Men's Water Polo Recruiting

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TOP 5 RECRUITING THINGS TO DO


1. Develop a recruiting plan and get evaluated by a third party.

What are you currently doing to get evaluated for college scholarships?  What results has your current plan produced?  If you are not currently being contacted by college coaches at least once per week, then you are not being actively recruited.   

You need to be evaluated by as many college coaches nationwide as possible to maximize your scholarship opportunities and securing a college roster spot immediately!  Attending available camps and showcases also increases your evaluation exposure to coaches.


2. Create your FREE MyScoutingReport NOW!  

Online profiles are the fastest way for college coaches to evaluate a prospects academic qualifications, athletic attributes, highlight/game videos, competition schedules, news articles and how to contact you.   Create your FREE MyScoutingReport immediately for scholarship evaluation by college coaches nationwide!

 

3. Take charge of your game, highlight, or skills video!  

DO NOT wait around for someone else to burn game DVD's or edit a highlight video for you!  Take control of your recruiting process by taking action each day until your video(s) are complete and accessible by college coaches.   


4. Be realistic about your projected college level.  

Too many college prospects get focused on competing ONLY for major NCAA Division I programs, that they miss out on opportunities to compete at a lower level and possibly on a scholarship.  


5. DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF! 

Time and again college prospects limit themselves to only wanting to compete at a certain level, local area, in-state, U.S. region or certain conferences.  The fact of the matter is that college coaches get to choose which players they want on their roster and which to offer scholarships to.  It's not the players or parents that choose...once again, it's the college coaches.  By limiting yourself to only certain areas for recruitment, you can bet your life that there will be some college coach around the country that could use a student-athlete like you!  

MEN'S WATER POLO RECRUITING FAQ


1. When does recruiting begin for water polo?

Start getting your name out there your Freshmen and Sophomore years that way college coaches can go watch you at tournaments. The Junior Olympic event in July is a key event in California. College coaches can officially start talking to you on July 1 after your Junior year. But its never too early to start contacting them.


2. How important is club water polo vs high school water polo?
It's very important to play on a club water polo team. College coaches coach club teams so if you're already on the team, the coach is evaluating your skills set. Roster spots are limited, it is key to play year round, gain exposure and play on a club team.


3. I'm looking to play college water polo, what are some facts I need to know?
Most of the schools with water polo programs are great academic institutions. Grades come first. Second is gaining the right exposure. For women, there are 110 college programs and over 40 are junior colleges. For the men, there are about 80 colleges that offer water polo and of those colleges, around 30 are junior college programs.


4. What should my water polo video look like?
College coaches want actual game video. They’re looking for skills such as, how you anticipate plays, make plays, defend and score.


5. What are some characteristics of an NCAA I water polo athlete?
How quick are you in the water? Stop and go? What is your game sense? Anticipating the next play? Goalie skills? College coaches are looking for how well you know the game and overall game skills.

      WHAT ARE COLLEGE WATER POLO COACHES LOOKING FOR?


There are less than 50 college men’s water polo programs in the country. That’s why knowing what level of competition you’re best suited for is an important part of the men’s water polo recruiting process. AASR’s water polo recruiting guidelines can help you decide what schools you’re most likely to receive a water polo scholarship from.

Men’s water polo scholarships are extremely scarce, and finding out as much as you can about the recruiting process is essential. Knowledge is an important tool for every men’s water polo recruit.

 

Grades: 3.0+, 24 ACT/1200 SAT

MEN'S WATER POLO SCHOLARSHIPS


                     PROGRAMS        SCHOLARSHIPS

NCAA I:               22                            4.5

NCAA II:                6                            4.5

NCAA III:             14                             0

NAIA:                    2                             0

NJCAA:               32                             0

TOTAL:               76


NCAA III:  Do not offer athletic scholarships, but offer academic scholarships and financial aid.   

MEN'S WATER POLO RECRUITING CALENDAR


Freshmen Year

  • Research 2-3 schools per week
  • Create a list of prospective schools consider both athletics and academics
  • Film highlights tape – film your games
  • Attend camps with the goals of honing your skills and to gain exposure 

 

Rules/Tips to Remember:

  • Coaches are watching your development throughout high school at camps, in school and on the field
  • DI and DII coaches can’t personally contact you until Junior year
  • DIII and NAIA coaches can contact you at anytime
  • Important to do be familiar with the school both athletically and academically

Sophomore Year

  • Film your highlights tape
  • Get an evaluation of your skills tape
  • Continue to research prospective schools
  • Fill out questionnaires 


Rules/Tips to Remember:

September 1st of Junior year DI and DII coaches can send you more personalized letters and emails

 

Junior Year

  • Film your highlights tape
  • Ask coaches where you stand on their recruits list
  • Fill out questionnaires
  • Respond to EVERY coach
  • Make unofficial visits to schools
  • Narrow down your prospective schools list

 

Rules/Tips to Remember:

  • DI and DII coaches can call once per week starting July 1st after Junior year
  • After August 1, coaches can call twice a week
  • If you haven’t heard from DI coaches, start reaching out to DII, DIII, NAIA programs
  • Contact coaches at least once a week

 

Senior Year

  • Make official visits – only allowed 5
  • Follow-up with coaches and respond in a TIMELY manner
  • Work with your high school coaches and ask them which college coaches have inquired, follow-up with college coach ASAP
  • Apply to the schools- applications
  • Apply to Financial aid FAFSA.ed.gov starting Jan. 1st
  • Sign and Commit to a school and program
  • Find out the summer workout schedule
  • Get ready for an experience of a lifetime

MEN'S WATER POLO VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS


How to Film:

  • Set up the camera at mid-pool and show enough of the pool so that we are able to see the player's vision, movement with and without the ball, knowledge of position, passing with teammates, etc.
  • A tripod is highly recommended.
  • The camera view should not be obstructed (crowd, other players on the deck, people walking by).
  • Do not zoom in and out.
  • Focus on the player being taped so that they are clear and in focus, but not too close!


Position Specific: 


1.  Utility Players

  • Shooting Ability (Range)
  • Scoring Ability
  • Driving/Playing-Making Ability
  • QUickness
  • Ability to Finish Around the Net
  • Athleticism and Awareness
  • Pool Vision/Finding Open Players

2.  Hole Sets

  • Scoring Ability
  • Shooting Ability (Range)
  • Quickness
  • Ability to Draw Ejections and Finish at the Net
  • Ball Handling
  • Athleticism and Awareness
  • Pool Vision

3.  Hole Defender

  • Ability to Defend and Steal
  • Quickness
  • Ability to Front

4.  Goalie

  • Include Diving to your left and right (low and high shots)
  • High Balls/Lob Shots
  • Breakaways - How well you cut the angles and do lateral saves
  • 5 Meter Shots 

  SAMPLE MEN'S WATER POLO RECRUITING VIDEO