Top 5 Things Soccer Parents Need to Know About College Recruiting
- Sep 27
- 3 min read
Guest Blog: By C.M. from The Premier Playbook
Your kid dreams of playing college soccer. But here’s the hard truth: talent alone isn’t enough. The recruiting process is a maze and overwhelming— deadlines sneak up, coaches move fast, and families who wait to start the process.
The good news? You don’t have to figure it out blind.
Here are five game-changing ways you can support your athlete by helping them stay organized, focused and confident— so they stand out to college coaches. And, there is a FREE Recruiting ToolKit at the end of the blog, just for Soccer Unleashed followers.
ONE: Start Focusing on College Soccer Recruiting Sooner Than You Think
Recruiting moves quickly, and college coaches are tracking athletes earlier than many families realize. Freshman year is the perfect time to begin laying the foundation. Encourage your child to start building their player profile, creating a highlight video, and drafting outreach emails to coaches.
TWO: Organize Every Step of Your College Soccer Recruiting Process
Between emails, coach responses, camp invites, and travel, it’s easy to lose track. Help your athlete use a system — whether a spreadsheet, calendar, or toolkit — to stay on top of communication and deadlines. (The free resources at the end of this blog will help.)
THREE: Highlight Videos Matter More Than Stats to College Coaches
Coaches don’t have time to watch full games. They want 3–5 minutes of your athlete’s best clips. Parents can support by filming clear, steady video and making sure their athlete showcases versatility, decision-making, and effort.
FOUR: The Right Soccer Events Beat More Events
Not every showcase or ID camp is worth the money. Before registering, research which schools will be attending and whether they actually align with your athlete’s academic and athletic goals. Quality beats quantity every time. Easily find soccer ID camps here.
FIVE: Soccer Parents Provide Support, Athletes Lead the Way
College coaches want to hear from the player — not the parent. Your role is to encourage, proofread, and keep things on track, but let your athlete take ownership of communication and effort.
Free College Soccer Recruiting Toolkit for Soccer Unleashed Families
To make things easier, Premier Playbook is offering Soccer Unleashed followers a free mini recruiting toolkit — complete with:
Coach Email Template (intro + follow-up)
Questions to Ask College Coaches
Video Highlight Tips
Performance & Nutrition Guide
Final Thoughts on College Soccer Recruiting
The college recruiting journey can feel like a full-time job — but the families who succeed are the ones who are prepared, take action, and start early. As a soccer parent, you don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to know how to guide, support, and create opportunities for your athlete to shine.
About the Author: C.M. from Premier Playbook
Juggling life as a mom of two and an unofficial sideline coach, I’ve lived the emotional rollercoaster of the club soccer world—I know how overwhelming the journey can be.
I created The Premier Playbook and Toolkit to take the guesswork out. It’s more than just a guide—it’s a real-world roadmap, packed with templates, trackers, and insider strategies I wish we had from day one. Families shouldn’t have to fumble through the college soccer recruiting process. You deserve a playbook that helps! Follow Premier Playbook on Instagram
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