Around the time sophomore or junior soccer season ends, it’s inevitable that you will have heard something about playing soccer at the collegiate level. “If you want to play in college, you must have a good one-touch!” your coach may yell at practice. Perhaps an old teammate returns from college and tells you about his or her soccer program. Or maybe you remember the college coaches who ran you through drills during summer soccer programs. However the tales of college soccer reach you, as a sophomore, college may seem like a millennium away. You are only half way through high school! Nevertheless, as the college process picks up speed during your junior and senior years, you will be thankful for having completed some general and simple groundwork.

In addition, keep in mind that college coaches can begin scouting a high school player as early as his or her freshman year. Although college coaches cannot officially call a prospective student-athlete until July 1 after their junior year, they can immediately send letters to express their interest and to provide information about their programs. Basically, it is important to recognize that coaches always have their ears and eyes open, and if they stumble upon a young soccer stalwart, they will not discount them because of their age. College coaches are always looking to develop their programs, so your talents as a sophomore and even as a freshman can give them ideas about the future of their teams.

Essentially, college coaches begin the recruiting process early on, so why shouldn't you? There isn’t much you can officially do with respect to communicating with college coaches because of NCAA rules and regulations, however, there is plenty you can do for yourself in terms of getting in touch with your own feelings about college and collegiate soccer. What would you like in a college soccer program? Would you prefer a big school with a large student body or a small school? Here are some helpful hints for creating a basic foundation for the college admissions and recruitment process.