As we start a new club season, be sure to take a few minutes to plan your recruiting calendar. You should have a basic plan, knowing that it may change depending on the status of your situation. Below is a brief overview for unsigned athletes in each grade level. Where it indicates to contact coaches, CBound provides an efficient resource through its free CBound Schools that gives you contact information.

Seniors  Most importantly, do not panic even if most of your peers know where they are going. There are opportunities available. You should be aggressive in making sure you communicate to all schools you have had contact with. Make sure to have a solid short list of schools you are interested in (or have approached you). Reiterate interest and provide them with your upcoming schedule. If you are playing in one of the early season ‘recruiting’ tournaments in February, make sure to let the coaches know. Send a note now and a reminder on the Monday or Tuesday of the week of the event. Until you get something situated, plan to maintain two key actions: 1) Be consistent with your communication to coaches on your short list and 2) Be looking for new options via your research or through any inquiries that are made at events. Consider the opportunities like the PrepVolleyball Unsigned Senior Showcase in Las Vegas. These are particularly good if you are open-minded about where you play. 
 
 
Juniors   Set the foundation for your season with strong communication to the coaches you have been in contact with. Reiterate your interest and provide them with your season schedule. Many of you will have had some inquiries. This is a time where you can start narrowing them, although do not close doors completely unless you are absolutely certain there is no interest. While you do not want to ‘string along’ a school that you do not think you would attend, you also do not want to close a door that you may want to check into at a later time. If you have not made a visit to a school and are able to do so, take a weekend for a personal trip. It is not as valuable as one during the season, but getting in front of coaches in person is always valuable to your recruiting. For those of you who have narrowed your choices, give yourself time to act. Coaches will often want answers as they try to finalize their recruiting. That said, coaches will often give you time if you ask, or if you set a comfortable timeline when they first ask you where you are in the process. 
 
Sophomores This is the time for you to start thinking about schools in which you may have an interest. Create a list of schools which will be your ‘working’ list. This list should have any school that you might consider attending or has expressed an interest in you. Establish a relationship with coaches through e-mail and phone calls. Keep in mind that the coaches cannot initiate contact with you. However, you or your parents may contact the coaches. E-mail the coaches to express your interest and give them your playing schedule. Plan to start a routine communication with the coaches (every few weeks) to update them on your team. Keep in mind that this will often be a one-way communication as coaches cannot respond to your e-mails. Obviously, if you make a call, you will have the opportunity for a direct communication. However, coaches cannot return your calls, so you will have to keep trying if you get a voicemail. Leaving a brief message can also serve to take care of your marketing efforts. 
 
Freshmen Relax and enjoy the game! Not that you should ignore the aspects of recruiting, but at this stage it is important to play the game and not worry about college. That said, a parent should take the time to learn about the process (CBound offers information through its online guide) and ask questions. As a player, you can think a bit about any schools that are obviously candidates. Often these are schools that are near your home, schools where you have siblings who attend, or the schools where a parent attended. For these schools you should make contact. Send an e-mail to the coaches on this short list. In doing so you will establish a relationship with a small set of coaches. This will also give you ‘practice’ in communicating with coaches. Keep in mind that the coaches cannot contact you. All communication (other than a letter about camp or request for you to complete an information form) will have to come from you. 
 
For all recruiting actions, be persistent yet patient. One of the most difficult aspects of the recruiting process is the unknown. With persistence you will end up with a comfortable situation and decision. Patience will eliminate some of the stress associated with the ups and downs that go with the fluidity of the recruiting process.

 Written by Dan Kaplan, CBound.com