General Recruiting Guidelines:    

Promote – promote – promote ……. your athlete!

• START NOW – make a list of college coaches to email – and email them (constantly).  You can send as many emails as you want, they can’t respond (depending on the college level) – but they will put you on their “to watch” list at the tournaments.  Get a copy of your season stats from your high school coach – and email that to college coaches. 

• Create a GMAIL account that is your recruiting account.  Example:  hillcrestathlete2020@gmail.com  (full name & player number or graduation year).  Have this be the account you send and receive emails for recruiting only.  Send them weekly updates of what your doing – what happened in your school season, any awards and recognitions you might of received.  Be persistent!  If doing sports outside of school – email them your team info and tournament you will be attending so they are sure to come.  Send to the head and an assistant coach (BOTH)

• Video matches – parents need to video club matches.  College coaches want films of sets, etc, but don’t always want a full games/match.  I would suggest creating a youtube private account that you can upload highlights  and then send coaches the link to view the film.  Keep in mind they want to see the good and bad, so pick a parts that show a great competitive match, but also shows some mistakes.

• Camps & Visits: – attend the camps offered by colleges you’re interested in.  You can talk to the coaches once you are on campus with them.    ***You can go on as many “unofficial” visits as you want.  When we are in town that has a college program, call them up and set up an “unofficial” visit.

• CALL – you can call college coaches and talk to them as often as you want.  They cannot call you however.  So again be persistent and stay in touch with them.  Have a list of questions to ask the coach when you call them.  Call every week.  They need to know that you want to go to their college.

• Player Questionnaires:  Almost every college has a “perspective player” questionnaire that you can fill out on line – go fill out as many as you can! 

• Recruiting Services/Recruiting Websites:  A variety of recruiting services are available if you want to spend the money, but you can get the same effects by doing the above.  However, athletes and parents, YOU still need to be very proactive with promoting your daughter yourselves.  Don’t just rely on these services.

• Keep your options open.  Return all/any player questionnaires sent to them and keep the doors open with communication until you know for sure you’re not going to attend that school. 

• Highlight Video:  If you have not ever sent any video out, and you can set up a short highlight video of pictures and some game/match film or have someone do it for you – this would be a great way to introduce your athlete to perspective college coaches.

• Campus Visit:  Visit campus during a game/match to watch the coaches – coach, talk to players, ask questions.

Links with more information:

http://www.michigansportsacademies.com/volleyball/files/2010/07/Womens-Volleyball-Recruiting-Guidelines.pdf

http://www.bossvolleyball.com/college-info/year-by-year-recruiting-guide  (great summary for each year)

Additional info from NCAA

NCAA Division I
Sophomore Year

• Recruiting Materials - You may receive brochures for camps and an introductory letter/questionnaire.
• Telephone Calls (you can always make calls at your own expense) - College coaches cannot call you.
• Off Campus Contact - None Allowed.
• Official Visit - None Allowed.
• Unofficial Visit - You may take unlimited Unofficial Visits; but may not have contact with a coach on campus during a Dead Period.

Junior Year

• Recruiting Materials - You may begin receiving letters and emails September 1st of your Junior Year.
• Telephone Calls (you can always make calls at your own expense) - Once per week starting July 1st after your Junior year coaches can call you.
• Off Campus Contact - Allowed starting July 1st after your Junior Year.
• Official Visit - None allowed.
• Unofficial Visit - You may take unlimited Unofficial Visits; but may not have contact with a coach on campus during a Dead Period.

Senior Year

• Recruiting Materials - Allowed.
• Telephone Calls (you can always make calls at your own expense) - Once per week. 
• Off Campus Contact - Allowed.
• Official Visit - Allowed beginning opening day of classes.  You may make only 1 official visit per college and up to 5 for all Division I schools.
• Unofficial Visit - You may take unlimited Unofficial Visits; but may not have contact with a coach on campus during a Dead Period.

NCAA Division II

• Recruiting Materials - A coach may begin sending letters and emails after June 15th of the Sophomore year.
• Telephone Calls - 1) A coach can make unlimited calls beginning June 15th after the sophomore year.  2) You can make calls to the coach at any time at your expense.
• Off Campus Contact - A coach may make contact with you or your family off campus starting June 15th after your Sophomore year.
• Unofficial Visits - You may make unlimited Unofficial Visits.
• Official Visits - You may make Official Visits after first day of Senior Year with one visit per school.  There is no limit on the total of visits to Division II schools.

NCAA Division III

• Recruiting Materials - A coach may send you any materials at any time.
• Telephone Calls - 1) A coach may call you at any time with no limit as to number of times called.  2) You can make calls to the coach at any time at your expense.
• Off Campus Contact - A coach may have off campus contact after your Junior year.
• Unofficial Visits - You may take an unlimited number of unofficial visits.
• Official Visits - You may make Official Visits after first day of Senior Year with one visit per school.  There is no limit on the total of visits to Division II schools.

Web site to check out some guidelines: 

http://www.ncsasports.org/recruiting-tools/college-volleyball-recruiting/volleyball-recruiting-guidelines/volleyball-outside-hitter