channels. Text messages work for quick updates, phone calls build deeper relationships, email handles detailed information, and social media keeps your program visible in daily feeds. Pay attention to where each recruit is most responsive.

Don't undervalue relationships with parents, they significantly influence final decisions. Contact parents early, address their concerns about academic support and player safety directly, and share how you've helped other athletes succeed beyond athletics. This positions you as invested in their child's future, not just their athletic contributions.

The official visit represents your best opportunity to convert interest into commitment. Create detailed itineraries that balance structure with flexibility. Assign host athletes strategically, match prospects with current athletes who share similar backgrounds or academic interests.

First impressions matter. Meet recruits promptly with multiple staff members. Facility tours should emphasize functionality. Explain your training philosophy, walk through sports medicine protocols, and discuss your film review process. Academic meetings separate good recruiting from great recruiting. Don't rush this component.

Follow up within 24 hours with personalized messages referencing specific moments from their visit. Send photos and videos to keep the experience fresh. Address any questions or concerns proactively, and continue regular communication adjusted to their decision timeline.