January Checklist: Start Club Season the Right Way

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Club Season Start, Recruiting Awareness, and Habits That Matter...Subscribe to <a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PrepDig.com</a> using code: Coachable247</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>January is not about being perfect.<br>It's about being prepared.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For most athletes, January marks the true start of the club season. New teams, new roles, long weekends, and the first real opportunities to show growth since the fall. It's also a subtle but important shift in the recruiting landscape. College coaches are moving out of in-season mode and into evaluation mode, watching how athletes compete, communicate, and settle into their season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is why monthly checklists matter. January sets the tone. The habits you build now often carry through the spring, and the athletes who approach this month with intention stand out long before stats ever do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Here's what matters right now.</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Basics</strong></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before the season gets busy, your recruiting presence should be current and clean.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Update your <strong><a href="https://docs.universityathlete.com/login" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University Athlete Profile</a> </strong>and<strong> <a href="https://prepdig.com/prospect-index/">Prospect Index</a></strong> so college coaches have accurate information when they search your name. This includes your position, graduation year, contact information, and current club team. These details are often a coach's first point of reference, and accuracy matters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Your <strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigca/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IG resume</a></strong> may matter more than most athletes realize. College coaches regularly use Instagram as a research and evaluation tool. Make sure your bio is clear, your pinned content reflects who you are as a player, and your highlights are easy to find and navigate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A recommended handle format is <strong>First.Last.GradYear</strong>, which helps coaches quickly identify you and avoids confusion when they're evaluating multiple athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Know Your Schedule and Own Your Season</strong></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":924461,"width":"155px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.46109941621997","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/image_e132bb.png" alt="" class="wp-image-924461" style="aspect-ratio:0.46109941621997;width:155px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>January is often when schedules shift, tournaments are added, and details change quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Confirm your full club tournament schedule and pin it where it's easy to reference. Knowing where you'll be and when allows you to communicate clearly with coaches and plan filming, updates, and recovery. Post your <strong>game schedules and court numbers</strong> each weekend. Coaches cannot evaluate you if they don't know where to be. Athletes who consistently share this information show organization and awareness, two traits coaches value.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Set January Goals That Actually Matter</strong></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>January goals should be simple and measurable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Focus on three areas:</strong><br>Skill development<br>Mindset and emotional control<br>Consistency in effort and execution</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Instead of vague goals like “play better,” think about passing efficiency, serving discipline, communication, or how you respond after mistakes. Early-season growth is often more important than early-season dominance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Build a <strong>repeatable pre- and post-match routine</strong>. This includes how you warm up, how you reset mentally, and how you recover after matches. Coaches notice athletes who look steady, prepared, and composed, especially early in the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Film, Highlights, and Visibility</strong></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Film matters, even in January.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Record full matches and practices and upload them to YouTube or another platform that is easy for coaches to access. Full-game film shows habits, decision-making, and competitiveness in a way short clips never can.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Post early-season highlights consistently. These don't need to be long or perfect. Coaches understand January volleyball. They are watching for rhythm, role clarity, and progress.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tag <strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigca/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepDigCA</a></strong> in your highlights and stories. Visibility matters, and tagging helps connect your performance with a platform college coaches already trust.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Communicate With Purpose</strong></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>January is a great time to send college coaches a short update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Email coaches with your current schedule, any new clips, and where you'll be competing. If you reached out in December, a January follow-up shows maturity and organization and helps keep your name fresh as coaches begin planning their evaluations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Communication doesn't stop with college coaches. Align goals with your <strong>club coach and parents.</strong> Recruiting works best when everyone is on the same page. Clarity reduces stress and allows athletes to focus on competing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Recommendation: Start <strong>one email thread</strong> with each college coach. Use a clear subject line such as <strong>First.Last.GradYear</strong>, and keep all updates within that same thread. This helps coaches easily track your progress over time and builds continuity in the relationship. Avoid starting a new email each time. Consistent, organized communication stands out and makes it easier for coaches to follow your journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This approach reflects professionalism, awareness, and respect for a coach's time, qualities that matter just as much as performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Take Care of Your Body and Track Your Growth</strong></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The season is long. January is where smart athletes start protecting themselves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prioritize recovery, hydration, and sleep. These are not optional, especially with travel, early mornings, and multiple matches per day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Track your performance week to week. This can be simple notes, film review, or conversations with your parents and coach. Awareness leads to growth, and growth is exactly what college coaches are evaluating early in the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Stay Educated</strong></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read <a href="https://prepdig.com/california/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>PrepDig articles </strong></a>throughout the month. Understanding the recruiting process, the calendar, and what coaches are actually looking for gives you an advantage most athletes don't have.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>January is not about rushing recruiting or forcing outcomes. It's about being ready.</strong></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When your profiles are updated, your schedule is clear, your film is organized, and your habits are consistent, you put yourself in position to be evaluated on your terms. Preparation creates confidence, and confidence shows on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Start strong. Stay intentional. Let the season unfold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>✨ If You Enjoyed This Article, Help Us Keep the Momentum Going</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>🔥 <strong>Players</strong><br>Use this article to grow. Take notes and apply it to your own journey. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>📣 <strong>Club Coaches &amp; Directors</strong><br>Share this with your teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>🙏 <strong>Parents &amp; Supporters</strong><br>Thank you for being the backbone of this movement. Your subscriptions, shares, and belief in your athletes make this work possible. Share this article and tag @PrepDigCA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>🚀 <strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/my-account/subscriptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Upgrade to a PrepDig+ Subscription</a></strong><br>Access exclusive rankings, deeper analysis, and the full Prospect Index to follow every athlete's journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>📌 In Case You Missed It</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://prepdig.com/california/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Here are a few recent stories gaining traction across California.</a></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"lightbox":{"enabled":false},"id":917295,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"custom"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prepdig.com/california/"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/image_b07860.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-917295" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thank you for making today's wins matter — one article, one player, one memory at a time.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->