Making the roster of a varsity college team may seem like an impossible dream, but for those with a big heart, it is possible if they are willing to commit to it.
Jack Elway managed to make a varsity college team without his heart being in the game, so if you are prepared to work harder than you ever have in your life, you can land a spot of the roster of a college varsity team.
Ready to fight for an experience that will make your college years unforgettable? Here’s the blueprint that can help make that happen:
1) Get in the best shape of your life
Your path to college varsity sports begins by getting your body in the best shape of your life. Think stronger, faster, higher: hit the weight room and start lifting with an organized plan.
While you may want to strengthen certain muscle groups over others, don’t totally neglect entire parts of your body, as the imbalances that this can create can lead to pain and injury.
Begin running on a daily basis, and aim to improve your speed per mile ran, as well as your sprinting time per 100 metres.
Depending on the sport you want to play, certain exercises may be prioritized over others, so be sure to do your research before cobbling together your fitness plan.
2) Try out for varsity sports in high school
Now that you have the muscular strength and the stamina to compete with those who have played youth sports their entire lives, go ahead and sign the tryout sheet.
In the days leading up to the first practice, go over specific skills in pickup games with friends to help build crucial confidence.
When the big day arrives, don’t forget to breathe. You have all the ability you’ll need to make the team, you just need to avoid tensing up in key situations.
It is this which causes many promising young athletes to choke, causing them to give up their careers before they have even begun.
3) Let college recruiters know you exist
After establishing yourself during your rookie and sophomore years on the team, you should then seek out the attention of college scouts from various schools so they will be aware of your existence.
These evaluators of talent are always super busy, so if you don’t make them aware of your best qualities, chances are good you will never be ‘discovered’.
There are a number of sites that will put your information out there, but often, your best strategy is to directly contact college coaches. If they are intrigued by what you have to offer, they may dispatch scouts to check you out in short order.
4) Didn’t get recruited? Try out for a college team as a walk-on
Despite your best efforts, you may go through your high school career without getting noticed. Before hanging up your cleats for good, you’ll have one last Hail Mary: trying out for a college team as a walk-on.
Your chances are better than you might think, as the hard work you’ll put in compared to those that feel entitled due to their scholarships will make you valuable to the squad for depth purposes.
If you give it your all, you may earn a spot on the practice roster or on the bench, so don’t lose heart if you graduate high school without a college scholarship in hand.