How to Get on a Men's College Soccer Team

The earlier you start making friends and connections within your desired college soccer program. With many public and private high school soccer players and programs in the United States, it is difficult for recruiters and scouts to discover you without a little legwork on your part -- and not just on the field. Of the millions of high school players only about 40,000 will play for a college team.

Instructions

    • 1

      Compile a list of potential schools you wish to play college soccer for. Make sure the school fits your talent level. Create a list of pros and cons for each school and have back-up schools in case your primary choice is not available.

    • 2

      Send a letter to the college coaches expressing interest in their program. Include contact information, high school graduation year and any awards or achievements you received. Ask about possible soccer scholarships and how the tryout process works.

    • 3

      Connect with the entire coaching staff as opposed to just the head coach. Job security for coaches at any level can be unstable. Make as many connections as possible within the staff through phone calls, emails, letters and frequent visits; if a head coach leaves, your name will continue to resonate with the remaining coaching staff.

    • 4

      Create a recruitment video to help set your recruitment application apart from other applications. Compile a video of athletic plays and soccer skills to impress recruiters from the colleges you are interested in. Recruiters and scouts are not able to travel to different parts of the country to watch all of the applicants play. Making a convenient video with exciting cuts and visuals can be a great way to get your foot in the door.

    • 5

      Start to play early and attend as many soccer programs and camps as you can. Soccer programs and camps are a great way to gain exposure and measure your skills with the competition. Not only will you improve by gaining experience through playing the game, you will build relationships with coaches and parents who may have connections in the collegiate soccer world.