PROSPECTS CAMPS:
Suggestions for making your College Recruiting Video:
Make an introduction: This step is often overlooked and very helpful for coaches. Make sure you take a minute and introduce yourself. A brief commentary on your volleyball highlights, club volleyball experience (Provincials/Nationals), school, academics, general aspirations and a brief introduction about the material that is included in the tape.
Include a section of yourself performing every skill: Often athletes will produce a 30-minute music video of themselves attacking balls at any number of different competitions. By the way, pass on the music, it's not necessary and deflects from the message. Make sure you have a 2-3 minute segment devoted to passing, serving (both often neglected) as well as hitting and blocking. Naturally, some game footage of strong defensive performances would also be helpful.
Setters: Be sure to include a variety of setting situations (tight balls, out-of-system situations, etc.) as well as your offensive capabilities.
IMPORTANT: Remember... game footage is useless if you are not clearly visible. Also, remember to keep the original and send copies only when asked by a prospective college/university coach. That being said, if your goal is to receive a scholarship from a specific University/College (see our lists for contact info) you might want to get your video out to them without waiting for a response to your online application.
Books:
Going Pro: Scholarships, Student Athletes and the Money. The book addresses key issues from the chances of earning an athletic scholarship to the merits of hiring personal trainers to trying to elevate athletes to the next level. The book retails for $19.95US. For more information, visit http://www.buygoingpro.com/
Recruiting Web Sites:
Recruit-me-now - http://www.recruit-me-now.com/
Volleyballnet.net - http://www.volleyballnet.net/?gclid=CKqNjdvkzYYCFRMdSQodYG0Q4A
"Recruiting today moves at warp speed, but it's hard to place a blanket statement if this is good or bad. It used to be strange seeing coaches watching 16 year olds play. Now it is not so strange to see coaches watching 14 year olds play."
Mary Wise, Coach: Florida
There are two "Prospects Camps" in our general area. Prospects Camps are vehicles designed to attract University and College Scouts to view young athletes that aspire to play the sport at a post-secondary level. These can be organized as a camp where athletes participate in drills and games and scouts are asked to attend and view the athletes throughout the event; or as teams that are formed to attend high profile tournaments in which scouts are in attendance.
Prospects Camp - Assiniboia, SK. is an excellent example of a well-established, affordable option for competitive female athletes that wish to be seen by interested university and college recruiters. The 2008 edition will be the organization's 12th and the cost of attending is only $90. For more information please visit their web site at: PROSPECTS CAMP ASSINIBOIA, SK.
Another Prospects Camp is offered by the Canucks Volleyball Club in Calgary, Alberta. And due to the high cost, mixed reviews by parents (although most athletes we have heard from have enjoyed their experience with the program - the issue has been value; that is how much they are being seen by scouts for the cost and not quality of the experience) and conflicts with our Manitoba Provincial Team Programs, we have never promoted this program with much enthusiasm. Still, if your daughter is looking for a high-level team with strong coaching in which to be seen and cost is not a factor for you, then the Volleyball Prospect Program is an option. Please visit their site at: VOLLEYBALL PROSPECTS.