Why Put Your Team In A Showcase?
One word…Exposure! If you are a coach of a travel ball team that is in existence to help your players get to college and you truthfully have the type of players that have the potential to play at that level, then showcases are for you.
These events are held in pre-determined locations, where many college coaches have already agreed to attend. These coaches are all there for the same reason, to evaluate talent. Nowhere else will you find such a captive audience to view your player’s abilities. Their evaluations will help determine their chances of being recruited and also their strengths and weaknesses compared to other players. Participating in a Showcase will also provide you and your players with experience competing in a pressure-filled environment.
Questions That Should Be Asked Before Attending
Before committing to or attending a Showcase, you should find out their “track record.”
How many years has this Showcase existed? How many athletes that have attended in the past have received athletic scholarships? Most importantly, what coaches from what schools have committed? Also, are there “all-star” games available that players can be evaluated in, in addition to your own team’s games? All of these questions should be able to be answered by the tournament director. Be sure to ask these questions at the time of registration before committing. The last thing you want to do is spend time and money attending a Showcase where very few schools are represented
What You Shouldn’t Expect At A Showcase
Coaches attending a Showcase prefer to keep their identities private as much as possible. This enables them to observe players from all areas of the location, without participants and family changing their normal habits or routines just because they know a coach is watching. So don’t expect a coach to announce themselves prior to a game. There will be no scholarships handed out at these events. The Showcase is strictly to allow coaches to evaluate and put players on their “radar” so to speak. Coaches may approach a player and interact with them. But this is usually just for them to find out a little more about the player. It is of course, a good sign that there is some interest there. Even if a coach is already are familiar with the player, and are aware of past high school or travel-ball accomplishments, don’t expect them to treat her any differently. And finally, do not expect a coach to expect them to perform perfectly. These coaches are not only evaluating your player’s performance, but also their future potential.
What You Need To Do At A Showcase
The first thing you should do prior to the Showcase is to have a meeting with your players to prepare them for what they are about to experience. Make them aware that they may be watched from the moment they arrive. I once had a situation with my travel-ball team, where as I arrived at a Showcase for our first game, several of my players were already there. One in particular immediately got out of her car, grabbed her bat, and found a clear area to practice her swing. At the same time, another player was playing and rolling around in the grass with her younger brother. Both players performed well in the games that weekend. The first player I mentioned received several emails after the Showcase from coaches, complimenting her and expressing interest in her going forward. The other player not did receive any correspondence from anyone. Was it just a coincidence? Although we will probably never know, I doubt it. Be sure players are in full uniform at all times, with their shirts tucked in, always looking neat and organized. During downtime between games, players need to behave maturely. No horseplay! Don’t let your players make the same mistake the previous player I mentioned made.
Be sure they hustle at all times. This doesn’t mean just during games. Players should run even when moving from station to station during warm ups. Always make sure their focus is on the task at hand. They should always know every situation that is occurring in your games. They need to show leadership and cheer on and encourage their team. Coaches are very aware of players that pick each other up. They should never point fingers or react negatively to a teammate or her performance. Attitude is extremely important! It is especially important in how a player reacts to failure. They need to always remain composed and refrain from any negative body language. Also, get dirty and play as aggressively as possible. Coaches love aggressive players.
In between games or while moving from one field to another, make sure you look like a team. Have all your players together in an organized approach to their next destination.
If there is downtime where your players are eating, have them consuming healthy food and not fast-food or sweets. Nutrition is always an important consideration.
Enter your players (with their parent’s support) in any “all-star” games provided by the Showcase, even if there is an additional cost. Traditionally these games are offered at the time of registration and do carry an additional individual cost for each player. What these games provide is an opportunity for the players to interact with the coaches attending, as they are the ones actually coaching these games.
What You Should Avoid Doing At A Showcase
Always being on time is something that should be a normal course of action for any successful athlete. Anyone participating in a Showcase is most likely already playing on a team that demands punctuality. Avoid being late for any game or function at the Showcase. By always paying attention and listening to where they need to be, a player will limit the chances of any misunderstandings. Coaches look for players with a high responsibility level. Players must also avoid wearing jewelry (another aspect that should already be automatic from playing in travel-ball tournaments). Remember, when competing in sports, they are no longer just young ladies. They are female athletes.
A player should never show arrogance or give any indication that she feels she is better than her teammates, or other players attending. Humility will go a long way with coaches. Attitude and poise are extremely important. Under any circumstances, a player cannot act upset or angry if they do not perform well. They also should never smile or laugh if they make a mistake, but remain composed and immediately move on to the next play. As a coach, you need to show the same decorum, not bringing any negative attention to your team by getting into lengthy discussions or arguments with the umpires.
Coaches and players should not complain or speak negatively within earshot of anyone. College coaches are looking for positive individuals who not only carry themselves that way, but can also influence teammates constructively.
Closing
Remembering and utilizing all of these principles when attending a Showcase, could be the first or maybe even the last step in helping reach your player’s dreams of a College Scholarship. As a coach and recruiting advisor, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a young athlete receiving a Scholarship for the hard work that they have done both on and off the field.
Let’s not lose sight of how important it also is to be successful in the classroom. Coaches love players that they know will be eligible to play once they arrive at their school. With full rides at a minimum, it is very possible to receive additional academic financial aid on top of athletic funds.
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