After you commit:

Some players make the mistake of relaxing their efforts in school and on the field once they commit to a college. After all, you just got selected from thousands of players your own age to play in college. Just remember that your journey has just begun. Once you get to college, you’ll be competing for playing time against players who are one, two, three, and four years older and more experienced than you are. (Not to mention juggling a rigorous schedule of classes.) It is up to you to give the coach a reason to play you, so you need to be in great shape and at the top of your game the first day you walk on the field at your new school. Respect the opportunity that you worked so hard to earn, and prepare your mind and body for playing at the next level.

Congratulations and best of luck!

  • Starting the winter or spring before you leave for college, create a running, lifting, and agility routine to do on your own every week leading up to preseason. You might have some club games left, so work this conditioning routine into your existing schedule. As you finish your club commitment, keep the routine going and make adjustments where needed.

    Coaches will send you a workout packet in the summer to prep for preseason. Take it seriously and do more work in the areas you are weakest. This will also help prevent injuries during the season.

  • During the time between your last club game and college preseason, look for high level playing/practice opportunities. This could include summer training with boys teams, women’s summer teams or W-league semi-professional teams if you have any in your area.

    Train with the ball on your own to sharpen foot skills, passing/receiving, and work on anything that might be a weakness. What will set you apart from the rest of the incoming freshman class?

  • Do not get lazy with your course work, finish strong. Doing well academically can create more opportunities to receive academic scholarships and grants. Doing poorly can result in a rescinded offer to the college.

  • There is nothing easy about playing soccer in college. Prepare your mind to stay focused on what is in your control, and to be resilient when things get hard.

    Make good choices about who you spend time with, choosing people who respect that you are an athlete, who are understanding that you need to fuel your body with good nutrients, get good sleep, and spend time training.

    Avoid people who try to blow out your flame.