Step 2: Assess Your Goals & FitBe realistic. Build your list. Stop chasing schools just because of the label. Here’s the no-BS truth: 1️⃣ Get Real About Your Goals - If you don’t have the resume for D1, you’re not going there. - Ask your coach where you truly fit—D1, D2, D3, or NAIA. - If players with your talent and resume are committing to D2 or D3, that’s where you belong. - Focus on programs where you’ll actually play, not just sit on the bench. 2️⃣ Research Colleges Beyond Soccer - The Broken Leg Test: If you couldn’t play soccer, would you still want to be there? - Does it have your major? If not, move on. - Hate the campus vibe? Cross it off. - Think long-term: If it doesn’t set you up for life after soccer, it’s not worth it. 3️⃣ Be Strategic with Recruiting Efforts - Stop wasting time. If D1 schools aren’t responding, they’re not interested. Focus on D2 or D3 programs where you actually have a shot. - Don’t blow your money. Random camps and showcases won’t get you recruited. Go to events where your skills match the level of the coaches attending. - Do your homework. Study team rosters. If every player is from elite leagues and you’re not, you’re barking up the wrong tree. 4️⃣ Create a No-BS Ranking System - Rank schools 1-10 on academics, location, social life, and affordability. - Be ruthless. If it doesn’t check your boxes, cut it. - Know your priorities: Playing time? Academics? Close to home? Stick to what matters. 5️⃣ Make Informed Decisions - Visit campuses. If you can’t see yourself living there for 4 years, it’s not the right place. - Talk to players, students, and alumni for the real story. - If a school is ghosting you, move on. This isn’t just about soccer—it’s about finding a school where you can thrive in every part of your life. No excuses. No fluff. Just results. #NoBS

Step 1: Create a Highlight Tape Your highlight tape is your first impression, and if it’s not good, you’re done before you even start—coaches will just delete you and move on. Coaches don’t have time to sift through hours of footage or guess how good you might be. They need to see your best action, your talent, in the first 30 seconds. Here’s the no-BS truth: 1️⃣ Cut the fluff. No one cares about warm-ups, celebrations, or bang-average plays. Show your absolute best moments—explosive, game-changing plays that make you stand out. 2️⃣ Keep it short. 3-5 minutes max. Coaches don’t have time for a Netflix special. 3️⃣ Quality matters. If your video looks like it was filmed on a potato, no one’s watching. Invest in good footage. If you can’t edit it yourself, pay someone who knows what they’re doing. It’s worth it. 4️⃣ Start strong. Your first clip should be a “wow” moment. If you don’t hook them immediately, they’ll move on. This is your chance to grab attention and get on a coach’s radar. Don’t half-ass it. If your highlight tape isn’t good enough, fix it. If you don’t know how, find someone who does. No excuses. This is the foundation of your recruiting journey for a reason—get it right. 💪 #NoBS #RecruitingTips #HighlightTape

Stop wasting time. Stop wasting money. Be realistic. Put in the work. Don’t half-ass it. Here’s the plan. Your job is simple? Execute. 1️⃣ Step 1: Create a Highlight Tape. (Is it actually good enough? Be honest. If you can’t do it yourself, pay someone who can! ) 2️⃣ Step 2: Assess Your Goals & Fit. (Be realistic. Build your list. Stop chasing schools just because of the label.) 3️⃣ Step 3: Boost Your Exposure. (Social media = your resume. No beach pics. No party pics. Show your daily grind. Coaches are watching! ) 4️⃣ Step 4: Reach Out to Coaches. (Not once every 2 months. Email like it’s your job. Consistency wins. ) 5️⃣ Step 5: Build Relationships. (DMs, calls, emails—it’s work. Connect and follow up. Relationships matter. ) 6️⃣ Step 6: Attend ID Clinics & Showcases. (Be strategic. Contact coaches beforehand. No interest? Don’t waste your time. Show up with a plan. Execute!) 7️⃣ Step 7: Evaluate Responses. (Streamline your responses from schools. No BS—focus on fit, not hype. The right fit not the big name. ) 8️⃣ Step 8: Not the Right Fit? (Take a hard look at Steps 1-6. What are you doing wrong? Adjust and improve. ) 9️⃣ Step 9: No Responses? (Be real. Can you actually play at these schools? If not, reset your targets and start again. ) 🔟 Step 10: Evaluate Offers & Decide. (It’s starting to pay off. Stay focused. Finish strong. ) No matter where you are, take the next step. No excuses. No shortcuts. Just results #NoBS

I’ve teamed up with XG Sports to bring you an exclusive deal for their two premier events in Connecticut this winter. As a member of our community you can use the code SCN50 to get $50 off your registration! Important! If you’re registering for the event, please send me a quick email (SteveCoxonCSN@Gmail.com), and we can work together to invite more coaches from your ‘recruiting list.’ We’ll send coaches alerts that you’re playing and extend an invitation for them to attend. This opportunity is open to all readers of this newsletter—don’t miss out! 📅 Event Details & Registration👉 Register for Both Events Here Boys Event: January 10th 👨‍🎓 Boys Registered Coaches - Boston College - Providence College - Army (West Point) - University of Vermont - UCONN - UMASS Amherst - Quinnipiac University - Sacred Heart University - NJIT - University of New Haven - Mount Saint Vincent - Connecticut College - Central Connecticut State University - Gettysburg College - Emmanuel College - Hartwick College - Hartford - Endicott College - Albertus Magnus College - SUNY Maritime - Nichols College - UMass Dartmouth - Western Connecticut - Wheaton Girls Event: February 7th 👩‍🎓 Girls Registered Coaches - NY/NJ Gotham FC (NWSL) - Providence College - Boston University - UCONN - Fordham - University of Rhode Island - Yale University - Fairfield University - University of New Hampshire - Quinnipiac University - CCSU - Le Moyne College - Southern New Hampshire - Southern Connecticut State University - Wesleyan University - Bay Path University - Smith College - West Conn - Mount Holyoke - Clarkson University - Elms College - Bard - Lesley University - Wellesley College - Dean College - Marywood University - Emmanuel College - Stevens Institute of Technology -

From the perspective of someone who has been on the evaluating side, what does a player do to stand out ? It seems everyone there is in full ball hog mode trying to do their fanciest step over moves (I haven't seen anything memorable yet). It's hard to showcase teamwork and soccer IQ when it's pure chaos and people aren't willing to pass. I understand that the coach isn't evaluating the entire field as a team, but similarly do you really want the prima donna ?