How to Play College Soccer: A Complete Roadmap
How to Play College Soccer: A Complete Roadmap for High School Athletes (What You Should Be Doing Right Now)
For many high school soccer players, playing in college isn’t just a dream - it’s the next step in their athletic and academic journey. Whether you want to compete in NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, or at a two-year school, recruiting has become more competitive, more digital, and more self-driven than ever. The players who succeed aren’t always the most talented - they’re the most prepared.
This guide breaks down everything high school athletes need to know right now: how often to train, what to do each year of high school, how to talk to coaches, how to make a standout highlight video, how to build your online presence, and how to get on a coach’s radar - and stay there.
1. Understanding the College Soccer Landscape
Before you decide where you want to play, it helps to understand what college soccer really looks like at different levels.
NCAA Division I
The highest level of competition
Intense schedule and travel
Very limited roster spots
Highly athletic, technical, and tactical players
Recruiting happens early; many programs finalize classes by sophomore or junior year
Good fit for: players who are top performers on elite clubs, ECNL/MLS Next, play against high-level competition, and are committed to very high training loads.
NCAA Division II
Competitive programs with a strong balance of athletics and academics
More roster variability than D-I
Scholarships available
Recruiting can extend later into junior and even senior year
Good fit for: committed athletes who want high-level soccer but a bit more balance.
NCAA Division III
Strong academics; no athletic scholarships but significant academic awards are possible
High-quality soccer at many programs
Recruiting is more flexible
Good fit for: well-rounded students who want a strong school fit as much as strong soccer.
NAIA
Similar to NCAA D-II in competitiveness
More flexible eligibility rules
Athletic scholarships available
Junior Colleges (NJCAA)
Great for players who want to develop for 1–2 years, improve academics, or get more film before transferring
Financially accessible options
Good fit for: late bloomers, players wanting to increase exposure, or players targeting transfer pathways into NCAA programs.
Key takeaway: There’s a place for every kind of player - but you must market yourself strategically.
2. What You Should Be Doing Right Now (Year-by-Year Breakdown)
Freshman Year (9th Grade)
You don’t need to have it all figured out yet - but good habits start early.
Focus Areas
Skill development: technical foundation, comfort under pressure, first touch, weak foot
Strength and conditioning basics: mobility, injury prevention, core strength
Start thinking about goals: level of play, academic interests
Begin tracking achievements: stats, awards, tournaments, coaches’ names
What You Don’t Need Yet
Coach emails
Highlight video
Recruiting panic
Action Items
Join the best team you can realistically compete on
Seek consistent training outside regular practices
Maintain your grades - they will matter later
Attend ID camps locally just for experience, not recruitment
Sophomore Year (10th Grade)
This is when things become real for high-level prospects.
Focus Areas
Create your first highlight video
Build your recruitment email template
Begin emailing coaches at programs you’re truly interested in
Attend showcase tournaments or ID camps strategically
Action Items
Introduce yourself to coaches (they cannot reply until June 15 after sophomore year for NCAA D-I and D-II)
Start building your soccer résumé (height, GPA, club team, coach contacts, positions)
Analyze your game film with a coach or mentor
Strength training 2–3x per week
What to Expect
College coaches will begin watching you, even if they can’t message you back. They look for:
Technical ability
Position-specific qualities
Work rate
Competitiveness
Soccer IQ
Junior Year (11th Grade)
This is the most important recruiting year.
Key Milestones
On June 15 after sophomore year, NCAA D-I and D-II coaches can:
Email you
Call you
Invite you on visits
Make offers
Focus Areas
Clean, updated highlight video
High-quality full-game film
Consistent communication with coaches
Campus visits & ID camps
Showcase tournaments
Action Items
Train very consistently - at minimum 5–6 days/week:
3–4 field sessions
2 strength sessions
1 speed/agility session
Send updates after every big moment:
New schedule
New accolades
Tournament highlights
Ask coaches:
“Where do I stand on your list?”
“What should I improve to be recruitable for your program?”
Senior Year (12th Grade)
If you’re uncommitted, you’re not late. Many coaches finalize rosters in the fall or spring.
Action Items
Upload a senior-season highlight video ASAP
Email coaches your fall schedule
Attend late ID camps
Keep training even during your high school season (most players lose fitness)
Finish your NCAA Clearinghouse registration
Be open-minded - amazing opportunities exist beyond D-I
3. How Often You Need to Be Training (Realistic Schedule)
College coaches look for athletes who train like college players before they arrive. Here’s a breakdown by goal level.
For players aiming at NCAA Division I
Training volume: 6 days/week
Weekly Breakdown
Technical sessions: 3–4 per week (45–90 minutes)
Ball mastery
Tight-space dribbling
First touch under pressure
Strength training: 2–3 per week
Lower body power
Hamstring/glute strength
Mobility + injury prevention
Speed/agility: 1–2 per week
Game play: Club + additional pickup when appropriate
Watching film: weekly
D-I programs expect players to arrive fast, fit, strong, and technically sharp.
For players aiming at NCAA Division II or NAIA
Training volume: 4–6 days/week
2–3 technical sessions
2 strength sessions
1 speed session
1–2 games or scrimmages
For players aiming at NCAA Division III
Training volume: 3–5 days/week
Technical work
Strength training
Tactical understanding
Consistent play
D-III rosters vary greatly - some compete at near D-II level, some resemble top-level high school teams. Your goal is to stand out.
Important Note
⭐ More training is not always better - better training is better.
Focus on structured, intentional sessions, not random shooting drills.
4. How to Talk to College Coaches (Without Overthinking It)
This is where many players struggle. They either:
Don’t reach out at all
Or send long, confusing emails coaches don’t have time for
Here’s what coaches actually want:
KEEP IT SHORT. PERSONAL. PROACTIVE.
Your Email Should Include:
Who you are
Your grad year and positions
Your club team & coach contact
Why you’re interested in their school
Your highlight video link
Your upcoming schedule
Example Email Template
(Use this as a structure, customize in your own voice.)
Subject: 2026 Midfielder – Interest in [School Name] Men’s Soccer Program
Coach [Last Name],
My name is [Name], a 2026 central midfielder from [Club]. I’m very interested in [School Name] because of its strong [academic program / style of play / coaching philosophy]. I believe my game fits well with your program’s emphasis on [possession / pressing / player development].
Here is my highlight video: [link]
Upcoming schedule: [tournaments, showcases, dates]
Club Coach: [Name, phone/email]
GPA: [#] | SAT/ACT (if applicable): [#]
I would love to learn more about your program and where I might fit in.
Thank you for your time,
[Name]
Contacting Coaches: Best Practices
Email 30–40 programs that truly match your level
Follow up every 3–4 weeks
Update after big events
Be polite and professional
Don’t ask, “Are you recruiting me?” - ask, “Where do I stand on your list?”
If a coach calls: be ready to talk about academics, goals, and why you love their program
5. How to Make a Standout Highlight Video (What Coaches Really Want)
A highlight video is often a coach’s first impression of you. And most coaches watch less than 60 seconds before deciding whether to keep watching.
Here’s how to create a video that keeps them watching.
Must-Have Elements
Length: 3–5 minutes
Shorter is better. Coaches can request game film later.
Clips: 20–30 plays
Show your best actions first.
Film quality
Use a tripod
Avoid shaky iPhone parent-on-the-sideline footage
Prefer Hudl, VEO, Trace, or camera-on-elevated-tripod footage
Start with 1–2 seconds of info
Name
Grad year
Position(s)
Club
Jersey number(s) (home & away)
Position-Based Clip Priorities
For Attackers
Goals (but not just tap-ins)
Assists
1v1 actions
Combination play
Pressing moments
For Midfielders
First touch under pressure
Switching the field
Breaking lines
Defensive recoveries
Transitional play
For Defenders
Tackles
1v1 defending
Aerials
Breaking pressure
Long passing range
For Goalkeepers
Shot stopping
Cross collection
Footwork
Distribution
Commanding box
Tips Coaches Love
Circle yourself before each clip (quick highlight marker)
Use simple, clean edits - no music necessary
Put your strongest 5 clips FIRST
End with 1 line: “Full match film available upon request.”
6. Building Your Soccer Résumé and Online Presence
You don’t need to be a social media star (even though your family does run FC Game Changer 😉), but you do need a clear digital footprint that coaches can quickly understand.
Your Soccer Résumé Should Include:
Name
Grad year
Height/weight
Academics: GPA, test scores
Positions
Club team and league
Coach contacts
Notable stats & awards
Highlight video link
Academic interests
ID camp history
Relevant achievements
Keep it to one page.
Your Online Presence
Make it easy for coaches:
Simple Instagram with soccer content
Link your highlight video in your bio
Follow the schools you’re interested in
Coaches often check:
How you carry yourself
Whether you seem coachable
How you train
What kind of leader or teammate you appear to be
7. Showcases, ID Camps, and When to Attend Them
Not all showcases or camps are equal - and not all are worth your money.
Best Rules for Choosing Events
✔ Choose camps where the coaches from the schools you want will be present
Not “big name” camps - the right camps.
✔ Choose events during periods coaches are actively recruiting
For example:
December showcases
January ID camps
Summer ID camps before senior year
✔ After every camp, email coaches:
“Thank you for watching me play today - here are the two things I'm working on based on your advice.”
That level of coachability stands out.
8. Communication & Follow-Up Strategy
Most players send one email and disappear. Coaches want persistence (not pestering).
Your Follow-Up Schedule
Initial email + highlight video
One week before tournaments
College season updates
Every 3–5 weeks with progress updates
Updates You Can Send
New GPA or test scores
Highlight video update
Tournament schedule
New awards
Technical or physical milestones
Important: Always keep emails short. Coaches don’t have time to read essays.
9. How to Know If a College Coach Is Actually Interested
Here are the signs:
Strong Interest
They respond quickly
They call you
They ask for game schedules
They request full-game film
They invite you to campus
They talk about numbers: roster spots, scholarship potential
They ask about your academics and admissions timeline
Medium Interest
Short replies
Invite you to camp
Ask for updates
Ask about your club schedule
Low Interest
No reply after 3 emails
Only send mass camp invitations
Never watch your film or games
Won’t provide honest feedback
10. What College Coaches Care About Most
Across divisions, coaches consistently evaluate:
1. Technique
Your touch, passing, finishing, ball control.
2. Physical Ability
Speed, endurance, strength, agility.
3. Tactical Understanding
How quickly you read the game.
4. Mentality
Coachability, leadership, resilience, growth mindset.
5. Academic Strength
Coaches want players who won’t struggle academically and are admissible.
6. Character
This one decides scholarships.
College coaches often call club coaches and ask:
Are they coachable?
Are they a good teammate?
Do they work hard consistently?
Your reputation matters.
11. Final Advice from College Coaches and College Players
These lessons come up repeatedly:
1. Don’t wait to “be good enough” to reach out
The recruiting process is long. Coaches expect development.
2. The right school is where you will thrive - not just play
Ask yourself:
Do I like the academic programs?
Do I like the campus?
Is this team culture right for me?
Do I see myself here if soccer ended tomorrow?
3. Video matters more than anything
Coaches need to see you quickly and clearly.
4. Speed and strength separate recruits
Two players with similar technique?
The faster, stronger athlete wins every time.
5. Your attitude will make or break opportunities
Be polite, humble, hungry, and professional.
12. A Sample Weekly Training Plan for College-Bound Players
Here’s what high-level recruits typically follow:
Monday
Technical work (dribbling, first touch, passing) – 60 min
Strength training – lower body – 45 min
Tuesday
Team training or small-group session
Speed & agility – 20 min
Wednesday
Rest or light technical session
Thursday
Technical + tactical training – 75 min
Strength training – upper body + core
Friday
Finishing or position-specific training
Mobility + recovery
Saturday
Game, scrimmage, or competitive play
Sunday
Recovery
Film study
13. How Parents Can Support the Process
Parents play a big role - but ideally a supporting one.
Parents Should:
Help organize schedules & travel
Film matches when necessary
Encourage communication but not write the emails
Help evaluate academic fit
Keep things positive
Parents Should Not:
Email coaches for the player
Tell coaches about playing time
Pressure the athlete
Make decisions for the athlete
Coaches want athletes who are independent.
14. The Mindset That Gets You Recruited
Your mindset matters more than you think.
Be the player who shows up early.
Be the player who sets cones out.
Be the player who encourages teammates.
Be the player who seeks feedback.
Be the player who never blames others.
Coaches recruit:
Hard workers
Winners
Leaders
Good human beings
You can control all of that - starting today.
15. Final Checklist for Every High School Player
Here’s your quick rundown:
✔ Freshman/Sophomore
Build fundamentals
Start highlight video
Attend camps
Begin emailing coaches
✔ Junior
Update highlight video
Contact coaches consistently
Attend targeted ID camps
Visit campuses
Train 5–6 days/week
✔ Senior
Tighten academics
Finalize video
Expand your school list
Keep training
Closing Thoughts
Playing college soccer is absolutely within reach - but only if you take ownership of the process. Talent matters, but preparation, persistence, and communication matter more. Start where you are, build a plan, track your progress, and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. A coach can’t recruit you if they don’t know you exist.
If you commit to the process now, you’ll give yourself the best possible chance to step onto a college field in the next 2–3 years.
