The days of the off-season are long gone. In the old days you played your season and at the conclusion you were done or you moved on to another sport. 

Nowadays, to excel in an individual sport, the commitment is towards the year-round development which is almost impossible to comprehend the time that must be allocated to just one sport. 

Regardless of the sport you play, the commitment has intensified due to the pressures of the recruiting process and the strategies that accompany it, which are confusing and impossible to understand to the naked eye.

Student-athletes are competing on a fiercely competitive level to gain the attention of college coaches and, more importantly, to rise above the competition from outside their city, town, or their state. There are intense battles in getting recruited, with some that require the student-athletes to be committed to their sport year-round.

The off-season is a thing of the past.

College coaches are under intense pressure to recruit the best available talent. 

Their futures are on the line. One misstep in selecting a student-athlete and giving the wrong scholarship to a player who has not committed could cost that coach his or her job and all their assistants as well.

The pressure has intensified for student-athletes to stay on course for their season. It's critical and equally important during the off-season.

Club teams that travels to exposure events, tournaments, and showcases are all about the exposure. Are you working diligently on your individual fundamentals that are required to achieve success athletically? Now this is a year-round commitment. Are you up to the challenge?

When it comes to the year-round commitment a key component is, video. If there is improvement from one year to the next, how will you attract the attention of college coaches without steady improvement? How will you show how much you've improved? 

You are in the laboratory of development a mad scientist working on all aspects of your game away from the viewing public.

Once you have  emerged from the Laboratory of Athletics you are now in superior condition, head and shoulders above the competition, and strong enough to attract a full scholarship which has been the coveted prize all along.

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The football recruiting process does present many difficulties and many questions. 

When to begin the process?

 How to start the process?

 What information do I need?

 Do I need a checklist?

 How do I get a step-by-step guide?

The hardcore reality is there is no exact process or steps to follow because every student-athlete is different and every college coach is different in their evaluation of talent.  

A well thought-out recruiting strategy may work for someone else where they are achieving success, but that same exact strategy may not fit your needs.

The best advice is to begin the recruiting process early by developing a strong list of college programs to target. 

Your target list should include 50, 75, upwards to 100 programs. You want to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of a college scholarship or a strong financial package.

You will never know where the scholarship may come from, so it's important to target a large number of college programs from your home state and neighboring states.

Do not overlook academics! Grades are a critical piece to the recruiting puzzle. If you have bad grades you will be erased from the recruiting process.

I'm sure by now the conversation about grades has been drilled into the skulls of student-athletes for years, so there's no way you have not heard this message.

Be aggressive in the football recruiting process.

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Hovering above the student-athlete with propeller blades spinning at top speed unaware of their surroundings, every move the athlete makes parents are hovering. 

They're waiting to attack like an eagle high above the sky scrutinizing, analyzing, coaching every moment, every second of a student-athlete's life. 

Coaches are doing their due diligence coaching-up these players, for some reason the parents sits directly behind the bench, listening to every word as though a secret formula is being discussed.

At a ballgame, they're hanging on the fence or maybe they manipulated their way down to the sidelines of a football game.

Somehow the parent is in earshot of the coach offering a suggestion or their opinions. Whatever it is, it’s annoying. The propellers are spinning louder and it's getting on everyone's nerves!

Complaining over playing time, second-guessing coaching decisions, analyzing, scrutinizing every single aspect, this is what the helicopter parents do. It's destructive and it's disruptive in the flow of competitive sports.

These parents are stressing out the players, the coaches, and school administrators. These selfish parents have a sickness, it's an epidemic deeper than the roots of the tallest tree.

Unrelenting, when the helicopter parents are unable to get their way they're forcing out the coach regardless of a successful track-winning record or championship record. The selfish parents could care less!

Climbing Mount Everest best describes the recruiting process. It's impossible without a strategy or a plan and without any of it, reaching the top would be next to impossible. You will fail. 

The helicopter parent, with their uneducated philosophy about recruiting, believes without a shadow of a doubt the responsibility of the process is in the hands of the high school coach and on the shoulders of the school administration. 

Foolish in their beliefs, the parents are totally wrong. The responsibility is looking them directly in the face of their cracked mirror.

We have always had helicopter parents. They are crazy, dismissive in their philosophy and beliefs with no solutions. There's no way of stopping the propeller blades that spin out of control. 

I'd like to know what you think of this topic. Please feel free to leave a comment below. Your comments are the oxygen we need to continue to grow.

You don't need that special number next to your name to get recruited for college. Rankings are basically for conversation, nothing more nothing less. 

Surprisingly, many ranked student-athletes don't end up doing so well once they arrive at the major college level.

Still, many unranked players once discovered by major college programs out-perform those who are highly ranked and talked about religiously. 

Rankings are just a number. If you don't have one it's not devastating. How can they see inside your heart? A ranking can't measure your determination or how well you've done in the classroom and in the community. Rankings are just a way for college programs to know that you exist.

Rankings cannot measure your heart

Rankings are just a number to determine who is the best player from a particular sport. I guess it has some importance because the viewing public care so deeply about rankings to the extreme.

Wouldn't it be a nice gesture if all student-athletes from their sport were ranked? Rankings are ridiculous, in my opinion. Let's go ahead and rank the best players. How about the number 1,333 ranked softball player in the country?

It just sounds ridiculous saying that. You're putting extreme pressure on student-athletes that they don't need! It's hard enough to get them to clean their rooms.

Millions of hard-working, dedicated student-athletes have one goal in mind: to take their talents to the next level. College is the dream education. It is the dream more powerful than gold.

Don't worry about rankings. More importantly, worry about improving athletically, being more concerned about your grade point average.

College programs may not know your name right now, but if you stay after it day after day with relentless pursuit unlike no other, your name will fall into the hands of college coaches-or let's hope so.

There's fierce competition out there in recruiting.

I know rankings are a tool to separate the great ones from the average ones, but in my opinion, all student-athletes are great.

I'd like to know your thoughts about this topic. Please leave a comment below. Your comments are extremely important!

The question of whether Division I athletics is the best option for high school student-athletes depends on various factors and individual circumstances. 

Here are some considerations to keep in mind:

Competition level: Division I athletics generally represents the highest level of competition in college sports. If a high school student-athlete possesses exceptional talent, skills, and aspirations to compete at the highest level, Division I may be a suitable choice.

Scholarships and financial aid: Division I programs often offer more generous athletic scholarships compared to lower divisions. For student-athletes aiming to secure financial assistance to help cover their college expenses, Division I can provide more opportunities in this regard.

Commitment and time dedication: Division I athletics often demands a significant commitment in terms of training, practices, competitions, and travel. It requires substantial time management skills to balance academics and athletics successfully. If a high school student-athlete is willing and able to dedicate a considerable amount of time to their sport, Division I may be a viable option.

Academics: It's important to consider the academic aspect as well. Division I athletes need to meet specific academic requirements to remain eligible to participate. Balancing the demands of a rigorous academic program with the time commitment of Division I athletics can be challenging. If a student-athlete values a strong academic focus, they may need to consider other divisions that offer a better balance between academics and athletics.

Personal and career goals: It's crucial to consider personal goals beyond college athletics. While Division I athletics can provide exposure and opportunities for athletes pursuing professional careers in their sport, it's essential to have realistic expectations and explore other avenues, such as professional leagues or career paths outside of sports.

Ultimately, the "best" option for high school student-athletes depends on their unique circumstances, goals, talents, and priorities.

It's essential to consider the pros and cons of Division I athletics and explore other divisions and college options to make an informed decision. 

Consulting with coaches, mentors, and college counselors can provide valuable guidance in this process.

AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball is a popular youth basketball organization in the United States. Its impact on recruiting is a topic of debate, and opinions vary among coaches, players, and recruiters.

Advantages of AAU basketball for recruiting:

Exposure to competition: AAU tournaments and events often attract top talent from various regions, providing players with the opportunity to showcase their skills against high-level competition. College recruiters can attend these events to identify promising players.

Extended playing season: AAU basketball allows players to participate in organized basketball beyond their school seasons. This extended playing time can help them refine their skills, gain experience, and improve their game.

Networking opportunities: AAU tournaments bring together players, coaches, and recruiters from different regions. This environment facilitates networking and allows players to make connections with college coaches, increasing their chances of being noticed.

Player development: AAU programs often prioritize skill development and focus on individual player improvement. This emphasis on skill enhancement can help players refine their game and become more attractive to college recruiters.

Disadvantages of AAU basketball for recruiting:

Lack of team structure: AAU teams are often hastily assembled and have limited time to practice and develop cohesion. This can result in a style of play that is more focused on individual performance rather than team dynamics, which may not translate well to college basketball.

Overemphasis on exposure: Some argue that AAU basketball places too much emphasis on exposure and recruiting rather than on player development and fundamentals. This can lead to a focus on flashy plays and individual statistics, which may not necessarily translate to success in a college basketball setting.

Talent evaluation challenges: With numerous tournaments and teams, it can be challenging for college recruiters to assess players' true abilities consistently. The sheer volume of participants can make it difficult to identify hidden talents or accurately gauge a player's potential.

Ultimately, the impact of AAU basketball on recruiting varies depending on individual circumstances. 

While AAU can provide valuable exposure and development opportunities, it is important for players to also focus on their overall skill development, academic performance, and finding the right balance between exposure and team play. 

Recruiters should consider multiple factors beyond AAU participation when evaluating a player's potential for college basketball.