After you have made initial contact with your college coaches, it is crucial to stay in touch during the remainder of the recruiting process. But, this can be tricky. 

The key is maintaining a healthy balance of communication. How much communication is too much? How much communication is not enough? What should you talk about? 

Related: Reaching out to Coaches

Coaches want to build a strong relationship with their recruits so be sure to make more than just small talk. Keep them informed with information regarding your recruiting process and your competition season. 

Here are some topics you can discuss with college coaches.

1. Update highlight tapes
   1. When you have a new highlight that you think coaches would like to see, be sure to share it with those that are actively recruiting you, and others who are on the fence. Make sure this highlight is really worth their time so you don't become a nuisance. 

Related: 6 Essential Categories Recruits Will Be Evaluated On

2. Congratulate the coach on a win or accomplishment
   1. Reaching out to congratulate the coach can go a very long way. It is a great way to show that you're invested in the team and gives you a reason to keep that line of communication open. 

3. Send grades and test scores
   1. Academics are a major component to being a student athlete, and coaches therefore place an emphasis on grades. Keep coaches updated on your hard work in the classroom as you take exams and complete core classes. 
   2. We hope it doesn't come to this, but if you're struggling with classes and SAT/ACT to the point that it threatens your athletic eligibility or chances of getting accepted into your target schools, coaches may need to know that as well.

Related: Recruiting Must-Do's: Division I Academic Requirements & Eligibility

4. Ask for advice 
   1. Don't be afraid to reach out to coaches with questions or for advice. Coaches are happy to help. If they're willing, you could even ask them for some workouts or skills that they would like you to work on to become a stronger recruit.

When it comes to reaching out to coaches, email is the most common method. A phone call can go a very long way. Reaching out via phone call can oftentimes set you aside from other recruits in a positive way. This shows initiative and allows you to build a stronger relationship with coaches.

* Originally published on November 18, 2021, by Madison Machado