In Contact with Coach; What do I do now?

Athletic Recruits
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<p>Guys, I'm in a bit of a tight spot right now, and I would reaaaaally love to hear some insight from the wonderful people of CC.</p>

<p>I got the Caltech bball coach to respond to my phone call, and he wants to "talk to me some more." I can't imagine that this would hurt my chance of applying at all, right? I know that they're not known for bball (read: record losing streak), but I would love to at least play bball at a high level while going to an academics-focused school.</p>

<p>I'm calling him again tomorrow, and he said to feel free to call his cell phone w/ any questions and to get to know him better.</p>

<p>Here's my question: What do I say to make a great impression?</p>

<p>I'm solely interested in Caltech for its academics (I want to major in BME), and I feel that Caltech would be a nice place for me. Please understand that I'm qualified academically to try to gain admittance without bball recruiting. </p>

<p>What specific questions, if any, do coaches listen for? </p>

<p>Thanks for all the help everyone and I hope that you had a good 4th!!! :)</p>

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<p>Be yourself!!! And hopefully that self is personable and articulate (which I am certain you are!) It is wonderful that you are academically qualified for a school like CalTech, but please don’t let the coach know that you are “solely interest in the school for its academics”. Even if the team isn’t strong, coach still wants players who are hungry to win and who are truly invested in the team. </p>

<p>Ask things you really want to know. Don’t “invent” questions you think the coach wants to hear. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>^Thanks a lot keylyme, you’ve helped me on several threads!</p>

<p>I’ll be the best ‘me’ that I can be because I have thought of somethings to ask/discuss with him, that is if he picks up. I’m really hungry on the court and although I wish I could turn a 1-24 team into a 16-8 team, I know that it won’t happen. I’ve been on terrible teams before, so I can still compete at a high level even in the face of defeat.</p>

<p>Well, I’ll cross my fingers and hope for the best! :wink:
I’ll try not to get too nervous before the call :P</p>

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<p>big dreamer, can i put a video of you on youtube or something, pleeeeease. At least tell me your height, weight, and verticle.
I really want to see how good you are to see my difference from you. And does Cal Tech give FA to Canadians?</p>

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<p>^ Dude, I have no idea how to put up a video on youtube, and I wish I did. I lag in such things, kinda surprising I want to got to Caltech, no :P? </p>

<p>I’m a slasher that can post up on the blocks and score through a baby hook (both hands), spin moves, duck-and-up, and running/acrobatic shots. I can run the break extremely well (INMHO, no conceit here lol), D up on every position, and will take charge/backseat as needed to help team. </p>

<p>I’m pretty versatile, and I put the ball on the money (had one fancy break where my teammate did not know what hit his hands when all he had to do was grip the ball and lay it in). I can run point, and am most effective on drive-and-kicks. I’m sounding cocky now, but I have somebody trying to take my spot at Caltech now hahahah lol! ;)</p>

<p>HEIGHT: About 6’0" (am slightly taller than Chris Paul–have been right next to him in person for proof)
WEIGHT: About 160 lbs.
VERTICAL: I don’t really know. My standing reach is like 7’10", and jumping straight up, maybe around 25". I have springy hops running at full speed through the lane when I drive, giving me enough air time to decide what to do exactly. I do decide prior to when I leave my feet, but you have to react to live defense!</p>

<p>When I played at a Brown (academic) camp last year, I really did not meet somebody who could stop me entirely. The only guy who gave me trouble wsa a larger fella who clogged my lanes, and my teammates w/ no inside game did me no favor by not hitting jumpers. </p>

<p>BAD: My range is basically limited to 15-17 feet at the moment, as I’m not consistent from downtown for some reason. I’m double-jointed a the elbow, which hinders my follow-through, but allows me to fall way left to sink bank shots through traffic. </p>

<p>I create my own shots off the dribble with faders, stepback, etc. to keep defenders honest (at least ones that keep my out of the paint hahah). I’m one of those guys that irritates players with hustle on D, boards, and looseballs, but still am way respected/liked by teammates. I trash basically all guys I play against at the YMCA haha lol (rarely get to go…too busy…no time for AAU). </p>

<p>PS: What are your stats/info/playing styles? If your a big man, we would own maybe 5 teams a year at Caltech lol! Are you academically qualified there, as bball practice is optional? Do you have a youtube video? Eh, no idea about FA for Canadians. Get back to me ;)</p>

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<p>lol at the Brown academic camp,
i’m 6’ 2 without shoes (since all college player boast their heights so much i should be listed at 6’ 4 =D ) , around, a little lower, 150 pounds. At my high school, i had to play as a big man as well but i usually just get the ball at high post. Right now, i shaping my game after Richard Hamilton as i’m really good at one or two dribble then a pull up. I mid-close range turn around is pretty good (i copy too much kobe moves lol) i’m trying develop his back against the basketball moves.
My main area of weakness is my weak upper body strength. But i’m working on it. I’m academically qualified but need some serious FA.</p>

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<p>i’m trying to make a youtube video with my friends right now to send to some coaches.
and we have to film it on some ghetto outside court lol</p>

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<p>Great to hear that you have a phone call lined up… a couple of things to read:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.ncaapublications.com/Uploads/PDF/2008-09%20CBSA9c29e699-00f6-48ba-98a9-6456c9b98957.pdf[/url]”>http://www.ncaapublications.com/Uploads/PDF/2008-09%20CBSA9c29e699-00f6-48ba-98a9-6456c9b98957.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>this is guide put out by the NCAA on recruiting - well worth reading…</p>

<p>Here are a few questions you might want to ask (borrowed from another website and slightly modified for your situation:</p>

<p>Question: What positions will I play on your team?</p>

<p>Question: Describe the other players competing at the same position</p>

<p>Question: What are the physical requirements each year? What kind of strength and conditioning programs do you have?</p>

<p>Question: How would you best describe your coaching style?</p>

<p>Question: What is the game plan? what kind of offense and defense do you run? </p>

<p>Question: When does the head coach’s contract end?</p>

<p>Question: How many try out each year, how many make it?</p>

<p>Question: What percentage of players graduate in four years?</p>

<p>Question: Describe in detail your academic support program. </p>

<p>Question: Describe the typical day for a student-athlete in season and out of season</p>

<p>Good luck!!!</p>

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<p>^^Well, we we would complement each other very nicely, as I could easily set you up with your nice midrange game, and vice versa.</p>

<p>I would most likely be listed at 6’1" or 6’2" and 170 lbs. with the way colleges lie about height/weight.</p>

<p>I have Kobe’s back to basket moves now (no one can beat me now hahahaha) with his fakes/turnarounds/slick tricks. I just added this to my game, but I (when I practice w/ good habits of repittion) can hit these tirnarounds almost automatically from 13 feet and in. I model my dribblingstyle after CP3 and Lebron’s floor leadership, w/ Kobe’s lockdown D, and KG’s passion. I’m a hybrid player, so I mix multiple personalties/playing styles lol hahah!</p>

<p>My school team didn’t give the ball in the post as low/on blocks as I would have liked (more mid lane, but not high post), but my church team gets me right where I want it. I’m really good when I get good postion, then break away quickly to catch ball when flashing to FT line–>driving to whole just to mix it up. My church coach really likes me stay down low because we really have no other guy to do what I do. My upper body could be stronger, but I have soccer legs for lower body strength, and a wiry upper body like KG that’s all muscle (but I’m skinny).</p>

<p>At my Brown (academic lol) camp, I really enjoyed throwing the ball through the rim after this kid really ticked me off, and have a “what now” scowl/scream. I’m really emotional on court if I need to be, like KG or stay calm/quiet like Shane Battier. PM me if you want, maybe we can convince Caltech coach that we would win 10+ games a year together. Seriously, that would rock!!! :)</p>

<p>@scualum: Great questions & link, thanks sooooooooooo much; you rock! :)</p>

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<p>Best luck to you - let us know how it goes!!!</p>

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<p>I appreciate your help scualum, I’m calling him back tomorrow, let you know how it goes! :)</p>

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<p>Big Dreamer, Don’t know if you have already called or not, but consider the recruiting process a time to get to know the coach. Many recruiting decisions hinge on personal connections, which is why coaches go out of the way to befriend possible recruits, especially in sports like BB where they aren’t bringing in more than a few players a year. When you call the coach, he will make sure the conversation moves along smoothly. Just be yourself and be positive. For other athletes who get an invitation to call a coach, go ahead and call them: they have restrictions on how much they can call you and they usually want to hear from their recruits. The more you call, the better chance you have of figuring out if the coach is someone you want to play for. Since official visits in BB have been pushed so late into HS, if you can afford it, consider an unofficial visit (“unofficial” means you pay, “official” means they pay- there are also some other NCAA rules regarding unofficial visits) so you can get to know the coach in person and get a feel for the school. A visit to the BB office (substitute your sport of choice) can tell you a lot about how the coach runs things: are they friendly to staff? Is the place a mess? Are they discreet? Are players welcome to drop by, does the coach have an open door policy? How is the school? An appointment with the team academic advisor is always informative. Also, take a look at a typical in season and out of season schedule for the players so you know what to expect.</p>

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<p>^Thanks I called him this afternoon, but I got his voicemail on his cellphone unfortunately. I hope to get a hold of him soon, but I must ask:</p>

<p>How many times can I call HIM? Do I wait until Monday, or try again this weekend? Also, does Caltech bring ANY recruits in at all? Or are they simply kids who try out on campus?</p>

<p>I appreciate everyones’ help! :)</p>

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<p>I’d wait a week or so to see if he calls back.</p>

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<p>^Thanks I’ll keep waiting! If he doesn’t call back by next Friday, you think it’s fine to call him back? He did take 4 or so days to respond to my first message, so i’ll keep on waiting I guess!</p>

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<p>We’ve been surprised at the DIFFERENCE in time it takes one coach to respond to S. It has ranged from 30 minutes to three weeks! I guess it depends what is going on for the coach.</p>

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<p>OP_ Hate to be the one to break it to you but you will be admitted to Caltech solely on your test scores, academic record and scientific/math accomplishments. Have you seen Quantum Hoops?</p>

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<p>@MaineLonghorn: Yeah, that’s a pretty big time difference haha! Good for your S to be/has been recruited and I hope that he will/is enjoying his experience! I’ll wait and see what happens. There has been an out of town number calling, but not the same area code as Caltech’s coach, wonder if it’s just telemarketers…</p>

<p>@Batllo: No, I have not seen Quantum Hoops, and I’m wondering if you have a link/expnanation, please! Yeah, I know that Caltech would rather be the worst team in the nation than field (without compromising academics) a competitive team (with having a studly team). It’s just that the school doesn’t want to lose the integrity of its respectected academic standards. Oh well, maybe if a player could help them 10+ games a year, then they’d let them in lol! Seriously, I’m fairly strong academically and am working to patent some actually useful inventions. Hoping that this process works out (bball at other schools or Caltech for undergrad)…just have to keep polishing the jumper and padding academic stats. ;)</p>

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<p>I’d suggest answering that out of town number - coach could easily be traveling and using the hotel phone.</p>

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<p>In fact, I’d suggest that you (and anyone else) NEVER screen calls during this recruiting process as you never know who may be calling from where and you don’t want to close a door.</p>