PrepDig+: Club Season has Ended…Now What?
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With the conclusion of the 2024 USAV Girls Junior National Championships, the 2024 Club Season has officially come to an end. As players, parents, and coaches return home, there's likely one thing on everyone's mind: TRYOUTS.
But before diving back into the grind, let's take a moment to pause.
Prospects, you have worked hard all season, and it is crucial to use the next couple of weeks to rest, hydrate, lift, and have some fun. Reach out to your non-volleyball friends and spend time with them, visit a grandparent or a family member, or even catch a movie. Taking this time for yourself will help you recharge and come back stronger for tryouts.
While mixing in time to rest is important, it's equally crucial to capitalize on all your hard work. In my free article, Recruiting Advice Straight from College Coaches, I discuss five essential steps to achieving success. I encourage you to read it and use it as one of your tools to achieve your dreams.
The five steps are: Prepare, Research, Resume, Network and Interview.
Here are Some Tips for This Tiny Bit of Off-Season You Have:
Prepare
Create a game plan for these next two weeks, as tryouts are likely just around the corner.
- Daily Routine: Incorporate a 20-minute non-lifting workout into your day. It doesn't have to be volleyball-related; the key is to stay active.
- Strength Training: If possible, consult with a trained professional about lifting. This is an excellent opportunity to reach out to college coaches and ask them to connect you with their strength and conditioning coach for off-season workouts their program recommends.
- Holistic Preparation: Ensure you are balancing practice, training, nutrition, mentality, and sleep—each aspect is crucial for your preparation.
PrepDig Prospect to Watch: Peyton Robinson Preparing
Highlights
Research
Take this time to do some thorough research on the next steps toward your dream.
- Club Teams: Consider your options for the upcoming season. Are you planning to return to your current club, or did another club catch your interest during the year? Look into their programs, coaches, and successes to see where you might fit best. You can begin your research with the article, California's Top Club Teams of 2024, which serves as an excellent starting point.
- High School Teams: Connect with your high school coach, as tryouts are likely just around the corner. Reach out to coaches, attend any pre-tryout meetings, camps and practices and gather information on what is expected.
- College Programs: Continuously research college volleyball programs. Focus on schools that align with your career goals, qualifications, preferred locations, and desired college experience. Look into their team dynamics, coaching staff, facilities, and academic support for athletes. PrepDig offers an extensive College Database.
Resume
Always take time to update your resume and online profiles. Make it apart of your weekly routine.
- Update Your Profiles: Refresh your Instagram, Hudl, and YouTube accounts with the latest information. Keep these platforms current to showcase your most recent achievements.
- Highlight Achievements: After every event, update your resume to reflect your on-court and off-court accomplishments. This includes tournament finishes, awards, and any notable performances.
- Showcase Your Personality: College coaches value character and coachability. Use your resume and social media to highlight these traits, demonstrating why you'd be a good fit for their team dynamics.
- Create a Highlights Reel: Put together a season highlights reel to showcase your best moments. This visual representation of your skills can leave a lasting impression on coaches. Then make sure to tag PrepDigCA
- Update Bios: Make sure your bios on all platforms reflect the most recent and relevant information. This includes personal details, stats, and any new achievements.
PrepDig Prospect to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='454603' first='Asia' last='Udo-Ema']'s Resume
Miss Udo-Ema has one of the best Bio's on Instragram:
Network
Take advantage of this time to build and strengthen your network.
- Connect with Club Directors and Coaches: Touch base with your club directors and coaches to discuss the end of the season. Get feedback and insights on your performance and areas for improvement. It is important to do this on-and-off the court. I highly recommend scheduling a sit-down meeting with your club director and coach several times throughout your season. PrepDig offers an extensive Club Database.
- Reach Out to Your Club Recruiting Coordinator: Engage with your club recruiting coordinator for guidance and support in your college recruitment process for the upcoming year. They can provide valuable advice and resources.
- Learn from Committed Athletes: Contact committed athletes to learn about their journey, experiences, and any tips they might have for navigating the recruitment process. Make sure to follow them on social media. See our Committee Athletes below who helped at the SoCal Preview.
- Email College Coaches: Reach out to any college coaches who attended your games or whose presence you noticed throughout your season. Introduce yourself, express your interest in their program, and provide updates on your progress and achievements. PrepDig offers an extensive College Database.
Interview
Your tournaments, showcases, camps, and highlights effectively serve as your interviews.
- Participate in Camps and Showcases: Sign up for camps and showcases whenever feasible. These events provide a great opportunity to demonstrate your skills in a competitive environment and gain exposure to college coaches. You can view PrepDig's upcoming showcases HERE.
- Stay Game-Ready: Even in the off-season, try to participate in a game or scrimmage occasionally. Staying game-ready ensures you're always prepared to perform at your best when opportunities arise.
- Create and Share Highlight Reels: Make sure you have a well-crafted highlight reel that showcases your skills and achievements. Attach this reel to your emails when reaching out to college coaches. A visual representation of your abilities can leave a lasting impression. Always remember to tag PrepDigCA
- Prepare for Interactions: Treat every interaction with coaches as a part of your interview process. Be professional, articulate, and enthusiastic when communicating with them, whether in person or via email.
- Follow Up: After events and interactions, follow up with coaches to thank them for their time and to express your continued interest. This demonstrates professionalism and keeps you on their radar. This includes any club coaches that you played against as well.
You Got This!
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