<p>We have what could potentially be an award situation coming up and I was wondering if anyone could gives us some advice. The situation is my D is a senior and has more or less narrowed her choices down. We have been spending some of this volleyball season attending matches of some of her top schools. She wants to get a feel for how the coaches coach and act when they are not trying to sell you the school and team. She also wants to see how the team acts and gets along on the court. One of top schools is about a two and half hour drive one way so trying to see a week night match at their campus is very difficult. Unfortunately the only weekend they play home is SAT test day. They are visiting a school close by, however, and we can make the game after her high school practice. The only issue is this school is also heavily recruiting her. These are D3 schools. Is there a way to handle seeing two coaches at the same place who are heavily recruiting you?</p>
<p>I’d assume both coaches are going to be pretty intent on coaching their teams. I’d think if your daughter just wants to observe, and doesn’t want to chat with the coaches, that would be pretty easy to do.</p>
<p>Coaches in general will not be looking or attempting to talk with your daughter while they are intent on a match. Don’t walk in the middle, and don’t leave early. If the purpose is to see their coaching styles, while not selling the school, then just keep a low profile.</p>
<p>Coaches know recruits are interested in more than one program. No big deal. Perhaps if the coaches figure out that she is looking at both it could up their interest in her. But agreed on keep a low profile and just observe.</p>
<p>Truthfully, I can’t think of a better situation. Your daughter gets to see both coaches coaching against each other at the same time. Bottom line is coaches know your daughter is being recruited…this is not a secret and she shouldn’t try to hide this fact. She should use it to her advantage if possible If she gets a chance to say “hi” to each coach, she should do so. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies so far.</p>
<p>When we go to matches we try to keep a low profile. The problem is usually volleyball crowds are so sparse especially on weeknights no matter how discreet we try to be we generally stick out. At the last several matches we have been at my daughter has been spotted by someone on the coaching staff. We have had assistant coaches wonder over during warm-ups to say hello. We have had players my daughter has met on visits say hello. The best one was an injured player come over to my daughter during the match and tell her to stick around afterwards because the coach wanted to say hello personally.</p>
<p>In some ways I have to laugh at the whole situation. Twelve to eighteen months ago my wife was in a full blown panic that no one was recruiting my D. I told my wife to be careful what she asked for. Now my D gets several phone calls a week. Her email is very busy. She has coaches showing up unannounced at her high school matches. At one match she had two coaches and the second one had to wait for the first one to finish talking to her. My D and I have to sit down one night this week and go through the overnight requests and figure out which one she really truly wants to do. The two schools we are planning on seeing are very high on that list.</p>
<p>I think as others have said, go to the match, observe and if the opportunity comes up, say hello to both coaches. If your D is as strong a recruit as it sounds, the coaches probably already know they are both recruiting her and a subtle reminder of your Ds marketability wont hurt.</p>
<p>No matter which school she goes to, it is likely that your D will see many of the same people (both athletes and coaches) again in future competitions. It happens. (I think there is even another current thread about that on this forum). Once she signs however, the other coaches cant talk to her anymore, and that will happen soon enough. So until then try to enjoy the fact that they know who you are and view it as a good sign that they arent trying to avoid you!</p>