I studied 200+ emails that got coach responses.

Here are the 6 words/phrases that get the highest open rates:

(Use these in your subject lines) Phrase #1: Your position + grad year

"2026 Safety - [Your Name]"

Why it works: Immediate clarity on what you are.

Coaches filter by position and class year.

Make it obvious.

College coaches eliminate recruits in under 5 minutes using a system most parents don't know exists.

Here's the elimination process that keeps talented athletes overlooked:

(A thread on what coaches ACTUALLY look for) Most people think coaches carefully watch film, consider character, weigh options.

Wrong.

Coaches are elimination experts.

They look for reasons NOT to recruit you.

Not reasons to recruit you.

These recruiting lies are destroying kids' scholarship dreams.

Parents believe them.

Coaches spread them.

Players suffer because of them.

Here's the truth about the biggest recruiting myths: Lie #1: "Camps will get you discovered"

Truth: Camps only work if coaches already know who you are.

Going to random camps without prior interest is a waste of time and money.

"We should have started earlier."

I hear this from parents every week.

Here's the realistic approach that actually works (no matter when you start): Most parents panic when they realize how recruiting really works.

Good news: It's rarely too late to make a difference.

Better news: If your son is a freshman or sophomore, you're ahead of 95% of families.

Random effort gets random results.

Smart families follow this proven recruiting system: I see families throwing random effort at recruiting and wondering why nothing works.

Meanwhile systematic families follow proven processes and get predictable scholarship results.

Starting recruiting senior year is like studying for the SAT the night before.

Here's when smart families really begin: I see desperate senior families scrambling for leftover opportunities.

Meanwhile families who started early are choosing between multiple offers from established relationships.

How to talk to college coaches: Rule #1:

Speak like a college student, not a high schooler.

Use complete sentences and proper grammar.

Avoid "yeah," "um," and "like" every other word.

Coaches need to see you can communicate in college.

Immature communication = immediate concerns about college readiness.