The Kicking System (TKS) launched their radio show this past week, and SportsForce CEO, Andrew Beinbrink, was there to kick things off. Andrew and TKS’s John Matich talked college recruiting for kicking and punters and more. John is a former NFL and NCAA kicker and now owner and director of The Kicking System, which offers Camps & Private Kicking Lessons in San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles. Visit www.kickingsystem.com for top level football kicking videos, recruiting tips, tools and upcoming kicking events. Below is an example of a highlight video of one of John’s kickers.
According to John, “The very first TKS Radio Show was a great success. Andrew Beinbrink stopped by and talked about recruiting. We got some great feedback and provided a ton of information. We also talked abut the seven points of success on becoming a kicker.” Visit the following link to hear the show at anytime. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kickingsystem/2010/04/20/football-kicking-punting-recruiting-news-workouts
During the show, Andrew and John discussed the Seven Points of Success to become a successful kickers or punter. You can find them below.
Academics – You must study and achieve the highest grades possible
Technique Work – Kicking 2-3x per week working on your skill
Physical Conditioning – Working out, specific for kicking (Yoga, functional training, etc)
The 7th Annual SoCal Hoop Review was held April 10th and 11th at Cal State University Dominguez Hills and Lynwood High School in Lynwood, CA. The tournament was open to all high school grades including seniors. Both AAU teams and High School teams took the chance to compete.
The tournament showcased top talent from across the country and gave players a chance to show off their skills in highly competitive games in front of top college coaches, scouts, as well as media. Check out the highlight video below.
To visit the SportsForce Boys Basketball Home page click here.
the highlight video below. To visit the SportsForce Boys Basketball Home page click here.
Specialists often have the hardest times getting noticed by college recruiters and coaches.You often hear about kickers from a small school in Nebraska or Idaho that hit a 65-yard field goal and are listed as the number one kicker in their class on Rivals.com because of that kick. Kickers are also often the last position to get recruited and there are thousands of good kickers across the country. So,what can set you apart?
Here are three easy and simple things you can do to separate yourself from the rest:
Build it and they will call. If you can build a high-end highlight film or DVD, coaches will notice. All you need is a 3-5 minute DVD of your best kicks in games and practice that is easy to see and professionally done. Visit as an example: http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/nsloan
Make sure your game film looks professional and that is not low-end film. Add your personal information such as SAT score, grades, phone number and school information at the beginning or on the DVD itself. Highlight your strengths, such as hang time on kickoffs or long field goals. Put your best stuff in the beginning.
Once you have your DVD, send it to at least 20 schools that interest you. Find out the name of the special teams coach or recruiting coordinator and include the DVD with your football resume. You have only one chance to make your first impression!
If you’re a rising senior or JUCO player, I recommend attending the college camps. Each Top 25 college football program will either have a “football camp” or a kicking camp in June or July. Sometimes you’ll be invited to attend by the coaches on staff; as an alternative, you can sign up online, as most schools list their camps on their athletic websites. There are numerous kicking events and combines out there, but the new rule that college coaches cannot attend them places even more emphasis on the summer camps.
I can tell you from experience, by running the San Diego State University Football Kicking Camp last summer, the entire staff was in attendance, with the head coach holding for placements. You’re guaranteed exposure at these camps. Sometimes colleges will just have you come in for a day and kick for a couple of hours. Others, like Cal, have full-fledged kicking camp; it has a three-day kicking camp that includes instruction and lectures.
Study! I can’t tell you how many more doors you can open for yourself if you can raise your GPA or SAT scores. Making sure you are on pace for the NCAA clearinghouse and have all the requirements to graduate are easy steps to solidify your eligibility, but I cannot overemphasize the important role grades play in your acceptance to certain universities. Sometimes kickers and punters have to “walk-on” their first year and earn a scholarship. Getting into the school academically is a great way to help you get on the football team.
Lastly,if you’re an upcoming junior, senior or JUCO player, let your performance speak for itself. Acquiring great stats, kicking long field goals and setting records will only help you get noticed. Your high school coach will believe that your college material and recommend you more to college coaches when they visit your school.
John Matich, is a former NFL and NCAA kicker and now owner and director of The Kicking System, which offers Camps & Private Kicking Lessons in San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles.
Visit www.kickingsystem.com for top level football kicking videos, recruiting tips, tools and upcoming kicking events.
When someone goes on a job interview, they often buy new clothes, get a haircut, and maybe even shed a few pounds, in hopes of making a good first impression to a potential future boss.
The idea of making a good first impression also holds true for the approximately 330 college football players who were invited to workout at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis from Feb. 24-Mar. 2. Each athlete undergoes extensive mental and physical evaluations by the personnel of all 32 NFL teams, which serves as their job interview for the 2010 NFL Draft on April 22-24.
In an effort to get into optimal physical and mental condition for the Combine, most athletes go through a pre-Combine training program, which is geared toward improving their draft position. The difference in getting selected in the first round versus the second round is literally millions of dollars. For other athletes, a good showing at the Combine can mean the difference between being selected on the first day of the Draft instead of the second day or being drafted at all.
Most pre-Combine programs have a similar goal of providing comprehensive physical and mental training specifically geared toward the numerous drills conducted at the Combine. Standard amenities generally include strength and speed training, learning position-specific skills, usually from former NFL coaches and players, as well as access to a nutritionist, massage and physical therapists and more.
Where the programs vary is the path a facility takes to achieve this shared goal. Selecting the proper training program has become an important part of the NFL pre-draft process and numerous Valley-based facilities rank among the elite.
Command Performance
No Valley-based facility has made more of an impact on the NFL Draft than Athlete’s Performance Institute, which began offering Combine training in 2001. Their clientele list reads like a who’s who of NFL players, as founder Mark Verstegen and his crew have trained 257 draft picks, including 53 first rounders and the last four number one overall picks.
API offers 28 specialists that focus on speed, strength, nutrition, position specific, chiropractic, physical therapy and on-site meal preparation by a culinary team. They also provide a specialist for the Wonderlic Exam, the 50-question aptitude test given to all NFL draft prospects, and a media specialist, who works with the athletes on improving their interview skills and dealing with the media.
API has four facilities nationwide. In 2009, its Arizona facility relocated from Tempe to its current luxurious location in North Phoenix. This facility is as high end as they come and offer too many amenities to list in their entirety.
This year’s class of 22 NFL hopefuls include former Sun Devils Chris McGaha and Dexter Davis as well as Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate and Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
A Combine pioneer
Warren Anderson, executive director of the Phoenix-based Make Plays.com Center for Human Performance is considered a pioneer of Combine training when he began his program in 1985 at the urging of Bruce Allen, now the Washington Redskins general manager.
“We worked together in the USFL,” Anderson recalled. “Then Bruce went into the agent business and I was just starting up in the training business. He told me I should consider doing Combine training for his athletes, so he could offer them a competitive advantage.”
Anderson has nearly 30 years experience and, along with his team of former NFL coaches and players, work toward improving football skills through the Makeplays Combine Training Program where athletes train twice a day, 5 – 6 days a week. Since launching combine training, Anderson has worked with more than 500 players that were drafted in the NFL, including 41 first-round draft picks.
No Doubt
Another major player in pre-Combine training is Brett Fischer of Phoenix-based Fischer Sports Physical Therapy and Conditioning. The facility is well known for its work with baseball players but for more than 10 years, Fischer has partnered with Will Sullivan to train an average of 10-15 players per year through his No Doubt! Football, NFL Combine Training Camp.
While Fischer has trained five first-round picks and six-second-round picks, he has established his reputation for training many unheralded players and turning them into higher than expected picks.
“These are the kind of guys I like working on,” said Fischer, who has more than 20 years of sports conditioning and rehabilitation experience. “I’m not downplaying the importance of also working with the first-round picks but it’s also important to find the guys that no one projected very high that go and do well.”
Fischer also prides himself on 40-yard dash training as many athletes he worked with went on to set Combine records.
Diamonds in the rough
Other NFL Combine training options include Triple Threat Performance in Tempe, which will train more than 20 athletes this year and is growing its reputation in this area. Triple Threat boasts former Olympian Dan O-Brien on its coaching staff.
The IKEI Performance NFL Draft Preparation Program is limited to 10 players each year. Founder Chad Ikei has more than 20 years of experience and a background in strength and power sports. IKEI Performance has locations in Scottsdale and Chandler.
Speed specialists know about Mo Streety, who has worked with athletes for 11 years. Players he has worked with include Darrelle Revis, Roddy White and Terrell Suggs.
Coach Gary Zauner was an NFL special teams coach for 13 years including with the Arizona Cardinals. He has carved out a niche for working with punters, kickers and long snappers and holds annual camps in Scottsdale to prepare prospects for the NFL Draft.
With millions of dollars potentially at stake, making a great impression at the NFL Combine and ensuing Pro Day workouts have taken on greater importance. Leading up the NFL Draft, many players will climb up the rankings of prospects, as they gain favor in the eyes of those who have scrutinized their very move. And once the names are called on April 22, smiles will come across the faces of many Valley-based sports performance professionals knowing they played an important role in prepping members of the Class of 2010 for their chance at a career in the NFL.
Note: This story originally ran in the February issue of MVP Magazine, the first ever interactive digital sports magazine. Read the current of MVP Magazine at www.mvptoday.com
The GAME has changed! The fact is, the college recruiting process has changed dramatically over the last 10 years and understanding how to play the game is important.
The college recruiting process is often misunderstood by many parents, student-athletes, coaches and fans. Are you a sports parent or a high school student-athlete who is asking yourself “How do I maximize my recruiting exposure to college coaches?” If so, you are not alone. This is a very common issue across the country that we often help student-athletes and families proactively address at SportsForce.
In this article you will learn more on how to introduce yourself to a college coach, what type of recruiting events to consider and gain an understanding of how video and the Internet are radically changing the recruiting process. At the end of this article you will have an opportunity to sign up for our complimentary SportsForce College Recruiting Guide to learn more keys to college recruiting success. See link at the end of the article.
Step 4: Get Evaluation in person: Target Key Recruiting Events
Identify key recruiting tournaments that some of your target colleges will attend
Email coaches your online profile link, team name, schedule and jersey # before the showcase to make sure you are evaluated
Potentially attend a few college camps for specific exposure to that program
Step 5: Get quality video, online profile & share
Video is key, college coaches don’t have the time to see every player
Create a custom highlight video to showcase your skills (3 – 5 min. long)
Create an online profile to add your athletic, academic and recruiting information
Here is an example profile and highlight video of one of our senior clients Nick Melka that recently committed to Columbia University to play football. Nick and his family were proactive in the process and were able to maximize his exposure and generate significant interest from many of his top college choices.
To get more advanced recruiting tips, strategies and advice visit our website and sign up for our complimentary SportsForce College Recruiting Guide and updates below.
FREE sign up for SportsForce College Recruiting Guide:
Article courtesy of SportsForce, Home for professional College Sports Recruiting Profiles, Highlight Videos, Tips and Tools – www.sportsforceonline.com
We shared La Costa Canyon Lacrosse player, Alex Pardieu’s recruitment journey here. As part of catching up with Alex, SportsForce had a few questions for his coach, LCC boys varsity coach, Dallas Hartley. See what Dallas had to say about Alex, the FSU commit, below.
1. How would you describe Alex on the field (strengths, playing style, etc.)?
Alex hustles and his game translates well to full field situations. He can break down a defense and get his hands free for a shot or to get the offense moving. He plays great team defense on and off the ball. And he is great in transition where his speed really shows. 2. How would you describe Alex off the field (academics, leadership, etc.)?
Well mannered and easy going. Has a lot of friends and surrounds himself with good people who know their academics are the key to their future.
3. How do you think Alex will help a team at the college level (what should a college coach expect)?
Alex brings a strong work ethic, an infectious good attitude, and he wants to get better. He is very coachable. 4. How do you think Alex will develop over the next few years as a lacrosse player?
He has enormous potential. He will be one of the best players on his team and demand respect. Speed, team play, and the intangibles translate well to the next level.
5. Any final thoughts about Alex?
Pleasure to coach a kid who wants to be better every day.
Rylan Sankey is a pitcher for Rancho Bernardo High School and recently committed to Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. We caught up with Rylan to get his take on the recruiting process, what tips he has for getting exposure to colleges, what he is looking forward to as he heads to Friends University and much more. Check out Rylan’s highlight video below and visit http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/rsankey for Rylan’s full SportsForce Profile.
What do you enjoy about playing baseball? Baseball is my escape. All my troubles are gone the instant I step foot on that field. Once on the field, it’s me and my team against you. I love the sound the glove makes when the ball strikes that sweet spot and I love that slow walk around the left side of the mound when I strike someone out. And nothing beats the sound of a bat screaming when it launches the ball over the center field fence! Most of all, I love facing my next opponent as he walks to the plate and I get ready to unleash all I have at him.
When did you begin pitching? When I was about 13 years old in Pony League, after Little League. I played first base in Little League.
How would you describe yourself as a pitcher? A bull dog! I’m not willing to let go and I fight for the strike until the very end.
What other sports did you play growing up? A little soccer and the occasional football game in the neighborhood. Baseball has always been my favorite sport.
What type of college experience are you looking for (athletically,
academically, socially)? Most importantly, I want to get my college degree. But it’s just as important to me to excel in athletics all four years. I can’t wait to see how much better I get with some great coaching and physical training. I am also looking forward to making some long lasting friendships with my teammates and the students at Friends University. The dorms should be a unique experience and I also look forward to some great relationships with the professors, which I think is very possible at a smaller sized school like Friends.
How do you decide to sign with Friends University? When my family and I flew out to Wichita, we were impressed with the campus and facilities. Everyone we met there was very nice and the coaches were so enthusiastic about having me. They had a new field this year and we met other team members. I decided that having a more personal relationship with the professors and coaches would be ideal for me. It just felt right. I know I’m going to have to work hard for school and baseball, but I know I’m going to have a great experience!
How did it feel to go out to Kansas and sign with the coaching staff? It was very exciting. We explored Wichita and the campus and the coaches both made me feel so welcome and I could talk with them. I know they’ll work me hard, but they were really great.
What are you looking forward to most about being a college baseball player? I’m looking forward to the whole college experience and I’m really proud to be a college student-athlete at Friends. It feels good to know that I’ve accomplished my goal despite the fact that there have been many people who have tried to discourage me. But it’s ok, because it made me want success even more, it made me work harder and try harder, and I learned some valuable lessons for my life. I AM A COLLEGE BASEBALL PLAYER!
What other colleges actively recruited you? Doane College, Washburn University, Rollins College, and Harding University to name a few.
What other schools did you seriously consider and why? Doane and Washburn were at the top of my list because of their campuses and science programs.
What college recruiting trips did you take and how were they? I only went to Western Oregon University once and the coaches weren’t very accepting and it seemed like I just wouldn’t have fun there.
What was the craziest thing that happened during the recruiting process? When I got my video done on SportsForce, it surprised me how many colleges responded within the very first week!
What helped you maximize your exposure to colleges? The online profile video and DVD video was perfect. It was sent with college applications and/or an email indicating my interest in their school. It really gave the coaches an idea of how I throw, even if they were out of state and couldn’t see me in person.
What advice would you give to a high school athlete looking to play college sports? NEVER GIVE UP. That’s something I’ve learned. There will always be people who encourage you and people who discourage you. Take in the encouragement, and sift through the criticism for any useful information, but keep working at it if it’s something you love.
How did your family helped in the college selection and recruiting process? I couldn’t have done it without them. Dad looked at all the colleges on a sports level and Mom made sure the colleges offered science programs that she knew I wanted to pursue. SportsForce helped me get the video produced so we could distribute it.
What is your intended college major? I plan to major in chemistry or pre-pharmacy.
What is your long term career ambition? Hopefully to become a pharmaceutical chemist.
What are your baseball goals over the next few years? To raise my velocity and gain more control of my split-finger. I also want to contribute to taking this team to a new level. I wouldn’t mind setting some new records too.
What do you do to prepare to be a successful student-athlete
(training, practice, film review, etc.)? Practice is where the sweat and the hard work are put in. And I have regular regimen for weight training 3 times a week. And I have a protein drink routine I follow for building strength and trimming down. Then the games are just pure fun!
What hobbies or interest do you have outside of sports? I love to sing and play guitar, draw, play video games, hacky-sack, and snowboard. And I love animals.
Coach Kentera and XX1090Sports Radio hosted SportsForce CEO Andrew Beinbrink recently to discuss the changing time line of college recruiting, the importance of video in the recruiting process and how SportsForce is working hard to help high school student athletes in every way possible. Check out the interview below. Coach Kentera highlights high school sports every week for XX1090 and is himself very familiar with college recruiting as he’s been a mentor to hundreds of student athletes guiding their careers in many ways including placing over 100 students at the college level and having 37 players drafted or sign professional baseball contracts. Check out the full interview below.
The college recruiting process is often misunderstood by many parents, student-athletes, coaches and fans. The fact is, the college recruiting process has changed dramatically over the last 10 years and understanding how to play the game is important.
Are you a sports parent or a high school student-athlete who is asking yourself “How do I maximize my recruiting exposure to college coaches?” If so, you are not alone. This is a very common issue across the country that we often help student-athletes and families proactively address at SportsForce.
In this article you will begin to learn the basics of maximizing your college recruiting exposure and some key facts to understand about the recruiting process.
At the end of this article you will have an opportunity to sign up for our complimentary SportsForce College Recruiting Guide and get access to recruiting tips, advices and insight to learn more keys to college recruiting success. Click Here for the full recruiting guide.
First, a few key facts to keep in mind before we talk about maximizing exposure:
- College coaches are recruiting earlier and earlier (often evaluating freshmen & sophomores)
- Colleges often don’t have the budget to recruit many players in person and are relying more and more on video to help make better recruiting decisions
- 80% of college sports opportunities exist outside of DI level teams
- Over $1 Billion dollars in athletic scholarship money is awarded to student-athletes each year
- A recruited student-athlete has a significantly better chance of getting accepted to a college over a non student-athlete with similar grades
- College coaches are using all sorts of technology including: email, smart phones (Blackberrys, Iphones, etc.), online recruiting databases, social media (YouTube, Facebook) and more to find and evaluate players.
If your son or daughter is seriously looking to play college sports, your goal as a parent should be to support them and provide them an opportunity to best position themselves to reach their goal and find the right college fit.
You might be asking yourself what is the RIGHT FIT?
The right college fit means understanding what type of college experience your child is looking for and what’s best for the family. When creating a list of potential colleges focus on the most critical decision factors and criteria including: academics, athletics, location, cost, level of competition, coaching staff, social environment, potential playing time and scholarship opportunity.
Now that we have some more information on the table lets discuss “How to Maximize College Exposure.”
Step 1: Determine what College Programs are right for the Student-Athlete
- Conduct a realistic student-athlete assessment (stats, skills and grades)
- Ask for a coach’s evaluation (HS & Club team)
- Research & create a target list of schools based on critical decision factors and college criteria (10 – 30+ colleges)
Step 2: Express Interest / Build Support
- Meet with high school / club team coach regarding your college goals and commitment and make sure everyone is on the same page
- Network with other trainers, coaches and parents to seek potential qualified college coach introductions
Step 3: Introduce and Market Yourself
- Start early (Ideally Freshman and Sophomore years)
- Introduce yourself to college coaches and express your interest (use email, phone or an in person meeting to make an introduction)
- Remember you can call a college coach even though they might not be able to call you based on NCAA regulations
- Provide complete resume / profile and highlight video for a college coaches evaluation
- Follow up is KEY (email, phone and unofficial trips)
We will include more in Part II on “How to Maximize Your College Recruiting Exposure” Click Here to read Part II now.
To get more advanced recruiting tips, strategies and advice visit our website and sign up for our complimentary SportsForce College Recruiting Guide and updates below.
FREE sign up for SportsForce College Recruiting Guide:
Article courtesy of SportsForce, Home for professional College Sports Recruiting Profiles, Highlight Videos, Tips and Tools – www.sportsforceonline.com
SportsForce is excited to share the announcement of La Costa Canyon and NC Starz Elite player Alex Pardieu’s commitment to Florida State to play Men’s Lacrosse.
Florida State Men’s Lacrosse shared the news in a press release:
La Costa Canyon senior midfielder Alex Pardieu will attend Florida State University in the fall. LCC High School is located in Carlsbad, California.
The 5’10”, 165 pound Pardieu was a four year varsity letterman and as a junior, was named All-County and All-Conference in the highly competitive San Diego section. Most recently, he was invited to play at the 2010 World Lacrosse Championships in Manchester, England on the U19 team.
“Alex can break down a defense and get his hands free for a shot or to get the offense moving”, said LCC Head Coach Dallas Hartley. “He plays team defense on and off the ball and is great in transition”. Added FSU Head Coach Bill Harkins, “We are excited to have Alex join the program”.
La Costa Canyon senior midfielder Alex Pardieu will attend Florida State University in the fall. LCC High School is located in Carlsbad, California.
The 5’10”, 165 pound Pardieu was a four year varsity letterman and as a junior, was named All-County and All-Conference in the highly competitive San Diego section. Most recently, he was invited to play at the 2010 World Lacrosse Championships in Manchester, England on the U19 team.
“Alex can break down a defense and get his hands free for a shot or to get the offense moving”, said LCC Head Coach Dallas Hartley. “He plays team defense on and off the ball and is great in transition”. Added FSU Head Coach Bill Harkins, “We are excited to have Alex join the program”.
