- The Huddle
- Posts
- The Huddle - Edition 87
The Huddle - Edition 87
A weekly newsletter from The Coaching Dad.
The Coaching Dad
February 26, 2026
Intro
Recruiting Feels Big…Because It Is
If you’re a parent or coach helping a high school athlete through recruiting, you already know this process can get overwhelming fast. There’s the athletic side (film, camps, communication, fit), the academic side (grades, test scores, transcripts), and the emotional side (hope, pressure, silence from coaches, comparison, and timing). The biggest mistake families make is treating recruiting like one big event. It’s not. It’s a long process that rewards planning, consistency, and realistic expectations.
A good recruiting plan does two things at once: it helps your athlete get seen, and it helps your family make smart decisions with time and money. That second part matters more than people realize, because there are a lot of services out there—and not all of them are necessary for every family. Keep reading for my #1 recommended service that will turn the stress of this process into a breeze.
A few numbers and facts worth keeping in mind as you approach recruiting:
The NCAA notes that nearly 8 million students participate in high school sports in the U.S., and about 530,000 compete as NCAA athletes. That’s a good reminder that recruiting is competitive, and families need a plan—not panic.
The NCAA’s recruiting probability data (updated April 2024) shows how selective the process can be. For example, NCAA estimates roughly 3.6% of boys basketball players compete at any NCAA level, and only 1.0% reach Division I. The percentages vary by sport, but the overall lesson is the same: fit matters more than chasing one label.
On the college side, NCAA Recruiting Facts shows there are roughly 204,000 Division I, 133,000 Division II, and 202,000 Division III student-athletes across NCAA schools, which is a helpful way to explain that there are many pathways—not just D1.
NCSA’s own content notes many families are already spending $3,000–$5,000 per year on club/travel/lessons/training costs, before paying for recruiting help. That’s exactly why families need to find a service that doesn't add too much more.
For recruiting platforms/services, pricing varies a lot. FieldLevel publicly lists premium tiers from $29/month to $79/month (or annual options), and Stack Athlete publicly lists paid plans from $22.50/month up to higher-touch tiers.
NCSA publicly lists a free option plus premium tiers (Champion, Elite, MVP), one recent recruiting comparison site estimates NCSA premium packages often land around $1,320–$4,200+, while also listing SportsRecruits at $399/year. Treat those estimates as market guidance.
The big takeaway for parents and coaches: recruiting can absolutely be done well without overspending, but it does require organization, communication, and consistency.
Please share this newsletter with a parent or coach. Encourage them to sign up. It’s a small ask, but it can have a big impact on helping us grow this really awesome community.
Follow us on the social channel of your choice (click on icons at the end or search @the_coaching_dad) and visit www.thecoachingdad.com.
Lets go!
Insight of the week
Help Older Athletes Build a Recruiting Plan They Can Actually Follow
For athletes 15+ (especially sophomores, juniors, and seniors), coaches can make a huge impact by helping them build a recruiting process that feels clear and manageable. Most kids don’t need more pressure—they need a plan. Recruiting gets stressful when it feels vague. It gets productive when it turns into small weekly actions.
Start by helping the athlete build a target list in three buckets: reach, realistic, and strong-fit schools. This is where coaches can be incredibly helpful because you can offer a grounded view of level and fit. Families often jump straight to dream schools, but athletes need a balanced list that includes programs where they can realistically compete, develop, and enjoy the full college experience. The NCAA recruiting resources also reinforce how structured recruiting rules and timelines are, which is another reason athletes need a plan instead of random outreach.
Next, help them build a simple weekly recruiting rhythm. Think in repeatable habits, not one-time bursts: update video, send coach emails, research programs, follow up, and track responses. Coaches can support this by setting a “recruiting check-in” once every couple of weeks during season or club ball. Not a long meeting—just a quick touchpoint to ask: Who did you contact? Did you follow up? What schools opened your email or watched your film? This creates accountability without taking over the process.
One of the most useful things a coach can do is help athletes understand the difference between being interested in college sports and being recruitable right now. Those are not the same thing, and kids need honest feedback delivered in a constructive way. The right message sounds like: “Yes, this is possible—but here’s what needs to improve and here’s the timeline.” That keeps hope intact while giving them something to work on.
Coaches should also help athletes prepare their communication habits, not just their highlight clips. A lot of players look good on film but struggle to send a clear email or hold a conversation with a college coach. Spend time on this. Give them a sample intro email. Practice how to introduce themselves after a camp. Teach them how to speak confidently about academics, goals, and what they’re looking for in a program. That kind of preparation goes a long way, and it helps athletes feel more in control.
Finally, remind players that recruiting is not just about “getting offers.” It’s about finding the right fit—athletically, academically, socially, and financially. That mindset reduces panic and helps athletes make better decisions when the process gets noisy.
The Coaching Dad Recommendation
My Absolute Favorite Recruiting Resource!
If your family wants to make the recruiting process feel less chaotic, Athlete Narrative is a strong recommendation that I love! What stands out is how clearly it supports both sides of the process: it helps athletes stay visible and organized, while also giving parents a better way to stay informed without adding pressure.
For athletes, the biggest value is speed and simplicity. Athlete Narrative highlights a quick-build Radar Page (profile) where athletes can share highlights, stats, grades, and key info in one place, plus tools for school research and coach outreach. They also promote fast communication features like personalized coach emails in under 60 seconds and AI support, which can help athletes stay consistent with outreach instead of putting it off. (athletenarrative.com)
For parents, the value is peace of mind and visibility. Their messaging consistently emphasizes “Parent-Approved Efficiency,” with a focus on saving time, reducing stress, and helping families stay aligned during recruiting. You can also set up weekly parent updates, which is a helpful benefit for families who want to support the process without hovering over every step. (athletenarrative.com)
A big bonus for families following The Coaching Dad: you can access Athlete Narrative at a 40% discount—just $15/month. That’s a fraction of the cost compared to many recruiting services on the market, while still giving families a premium, athlete-first experience.
Drill of the week
Point Shot Rebound Traffic Drill
Sport: Hockey
Skill Focus:
Net-front positioning, screening the goalie, rebound finishing, point shot placement under pressure
Setup:
Use one offensive-zone net. Place one player at the point (blue line), one passer/coach along the half wall, and 2–3 forwards around the crease (one net-front screen, one rebound player, one support if you have enough players). Add one defender later for light box-out pressure.
How to Run It:
Begin with the puck on the half wall (coach or player).
Pass the puck up to the point.
As the point player receives it, the net-front forward gets into screening position in front of the goalie.
A second forward slides into a rebound-ready spot on the weak side of the crease with stick on the ice.
The point player takes a controlled, low shot through traffic (focus on getting it on net).
Forwards crash the rebound immediately and look for a quick finish.
Reset and rotate so players get reps at the point and in front of the net.
Coaching Tips:
Keep point shots low and on net — the goal is a rebound chance, not a highlight slap shot.
Teach net-front players to screen without drifting too far away from the crease.
Rebound players should arrive with balance, stick down, and hands ready.
Emphasize timing — net-front traffic should be set as the point shot is released.
Remind players the first shot is the setup; the rebound is often the real scoring chance.
This is a great game-like drill for teaching players how to create offense in traffic and score the “dirty goals” that win games.
Tip of the week
What Parents Can Be Doing Right Now to Help
Parents play a huge role in recruiting, but the most effective parents aren’t the loudest ones—they’re the most organized and steady. Your job is not to run the process for your athlete. Your job is to help them build a process they can own.
The first thing parents should do is help their athlete create a recruiting home base. That can be a simple spreadsheet, notebook, or shared doc with columns for schools, coach contacts, dates emailed, follow-up dates, camp dates, and notes. This sounds basic, but it’s one of the best ways to reduce stress. Recruiting gets emotional when everything lives in someone’s head. It gets easier when it lives in a system.
Second, make sure the foundation is in place before spending money. That means a solid player profile, usable video, current contact info, academic info, and a short intro message. A lot of families spend on premium recruiting tools before the athlete has a strong profile or good film. The platform can’t fix weak preparation. Build the basics first, then decide if a paid tool is worth it for organization, messaging, or accountability support.
Third, help your athlete learn how to follow up without feeling awkward. Most recruiting communication is not a one-and-done message. It’s a series of respectful touchpoints. Parents can support this by helping their athlete create a follow-up routine: send a note, update with new film, share schedule changes, and thank coaches after camps. Consistency matters more than sounding perfect.
Fourth, keep your emotions out of the driver’s seat. Recruiting can trigger comparison fast—especially when other families post commitments early or talk big. Stay focused on your athlete’s path, timeline, and fit. Every sport is different. Every position is different. Every athlete matures at a different pace. The fastest commitment is not always the best commitment.
Finally, be smart with recruiting spending. If your family is already paying for club, travel, lessons, and camps, pause before layering on expensive recruiting packages. Ask: What specific problem are we solving? Do we need structure? Better organization? Messaging tools? Coach exposure?
Blog Highlight
Recruiting: A Real-World Guide for Coaches and Parents
This blog breaks down practical recruiting tips, timelines, outreach strategies, budgeting insights, and tools families can use to help student-athletes find the right college fit. It’s a helpful guide for anyone looking to better understand college sports recruiting, athlete exposure, and how to support young athletes through the process.
Gear up
Start Looking the Part!
Every week I release new products in my Etsy store. My goal is to bring a little style back into the youth sports game. You’ll find things for coaches, parents and kids.
The Volunteer Coach Academy
Stop Guessing and Really Help Your Team Improve
You’ve seen the tips and tools I share each week—now imagine everything you need to coach with confidence, all in one place. I’ve built a complete course designed specifically for volunteer and parent-coaches to help you feel prepared, supported, and ready to lead. Whether you’re stepping on the field for the first time or just want to get better for your kid’s sake, this course was made for you.
Oh and if you aren’t ready for the course yet, still check out the link to learn more because there’s a free Coach’s Guide that you can start using instantly.
Book highlight
For Coaches, Parents and Youth Athletes
The Constant Coach
Get this for the coach in your life as it provides coaching guidance and insights one day at a time throughout the entire year.
Stories For Young Athletes
Do you have an Young athlete who’s afraid of getting hit by a pitch or who maybe isn’t quite as aggressive on the soccer field as they could be? This book helps kids with a variety of circumstances, in a lot of different sports, through various stories that your child can relate to. It’s perfect for kids 7-11!
Featured Coaching Resources
Aggression and Anxiety Guides
I just released two new guides designed to make your coaching easier and your players more confident:
1. The Aggression Guide
Perfect for the child who plays great at home but hesitates in games. This guide gives you simple, practical strategies to help players be more assertive, engaged, and confident—without pressure or yelling.
2. Calm Under Pressure
A quick, powerful guide for helping young athletes manage anxiety, nerves, and fear of mistakes. You’ll learn what to look for, what to say, and how to support kids during tough moments.
Content
Other Free Content
You might be new to coaching a team or sport. You may be a grizzled coaching veteran. Either way, check out the content section of thecoachingdad.com. You’ll find resources that cover a large number of sports, including game refreshers, position breakdowns, injury management, practice ideas and more.
Engage
Email Us
Did you miss a previous newsletter? Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? Looking for broader insights on a particular topic? Send us an email at [email protected]
