How to Write the Perfect Email to College Soccer Coaches

Reaching out to college soccer coaches is one of the most important steps in the recruitment process. A well-crafted email can grab a coach’s attention, highlight your potential as a player, and set you on a path toward college soccer. However, with the hundreds of emails that coaches receive from recruits each week, it’s crucial to make your message stand out. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key elements of writing the perfect email to a college soccer coach, complete with tips and examples to help you get noticed.

Why a Great Email Matters

Coaches receive countless emails from aspiring athletes, so it’s essential to create an email that is professional, concise, and tailored to each coach. The goal of your email is to introduce yourself, share your soccer achievements, and express genuine interest in the program. Remember, this is your first impression, so a poorly written email could mean your message is ignored, even if you have the talent to make the team.

Key Elements of a Perfect Email to a College Soccer Coach

Before diving into writing, let’s break down the essential components of an effective email to a college coach:

1. A Professional Subject Line
2. Personalized Greeting
3. A Strong Opening Statement
4. Brief Background Information
5. Your Athletic Achievements and Academic Qualifications
6. A Compelling Closing with a Call to Action
7. Your Contact Information and Links to Highlight Videos

1. Crafting a Strong Subject Line

Your subject line is the first thing a coach will see, so it needs to grab their attention and provide enough context for them to open it. Keep it clear and to the point, including key details like your position, graduation year, and GPA.

Example Subject Lines:

• “John Smith, Class of 2025, 3.8 GPA, Forward - Interested in [College Name] Soccer Program”
• “Prospective Soccer Recruit - Goalkeeper, Class of 2026, Highlight Video Included”
• “Jane Doe, Class of 2024, Midfielder - Interested in [College Name] Soccer Team”

A professional subject line that includes your name, position, and class year helps coaches quickly identify who you are and may encourage them to open your email.

2. Personalized Greeting

Avoid generic greetings like “Dear Coach” or “To Whom It May Concern.” Address the coach by name, and double-check the spelling. This shows you’ve taken the time to learn about the program and makes your email feel less like a mass message.

Example:

“Dear Coach Johnson,”

A personalized greeting immediately shows that your email is tailored to them and not a copied message sent to dozens of programs.

3. Strong Opening Statement

The opening line of your email should quickly introduce who you are and express your interest in the program. Mention the school by name and a specific reason why you’re interested in their team or program. This demonstrates that you’ve done your research and aren’t simply contacting every coach.

Example:

“My name is John Smith, and I’m a forward in the Class of 2025 with a 3.8 GPA. I’m highly interested in the [College Name] soccer program because of its competitive culture and strong academic reputation.”

This opening line is clear, personal, and to the point, helping the coach understand who you are and why you’re contacting them.

4. Brief Background Information

In one or two sentences, provide a bit more detail about your background as a player. This could include your high school team, club team, or specific experiences that have shaped you as an athlete.

Example:

“I currently play for [High School/Club Name] under Coach [Coach’s Name], where I’ve been a starting forward for the past three seasons. Last year, I helped lead our team to the state finals, scoring 15 goals and assisting on 10.”

Keeping this section brief and focused will prevent your email from getting too lengthy while still giving coaches context about your playing background.

5. Athletic Achievements and Academic Qualifications

Coaches look for players who excel both on the field and in the classroom. Highlight your athletic achievements (goals, assists, awards) as well as your academic qualifications (GPA, test scores, honors) to showcase your dedication and balance.

Example:

“In addition to my high school and club achievements, I have a GPA of 3.8 and recently scored 1300 on the SAT. I’m a dedicated student-athlete and am committed to balancing academics and athletics in college.”

Mentioning both academic and athletic accomplishments makes you a well-rounded candidate, and coaches appreciate recruits who take academics seriously.

6. Include Links to Highlight Videos or Profiles

A highlight video is one of the best tools to showcase your skills to a coach, allowing them to quickly assess your abilities. Include a link to your highlight video or recruitment profile in your email to make it easy for the coach to view your performance.

Example:

“Here is a link to my highlight video: [Insert Link] and my NCSA/Recruitment profile: [Insert Link].”

Make sure the links are working and are accessible to anyone with the link. A coach will rarely reach out to troubleshoot a broken link.

7. Closing Statement and Call to Action

End your email with a clear and professional closing statement. Express your enthusiasm about the potential opportunity and provide a gentle call to action, such as requesting a response or asking about potential visits.

Example:

“I would love to learn more about the [College Name] soccer program and how I might contribute to the team. Please let me know if there’s an opportunity to visit campus or attend an ID camp. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

This closing shows you’re serious about the program and leaves the door open for future communication.

8. Contact Information and Signature

In your closing, include your full contact information, including your cell phone number, email, and social media handles if they’re relevant and professional. This makes it easy for the coach to get in touch with you.

Example:

“Best regards,
John Smith
Class of 2025, Forward
Cell: (123) 456-7890
Email: johnsmith@email.com
Highlight Video: [Insert Link]
Social Media: [Instagram/Twitter Handle] (optional)”

A well-organized signature shows that you’re thorough and makes it easy for coaches to find your information.

Sample Email to a College Soccer Coach

Below is a complete example of a strong email based on the above structure:

Subject Line: John Smith, Class of 2025, 3.8 GPA, Forward - Interested in [College Name] Soccer Program

Email Body:

Dear Coach Johnson,

My name is John Smith, and I’m a forward in the Class of 2025 with a 3.8 GPA. I’m highly interested in the [College Name] soccer program because of its competitive culture and strong academic reputation.

I currently play for [High School/Club Name] under Coach [Coach’s Name], where I’ve been a starting forward for the past three seasons. Last year, I helped lead our team to the state finals, scoring 15 goals and assisting on 10.

In addition to my athletic achievements, I’m a dedicated student with a GPA of 3.8 and an SAT score of 1300. I believe that my skills and commitment to balancing academics with athletics would make me a strong addition to the [College Name] program.

Here is a link to my highlight video: [Insert Link] and my NCSA/Recruitment profile: [Insert Link].

I would love to learn more about the [College Name] soccer program and how I might contribute to the team. Please let me know if there’s an opportunity to visit campus or attend an ID camp. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards,
John Smith
Class of 2025, Forward
Cell: (123) 456-7890
Email: johnsmith@email.com
Highlight Video: [Insert Link]

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Learn more about what college soccer coaches look for in recruits: https://www.selectgeneration.com/blog-post/what-college-soccer-coaches-look-for-in-recruits

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