- Steve's Coxon College Soccer Network
- Posts
- Steve Coxon College Soccer Network - How can girls reduce their chance of an ACL injury by over 40%? 1% of High School Male Soccer Players make it to Division 1 + Persistence is key to landing a spot!
Steve Coxon College Soccer Network - How can girls reduce their chance of an ACL injury by over 40%? 1% of High School Male Soccer Players make it to Division 1 + Persistence is key to landing a spot!
Welcome to the Steve Coxon College Soccer Network – the ultimate platform for aspiring players aiming to play US college soccer.
Edition #1 - Friday July 5th, 2024
Welcome to the First College Soccer Network Bi-Weekly Newsletter
This newsletter is for players with big dreams on the pitch and high aspirations in the classroom. Ready to kickstart your collegiate soccer career? We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
In Today’s Edition:
In the gym: According to legendary ACL researcher Dr. Tim Hewett, girls can reduce chance of ACL injury by over 40% if they strength train year-round, so every girl must be in the gym at this point. It’s mandatory.
Looking to play women’s college soccer? Then you need to think of it like a job search—it takes hard work to find the perfect match. Persistence is key to landing your ideal college roster spot!
Did you know only about 1.1% of high school male soccer players make it to Division 1 schools? Athletes need to remember to stay proactive and not wait for coaches to find them. We provide a step-by-step guide to the men's soccer recruiting timeline.
Need help? Join the College Soccer Network: We are currently reviewing qualified players and will be accepting 5 candidates for July.
Overseas: Exciting news as Selena Salas joins our team as our first signed scout!
Back in the U.S., check out these upcoming showcase events:
Women’s Showcase: Long Island Elite College ID Clinic - July 6th-7th
Men’s Showcase: College Soccer Prospect ID National announces the dates for their Men’s Showcase at Drexel University in Pennsylvania - July 19th- 21st
Steve
Strength and Conditioning:
Strength Is Not Enough
Now we are in 2024, and strength is non-negotiable at this point. You don’t get a gold star if you do it. It’s actually the bare minimum. According to legendary ACL researcher Dr. Tim Hewett, girls can reduce chance of ACL injury by over 40% if they strength train year-round, so every girl must be in the gym at this point. It’s mandatory.
Men’s Soccer Recruiting Tips:
How to get recruited:
The recruiting process for college men’s soccer is very competitive. About 7.9% of high school men’s soccer players go on to play in college, and only about 1.1% go on to play for a Division 1 school. In addition to having athletic talent and good grades, it’s essential to take the recruiting process seriously. In this section, we’ve outlined the major steps involved in the recruiting process and the general order in which they happen to help your family stay on track.
However, keep in mind that every recruiting journey is a little different, from athlete to athlete and from school to school. Athletes need to remember to stay proactive and not wait for coaches to find them. This guide covers all the different milestones potential recruits need to hit to get started on their men’s soccer recruiting journey.
WHEN DOES THE RECRUITING PROCESS START FOR MEN’S SOCCER?
Athletes and parents who want to get a jump on the recruiting process should be ready to get started by sophomore year of high school. In NCSA’s survey of D1 men’s soccer coaches, 74% reported that they began evaluating talent in 10th grade and 22% began evaluating talent in 11th grade. Student-athletes looking to play ball in college should be in contact with coaches by sophomore year of high school if they want to get the jump on securing a college roster spot. By junior year, many men’s soccer coaches will have their rosters filled.
Women’s Soccer Recruiting Tips:
Being Recruited - “The Blind Side”:
One of the early common misperceptions is what I call “The Blind Side” fable. If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll recall the scenes where a steady stream of top college football coaches are showing up at Michael Oher’s house in an effort to woo him to their school. If you are in the U.S. Women’s National Pool, some college coaches might eventually show up at your door; for the rest, keep reading...
Drop the expectation of coaches relentlessly courting you for their college team.
Job Searching
Yes, it’s far better to drop the expectation of coaches relentlessly courting you for their college team. The best analogy for getting a women’s college soccer position is to think of it as a job search. And like a job search, it takes lots of work to get the right match. You have to define your target companies (in this case, colleges and universities), research them, get the attention of the hiring person (coach), impress that person with a limited initial audition, be persistent in following up, and not get discouraged with the failures. For parents, a fortunate benefit is that you have a fantastic opportunity to teach your daughter a valuable skill; that is, how to search for a job.
Persistance:
Persistence is key to landing your perfect college roster spot! Reach out to multiple schools, multiple times!
How many schools are you in touch with?
Breaking News:
SELENA SALAS joins our College Soccer Network as our first signed scout!
Selena, scouted by Steve for her exceptional talent, played Division 1 soccer at Quinnipiac Women's Soccer. Now, she's taking her career to new heights in Iceland, where she not only shines as a professional player but also joins the CSN team in an exciting new role!
Interested in joining CSN as a soccer scout? Email us at [email protected]
Join the College Soccer Network:
Your Guide Through the Recruiting Process
Navigating the college recruiting timeline can be incredibly confusing. Misinformation spreads quickly, leading to poor decisions and, ultimately, frustration and disappointment. One persistent myth is that if it’s the spring of your junior year and you haven’t heard from any coaches, your chances of playing soccer in college are over. That’s simply not true.
If you're a second-semester junior, it's crucial to get moving. Even if you’re a first-semester senior, there's still time to make an impactful recruiting pitch. While some opportunities may have passed, there are still plenty of doors open.
When should you start? The earlier, the better, but it’s never too late to take action. Our College Soccer Network offers comprehensive support and guidance throughout the entire recruiting process. We’re here to help you understand the timeline, avoid common pitfalls, and maximize your opportunities to play soccer at the collegiate level.
We are currently reviewing qualified players and will be accepting 5 qualified candidates for the month of July. Interested? Contact us today to set up a free 30-minute Zoom call. Simply send us an email at [email protected]
Join us today and take the next step towards your college soccer journey!
Men’s Showcase:
College Soccer Prospect ID National in Pennsylvania
The College Soccer Prospect ID National Showcase will be held at Vidas Athletic Complex on the campus of Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Drexel is a member of the NCAA Division I Coastal Athletic Association. The participants in the CPID National event will represent some of the top players across the country who attended a previous CPID regional event this spring or received an invite. Players will be afforded the opportunity to work with our on-field staff of college coaches to get valuable feedback on their skills through in-person evaluations and coaching. We will also be inviting a list of other coaches to the event to observe the two days of action.
Players will be broken down into six teams that will represent the respective North, East, South and West regions of the United States. Each team will consist of 2 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 6 midfielders, and 6 forwards. Players will receive equal playing time to ensure a proper in-game evaluation.
WHAT WILL BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE CPID NATIONAL SHOWCASE
TEAM TRAINING SESSION: Each team will get a training session on field with their assigned team coach as well as all of the coaches in attendance for evaluation.
INDIVIDUAL TEAM TALK: Each team will get to have a more intimate discussion with a college coach to ask questions and discuss what coaches look for in game play and showcasing environments.
TEAM SHOWCASE GAMES: Each team will play 3 full 11v11 games each on Saturday and Sunday. All players will receive equal playing time to ensure a proper in-game evaluation.
SEMINAR ON COLLEGE DEVELOPMENT & RECRUITING: On Friday, July 19th before the start of the showcase our staff of coaches will present a discussion with parents and players on development at the college level and the college recruiting process. This will be an open forum between parents, players and the coaches that are involved in these processes on a day-to-day basis.
Women’s Showcase:
Long Island Elite College ID Clinic - July 6th - 7th
Location: LaValle Stadium
This July, Tobias Bischof Soccer Training will host the Long Island Elite College ID Clinic at Stony Brook University. This event offers aspiring collegiate players an opportunity to be evaluated by numerous NCAA Division I, II and III schools of the greater Long Island area. Players will have the opportunity to showcase their talents while training under the guidance of the Division I Stony Brook University Women's Soccer coaching staff.
Participants will be able to utilize the Stony Brook University Division I athletic facilities for the duration of the clinic. The clinic will include two 75 min training sessions (goalkeepers trained separately), small sided games, a tactical classroom session, a seminar about Recruiting and Eligibility, a tour of the athletic facilities, 11v11 full field games in LaValle Stadium and Q&A with current Stony Brook Women's Soccer players and coaches.
This event is open to any and all female soccer players that meet one of the following age requirements: 8-12th grade, JUCO or collegiate transfer, or current Stony Brook University student.
Steve Coxon College Soccer Network
Steve has 20 years of college-level experience, 17+ years in D1 as the Head Recruiter. He has facilitated more than $30 million in college scholarships.
Location - Connecticut, USA - 2024