National Signing Day officially begins on November 10 for the class of 2022.

Thousands of players have already made commitments and will officially put pen to paper on that day (or later).

But, for future classes, what are some ways to avoid stressing out before signing day? Thanks to the recruiting experts at IMG Academy as well as their team of college advisors with the IMG soccer program, here are some tips to keep things calm and avoid any stress leading up to 2021 NLI Signing Day.

1. AVOID SCRAMBLING

• Begin your research early (both for the university and soccer program)

• Conduct thorough research for yourself, and don't always necessarily rely on word of mouth from others

• Produce a clear and concise message to coaches, and be responsive to any contact

• Develop a rapport with the coaching staff where possible - consistently keep coaches updated with your progress and schedule

• Be realistic in your choices - find a school where the coach values you as a player, where your skill set will be appreciated, and where you can academically succeed

• Visit campus during the school year and observe both the team, coaches, and regular student body - do they match your core values?

• Make sure you family is involved in your college search - communicate consistently

• A "happy" person will achieve much more both on and off the field 

2. AVOID SETTLING

• Prioritize your needs and wants, and match those up with prospective schools

• Don't take your first offer unless it meets your needs and is a good fit

• When you receive an offer from a school that is a good match - accept it - don't play the "what if" game

• Lack of action on your part will lead to a rushed decision and narrow the options you have. You will end up settling.

• Settling will often lead to unhappiness, lack of productivity, and a poor experience

3. REPRIORITIZING

• If you’re finding your list of colleges to have limited interest or lack of responses, think about reprioritizing.

• Adjust your list, and make sure you are being realistic in your academic/athletic search

• Thoroughly research all schools that meet your needs academically and socially regardless of level: Division I, II or III, NAIA, Junior College

• It’s okay to start again - go through the process, and stay focused on your task.

In summary, avoid scrambling, avoid settling, and reprioritize. Those three tips can go a long way in setting you up for success.

Remember: when it is time for you to choose a school there are a lot of factors that sway you one way or the other. Some of the obvious things are location and what the campus looks like and of course for all of us the success of the soccer team. The very popular schools and soccer teams are of course the ones that most players want to play soccer and earn a college degree.

However, one thing you should keep in mind is: “What is the college coach looking for?” In this aspect, the answer almost always is, “not just players who can make the (college) team, but players who can make that team better.”

For example, when you get a chance to watch a game in person or on television, you may think, “I can play there.” Maybe you can. The question is though can you make that team better? Obviously, the greater your ability to make that team better, the greater chance you have of playing and succeeding there. 

Likewise, if the cost of school is a concern, then where can you make the biggest impact on a program and then, ideally, get the bigger scholarship. When you look at it this way, you may understand that you may need to reprioritize your list of schools a little bit. All in all, the timing and mindset behind finding the right college for you can be intricate, but it will undoubtedly pay off in the long run.

To learn more about the recruiting process or about IMG Academy’s offerings, register for a free account with TopDrawerSoccer where you can learn more about their soccer development opportunities.

Did you know NCSA offers free college recruiting resources? As the official college recruiting services partner of IMG Academy, you also have access to their tools to help you manage your recruiting journey, make connections, and get recruited. It’s all available when you click here!