Questions & Answers
~ Why do college coaches attend your Combine/Camp?
Because unlike Showcase events….EVERY player that attends our Combine has the desire to play in college. The coach attending is afforded the opportunity to observe the players in warm-ups, drills and to watch you, the player play in both small sided and full sized matches allowing them multiple opportunities in one weekend to see and speak with you as a player.
~ Why should I attend the Tampa Bay College Soccer Combine?
Is your phone ringing from Coaches calling you? Are you receiving emails from Coaches on a regular basis expressing their sincere interest in you as a player because they’ve seen you play or have heard about you? Are you sitting down with Coaches during the recruiting process? If so, how many? Very few players and parents understand the recruiting process. They don’t have time and they don’t have the resources or knowledge. This is not a knock on you as a player or your parents. It’s simply the truth. If you (actually your parents) can afford to pay for a US Developmental Academy or are good enough to play for a Professional Academy where the tab is picked up, you probably don’t need to attend our Combine since you will be exposed to a number of Division I & II programs around the country. If at U17/ U18 you don’t have college coaches contacting you via phone, email, text and expressing their interest in you as a player or meeting with you individually (as NCAA rules allow) I can tell you they are either NOT interested in you or they don’t KNOW you!
~ Should my DOC recommend your Combine?
In our opinion, a quality DOC should. One of the DOC’s job at this age for any player interested in playing in college regardless of level should do what he/she can to expose those interested player(s) to opportunities such as the TBCSC. Keep in mind the DOC does not have time to work the recruiting process for YOU hence he/she can send you to the TBCSC where you and your family are taking responsibility thus learning first hand how the process works and are afforded the opportunity to play in front of a number of different colleges/universities at all different levels.
~ Shouldn’t the Club I play for find a college or university for me to play for?
No. Ultimately where you play is up to you as a player and your family. The soccer club you play for ‘may’ help however their job is to develop you as a player and provide an opportunity for you to play. They should be able to expose you to the opportunity to play in college at the older age groups however at the end of the day, it’s YOUR responsibility.
~ The Director of Coaching at my club said by playing at his club I would have the best opportunity to play in college. Is this true?
When was the last time your DOC sat in your living room with you and your family and made calls or sent emails to college coaches? When was the last time your DOC sat with you on an individual basis and even asked you what your interests were as a player, school choices, major etc,.?
Let’s be honest…DOC’s make money by having #’s of players/teams play within the club they oversee. This is not a slight or knock against DOC’s, it’s simply fact. It’s impossible for a DOC to spend time with every individual college age player whom is interested in playing in college. While the DOC should be able to offer advice and some assistance they simply don’t have the time and most the resources or contacts to assist you in the way you can yourself by learning the process.
~ My DOC said if I play at this club (left blank)…I would have the best opportunity to get a college scholarship. What should I do?
Be VERY cautious. Ask him for proof, ie; names and phone numbers of players that have played for his/her club that he/she has been solely responsible for putting in college.
DOC’s have a purpose and most are good people with wonderful intentions however most simply don’t have the time or resources to spend with you to ensure you get into college and play soccer. They have other responsibilities regarding the club they oversee, ie; training, assisting coaches, handling parents, running camps and growing their club, etc,.
~ My daughters team plays in Showcase tournaments around the country where college coaches attend, isn’t this good enough?
It’s a nice start however NO, it’s not enough! Keep in mind that not every player on every team (even the best of teams) wants to play in college. There are many players that can play in college but don’t wish to for various reasons. The college coaches that attend Showcase tournaments are often simply looking at either a player that has expressed interest in their school, or are looking for a player that perhaps fits their style of play, system or a position that is currently weak on their team, etc,. They don’t have the time nor budget to go to every showcase and see every player!
~ Is the Combine event for Teams or Individuals?
The TBCSC is designed for any/all players whom may be interested in playing in college. If an entire team is made up of players where ALL want to play in college, the team is welcome. It’s been our experience however that most teams have approximately 5 – 8 players that are sincerely interested in and are actively looking to play in college. The other players are all quality players however are not interested in playing college soccer. We want the college coaches attending to know that EVERY player at the Combine is serious about playing in college. We respect their time and efforts and don’t wish to hold an event for players whom may be apart of a team but not interested in playing in college.
~ If a team attends do they have an advantage over me as an individual player?
No. The coaches that attend do not attend to recruit an entire team nor do they care about the results or score line of a match. They are they to look at individual players. Most players attending are individuals and are not attending with their team.
~ Do players that attend your Combine/Camp get offers?
Yes, some do. Not everyone does as just in life there are no guarantees. We are proud to tell you that many of the players that have attended our Combine have gone off to college to study and play soccer. Keep in mind that this event is designed to expose you and your family to the process of recruiting via our College Soccer Recruiting Sessions with SportsWorx and to allow you the opportunity to play in front of and speak (if NCAA rules/regs permit) with coaches. As with the hit TV Show American Idol…we give you the stage to learn and perform…what you do with it is up to you!
~ I received an email from a Coach inviting me to his school’s camp…should I go?
Before I say yes….I’d call the coach and ask where he saw you play and how much interest does he have in you before you spend your parent’s money. If the coach is sincerely interested in you and recalled where he saw you play, can tell you some strengths and weaknesses regarding your play, I absolutely would make it a priority to attend. If not, that coach is simply looking to make money from the camp he provides. There is nothing wrong with a coach doing this…you just need to make sure it’s right for you!
