Five Questions You Need to Ask During the Recruiting Process

1. What role can I play in your program?

   Everyone dreams of earning a starting position in their Freshman campaign, but that may not be realistic. I will always believe that you are in control of your opportunities based on effort and hard work, but there are exceptions to this. Depending on a coach's current team layout, they may not recruit you to play your primary position. Remain open to the idea of playing anywhere on the field, and make a point to ask what role you can play to make an immediate impact.

   A coach worth playing for will be honest with you, and they may tell you they see you in supporting roles early on. This might mean pinch-hitting or playing time as a defensive specialist in your first year or two. If playing immediately is important to you, take this into consideration when making your decision.

2. How do you develop your players?

   From sport-specific training in the weight room to data-driven information, advancements in player development are at an all-time high. Asking a coach how they develop their current players will give you an idea of what they value and how they intend to improve your skills. This also makes it apparent that you're interested in improving your level of play. Coaches need driven players to impact their program. There is no better way to show your interest in improvement than asking how they develop their players at the highest level.

3. How would you describe your team culture?

   Team culture is quickly becoming a popular topic in interviews with both softball coaches and players. Culture is defined by the shared attitudes and values towards goals, competition, and relationships within a team. If a coach's philosophy matches up with the culture of the team, you usually have a recipe for success.

   You may hear repetitive and un-original themes when asking some coaches this question. That doesn't mean they don't live by those values, but it's worth doing some research. Scroll through each coach's and player's social media accounts to see if their team is upholding these values. Past players who had a great experience also tend to post about it.  The more you know, the easier it is to make an informed decision.

4. What characteristics do you value the most in your players?

   This answer should be a reflection of their team culture. Every coach values hard work and dedication, but some of the other characteristics they mention may stand out to you. For example, do they value passionate players who ask questions, or do they prefer a, "do as I say" atmosphere? Some players are great at doing what they're told without asking questions. Others need to understand why they're working on a specific drill. It's important to understand how you learn and how a coach would coach you based on your personality.

5. Are there any programs your players can't participate in as a collegiate athlete?

   This question is specific to those student-athletes who have a plan for after college. If you want to go into the medical field or engineering, it may be hard to schedule classes around your practice times. Therefore, it's important to understand how your academics could be affected by your sport. Many coaches will make exceptions if you can prove you're committed to both your studies and the team. However, it will be challenging, and there are programs who discourage certain majors. If this pertains to you, make sure you ask about academic arrangements in detail.