I have no quibble about starting early and aiming high. And, there is absolutely no doubt that the best high school athletes do not always end up playing in college, and the main reason (other than choice) is that they think the coaches will come to them. Whether you call it “relationships” or a “smart marketing approach” matters not. The point is that if you are assertive and reach out to coaches, you are far more likely to succeed.
My personal view is that a targeted plan is better than just calling coaches, but of course the poster may well have such a plan in place. I reiterate that I don’t think it is one size fits all. It should be tailored to the individual recruit.
One possible plan would look like this:
- Go watch some D1, D2 and D3 practices and games. Assess the level of talent, size and speed of the girls. Cross reference that with they size and academic level of the schools you think your daughter would like to attend.
- Have a professional keeper tape made for each of the next 3-4 years. There is nothing wrong with having in addition a highlights video for games. However, my understanding is that coaches are not looking for the 3-4 outstanding saves. They are looking for certain athletic markers that can more easily be seen on a skills tape.
- Schedule your daughter for a couple of "throw away" showcases or ID camps to get her used to the drill, knowing that if they are money making operations, they likely will rate the kid high to encourage the repeat business.
- Fill out college questionnaires. These can be updated as more information is assembled.
- Draft up a college CV with awards and recognition.
- Then start with the calls. Follow them up with emails, and either attach videos or a link where the tapes can be seen. I would be sure that the calls have a purpose (e.g., I am going to this tournament, this id camp, inviting yourself for an unofficial), leave a message if no one picks up. Then follow up the calls with a message, "I just left you a voicemail message. I am going to be at the __________ ID camp. I would love to meet you there if you are planning on attending."
- Perhaps the most important part of the plan is a parent to kid conversation about what the kid wants. Say kid wants D1, and only D1, I would respond "that's okay. Let's give it a shot. But, it is also okay to decide now, or a year or more from now that you want D2 or D3, or no soccer at all for that matter." My real concern about starting in 8th grade is that a kid thinks she has failed if she doesn't reach the goals she set when she was 13 years old.