The Recruiting Process
Most recruits go through the same sequential stages, with key dates and milestones along the way. But the timing—and the path through those stages—can vary considerably.
Learn the stages below
01
02
03
04
05
For later
Important Dates + Deadlines →
Player Milestones →
Eastside FC Showcase Calendar →
Resources + Tools →
01
Learn + Explore
Don’t waste the early years waiting for recruiting to “start.” Be curious, learn how the process works, understand the different levels of college soccer and start figuring out what you will need to do later. The players who understand the process early are better prepared when the process starts moving fast.
What happens here
Learn the recruiting landscape
Understand what fit means
Research types of schools and programs
Begin building a broad list
Learn what college coaches evaluate
Learn what role you, your family and EFC play
Understand the tools and expectations for later
02
Build + Promote
Be disciplined and consistent. Keep your grades strong, build a complete recruiting profile, create good video, cast a wide net and make it easy for coaches to understand who you are as a player. Recruiting rewards consistency and discipline more than last-minute effort.
What happens here
Build and maintain a recruiting profile
Create and manage your highlight video
Develop a player résumé/profile
Identify target programs
Attend showcases and the right ID camps and events
Begin broad proactive outreach via email
03
Connect + Engage
Now your'e building real recruiting relationships. Communicate consistently, ask direct questions, understand how a coach sees you, and pull in your Eastside FC coach when you need help interpreting interest, fit or next steps. Interest only matters if you understand what it means and know what you want.
Action to take
Direct communication with coaches begins
Conversations migrate from emails to calls and texts
College coach feedback is given for the first time
Campus and program conversations begin
Invitations to camps or visits
Understanding roster needs and potential fit
Understanding real recruiting interest versus noise
EFC coaches provide advocacy when appropriate
04
Evaluate + Calibrate
Be willing to adjust based on what you are learning. Compare your level and priorities with the programs showing genuine interest, get an honest assessment from your Eastside FC when needed, and keep refining your list so your time and energy are going toward realistic, good-fit opportunities. Recalibration is part of good recruiting, not evidence that the process is going badly.
Action to take
Assess which programs are genuinely interested
Reevaluate athletic fit
Compare academic and cultural fit
Add or remove schools; adjust your lists
Decide where to invest time and travel
Seek feedback and advocacy from Eastside FC
Continue promoting yourself to appropriate programs
05
Decide + Transition
Choose the best overall fit, not simply the biggest name or highest level. Once you commit, shift your focus from getting recruited to preparing yourself to succeed academically, socially and athletically when you arrive The goal is not to 'win' recruiting; it is to choose a place where you can succeed.
What happens here
Compare opportunities
Understand role and roster expectations
Consider academics, finances and campus experience
Make the decision
Commit and complete required steps
Communicate professionally with other programs
Prepare for the jump to college soccer
Begin thinking about success once on campus
8th Grade
9th Grade
10th Grade
Fall/Winter
Spring
Summer after 10th
11th Grade
Fall/Winter
Spring
Summer after 11th
12th Grade
Fall
Winter/Spring
Girls Accelerated
Learn what college soccer looks like
Begin understanding levels
Establish strong academic habits.
SportsRecruits profile established; begin collecting video; explore different college types; attend campuses opportunistically
Build initial target list; current highlight reel; begin intentional outreach; research programs; coaches/directors understand targets
Narrow and tier list; consistent coach outreach; showcase targeting; prepare for June 15; club advocacy increasingly important
Major checkpoint. Assess June 15 communication; identify real interest; adjust list quickly; calls/visits/ID camps where appropriate
Active recruiting relationships; campus visits; compare programs; understand offers/opportunities; maintain backup options
Decisions approaching
Evaluate academic/financial/athletic fit
Maintain communication until decision is secure
Finalize decision if not already committed Admissions/financial-aid diligence
Applications and admissions requirements
Stay connected to future program
Prepare for transition to college soccer
Girls Standard
Learn what college soccer looks like
Begin understanding levels
Establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Heading 3
8th Grade
8th Grade
sdf
Fall
Fall
10th Grade
Fall/Winter
Spring
Summer after 10th
8th Grade
Fall/Winter
Spring
Boys Accelerated
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Build initial target list; current highlight reel; begin intentional outreach; research programs; coaches/directors understand targets
Narrow and tier list; consistent coach outreach; showcase targeting; prepare for June 15; club advocacy increasingly important
Major checkpoint. Assess June 15 communication; identify real interest; adjust list quickly; calls/visits/ID camps where appropriate
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
SportsRecruits profile established; begin collecting video; explore different college types; attend campuses opportunistically
Boys Standard
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Heading 3
8th Grade
8th Grade
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
Fall
Fall
10th Grade
Fall/Winter
Spring
Summer after 10th
8th Grade
Fall/Winter
Spring
8th Grade
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Build initial target list; current highlight reel; begin intentional outreach; research programs; coaches/directors understand targets
Narrow and tier list; consistent coach outreach; showcase targeting; prepare for June 15; club advocacy increasingly important
Major checkpoint. Assess June 15 communication; identify real interest; adjust list quickly; calls/visits/ID camps where appropriate
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
SportsRecruits profile established; begin collecting video; explore different college types; attend campuses opportunistically
Girls Accelerated
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits
Learn what college soccer looks like; begin understanding levels; establish strong academic habits