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5 Ways to Stand Out to College Coaches

Photo Credit: www.desmoinesregister.com


High School Rugby Tournaments, as well as winter and summer camps and clinics, continue growing as the best places to be recruited by a college rugby coach. Top elite spring and summer tournaments attract the cream of the crop, meaning that a big chunk of the nation’s top talent can be found in one place a few weekends throughout the year. You better believe the college coaches follow close behind, not wanting to let such a convenient opportunity to scout players go to waste. However, even though the fields are often crawling with college coaches and professional scouts, it can be difficult for players to stand out amongst the hundreds of other players at some of these tournaments.

Here are five ways to set yourself apart:

  1. Let Them Know You Are Coming — Unless you are a 7’ lock or run a 4.3 40m, it will be tough to grab the attention of anyone out of the blue. Therefore, you must let coaches know you will be there. In your communication, include what team you are playing on, your position, and your coaches’ contact info. If you have a schedule, go ahead and send it as well. If you see college coaches from programs you are interested in on the sideline, introduce yourself.

  2. Say Hello! - You've let coaches know you will attend an upcoming tournament. You see him/her on the sidelines - now, what do you do? You'd be surprised how many students get hit with a case of stage fright and turn the other way. Now is not the time to be shy! Remember that coaches want to meet you as much as you want to meet them. Make time to approach coaches and introduce yourself. If you have already sent all the pertinent information ahead of time, that will also make this in-person intro easier for you. A simple "Hello! My name is Susie Smith. I sent you an email last week, and I just wanted to introduce myself in person. How are you doing? I'll be playing next on Field 3 at 3:00 p.m. I hope you can watch me play!"

  3. Hustle/Work Rate/Off-The-Ball Play — Did you know?: The average time the rugby ball is in play during a match is less than 30 minutes.* This means that most of the time, you will NOT have the ball in your hand, meaning that coaches will spend most of the time watching what you are doing “off the ball.” Did you make a tackle and get right up to hit the next ruck? Or did you lay there for a few seconds to catch your breath? The amount of hustle, high work rate, and off-the-ball play are areas that definitively separate the good players from the great players.

  4. Character – This is becoming a critical factor in recruitment.  Typically, when things are not going a player’s way, I will see poor character emerge (e.g. if you make a mistake or don’t start). If this happens to you, remember: coaches are watching! Don’t scream at the referees or your teammates; be supportive and positive on your team. All college coaches want someone who will add good character to their team!

  5. Wear Something That Identifies You – When there are so many players at a recruit camp or tournament—many who can look alike—you need to find a way to stand out and help coaches and selectors remember who you are. At a summer camp, I always recognized one player because he wore a bright, neon yellow t-shirt with a specific mascot when he wasn't playing.


    It reflected his unique personality, and while it had nothing to do with his play, it certainly helped me remember who he was. This is at the discretion of your team and coaches, but try to think of ways to help yourself stand out on or off the pitch.



EIRA on the run at Las Vegas Invitational Photo Credit: David Barpal/ Goff Rugby Report


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